If you’ve been a pool owner for any length of time, you’ve probably had your own unpleasant encounters with the pool owner’s number one nemesis: algae. If you feel like your fun-in-the-sun pool season dreams are drowning in an algae-infested nightmare, you’re not alone. Pool owners from all walks of life with completely different makes and models of pools can relate to your frustration. Whether you’ve just started noticing some cloudiness and discoloration or whether your pool is in the midst of a murky, disgusting algae bloom, help is available.
If you implement the following steps carefully, you’ll most likely be able to get your pool back in tip-top shape sooner than you may have thought possible. Keep reading to find out how to achieve the clear, sparkling and clean-smelling backyard aquatic environment you, your family, and your guests deserve.
What Does a Full Algae Bloom Look and Feel Like in a Pool?
If you see a pool that looks a bit like the mythical habitat of the creature from the black lagoon, you’re most likely looking at a pool that’s developed a full algae bloom. The water is so cloudy and discolored that you can’t see the bottom. The colors of the algae can make the water appear anything within a range of yellow, to green, to a deep blackish blue. The water may also have a slimy feel to it. Patches of discoloration can also show up along the interior corners, stairs, skimmers, jets, and any other surface areas inside the pool. Let’s just say that unless you’re a fish, reptile, or amphibian, this type of water would be completely undesirable for swimming!
Does Algae in the Pool Pose a Safety Risk?
Thankfully, unlike algae blooms in the ocean, the types of algae that appear in the pool aren’t actually dangerous for swimming in and of themselves. They do, however, provide a perfect breeding ground for various types of bacteria that can be harmful to humans. They also pose a safety risk, because they can make it difficult to see someone who sinks into the water. So if you’re thinking about being that daredevil who decides to go for a dip in the algae-infested pool, think again! Once your pool has algae bloom, the only thing you should be doing with that water is treating it, and the sooner you start, the better!
Are Algae Blooms Expensive to Eradicate From a Pool?
The worse the algae infestation is in your pool, the more costly cleanup is likely to be. That’s because the algae are so widespread that unless you completely purge it from the entire pool system, it’s likely to come back again. This is especially true with black algae, which is notoriously tenacious and hard to get rid of once it has spread throughout your pool’s surfaces. That’s why the best algae treatment starts with prevention. As soon as you install your pool, start implementing regular pool water testing and shock treatments as part of your maintenance routine.
If, however, you somehow fail to prevent algae bloom in your pool, don’t despair. You can get control of the problem. In the rest of this series, we’ll take a closer look at algae-infestations and what you can do to effectively take care of them. Continue reading with Part 2.
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Lyon Financial
Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.
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