Have you noticed black spots appearing on the surfaces of your pool? You may have black algae. This is a living organism that grows on porous surfaces, such as concrete, plaster, and gunite. It often emerges in corners and other hard-to-reach areas. Black algae are the most aggressive type of pool algae and can also be the most difficult type to get rid of. Just because it’s challenging, however, doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to remove. With the right tools and expertise, you get rid of those black spots and prevent them from ever returning. Use the steps below to remove black algae from your swimming pool.
Sanitize the Tools
Begin by gathering all of the essential pool maintenance supplies in Buford, GA, for the job. Sanitize all of the tools by spraying them with a chlorine solution and scrubbing them clean. This ensures that you won’t be adding any more algae into the pool water.
Clean the Filters
Though you may not be able to see it, if there are black algae in your pool, there are algae in the pool filter. Follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning the filter to ensure that you remove all of the debris and algae that may be in it.
Scrub the Pool
Before you begin the long and arduous process of algae removal, it’s wise to get your pool inspected by a professional to make sure that you are dealing with black algae and not some other problem. Once you are certain, use your nylon brush to scrub the floor and walls of the pool until all of the algae disappears. Once the algae have been brushed away, it’s smart to go over the pool one more time to make sure it’s all gone.
Scrub the Affected Areas with Chlorine Tablets
Be sure to wear gloves for this step. Scrub all of the areas where you saw black algae using a chlorine tablet. The chlorine will penetrate the surface of the pool and reach the roots of the algae.
Shock the Pool
Give your swimming pool a shock treatment to get rid of any lingering bacteria and growth in the pool. Find a high-quality super shock chlorine treatment and follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. This step is essential since it helps to dismantle the algae and make it easier to eliminate.
Add Granular Chlorine and Algaecide
When putting in the granular chlorine, follow the manufacturer’s directions and put a little extra in the spots where you scrubbed away the algae. Then, add algaecide, a chemical used to kill and prevent new growth of algae. This will help to prevent future black algae growth.
Run the Pump
Give the pool treatment 24 hours to settle in. Then, run the pump for the next 24 hours. Following that, turn the pump on for 8-12 hours every day throughout the remainder of the season.
Brush and Clean the Filter Again
For the next few days, brush the pool two to four times each day. This will remove any spores that may be hiding in your swimming pool. You’ll also need to clean the filter again to get rid of any leftover residue that you may have brushed from the walls.
Keep Watch
Black algae can be particularly stubborn and may return even after you complete the steps above. If you notice black spots begin to form again, shock the pool again and keep up with twice-daily brushing.
Sometimes it’s best to let the professionals handle your pool problems. Contact us at Sunrise Pool Services Inc. to learn how we can help to remove black algae from your swimming pool. Call us at 678-804-0050 today!