One of the most common grievances and concerns among pool owners is algae. This unwelcome guest can quickly take over the pool, turning it from a beautiful and inviting crystal clear blue to a murky green, yellow or even black. Worse than just turning the water an unsightly color, algae can emit a nasty odor and can even stain the pool walls and tiles.
And algae is much easier to handle when it’s caught early on — which is a great reason to have an experienced pool technician service the pool on a regular basis, as they are generally skilled in detecting algae early… and getting rid of it before it ruins the pool party, so to speak. Aquaman Pools shares some tips on detecting and dealing with algae before it has a chance to do any real damage.
First, it’s helpful to understand what algae is and why it gets in the pool. There are actually more than 20,000 species of algae and even a tiny fraction of this number can end up in the pool. Most commonly, mustard algae, black algae, blue-green algae and green algae are the ones homeowners end up having to deal with in their pools. Typically, black algae is more difficult to keep in check and it is the one to be blamed for any algae-related stains that end up on the swimming pool walls and flooring.
Prevention is key when it comes to keeping the pool free of algae, which tends to rear its ugly head in warmer weather. Giving the pool a “shock” treatment (which really is just a somewhat-threatening sounding phrase for super-chlorinating the water) can help prevent muddy or cloudy water, that off-putting chlorine odor, and itchy red eyes and skin irritation. While many attribute too much chlorine to those latter things, it’s actually the opposite – the lack of chlorine. Shocking the pool with algaecide or chlorine and keeping sanitizer levels at an appropriate level can help prevent algae from forming.
A phosphate removal compound is a highly recommended method of stopping algae before it gets out of hand. Algaecides can also help kill airborne spores when they try to take a dip in the pool. If the pool is starting to look a little off color or cloudy, these are indications that algae might be trying to set up camp. Homeowners should try these methods to stop algae in its tracks or, as always, give Aquaman Pools a call. The professional pool technicians are happy to access any valley pool and offer the best treatment to ensure the water is once again healthy, safe, clean and sparkling clear.
