You are ready for a lovely dip in your pool, and you notice that, yuck, it is green. Why did it happen?
What makes the pool go green?
Algae has formed in your pool water, and its chlorophyll is the telltale green colour. The more green, the more algae that need to be removed. The formation of algae is generally preventable using chemicals and sanitizers with chlorine.
How can I fix it?
Saltwater chlorinators and bleach pump pools both add chlorine at a constant rate. If the pool water changes but the settings don’t, the algae will only continue to grow, and this is why it is important to have a reliable weekly pool maintenance company you can trust to work on the upkeep of your pool.
Things that will make the pool water change are:
- The number of leaves or grass that has infiltrated the water.
- Increased use of the pool.
- Lawn fertilizer that may have made its way into the water.
- Higher temperatures associated with more sunlight.
When you add a bag of salt for chlorinators, it divides into two as it dissolves, sodium and chloride. Chloride won’t kill the algae. It must be turned into chlorine first. That is why your pool has a chlorinator. This is a device that passes water across metallic plates and, with a small electrical charge, will change the chloride into chlorine.
The chlorine is either added directly to the pool or uses a pump on a timer. It is important that there is sufficient salt in the reservoir when the timer sets it for release. The amount of chlorine it will take to sanitize the pool depends on temperature and pool usage. If you cover the pool when not in use, it will keep more of the leaves out and will limit the number of UV rays from the sun.
Persistent green water can also signal issues with your pool filter or swimming pool pump not circulating water properly. A professional water analysis will pinpoint the exact cause and get your water balanced again.
I need help with my pool!
If you have algae in your pool and want to get rid of it, an excellent professional pool company can help! ML Pool Services Inc., a family-owned company, has been proud to serve Ottawa and the surrounding region for 29 years. We provide homeowners and businesses in the area with a comprehensive range of pool services and pool products. Whether you need pool maintenance or a full pool repair, contact us for more information.
