Algae is a side effect. It grows in your pool because something else isn’t right.

Algae and Green Swimming Pools

Algae is the most common problem that swimming pools have and it is one of the main reasons that it is a good idea to have someone watching your swimming pool on a regular basis. Algae can pop up fast and it can be very hard to get rid of if you don’t know what you are doing. If you are having an algae problem feel free to contact us or give us a call at

619-312-4440

Types of Algae

There are three major categories of algae that cause problems in swimming pools.

Green Algae

Green algae is the most common form of algae in a swimming pool. It usually starts as small green spots on the surface or a gradual green tinting of the water until the entire pool is green.
There are many reasons a pool can form green algae and it is the most common problem in a swimming pool. It is very easy for algae to grow and in the right conditions it can turn an entire pool green in less than four days.

1. The most important thing to prevent algae is proper circulation.

Green algae grows best in still water which is why if you have algae problems one of the first things you should do is increase the amount of time your water is circulating every day. The more your water circulates the less chances you have of getting algae or of it getting worse. The more the water in your swimming pool is filtered by your filters and the more it is pushed through your other equipment, the longer it will take to become a huge problem.

May sure your pump is circulating water strong and fast. If the circulation is too weak or there is a lot of pressure on the filter gauge you may need help fixing your pools circulation.

2. The second cause of algae is lack of disinfectant.

Most pools use chlorine or bromine for a disinfectant and there must be at least a low level of it at all times to kill all of the algae that falls into the pool naturally on a daily basis from things like trees and insects. Higher amounts of chlorine help protect from the introduction of people and children playing in a pool and the time in between checking and adding more chlorine. This is why you should be checking your swimming pools disinfectant levels at least once a week. It is also good to shock your pool once a week to kill any algae that is forming. Some algae is resistant to lower levels of chlorine.
Conditioner is also needed in sunny areas to protect the chlorine from the sun. The sun makes it much easier for algae to grow because it evaporates the chlorine out of the water very quickly. Some people have covers on their pool for this reason.

To fix your disinfectant problem first shock the pool and then add several tabs in a floater to keep the disinfectant levels up.

3. The third most common cause of algae is a high PH.

A high Ph means your swimming pool water it too basic. This can be caused by a number of things but algae doesn’t like an acidic environment, it likes to grow in basic water. Balance your Ph by adding more acid using a testing kit.

4. Other Chemical Problems…

Other chemical problems can affect things like chlorine and PH as well and lead to more problems. If you are confused just give us a call and we will be happy to help you.

How to get rid of Green Algae

The quickest way to get rid of green algae is to do an algae cleanse every 48 hours until your water is perfect. First, use a net to scrape anything on the bottom of the pool out of the pool and throw it away. Second: Clean your Filter and scrub the sides and bottom of the pool with a metal brush. (Warning: do not use a metal brush on a vinyl pool, instead use a soft plastic brush) Next, balance the Ph and super-chlorinate the pool with pool shock and add a copper based algaecide to the pool. Run the pool circulation and filter system non stop for 48 hours and then repeat as many times as needed. If you do not see improvement in a week then call a pool professional.

Yellow or Mustard Algae

Yellow or Mustard Algae is called such because of its obvious color difference from other algae. This algae takes longer to set but is often much harder than green algae to get rid of. As it forms on the side of the pool it might be impossible to scrub off until treatment begins to weaken the algae hold. It will lower your chlorine level and help green algae to take over as well.
To treat one must use the same methods as green algae but it is also

How to get rid of Yellow Mustard Algae

The quickest way to get rid of yellow mustard algae is to do an algae cleanse every 48 hours until your water is perfect. First, use a net to scrape anything on the bottom of the pool out of the pool and throw it away. Second: Clean your Filter and scrub the sides and bottom of the pool with a metal brush. (Warning: do not use a metal brush on a vinyl pool, instead use a soft plastic brush) With Yellow Algae which exists mostly on the surface of the pool it is essential to scrub the surface really well. Next, balance the Ph and super-chlorinate the pool with pool shock and add a bromine based algaecide to the pool. Run the pool circulation and filter system non stop for 48 hours and then repeat as many times as needed. If you do not see improvement in a week then call a pool professional.

Black Algae

Black Algae usually starts forming as little black, brown, or yellow spots, usually all grouped in the same area. These spots will spread and grow. Be careful with your brush when treating this kind of algae is you can spread it all over your pool with your brush. Soak your brush in chlorine after scrubbing.
You must use chlorine crystals and special chemicals to get rid of the stronger forms of this algae. Call us for tips but you may need a professional to help you if you have severe black algae.

Green Swimming Pools

When a swimming pool gets too much algae the water and walls become more and more green. This is often referred to as a “green pool.” In severe cases black or yellow algae forms as well. The worse the algae the more work it will be to clean out. Sometimes it might just be easier and cheaper to drain and clean the pool.

As soon as you see algae scrub and treat it immediately! Recovery can cost a lot and we will do our best to make it as affordable as possible!
If you have a problem with your green swimming pool please call us and we will be happy to discuss all of your issues.

619-312-4440.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are my options when my pool turns green?
When your pool turns green you have two options. You can 1. Treat the Water in your pool or 2. Drain the pool, scrub it and start over. The method you want to use depends on how bad your algae problem is and how quickly you need it handled. How much work you can do and how much you need to hire a professional to do depends on how much work you want to do.
Treating the existing water in a swimming pool takes a lot of work and scrubbing. The pool must be visited and worked on at least every other day until it is finished and there is often at least one and usually two hours of work to do each visit. The pool needs to be scrubbed, vacuumed, filter cleaned, water balanced and then shocked and treated with algaecide. There are also a lot of chemicals involved.
if we drain your pool we must find a proper method of draining and leave a pump running over night. We can bring over the proper equipment. The next day we can scrub the pool and start refilling. Keep in mind that you will have a heavy water bill.
However if you treat early it can be very easy. Call us as soon as you see algae!

Can I get rid of the Algae myself?
Yes, anything I can do you can do. It is just a matter of how much work you want to do. Please let me know and I will come over and teach you how to treat your own pool. It can be a lot cheaper if you want to do the work yourself.

What is the best method for getting rid of Green algae?
The best method is to shock scrub and clean every two days until the algae is gone. Or just pump it out.

What is the best method of getting rid of Yellow or Mustard algae?
You must scrub the algae constantly as you treat it. At first yellow mustard algae is very hard to scrub but after treatment with proper chemicals it will be much easier to remove.

What is the best method for getting rid of Black algae?
Black algae can be very difficult because if you aren’t careful you will spread it everywhere and it is very resistant to chlorine. You need to get special chlorine products to do it properly.

How do I get a phone estimate?
Call Matt at (619) 312-4440.
You can also send us an e-mail at matt@coolpoolguys.com. We can discuss your issue and estimated costs on the phone and schedule a visit.

We Service All of San Diego County and much of San Bernardino County

We service and repair commercial and residential pools in the Inland Empire High Desert, Victor Valley, and Mojave Desert District of San Bernardino County as well as most of San Diego County.

For repairs we may travel further for a additional fee.
Emergency Visits are a $100 additional charge.

This includes…

Barstow: Rainbow Basin, Needles, Route 66, Hinkley, Lenwood, Helendale, Silver Lakes, Oro Grande, Grandview, Skyline North, North Barstow, Desert View, Daggett, North Edwards, Yermo, Newberry Springs, Johnston’s Corner, and Wild Crossing

Victorville: Bryman, La Delta, Bell Mountain, Mojave Heights, Bellevue Heights, Valley High North, Golden Mesa, Desert Knolls Manor, The Village, Golden Mesa and Frost

Apple Valley: Sunset Hills, Thorn, Cotner’s Corner, Fizzben Heights, Mariana Ranchos, Apple Valley Highlands, and Ranchos del Oro

Hesperia: The Mesa, Oak Hills, High Country, Golden Valley Acres, Mountain View, Eagle Ranch, Duncan Corners and Baldy Mesa

Phelen: Mountain Top Junction, Wildhorse Canyon, Wrightwood, Piñon Hills

Adelanto: South Adelanto, El Mirage, Houze Place

Kramer Junction: Kramer Hills, Boron: Desert Lake, Baker, and Rich

Serving all of San Diego County: San Diego, North Park, Hillcrest, Point Loma, Old Town, Bay Park, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, PB, OB, UTC, Clairemont, Mission Beach, Mission Bay, The Beaches, La Mesa, Chula Vista, La Jolla, Soledad Mountain, Del Mar, Poway, Santee.

If you don’t see your area, call anyway and maybe we can make it out there.

Contact Cool Pool Guys or call 619-312-4440 to receive a free, no obligation estimate for your swimming pool’s monthly pool service.

Thanks for Your Business!

Each service or job requires unique knowledge, certifications, and sometimes a permit. Cool Pool Guys is a network which provides you with the proper technician for each job. Quotes are free, we will come out to your property and do a complete estimate. For special jobs customers will be directed to the appropriate licensed contractor. Your estimator may not be a contractor, however he will know how to find you the right man for the job.

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