One big problem for every pool owner is algae bloom. Especially when it comes almost after every cleanup and treatment.
Draining the pool to get rid of algae is not totally bad. However, before you consider draining, it should only be when you have tried brushing, shocking, applying algaecide, sanitizers, and treating the water vigorously and it keeps coming back.
Before draining, make sure you wash the pool equipment and filter to flush away any lurking algae. and balance the fresh water once the pool is refilled.
Why does my pool keep getting algae?
After solving a big issue in your pool, you expect it to be gone finally, but it keeps coming back with full force. If you have tried all your best, read on to know why it stubbornly returns.
Firstly, you should note that algae bloom is initially and majorly caused by low sanitizers, pH, and high phosphates. A good example of a sanitizer is chlorine. When it is too low in the pool, it gives enough room for algae to come back.
Phosphate is a good food for algae growth. If your water source is rich in phosphate, you are indirectly aiding algae bloom.
When algae blooms in your pool that has been left uncleaned for a long time, they find other places like the filter and other pathways to reside and hide.
You might just be asking, “Oh, but I drained the water and treated it with chemicals.” Well, you should consider disconnecting all the pipes and thoroughly cleaning the filters, hoses, and other equipment of the pool before refilling it with fresh water.
Algae could be entering your pool from your water source, trees around, or by using swimsuits and accessories that have been used in another body of water that is affected by algae.
Knowing how to thoroughly clean the pool after an algal bloom is a huge and major step towards finally getting rid of it.
Is it OK to swim in a pool with algae?
There are different types of algae and bacteria that can bloom in the swimming pool. They render the pool potentially harmful to swim in or relax in, and it makes it unsightly.
A pool infested with algae should not be swum in, whether it is severe or not. This is because most algae are good breeding grounds for dangerous bacteria. Swimmers would be exposed to different health issues like inflammation of the skin when in contact with the bacteria.
Some other effects bacteria from algae could have on humans are:
- Infection of the eyes and ears
- Fever
- Diarrhea
Just to be safe, it is better to avoid swimming in green, algae infested, and chemically imbalanced water. Swimmers could ingest the water, putting their lives in high danger.
What is the best way to remove algae from a pool?
The process of successfully and effectively clearing up a pool attacked by algae requires time, patience, and hard work. One of the best ways to get rid of algae is by brushing and vacuuming the pool. as long as you do not leave any part of the pool after the thorough cleanup.
During the process of vacuuming the pool, make sure you pay keen attention to the areas with algae. Also, maintain the pool’s water level as you vacuum.
Asides vacuuming, you can also use a flocculant to treat, but this is usually done at an early stage. It works by binding the algae to the bottom of the pool, making it easier to vacuum. All you have to do is add the recommended amount of flocculant, allow the water to circulate for at least 3 hours, turn the pump off and let the water sit overnight, backwash, vacuum, and super shock the pool. Then you can allow your filter to run till the water is clear.
How do I get algae off the bottom of my pool fast?
The first step to treating algae is knowing the type of algae growing in the pool. You can figure this out by the color. They are green, yellow, and black. Green algae is the easiest to get rid of.
When getting rid of algae, take your time so that it does not return again. You can follow these simple steps below.
- Vacuum the pool.
- Thoroughly brush the walls and floor of the pool.
- Examine all of the water’s chemicals and properties.
- Balance the water.
- Pool Shock.
- Filter the algae from the pool.
- Clean the pool filter.
- Retest the water.
Once you are satisfied with the clarity and level of chemicals in the water, You can add a little algaecide to get rid of lingering algae. Do not add plenty of algaecide because it contains copper. This is why it is advised as the last thing.
How do you clean algae from the bottom of a pool without a vacuum?
You can enjoy clean pool water even if you don’t have a pool vacuum cleaner. The steps listed below are a quick guide to restoring your pool water without spending a fortune. You can enjoy clean pool water even if you don’t have a pool vacuum cleaner.
- Wash the pool filtration system.
- Inspect the pool pump.
- Brush the pool floor and walls.
- Use shock therapy.
- Check and reinstate the volume of water in your pool.
- Remove suspended particles.
When all of the algae has been removed from the pool, turn on the pool pump to allow the water to pass through the filter. As you work, all algae particles will be separated from the water effortlessly.
Why is my pool still green after shock and algaecide?
There are a number of factors that can cause your pool to turn green, if that is what you notice. Of course, having algae in your pool stimulates it to turn green.
In addition, an overuse of cyanuric acid or pH levels, the existence of metals in your pool, and the use of copper-based algaecide are additional factors that could cause your pool to turn green.
If you use too many copper-based algaecides, the copper levels in your pool may rise, turning the water green.
Utilizing an algaecide free of metals will help you prevent this. Yes, you read that right: preserving the composition and hygiene of your pool will stop your pool from turning green.
Is it better to drain a pool or clean it?
For a number of reasons, draining a pool is a risky endeavor. Your pool wasn’t suitably made to be left empty.
Your pool will be at its best when it is filled with water, whether it is made of vinyl, concrete, or fiberglass. Draining a pool should only be done if there is no other choice, because once the water is removed, you leave yourself vulnerable to numerous risks.
However, in cases where you have a big issue that can not be solved with just cleaning, you can go ahead and drain. But when the problem at hand is not really prominent and can be solved using chemicals to clean and treat it. You might incur more expenses on your own trying to balance the water over again after draining.
How often should you drain your pool?
Regardless of the fact that almost all pools have filtering systems, pools must be emptied and filled up at a certain stage. Besides appropriate pool upkeep, the aging of toxins and the influence of vegetation surrounding your pool (trees, nitrates, etc.) take their toll.
So do skin blemishes, lotions, lubricants, and, for some homeowners, animal contaminants or waste. All this results in water that would no longer be appropriately sanitized.
Even though your water seems clean and reusable, it just needs a little chemical magic. Always drain the water every 6 months at most and refill.
This is not to say that if the water has serious problems or requires immediate attention, you should be patient for 6 months. Drain the water, even if it has been just a month since you changed it.
How much water can I drain from my pool?
You might be asking how high the water in your swimming pool needs to be. Many people utilize a pool liner fading line as a gauge or a step on their staircase.
The best way to determine how much water to actually lower is to use a skimmer faceplate, so you should have one. Typically, you should purchase a plastic skimmer faceplate rather than a tile one. The water level is actually on the low side if it is halfway up the skimmer or even slightly lower than the skimmer; for today, the water level should be between half and two thirds of the skimmer face underwater.
Your swimming pool’s water level should be at or just above the skimmer’s mouth. This is necessary because if the water level drops below the skimmer, it’s possible that your pump will run dry, which could lead to overheating or even a break.
Likewise, if the water level is too high, the skimmer won’t be able to skim the water effectively, so you should aim to keep the water level halfway up the skimmer.
The truth is that you can find yourself constantly having to top up the water a little bit pretty frequently if you reside in a region where there is a lot of evaporation.
Where do you drain pool water to?
In many townships and municipalities around the nation, it is forbidden to drain your swimming pool into the street, into storm drains, or into areas close to waterways.
Directly emptying the pool into the sanitary sewer line outside your home is the best approach to draining it. Depending on how quickly you can pump the water, the procedure is straightforward but may take some time.
Freshly chlorinated pools shouldn’t be dumped outside because the chlorine is bad for the environment and the plants in the yard. Before it is acceptable to allow the water from your pool to drain into your yard, a test kit must confirm that it has less than 0.1 ppm of chlorine.
Can I drain my pool and leave it empty?
Leaving the pool empty is just like burying a boat in the ground. Once there is enough water pressure, it will resurface.
It is possible for an empty swimming pool to float or pop out of the ground. This is brought on by potential hydrostatic pressure from unidentified underground water.
Immediately after the pool is drained, drill multiple 1 inch holes in the floor all the way through to the underground dirt to protect it from bursting. If there is a possibility of groundwater, several holes should be bored. The openings should be spaced evenly across the break, with two or three in the deep end.
Drilling into the main drain line, which normally runs from the main drain to the skimmer, must be avoided. During the time the pool is unfilled, the holes should stay intact. To seal up holes, new cement can be used to fill them.
