Owning a home swimming pool brings endless summertime fun in Orlando, but it also requires regular upkeep and cleaning. To ensure that your pool is sparkling clean and safe for family and friends, you need to operate the pool pump daily.
Determining the right pool service technician for your needs requires careful consideration of their experience, certifications, and rates. Ask about their specialized treatments and whether they specialize in chlorine or salt water pools.
Green Algae
Green algae is the most common type of freshwater algae, says this orlando pool cleaning company. It forms on the surface of your pool, making it extremely slimy and turning your water a murky green color. It is very quick to grow and can be difficult to get rid of without the help of a professional pool service in Orlando. If you notice your swimming pool is sporting a green hue, slippery surfaces, or an unpleasant odor, it’s time for a professional cleaning.
There are many different types of green algae, ranging from microscopic single-celled organisms to large spore-forming plants. They are commonly found in ponds, lakes and rivers and can be found both in freshwater and brackish water. Many are filamentous, with whip-like flagellae that help them move through the water. They are able to reproduce both asexually by splitting, budding or fragmentation and sexually with isogamous (both haploid cells are the same size – females), anisogamous (male and haploid cell are different sizes – males bigger) or oogamous (female non-motile and egg-like; male motile and sperm-like).
A professional can identify the type of algae growing in your pool and recommend the best course of action to clear it. This could include brushing the pool, shocking it with a high dose of chlorine and using an algaecide. They can also advise you on a routine maintenance schedule to prevent future outbreaks.
When choosing a professional, check that they are licensed for pool care and have adequate insurance to cover their work in case something goes wrong. It’s also important that they specialize in your type of pool – chlorine and saltwater pools require different treatment methods, for example. Finally, ensure you know who will be doing the work – this is particularly important if you’re using one of the larger pool services in Orlando, where you may not always get the same person every time.
Preventing algae growth is much easier than getting rid of it once it’s established in your pool. Regularly brush your pool walls and vacuum the floor, especially rough surfaces. Keep the pump running for 8-12 hours a day to keep the water circulating and prevent debris from settling. Keep the chlorination levels at 1-3 parts per million and the pH and alkalinity balanced by testing your pool water frequently.
Yellow Algae
Often mistaken for dirt or sand in a pool, yellow algae (also known as mustard algae) can be quite hard to get rid of once it has established itself. This particular type of algae grows slowly and is deficient in chlorophyll which makes it more difficult to kill off than green algae. Once it has settled in your pool, you will likely need to do a complete shock treatment to destroy it and prevent it from coming back.
While it may seem surprising that this form of algae can make its way into a clean, well maintained swimming pool, it is actually very common in warm regions. Yellow algae spores are easily brought in by your family members on their shoes, towels or swimsuits, as well as blown in by the wind and carried in on pool equipment or toys. If left untreated, this particular type of algae can quickly wreak havoc on your pool surface, water quality and sanitizer levels.
Like other types of algae, yellow algae develops when the pool’s pH and alkalinity are not properly balanced, the filtration system is not functioning properly or there is a high level of organic debris present in the water. A heavy load of pollen or grass clippings can also contribute to the development of this troublesome critter.
Once it is spotted in your pool, you will need to brush the entire surface of your pool, scrub every nook and cranny to loosen any algae spores stuck there. You should then sanitize your pool with a full dose of chlorine and shock the water. It is not uncommon to need to shock your pool more than once to bring it fully under control.
Once the mustard has been eliminated, it is important to make sure your water is in balance and that you are using a properly working filtration system. It is also crucial that you are regularly brushing and vacuuming your pool to prevent this pesky problem from reoccurring in the future. A professional can help you create an effective plan for keeping your pool clear of all types of algae so that you and your family can enjoy it all summer long!
Black Algae
Black algae are dark blue-green to black spots that cling stubbornly to your pool surfaces. Unlike other types of algae, they don’t float in the water and don’t easily brush away. In fact, they can feel rough and slimy to the touch. Because of their tenacity, they are often difficult to treat and can return even after thorough sanitizing.
In fact, black algae are not really algae at all – they’re actually dense colonies of bacteria called cyanobacteria. They produce powerful natural poisons called cyanotoxins that can make you, your family, and your pets sick if they swim in them or drink water contaminated by them. These toxins are made by the cyanobacteria when they consume sunlight and the chemical nitrogen from your pool water.
Cyanobacteria typically enter pools through carriers like people and inanimate objects that were in natural bodies of water such as rivers, ponds, lakes, or the ocean. For example, if someone swims in a river or lake and doesn’t wash their swimwear, then wears it back into your pool, that can cause black algae to enter the pool. In some cases, it can also get into the pool through airborne spores.
The good news is that while black algae are a pain, they can be eliminated and prevented with proper care. The key is regular brushing of your entire pool (including the steps and corners) to break up the cells that hold on to the pool surface. Brushing will also help ensure that the sanitizers and algaecides you use can reach the bottom of your pool where they’re needed most.
In addition, you should clean and sanitize all items that enter your pool including swimsuits, floaties, toys, pool equipment, solar blankets, and safety covers on a weekly basis. You should also regularly test your pool water and keep the chemicals at a balanced level. Reduce shade around your pool by trimming back trees or shrubs that cast excessive shade and always use a quality pool filter to ensure that the water is being properly circulated. Finally, you should shock your pool on a weekly basis (or more frequently if your pool is being used heavily) to prevent nutrient buildup and inhibit the growth of algae.
Pink Algae
Pink slime, which is actually a bacteria, manifests as orangish-pink layers and streaks in areas of your pool that don’t get direct sunlight. It tends to grow on PVC components like ladders, returns and skimmers and can also cover the surface of your pool water. This type of bacteria doesn’t cause a lot of damage, but it can cling to surfaces and if left untreated can result in staining of your pool finish. Pink algae often grows along with white water mold and can occur anywhere in your swimming pool, but is most common in areas that lack the sun’s rays and have minimal water movement.
This type of bacterial growth is difficult to treat, but the best way to prevent it from occurring is to keep your pool water balanced by brushing and vacuuming regularly, keeping the filter and pump running for extended periods, and adding an algaecide each week. This bactericidal product helps control the bacteria that creates the pink layer.
Regular cleaning and sanitizing are the key to prevention of all types of algae in your pool. If your sanitizer levels are low, they provide a breeding ground for algae and bacteria to grow. Make sure you’re using a pool brush designed for the job (to avoid scratching the surface) and a vacuum with a strong suction. A good practice is to brush and vacuum the entire pool at least three times each week, a minimum.
It’s also important to test your pool water each day and balance the chemicals as needed. Keep the pH at 7.2-7.8, the calcium hardness at 200-400 ppm and the alkalinity at 100-150 ppm. Keeping the cyanuric acid at 40-50 ppm and the free chlorine at 5-10 ppm will also help to prevent the development of these types of algae.
When you do discover a bloom of pink algae, treat it with a polymer or silver algaecide. Copper algaecides are not bactericidal and won’t work against this problem, which is bacterial in nature. This treatment must be completed at night, when the pool is not being used, to be most effective.
