The Benefits of Professional Pool Servicing
Algae in your pool isn’t just unsightly — it’s a sign of unbalanced water and poor sanitation. Whether it’s green, yellow (mustard), or stubborn black algae, acting quickly is essential.
At Butler Pool Service, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners clean and restore algae-infested pools. Follow our expert guide to get your pool sparkling clean again:
Step 1: Identify the Type of Algae
Not all algae are the same. Knowing what you’re dealing with helps you choose the right treatment:
- Green Algae: Most common. Makes water cloudy or visibly green.
- Yellow Algae (Mustard): Dusty appearance on pool walls and shady areas.
- Black Algae: Hardest to kill. Looks like black spots embedded in surfaces.
🚫 Step 2: Stop Swimming Immediately
Algae can harbor harmful bacteria. Avoid using the pool until it’s completely cleaned and treated.
🧽 Step 3: Brush All Pool Surfaces
Use a stiff-bristle brush to scrub walls, ladders, and pool floor — especially in corners and shady areas where algae thrive.
🧪 Step 4: Test and Balance the Water
Check and adjust your pool’s chemistry:
- pH: 7.2 – 7.6
- Chlorine: 1 – 3 ppm
- Alkalinity: 80 – 120 ppm
Balanced water boosts the effectiveness of sanitizers.
🧴 Step 5: Shock the Pool
“Shocking” means adding a large dose of chlorine to kill algae.
- Use pool shock based on your pool size and the severity of the infestation.
- For green algae, you may need to double-shock.
- For black algae, use a specialized algaecide and possibly repeat the treatment.
🔄 Step 6: Run Your Pool Filter 24/7
Keep the filter running continuously for at least 24–48 hours.
- Backwash the filter regularly to remove dead algae.
- For cartridge filters, clean or replace them after treatment.
💧 Step 7: Vacuum the Pool
Once the algae is killed, vacuum up the dead particles manually or with an automatic cleaner.
🧼 Step 8: Clean Accessories and Equipment
Algae spores can hide on pool toys, floats, brushes, and even swimwear. Rinse everything with diluted bleach or pool water containing sanitizer.
✅ Step 9: Prevent Future Algae
Maintain proper filtration and circulation.
Keep chlorine levels consistent.
Use an algaecide weekly during warm months.
Brush and vacuum regularly.
