5 Top Tips to Prevent Algae in Your Swimming Pool

2024-4-2

A shock is a little like a spring cleaning for your pool. Basically, it means putting in a whole lot of chlorine to kill any algae that are around, and to destroy the organic detritus that provides a nutrient base for algae to grow.

From here, in order to maintain that beautiful pool of yours, you'll need to shock it every 2 - 4 weeks. But hey, life happens, right? If you recently threw a pool party or have had a rainstorm that has stirred up all that muck, you may need to shock your pool a little more often.

Pro Tip:  The ideal time to shock your pool is out of the sun — that is, in the evening or early morning. Why? Because Mr. Sun can ruin the day and quick split that good ol' pool chlorine in the amount of time it would take you to finish one drink. Chlorine needs time to act, and shocking during these cooler hours provides that.

Use shock treatment according to the manufacturer guidelines. On average, expect to add 3 to 5 pounds of pool shock for every 10,000 gallons of water in your pool. We made sure you have just the right amount to do your job.

This shock treatment needs to be dissolved in a bucket of water before applying it. The cause will equally distribute the shock and minimize the chances of hurting your pool surfaces. Finally, walk around the deep end of your pool and gently pour the solution into the pool towards the shallow end. Also, remember to have your pool pump running for this part — you want to try to get the chemicals to circulate throughout the pool, and your pump is like your pool's heart.

Algaecide is essentially the sunscreen for your pool, to prevent those nasty algae from ruining your nice sparkling water. These are chemical agents focused on halting algae in its tracks, bolstering your defenses when you are already maintaining regular shock treatments.

There are a ton of algaecides out there, they all have their superpower. Copper-based are the algaecide superheroes, able to tackle any type of algae. Just be careful, they can leave traces (stains) so you will regret it. When dealing with green algae, polymer-based algaecides can be a good choice while quaternary ammonium-based ones are usually effective against yellow and black algae.

Regardless, always adhere to the manufacturer's directions for dosage and application method when using algaecide. The algaecide is usually added directly to the pool by pouring it or putting it into a pool skimmer. This makes sure that the algaecide is uniformly dispersed throughout all the water.

As for how frequently you should use an algaecide, target every 2 to 4 weeks, or as necessary depending on the condition of your swimming pool, and the type of algae you're combating. But it's like putting a little extra protection on your pool to keep it sparkling all season long.

To keep your pool and algae at bay, you need to brush and skim it every other day — think of it like giving your pool a daily shower and a hair combing. And by physically removing algae and debris, you're reducing the opportunity for algae to take root and reproduce.

Next up in terms of brushing, grab your pool brush, and brush the walls, floor, and steps. Remember to get right into all of those nooks and crannies, such as corners and crevices that algae love to hide in. You should aim to sweep your swimming pool at least weekly, or more frequently if you see traces of algae.

When it comes to skimming, skim the surface of your pool every day. This will help catch leaves, insects, and other detritus before they sink to the bottom and contribute to algal growth. Skimming helps maintain a clean and pristine appearance of your pool as well. In peak times, or when the wind is blowing, you may have to skim more often to match the increased debris load.

An efficient filtration system paired with a good water circulation keeps algae spores and other pollutants at bay before they are capable of causing trouble.

Keep in mind that your pool filter should be maintained regularly through either cleaning or replacing it. A sand filter requires a small amount of backwash every 4 to 6 weeks for freshness, whereas a cartridge filter should be cleaned every 4 to 6 months. This guarantees that your filter is always ready to work.

The other big part of is about running your pool pump. Try to keep it working minimum 8-12 hours in a day. That provides the water sufficient time to pass through the filtration system so that all remains clean and well controlled.

And last but not least, double-check the water running through your pool. You want to make sure water is flowing evenly throughout the entire pool. Set the return jets in your pool to ensure you achieve good water circulation. Doing this ensures that there is water movement from deep to shallow and across the surface, keeping everything moving, preventing stagnant areas from forming which algae can take advantage of.

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