A swimming pool may have initially seemed like the perfect addition to your backyard. However, now you have algae turning your water green, and you are wondering what to do. Pool equipment repair can help you to cope with this problem, but is it really necessary? How does algae growth affect your swimming pool?

What Is Algae?

Algae is a single-celled type of plant life. There are many different varieties, but the most common type found in your pool is green algae. It’s called so because it contains chlorophyll that gives it its distinctive color. Chlorophyll allows algae blooms to perform photosynthesis and feed, grow, and proliferate.

Why Is It a Problem?

Why Algae is a Problem

Algae is a problem in part because it provides food for harmful bacteria that can contaminate the water of your pool. Some of these bacteria have the potential to cause abdominal complaints, ear infections, and skin irritation.

In addition to the potential health risks, algae can also damage the pool itself. It can cause the filter to clog, preventing the system from working effectively. Algae growth causes clogging of the sanitation pathways as well. It can cause staining of the pool’s surfaces and potentially hurt their structural integrity. The tile and the pool plaster are particularly vulnerable.

Algae can potentially cause safety issues as well as health issues. It can cause pool surfaces to become slippery, posing a risk of falls for you and your family. When the water becomes cloudy due to algae growth, it can negatively affect your depth perception.

Can Pool Equipment Repair Help Control Existing Algae?

Help Control Existing Algae

If pool equipment has broken down, an environment in which algae can grow may be created. While it can be a bigger challenge to remove algae from a pool than to prevent it from growing in the first place, it is still possible to remove algae blooms from a pool, and equipment repair is the first step.

If you have a pool heater, you should turn it off. Warmth helps produce an environment in which algae can grow. You should check your pump and your pool filter. Once they are in top condition, you should run the pump until the pool is clear again.

You should also vacuum as needed, brush daily, and turn the pool cleaner on. For optimal circulation, adjust the valves and make sure the water level is balanced.

What Can Be Done To Prevent Pool Algae?

Prevent Pool Algae

It is easier to prevent algae growth than to remove it. Pool maintenance Houston is the key to prevention. This includes keeping the filtration system and pool pump up and running, but it also involves regular cleaning and brushing. This not only helps to prevent algae growth, but it also helps to remove dirt and bacteria that may hide in the pores of your pool plaster.

You should be aware that the sunniest and hottest times of day are the times that algae will be actively reproducing. Therefore, you need to be sure to run the pool pump and filtration system during that critical time to ensure constant chlorination, circulation, and filtration. During the winter, it may only be necessary to run the pool pump and filtration 10 hours a day.

During the summer, however, you want to boost that up to 12 hours. It is important to keep the chlorine level high in your pool and the pH levels low. This prevents your pool from becoming a conducive environment for algae growth. Some people use cyanuric acid in their pools as protection from the sun. However, you should know that chlorine activity can become suppressed as a result.

Bear in mind that there is always algae in your pool, but you cannot see it because it is in a microscopic form. Swimsuits, dirty equipment, and uncontrollable weather factors like rain and wind can bring algae into your pool. Although it is impossible to keep all kinds of algae out of your pool, the objective should be to keep the algae invisible and under control.

What causes algae in a pool?

Algae can proliferate in swimming pools due to various factors, including warm water, sunlight, poor circulation, low chlorine levels, imbalanced pH levels, contaminants, weather-related introductions, neglected maintenance, insufficient filtration, and the absence of algaecides. Adequate pool maintenance, proper water chemistry, and regular cleaning are essential to prevent and control algae growth. Maintaining these factors can help keep pools free of algae-related issues.

How Can the Professionals at Manning Pool Service Help?

Pool cleaning services are just one of the many pool maintenance and pool equipment repair tasks that we provide. Contact us for more information or to obtain a quote.

Learn More about Pool Equipment Repair and Algae

Pool Equipment Repair and Algae | Manning Pool Service – Houston, TX