DIY Projects

Kitchen DIY Projects

If your pool changed colour over the summer, here’s how to get it back to clear

Often when we go away on vaycay, we arrive back home from a perfect, relaxing summer holiday, only to find an algae-ridden, luminous pool of green – but don’t panic! Your pool was likely to change colour after an acidic rain storm or by daily maintenance procedures which did not take place. Nevertheless, here are a few super simple steps for new homeowners to get that nasty pool in shape and back to crystal clear within 24 hours, so you can invite your guests over on your braai days as soon as possible!

  1. First take your pool net and clear out any debris that you can see in your pool.
  2. Then brush all the pool walls and the floor to remove the algae, if you can visibly see any.
  3. Manually clean out the built-in pump filter and make sure there is nothing blocking the filter.
  4. Backwash your filter for 2 minutes according to your filter type, whether DE, sand or cartridge, keeping in mind ways to reduce water wastage. Once cleaned, your filtration system will now filter water challenges more efficiently by working at the maximum flow rate.
  5. Test the water to find out the pH balance with a standard Pool Test Kit. Make sure it is at the right level in order for any chemicals to work properly. If the pH level reads high, you will need to put in pool acid get it to the correct balance. Follow the instructions on your particular product, and make sure to calculate for the size of your pool.
  6. Now, it’s time to shock the pool. Once your pH is 7.2 or below, shock the pool with granular chlorine. Keeping the filter pump on, disperse the chlorine evenly over the water over the entire pool surface, using the suggested amount on the bottle instructions for your pool size.
  7. After 2-3 hours of circulation, add a good algaecide to the water as well.
  8. Test the pH again after a few more hours of circulation.
  9. Backwash your filter again after 12 hours and after running the filter system for 24 hours, the pool should be totally clear of any living algae or green water that was caused by metal oxidization or pollen.
  10. Your pool will go from green-to-clean in no time, ready for the weekend braai days.

    11. We do not recommend draining your pool, especially since there are crucial water restrictions in place all over the country. First try to find the exact problem causing your pool to become green, and purchase the correct pool care products, before jumping to the conclusion that draining and refilling the pool is the only solution to get your pool back to clear/blue.

    If you have any questions about how to treat a green pool, or any other water care issue, please visit your local Mica hardware and a friendly store person will help you pick the right products for your pool problem!