Water Problems

Is there something wrong with your pool? Are there strange colors on the walls that seem to keep coming back no matter what you do? Or perhaps the water doesn't shimmer as brightly as it used to.

Mustard Algae

What is it?

The most common, unwanted occurrence in swimming pools. Named for its' ugly color that matches that of the hot dog and burger condiment, it grows on the walls of swimming pools, seemingly out of nowhere. Even the most well maintained and perfectly balanced pools can get a mustard algae outbreak. This is from algae spores in the air that fall into the pool. These spores are also known to spread into pools from a person's swimwear after it has been in a different pool that had mustard algae.

It seems like no matter how many times you brush it off of the walls, no matter how much chlorine you add to the pool, it just keeps coming back. This type of algae cannot be killed with chlorine and elbow grease, this type of algae can actually live in a bottle of bleach! It requires special chemicals to effectively remove it from your pool.

How do I get rid of it?

Special chemicals are available to purchase that specifically handles mustard algae, such as Yellow-Out, Mustard Treat etc. Consult the instructions on these chemicals for the correct procedures on how to get rid of the algae.

Usually these procedures involve super-chlorinating the pool water, brushing the algae from the walls, and then vacuuming any remaining residue from the treatment.

Black Algae

What is it?

Also known as "the pool man's plague." Black algae are dark, tar-like specks that root into the plaster and smear when rubbed. The most common causes are a general lack of chlorine in the pool, most often during the colder seasons when it is assumed that pools don't require chlorine due to the cold temperatures. Poor circulation can also promote black algae growth if there is an area of the pool that stagnates.

Old, coarse, and cracked areas of the plaster are common areas for black algae growth due to the lack of water circulation in these areas.

How do I get rid of it? 

Getting rid of black algae can be a tall order. Black algae is notoriously difficult to get rid of. There are silver-based algaecides formulated for black algae treatment but in our experience these alone will not solve your problem. The pool will need to be super-chlorinated, the walls will need to be vigorously brushed with a steel wire algae brush to break the surface of the algae to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

One tip that may help is to use a 3 inch trichlor tablet and rub it directly onto the algae specks. This may be helpful for small outbreaks in tight places such as corners.

For extreme cases it may be necessary to drain the pool, pressure wash, and acid wash the entire surface. An absolute worst case scenario may require a complete resurfacing of the pool.

Green Algae

What is it?

A plant based bloom that feeds off of organic matter in the pool water. More likely to bloom in areas of the pool that receive the most sunlight because like other plants it requires sunlight to grow via photosynthesis. 

How do I get rid of it?

Similar to the mustard algae treatment, special chemicals are available to treat green algae specifically. Refer to the instructions for these chemicals for the proper procedures.

Also like the mustard algae treatment, the procedures for treating green algae usually involve super-chlorinating the water, brushing the surfaces of the pool, and then vacuuming any remaining residue left after treatment.