Green Pool Treatment & Algae Removal

Don't Panic About Your Green Pool

A green pool looks terrible, but the good news is that it's fixable. Whether your pool turned green after a vacation, equipment failure, or just plain neglect, we can bring it back. Our green pool treatment service in San Mateo specializes in removing algae and restoring water clarity quickly and completely. Most pools are swim-ready within 3-7 days depending on how bad the algae problem is.

Green water means algae has taken over your pool. Algae are tiny plants that grow incredibly fast when conditions are right. They love warm water, sunlight, and low chlorine levels. Once they start growing, they can turn your entire pool green in just a few days. But with the right chemicals, equipment, and know-how, we can eliminate the algae and get your pool back to normal faster than you'd think.

How We Remove Algae

Getting rid of algae requires a systematic approach. We can't just add chlorine and hope for the best. We need to kill the algae, remove it, and then prevent it from coming back. Here's our proven process:

• •Initial Assessment: We test your water chemistry and evaluate the severity of the algae bloom to determine the best treatment plan.
• •Brush All Surfaces: We thoroughly brush the walls, floor, and steps to break up algae colonies and make them easier to kill with chemicals.
• •Shock Treatment: We add large amounts of chlorine (called shocking) to kill the algae. For severe cases, we might shock multiple times over several days.
• •Add Algaecide: We use professional-grade algaecide to kill stubborn algae and prevent new growth.
• •Filter and Clean: We run your filter continuously and clean it as needed to remove dead algae from the water.
• •Vacuum to Waste: Once the water clears, we vacuum all the dead algae directly to waste so it doesn't clog your filter.
• •Balance Chemistry: Finally, we balance all chemical levels so your water is safe, clear, and resistant to future algae growth.

The timeline depends on how green your pool is. Light green pools often clear up in 3-4 days. Dark green or black pools might take a full week. We'll visit multiple times during the treatment to monitor progress, adjust chemicals, and clean your filter. If your filter is in poor condition, we might recommend our filter cleaning or replacement service to speed up the process.

Different Types of Pool Algae

Not all algae are the same. The type of algae in your pool affects how we treat it. Green algae is the most common and easiest to kill. It floats freely in the water and responds well to standard chlorine shock treatment. Most green pools have this type of algae.

Yellow or mustard algae is less common but more stubborn. It looks yellowish or tan and often appears in shady corners. It resists chlorine better than green algae, so we need stronger treatments and more aggressive brushing. Black algae is the toughest. It forms dark spots on pool surfaces and has deep roots that dig into plaster or concrete. Black algae requires extra-strong chemicals and sometimes professional scrubbing tools to remove completely.

No matter what type of algae you have, we have the expertise to eliminate it. We've dealt with every kind of algae problem in San Mateo pools and know exactly which treatments work best for each situation.

Keeping Algae from Coming Back

Once we clear your pool, you probably never want to see it turn green again. Prevention is all about maintaining proper chemical balance and circulation. Algae can't grow when chlorine levels are adequate, pH is balanced, and water is circulating well.

The best way to prevent algae is regular professional maintenance. Our weekly pool cleaning service keeps your chemistry balanced and removes debris before it can feed algae growth. We catch small problems before they become big green disasters.

Even with professional service, you should run your pool pump long enough each day. Most pools need 8-12 hours of circulation daily. Also, keep an eye on your water level and make sure your skimmer is working properly. Good circulation is one of the best defenses against algae.

Frequently Asked Questions