Green Pool Treatment & Algae Removal

We Fix Green Pools Quickly

A green pool is embarrassing and frustrating. One week your water looks fine, and the next week it looks like a swamp. This happens faster than most people expect, especially during hot California summers. The good news is that green pools are fixable. We restore green pools to sparkling blue water every single week across Cupertino and the surrounding Bay Area.

Green pool treatment is a specialized service that goes beyond regular cleaning. It requires the right chemicals, proper equipment, and experience to do it safely and effectively. We have treated hundreds of green pools, from slightly cloudy water to completely opaque swamp conditions. No matter how bad your pool looks right now, we can fix it.

Why Pools Turn Green

Green water means algae. Algae are microscopic plants that grow in pool water when conditions are right. They spread incredibly fast, sometimes turning your entire pool green in just 48 hours. Understanding why this happens helps prevent it from coming back after treatment.

The most common causes of algae growth include:

• Low chlorine levels: Chlorine kills algae, so when levels drop too low, algae take over quickly
• Poor water circulation: Stagnant water creates perfect conditions for algae to bloom
• Unbalanced pH: When pH is too high, chlorine becomes less effective at killing algae
• Warm weather: Heat accelerates algae growth, which is why pools often turn green in summer
• Debris and organic matter: Leaves and dirt provide nutrients that feed algae
• Inadequate filtering: Clogged or inefficient filters cannot remove algae spores

Sometimes multiple factors combine. Your filter gets clogged, which reduces circulation, which allows chlorine to dissipate unevenly, which lets algae grow. This is why our weekly pool cleaning service is so valuable for prevention. Regular maintenance catches these problems before they turn your pool green.

How We Remove Algae

Treating a green pool requires a systematic approach. You cannot just dump in chlorine and hope for the best. That approach wastes money and often fails to fully clear the algae. Here is our proven process:

Step 1: Assessment - We test your water chemistry and inspect the pool to determine how severe the algae problem is. Green pools come in different levels of severity, and treatment varies based on what we find.

Step 2: Remove debris - We skim out leaves, branches, and any large debris. This prevents organic matter from feeding the algae and interfering with chemical treatment.

Step 3: Brush thoroughly - We scrub all pool surfaces to break up algae colonies clinging to walls, floors, and steps. This exposes more algae to the chemicals we will add.

Step 4: Balance pH - Before adding algaecide or shock, we adjust pH to optimal levels. This makes the treatment chemicals much more effective.

Step 5: Apply algaecide - We add professional-strength algaecide that targets the specific type of algae in your pool. Store-bought products are not strong enough for serious infestations.

Step 6: Shock treatment - We super-chlorinate the pool with a heavy dose of shock to kill remaining algae and oxidize dead organic matter.

Step 7: Filter continuously - Your pump needs to run 24 hours a day during treatment to circulate chemicals and filter out dead algae. We check and clean your filter as needed, or recommend our filter cleaning service if necessary.

Step 8: Vacuum dead algae - Once the algae die, they sink to the bottom. We vacuum thoroughly to remove all the dead material, which often turns water cloudy.

Step 9: Final balancing - We test and adjust all chemical levels one more time to ensure the water is safe and clear. This prevents algae from returning immediately.

The entire process typically takes 3 to 7 days depending on how severe the algae problem is. Very green pools may need multiple treatments. We stay with it until your water is perfectly clear.

Different Types of Algae

Not all algae are the same. The type of algae in your pool affects how we treat it and how long treatment takes.

Green algae is most common. It turns water cloudy green and forms on pool surfaces. This type responds well to standard treatment and usually clears within a few days.

Mustard algae looks yellowish or brown. It clings to walls and brushes off easily but comes back quickly. This type is more resistant and may need specialized chemicals.

Black algae is the worst. It forms dark spots on plaster and gets roots into the surface. Black algae is very resistant to treatment and sometimes requires aggressive scrubbing or even professional help beyond chemical treatment.

We identify the algae type during our initial assessment and choose the right treatment approach. This saves you time and money compared to trial-and-error methods.

Keeping Algae from Coming Back

Once we clear your pool, you obviously do not want it turning green again next month. Prevention is much easier and cheaper than repeated treatments. Here is what keeps pools clear:

• Maintain proper chlorine levels at all times
• Keep pH balanced between 7.2 and 7.6
• Run your filter at least 8 hours per day in summer
• Brush walls and floors weekly to prevent algae from attaching
• Clean or backwash your filter regularly
• Remove leaves and debris promptly
• Shock your pool weekly during hot weather

Most of our green pool treatment customers sign up for ongoing weekly maintenance after we restore their water. They realize that professional service prevents problems and saves money in the long run. Your pool stays clear, you avoid repeated treatment costs, and you can actually enjoy swimming instead of worrying about chemistry.

Frequently Asked Questions