How To Fix Green Pool Water

One of the best parts about preparing for a dip in the pool is anticipating the cool, refreshing blue water. So, it can be a real let-down when you wander outside for some fun in the sun only to find the water is a disgusting tint of pond green. Luckily, getting rid of green pool water is easier than it seems (if you haven’t allowed the green water to sit over a period of months). 

Green pool water is generally the result of an overgrowth of algae. During the warm summer months, especially, algae can grow quickly in swimming pools. Sometimes, your water can even turn from blue to green in a day or two. 

To gauge the extent of the problem, determine what shade of green has taken over your pool water. For instance, light green is more easily fixed than, say, a black-green. In the case of the latter, you may need a professional pool service because the darker hue indicates that your pool may need to be drained and cleaned. This is not something on which to embark on your own because it requires tremendous care to get your pool properly drained, cleaned, and re-filled with the right chemical balance. 

Algae overgrowth happens when there is a chlorine imbalance in your pool. Chlorine is the chemical responsible for sanitizing the water. If you allow the levels to drop even temporarily, algae can infiltrate the water and begin growing. 

Cleaning Green Pool Water

A quick chlorine boost is the quickest and most effective way to deal with light green water. Often referenced as “shocking” your pool, paired with an algaecide, this treatment can eradicate algae growth before it takes over the water entirely. 

If you go with this method to achieve a clean pool once again, make sure to run the pool filter for at least 10 hours during the treatment after it. Plan to avoid pool use for 24 hours after the treatment to allow chlorine levels in the water to balance out to normal once again. 

Also, keep in mind that if your pool sits in direct sunlight, then you may need to consider the type of chlorine you are using. For example, if you are using destabilized chlorine to shock your pool, it will burn much faster in sunlight than stabilized chlorine. 

If your pool water is a dark green, then you may need to shock it twice to get the water back to a state of balance. 

If the water is still cloudy even after a shock treatment, then you need clarifying tabs to make it clear again. This also requires you to run the pool pump and filter for an extended period to allow the tabs to work their way through the pool water system. For continued maintenance, check the chlorine levels in your pool regularly and use an algaecide (especially during the summer months) to guard against overgrowth.

If you are in the Santa Rosa, CA area and are dealing with green pool water, and want to save time, our pool chemical services may be the right fit for you.

Contact Us Today – 707-536-1280

How often should a pool be cleaned?

There’s nothing quite like taking a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot day. However, this luxury doesn’t come without a set of responsibilities. To get the most out of your pool, it’s crucial to have it properly cleaned by a professional.

You might be wondering how often you need to clean your pool, and you’re not alone. To ensure that your pool’s getting the right amount of care and attention, it’s crucial to give it a good cleaning as often as needed. Here’s everything you need to know about when to call for pool service.

Weekly Pool Cleaning

To keep your pool in top condition, there are several tasks you need to perform on a weekly basis. These basic weekly responsibilities help boost water quality and keep your pool protected from damage.

First, be sure to use a skimmer or vacuum to skim the surface of your pool. This allows you to identify any unwanted substances or organisms lurking inside your pool, such as debris, insects, leaves, and branches. Letting these objects build up over time can cause damage to your pool, so be consistent and skim the surface at least once a week.

Another crucial part of your weekly to-do list is a pH level measurement. The pH of your pool water plays an important role in its overall quality. As a general rule, try to aim for a pH of 7.4-7.6. This range helps keep your water clean and protected from harm. If your pH levels aren’t within this range, be sure to have an expert balance your pool chemicals to improve the water quality.

Monthly Pool Cleaning

While it’s vital to clean your pool at least once a week, you also shouldn’t neglect the importance of monthly maintenance.

Once a month, make sure to pay close attention to the water level of your pool. Various factors can influence your water levels, such as humidity, hot weather, and rainfall. If you find that your water level is lower than usual, remember to replenish the pool with the right amount of water.

While you’re at it, it’s also a good idea to check the chlorine level of your pool. If your chlorine levels are low or filled with bacteria, it’s the perfect time for a chlorine shock. Shocking your pool is essential to maintaining regular chlorine levels and keeping the water free of bacteria.

Finding a Professional to Clean Your Pool Properly

As the owner of a pool, it’s crucial for you to do your part in taking care of your pool. However, you shouldn’t have to do all of the work on your own. Let a professional pool cleaner keep your pool in prime condition so you can always be ready for a swim.

What Causes Red Algae in a Pool?

Algae is a curious form of organic life. It’s impossible to say how many different kinds of algae exist on Earth, and scientists claim it could be anywhere from 30,000 to over 1 million.

Of all these kinds of algae, there are certain kinds that tend to plague the average pool owner. Of all these pool-dwelling species of algae, very few are red–and that’s because the so-called red algae isn’t actually a type of algae. 

What has been misnamed red algae is actually a form of bacteria, and it comes from a variety of sources.

Read on to learn more about red algae and have it treated right away.

Identifying Red Algae

Red algae can grow on any surface in your pool, from the pool floor to the ladders and steps. This bacteria is often rust-colored and can even make the water, itself, look as though it has a light reddish tint.

Some algae blooms and bacteria are harmful, and it’s hard to tell by looking which ones can cause health issues for humans and pets. If you’re not a bacteria expert, it’s best to stay out of the water until you’ve had it treated and the red algae have cleared.

Sources of Red Algae

Red algae, like any bacteria, are introduced into your pool water by outside sources like rain, wind, pool accessories, and swimmers, themselves. In fact, humans are the primary source of red algae, as we all carry a variety of bacteria on our skin. That means that each time we get into the pool, we’re depositing some of our own bacteria into the water.

In addition, this bacteria can cling to pool toys and flotation devices before depositing itself into the water. Plus, rain and wind can stir toxins into your pool that will eventually lead to the growth of algae and bacteria. In other words, your pool is always susceptible to the growth of unwanted organic materials.

What to Do About Red Algae

If you notice the presence of red algae in your pool, make sure no one enters it until the algae are gone. 

Start by leaving your filter on 24 hours a day and backwash the water once or twice per day. Brushing the areas that are heavily affected before running your pool vacuum will also help to loosen bacteria that are clinging to the floor and avoiding the filter. 

You’re also going to need to treat the water, directly. That means balancing pH and chemical levels but also shocking the pool with chlorine to disinfect the water. Go ahead and bleach any pool toys and accessories that were hanging around the affected water, too.

This is a delicate process and you don’t want to start mixing chemicals unless you know exactly what you’re doing. A better solution is to hire pool cleaning professionals.  

Treat Your Pool for Algae Today

If you’re in Santa Rosa and you’ve discovered a bad case of red algae in your pool, Pool Chemical Service is here to help. That is one bacteria that you don’t want to mess around with!

Contact us today to schedule your appointment and we’ll take care of those nasty algae blooms in no time.

Top 3 Pool Service in Santa Rosa

I am pleased to share that Pool Chemical Service (PCS) has received the Three Best Rated Top 3 Pool Services award. We now proudly display the award badge on our website.  

“Congratulations!  You are now listed as one of the Top 3 Pool Services in Santa Rosa, CA. We would like to thank you for providing consistent high-quality service in your area of business. Our review team either approved or updated your business listing using our rigorous 50-Point Inspection which includes everything from checking reputation, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, nearness, trust, cost, and general excellence.

Three Best Rated® was created with a simple goal to find you the top 3 local businesses, professionals, restaurants, health care providers, etc., in your city. We display only businesses that are verified by our team since customers deserve only the best.

That’s not all… Businesses do not pay us to list them ever. You do not pay us for the listing at any time. We believe that local businesses provide better and personal services locally. Local businesses know your city better since they live there too. Our policy is free to list because if you can pay to list, then is it really the best business”?

I am grateful for this honor.

Bill Peter

Owner

PCS

5 Benefits of Hiring a Pool Cleaning Service

Here’s a fun fact: There’s a staggering 10.6 million swimming pools in the United States today. People clearly love swimming, but you know what nobody likes? Maintaining their swimming pool.

The more time you spend cleaning and maintaining your pool, the less time you get to spend swimming. Here are five reasons you should hire a pool cleaning service to manage your swimming pool.

1. Get the Right Chemical Balance

Every swimming pool needs a proper balance of chemicals to stay clean and clear.

Without a proper chemical balance, your pool can get overrun with bacteria and algae. It can be hard to figure out the right balance for your pool, though. It all depends on the size of the pool, the current state of the water, and other hard to determine factors.

Putting too many chemicals in the pool can harm your skin and eyes!

Your local pool cleaning service knows exactly how much chlorine to put in a pool, and how to get it to just the right pH level. Not only will they keep your pool safe from bacteria, but they’ll keep your skin and eyes safe as well.

2. Save Time & Money

Hiring a pool service will inevitably save you a lot of time in the long run.

All that time you’d regularly spend maintaining the pool can be spent on other important tasks, or just relaxing in the shade. What’s more, hiring a pool cleaning service can also save you money, especially if they offer package deals. The pool cleaner will inspect your pool while they work, and may notice the early signs of issues that could bloom into expensive fixes overtime.

3. Keep Your Pool Clean

If you’re hiring local pool cleaning services, you should schedule a regular time for them to return.

With a set cleaning schedule, your pool is sure to stay as clean as possible. The pool cleaning service will vacuum out your pool, test the chemicals, scrub the tiles, and remove any grime from the walls and floor of the pool. This increases the life of your pool and ensures it never gets dirty.

4. Maintain Your Pool Equipment

Pool cleaning services don’t just tend to your pool — they also know the ins and outs of the equipment.

From pumps to vacuums and even covers, pool cleaning services can check out your equipment and make sure it’s working right. They can tell you what needs to be changed, and how to properly maintain your equipment.

5. Find Peace of Mind

The best benefit offered by a good pool service? Peace of mind.

Hiring a pool cleaning service near you means you have one less thing to worry about. Kick back, relax, and let the professionals take care of it. You deserve it.

Hire a Professional Pool Cleaning Service Today

If you’re one of the millions of people with a pool, do yourself a favor and hire a pool cleaning service today. You’ll be shocked by just how sparkling clean your pool is after they leave. The only question left will be: Why didn’t I do this sooner?

If you’re in Santa Rosa and need a professional pool cleaning service, see what Pool Chemical Service can do for you.

How Do I Keep My Pool Water Clean?

As summer approaches, it’s important to make sure your pool water is clean and sanitary.

Whether your pool is above or in-ground, it’s essential that you keep your pool water clean for safe swimming and enjoyable experiences all summer long.

Read on for a few helpful tips to show you how to keep pool water clean the easy way.

Check on and Adjust Pool Water Chemical Levels 

In order to keep pool water clean, it needs to have a specific level of chemicals to kill an array of bacteria and germs. The chlorine in your pool is crucial, so check your levels as often as possible and adjust the amount of chlorine as needed.

You should also check the water’s pH level at least twice per week to determine how alkaline or acidic it is. You can find pool water testing kits at most home improvement stores that offer fast results for easy maintenance.

Add the appropriate amount of chemicals to get your pH levels in check. You can also supplement chlorine if the levels are too low, which will help ensure the water is clean and sanitary for swimming.

Shock the Pool to Keep Pool Water Clean

Cloudy pool water isn’t just unattractive to look at, it’s also a sign that there’s a problem with your water. To keep your pool water sparkling and crystal clear, use a shock treatment to kill off any excess bacteria or algae.

This special shock treatment delivers a super-sized dose of chlorine and other important pool chemicals to the water. Be sure you read all of the directions on the packaging closely to ensure proper administration of the treatment. You can find pool shock treatments at pool supply stores and some big-box retailers.

If you’re seeing an abundance of green algae that won’t go away, you may need to administer an algaecide. This product is specially made to kill off algae which can keep the water clear and free of slippery, sticky algae that tend to grow on the walls and the bottom of your pool.

Practice Proper Cleaning Habits

Aside from chemical treatments, you should also skim your pool on a regular basis. Leaves, insects, and other debris can accumulate quickly and make the water seem dirty.

Use a pool cleaning net to remove organic materials and any other debris you see. Pool filters can remove small particles, but bigger items need to be removed manually.

Clean your pool once a day if you have a lot of trees. If not, you might be able to get away with cleaning it just once per week. A pool cover can be a great way to keep excess debris out when your pool is not in use. This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep pool water clean with minimal effort.

A Clean Pool is a Happy Pool

When you keep pool water clean, you’ll have a safe swimming environment and a beautiful backyard. Use these tips to keep the water clean, and make sure you check the chemical and pH levels regularly.

If you want to find out more about our services, visit our website or contact us today!

How to Maintain Swimming Pool Water Chemistry

Whether it’s inground or above-ground, a lap pool or a giant swimming pool, it’s crucial to maintain good pool water chemistry to keep your investment maintained.

If you’re not familiar with how chemistry works for your pool water, there are a few basic principles you need to know.

Read on for some helpful tips about pool water chemistry that will make maintenance easy.

Understand pH, Alkalinity, and Calcium Levels

The pH level in your pool water needs to be balanced to avoid becoming too acidic. Ideally, the pH level of the water should be somewhere between 7.4 and 7.6. You can easily test your water with a kit and use a pH increase when needed.

Another crucial part of pool water chemistry is the alkaline levels. These levels should be between 100 to 150 ppm, and alkaline serves as a pH buffer to keep the levels in check. Alkalinity increaser can also help you maintain the proper levels in your pool.

Finally, calcium hardness is important since it can mess up your plaster or lining if levels are too high. The calcium hardness should be between 170 and 300 ppm, and you may add calcium hardness to protect your walls and equipment.

Balancing Levels Through Pool Water Chemistry

To protect your pool and your skin, you should test your pH and alkalinity levels once a week with a home test kit or testing strips. Always keep a pH increaser, pH reducer, and alkalinity increaser on-hand to ensure that your pool water levels stay balanced. 

The alkalinity increaser should increase both alkaline and pH levels as needed, while the pH decreaser will lower both pH and alkalinity. You may have to try a few different measurements and combinations until you find the perfect amount for your water.

As long as your pool water is balanced at all times, the chlorine will work more effectively. It also helps to protect the pool itself from excess wear and tear as well as scaling and other damage.

Read More: How to Maintain Swimming Pool Water Chemistry