There are many reasons why algae may be forming in your pool. At B.M. Wemple Pools, we've been proudly serving Orlando, FL with professional pool maintenance, repairs, and cleaning services for years.
Learn about the causes of algae formation in your pool, how to kill it, and how to avoid it from returning. For all your other questions and concerns, or if you're looking for a team of experts to take care of your pool maintenance for you, give us a call. We provide comprehensive pool services throughout Orlando from resurfacing to routine cleaning.
What Causes Algae in Pools?
Cyanobacteria algae happens naturally in nearly all soil and plant debris. These spores then find their way into your pool via wind, contaminated swimwear, or debris falling into your pool. The algae then blooms into visible colonies when the right conditions are met. Some of the most common reasons algae forms are:
- Poor water circulation, including dead spots and low flow areas
- Poor sanitation protocol
- Low or inconsistent chlorine levels
- Poor pH, alkalinity, calcium, and cyanuric balance levels
- Insufficient water filtration
How Do I Kill Algae in My Pool?
To start, make sure you have remedied your pool's water balance, sanitation, filtration, and circulation. Vacuum and skim your pool to remove algae and debris. You can treat small algae blooms with granular chlorine or pool algaecide. You should immediately follow with stiff brushing. If you have larger sections of algae in your pool, you may require a strong additive of chlorine. In extreme cases, you will need to shock your pool to kill all the algae.
How Do I Prevent Algae?
The best way to prevent and control algae in your pool is to keep proper circulation, water balance, filtration, and sanitation running optimally. If one or multiple of these aspects of your pool fails, it can lead to algae production as it starts to create the perfect environment for algae to grow and bloom. Keep your chlorine levels maintained, your filter cleaned, and a proper water balance. If you notice more frequent algae growth, use a high-quality pool algaecide. The main idea is to create a harsh environment that makes it difficult for algae to grow but is safe for swimming.
Algae can be harmful to swim in, especially for children and people with compromised immune systems. While small patches of algae are not inherently dangerous, if your pool has a full algae bloom and your water is murky, do not swim in it. If your chlorine isn't killing the algae bacteria, chances are, it is also not killing the more harmful pathogenic bacteria in the water as well. Algae growth in your pool is a good sign that more dangerous contaminants are present in your pool. As such, it's time to reevaluate your pool's water balance and sanitation processes.
Hire B.M. Wemple Pools
Preventing algae growth in your pool and keeping it safe and clean year-round takes time and effort. Not only do you have to research and test what chemicals and processes are going into your pool, but you also have to stock up on them, continuously clean and maintain your pool, and more. Instead of constantly worrying about maintaining your pool, leave it to the professionals at B.M. Wemple Pools. We proudly provide Orlando, FL pool owners comprehensive pool maintenance, cleaning, and repair services year-round. Contact us today to schedule your routine cleaning and maintenance.
