The Conundrum of a Green Pool: To Swim or Not to Swim?
Swimming pools are some of the most exciting additions to a household. They offer ample opportunity for recreational use and physical exercise. However, they don’t always look inviting, especially if they turn green. Despite the off-putting appearance, many people still take a dip in green pools, raising many safety concerns.
Is it ever safe to swim in a green pool?
Green water is caused by various algae that are an integral part of aquatic life in lakes and other natural bodies of water. However, water is less safe for swimming in pools as it turns green. There can be many adverse effects to your health since algae in the water can spread E-coli and other vicious germs.
Algae can damage the pool, too, which can result in costly repairs. They can enter the filter and cause a clog, rendering it useless. The pool’s surface can also be stained, producing ugly marks that can be hard to remove. Let's talk about how to deal with a murky pool so that you can swim safely:
Categories of green pool water
There are three different types of green pool water:
Light-green: indicates less severe algae problems and is usually brought about by low sanitizer levels and improper pool maintenance.
Dark-green: means there are more algae in the pool. Algae with darker shades are more hazardous and require more significant effort to remove.
Black-green: is considered the worst color, signaling extensive algae growth in the pool. They are highly resistant to cleaning and tend to leave stubborn stains on the floor and wall.
Dealing with a green pool
Maintaining proper chemical balance is essential to preventing green pool water. But if prevention is no longer feasible, the next best action is to clean:
Remove materials and large debris: Get rid of debris and algae using a vacuum with the filter set to waste. Then, clean the pool using a stiff brush to get rid of any remaining algae residue.
Adjust the pH levels: Although the recommended pH level for pool water is 7.5, try to achieve 7.2 when cleaning dirty pools. Sodium bisulfate has powerful properties that can effectively reduce the level.
Add chlorine: Pour chlorine into the pool to kill bacteria and algae according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pump and filter the water: Once you’ve added chlorine to the water, turn on the pump, then let it run for 24 hours. It disperses the chlorine evenly and should produce satisfactory results after a day. But if the pool still has a cloudy appearance, keep the pump running and use a pool brush to scour the floor and walls.
Check chlorine levels: If the pool contains some algae after the pumping, chlorine levels may drop again. Therefore, check the levels for a few days to see if they stabilize. If not, run the pump a few more times.
Get professional help to deal with your green pool water
Dealing with green water can be an uphill task. Therefore, contact a trained pool contractor and avoid monotony.
Flawless Image Pool Service is a veteran-owned and operated residential pool maintenance team for Hillsborough County. Our Certified Pool Operators provide top-notch pool maintenance, 20 years of experience and reliable service. Call 813-536-3941 today!