Beat Late-Summer Algae: Why Pools Turn Green and How to Prevent It 🌿💧
When the North Texas heat hangs on ☀️ and thunderstorms roll through ⛈️, even well-kept pools can start looking a little… swampy. If your pool in Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, Fairview, Anna, or Melissa is tipping from blue to green, algae are taking advantage of warm water, heavy bather loads, and disrupted chemistry. The good news: with a smart plan, and a few pro moves, you can keep that water crystal clear. ✨
Why pools turn green in late summer 🟢
1) Warm water = faster growth 🌡️
Algae thrive in sun-warmed water; any lapse in sanitizer gets punished quickly.
2) Sunlight burns off chlorine ☀️
UV breaks down free chlorine. If CYA (stabilizer) isn’t in range, algae get a head start.
3) Heavy use & sunscreen 🧴👨👩👧👦
Parties add organics that consume chlorine and clog filters.
4) Storms & debris 🌪️🍃
Pollen, dirt, and leaves feed algae - and power blips can stall circulation.
5) Equipment or chemistry drift ⚙️🧪
Scaled salt cells, tired pumps, or drifting pH/alk reduce sanitizer effectiveness.
Common algae types (and what they mean) 🔍
Green algae 🟢: Hazy to emerald water; slick walls.
Yellow/mustard algae 🟡: Dusty patches in shady spots; more chlorine-resistant.
Black algae ⚫: Dark dots with stubborn “roots”; needs aggressive brushing and steady sanitizing.
Your late-summer prevention plan ✅
Keep chlorine in the sweet spot 🧪
Hold free chlorine consistently (relative to CYA). Salt systems maintain baseline; supplement with liquid chlorine after storms or parties.
Dial in supporting chemistry 📊
pH: 7.4–7.6
Alkalinity: 70–110 ppm
CYA: Sized to your sun exposure
Calcium hardness: In range to protect plaster/equipment
Run the pump long enough ⏱️
Hot, sunny weeks often need 8–12 hrs/day (adjust for pool size and usage).
Brush & circulate 🧹
Hit steps, benches, tile lines, and behind ladders 2–3x/week to break up biofilm.
Clean the filter on schedule 🧼
Backwash sand/DE when pressure is 20–25% over clean; rinse/clean cartridges per guidelines.
Salt cell care (salt pools) 🧯
Inspect for scale and clean properly so it can keep up with demand.
After-storm steps for North Texas pools ⛈️➡️✨
Skim & remove debris first 🧺
Test & rebalance quickly 🧪
Shock at dusk to proper level 🌙💥
Brush and run overnight 🧹🌀
Recheck pressure & baskets within 24 hrs 🧰
If your pool is already green 🚨
Shock properly at night 🌙
Brush thoroughly (twice) 🧹
Run the pump continuously until blue/clear 🔄
Consider clarifier/enzymes (as needed) 🧴
Clean the filter again once water turns blue but cloudy 🧽
Not sure if it’s green, mustard, or black algae? Book a Green-to-Clean visit and we’ll diagnose, balance, brush, treat, and optimize your system - fast. ⚡
A simple late-summer weekly schedule 🗓️
2–3x per week
Brush walls, steps, and benches
Skim and empty baskets
Quick water test; top off chlorine as needed
Weekly
Vacuum or robotic run
Full chemistry test and balance
Inspect pump basket and filter pressure
Visual check of salt cell (if applicable)
Monthly
Deeper filter service (as needed)
Inspect o-rings, lids, and unions for leaks
Review pump runtime vs. current temps and usage
When to call Swim Solutions Pool Service 📞
The pool turns green (or keeps drifting hazy/teal)
Mustard or black spots keep reappearing after brushing
You’ve shocked “again and again” with little improvement
Storms or parties outpace your normal routine
Your salt system or pump isn’t keeping up with heat and usage
Our technicians service Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, Fairview, Anna, and Melissa, with fast response for green-to-clean treatments, filter cleans, salt cell service, and weekly maintenance plans.💦
FAQ❓
How fast can a clear pool turn green in late summer?
Sometimes in 24–48 hours if sanitizer crashes and debris is present - especially after a big swim weekend or storm.
Is algaecide a replacement for chlorine?
No. Algaecides can help prevent outbreaks or support recovery, but chlorine is the primary sanitizer that does the heavy lifting.🧪
Why does the algae come back?
Usually because the root cause wasn’t fixed: low/unstable chlorine, poor circulation, dirty filters, or shaded crevices that weren’t brushed.
Ready for crystal-clear water?✨
If your pool in Allen, Anna, McKinney, Melissa, Fairview, Frisco, or Prosper is flirting with green, our Green-to-Clean service gets you back to sparkling blue - fast. We’ll balance chemistry, deep-brush problem zones, optimize filtration and run times, and give you a simple plan to keep it that way.
Swim Solutions Pool Service - local, reliable, and ready to help you enjoy the rest of summer without the algae drama.🏊♂️
