Swimming pools are an excellent addition to any property. They’re great for anything from a workout to physical rehabilitation to recreational use. Looking into the pool and seeing green water can prevent that refreshing swim from becoming a reality.
What Is The Cause Of Pool Water Turning Green?
Pool water turns green for a variety of reasons. Among the most common are:
Algae
Algae is the most common cause of pool water turning from clear blue that you’re used to to any shade of green. A lighter shade of green indicates a new formation, whereas a darker shade indicates a more serious problem. A fall in cleaning chemicals like chlorine or bromine, for example, can make the agents too weak to prevent algae formation.
Trace Metals
Trace metals (mostly copper) can be found in the water due to cheap algaecides, metal pool components, and acidic source water. As a result, the metals in a pool shock might oxidize, turning the water green. Water that has turned green due to oxidation can stain a pool and is known to turn hair green.
Pollen
Depending on where you live, airborne pollen can be too fine to be filtered out of the pool, causing it to pile up. If you live in an area where pollen counts are so excessive that your cars are covered in yellow dust in the morning, your swimming pool water may turn green as a result.
Is A Green Pool Safe To Swim In?
The short answer is that it depends on different factors.
Lakes have a complex ecosystem, including aquatic life that feeds on toxins and bacteria.As a result, s wimming in green water in nature is usually safe. But the algae is beneficial to more than simply humans. Bacteria and parasites are drawn to this superfood. Microbes can enter the body via the mouth, nose, eyes, ears, or a small wound. Swimming in green pool water becomes less safe the darker the green becomes in this circumstance. This is why frequent chemical testing is critical; it is also the easiest way to avoid green water.
If the green is caused by pollen, there may be little that can be done to reduce the discoloration short of creating a structure around the pool. Fortunately, assuming no allergies to pollen, swimming in a pool with pollen as the reason for green water is harmless.
What Are The Various Types Of Green Water?
Pools can have three different types of green water: light green, dark green, and black green.
Light Green: You are most likely dealing with a minor pool algae problem. Low pool sanitizer levels and poor pool balance maintenance might result in light green water.
Dark Green: The darker the green, the more algae your pool contains. Furthermore, algae with darker green tones are more hazardous. You’ll have to put in more effort to get rid of the algae in deep green pool water due to its abundance in the water.
Black Green: This is undoubtedly the worst type of water. There is a lot of algae in your pool if it is blackish green in color. This type of algae is extremely resistant to cleaning and tough to remove. It can also leave dreadful stains on your pool’s walls and floor.
How To Treat A Green Pool
If you’ve gone past the point of prevention, you’ll need to do more than just splash some chlorine into the pool. It’s time for a thorough cleaning.
Step 1: Vacuum To Waste
First, you must clean the pool of algae and other dirt and debris. Ensure the vacuum filter is set to Waste to prevent the “garbage” from returning to the pool.
Step 2: Brush Your Pool Thoroughly
There are algae brushes specifically designed for this purpose. To ensure that all of the algae is removed, it is advisable to use a harder brush rather than one with soft bristles.
Brush after vacuuming, yes. Although vacuuming the algae first may seem sensible, the purpose is to kill it. The algae must stay in the pool to accomplish this.
Step 3: Test The Pool Water’s Chemistry
It is critical to determine the current point of reference before adjusting the ingredients. Use a pool ph testing kit for that.
If it is easier for you, you can do this as the first step.
The ideal pH level for pool water is 7.5, however you should aim for 7.2 when treating a dirty pool. You can lower the pH of the water by adding sodium bisulfate to it.
Step 4: Shock Your Pool
The algae is killed during this process. Pool Shock is a cleanser that contains concentrated chlorine, preferably at a concentration of more than 70%. Even though your usual shock does not include chlorine, it must be used for this stage of the process.
Step 5: Filter And Pump The Water
Turn on your pump and keep it on for a day after shocking your pool’s water. The chlorine will then be dispersed throughout the water. After 24 hours, you should notice a significant difference in your pool. However, due to floating dead algae, the water in your pool may still appear hazy. Keep your pool pump going and use a decent pool brush to clean the floor and walls of the pool. If there is any sticky algae on the surfaces, a brush followed by a vacuum will suffice. During the shocking process, make sure to clean your filter and vacuum a few times.
Step 6: Check For Chlorine Loss
If your pool still has algae or gets considerable sun after shocking, the chlorine levels may drop again. The chlorine levels should be checked on a regular basis. You’re good to go when the chlorine level remains constant for several days or declines by one point.
Conclusion
I hope that this article has answered the question of whether a green pool is safe to swim in and what needs to be done to turn a green pool blue again.