Say Goodbye to Pool Algae
What Every Homeowner Should Know
If you own a pool in Highland Village, Flower Mound, Argyle, Lantana or the surrounding North Dallas communities, you will likely wake up one day to find your sparkling water has turned green – sometimes seemingly overnight. Even worse, you might have experienced other colors – other forms – of pesky, but treatable, algae.
Don’t worry, though – algae is pretty easy to prevent. We’re not saying algae is OK, but it is one of the most common issues you’ll face – especially in North Dallas, with long, hot summer months and perhaps shaded areas in some of our more wooded communities.
So let’s focus on better understanding:
- How algae forms
- The main three types of algae you are likely to encounter (green, mustard, and black algae)
- How to best PREVENT algae from showing up
- How to get rid of it when it does show up
And good news…if you follow our growing number of blogs focused specifically on best “DIY” pool service in North Dallas, you’ll see that algae is often best prevented through simple but important, regular chemical balancing (water chemistry) and proper, regular operation of your pool’s filtration/circulation systems, and regular (weekly) brushing, vacuuming, and skimming debris from your pool’s surface.
If you’re saying to yourself, “I don’t have time for this,” that’s OK. You’re not alone, and you’re not out of luck. Call Pool Butler; we can take care of all your pool needs surprisingly effectively and surprisingly affordably. We’re local and loyal, having established a reputation as the industry leader for over 25 years. Experience the clean, clear, carefree pool lifestyle.
What Is Algae?
Algae thrives on four components:
- Sunlight – Algae are photosynthetic and love direct sunlight. During those blazing hot summer afternoons in Texas, algae also thrives in those shaded areas – like under that beautiful oak tree in your back yard.
- Warm Water – Once water temperatures exceed 80°F (welcome to Texas), algae growth accelerates.
- Nutrients – Algae feed on phosphates and nitrates from organic debris like leaves, pollen, sunscreen, and whatever might be on your pool patrons – from all that sunscreen to cake frosting and…well…you fill in the rest on your own…
- Poor Water Chemistry – Low chlorine, imbalanced pH, or poor filtration creates a perfect environment.
How To Prevent Algae
Algae can hitchhike into your pool from a swimsuit, a rainstorm, or a gust of wind carrying pollen. But don’t worry; the trick is to understand and minimize its ability to get a foothold and thrive.
Like most things in pool care, prevention is far easier than remediation. Here’s how to keep algae at bay:
Chemical Balance (Water Chemistry)
See our blog on balancing chemicals, but here’s the quick and CLEAN stats:
- Chlorine: 2.0 – 4.0 ppm (aim for 3.0 in summer)
- pH: 7.4 – 7.6
- Alkalinity: 80 – 120 ppm
- Cyanuric Acid (CYA): 30 – 50 ppm (higher if using salt system or in bright, sunny areas)
- Calcium Hardness: 200 – 400 ppm
In addition – and IMPORTANT – shoot for getting phosphates as close to zero as possible. Not only do phosphates serve as nutrients for algae, they also affect water clarity and chemical balance. Phospates should be below 300 ppb (you read it right; ppb, as in “parts per BILLION”, not just million like the other chemicals above)
Test your water at least 2–3 times per week in summer or after heavy use or rainfall.
Circulation & Filtration
Run your pump 10–12 hours daily in warm months – even more in the hot Texas summer. Regularly check to make sure your pool’s water jets are circulating water to algae hangouts – like behind ladders, steps, and in corners.
Clean your filter regularly, backwash your filters frequently, clean or replace cartridges as needed. If you’re not sure how to check more complicated filtration systems or when it’s time to replace, give Pool Butler a call. A filter check and cleaning is less than replacement or an avoidable system repair or burned out pump.
Regular Brushing and Vacuuming
You’ve learned that algae likes to cling to surfaces – and the longer you ignore, the worse it gets.
- Brush your pool walls, steps, and floor once a week, even more if you’ve had algae problems recently.
- Use a stainless steel for the typical plaster or concrete pools here in North Dallas/North Texas.
- Vacuum weekly, especially after rainstorms or debris like lots of dust and dirt in and around new construction, roadwork, fields, etc.
Shock Weekly (As Needed)
Shock treatment boosts sanitizer levels to kill lingering bacteria and prevent algae. Choose a calcium hypochlorite shock or non-chlorine shock depending on your needs. Shock more often during hot weather, after pool parties, or after rainstorms. Rain dilutes chemical balance; the blazing hot Texas sun evaporates both water and the chlorine that helps sanitize your pool.
Limit Phosphates/Nitrates
Phosphates and nitrates feed algae. Use a phosphate remover as part of your maintenance routine.
- Skim your pool daily; maybe even more if necessary, such as with those beautiful but very prolific crepe myrtle blooms.
- Encourage swimmers to rinse off before entering
- Don’t overfeed nearby landscaping (or just aim carefully…)
Use Algaecide
If you use an algaecide, do so carefully as a preventative, especially in high-risk seasons. Always be mindful of chemical balance and consider anything that can disrupt it. Look for a polyquat 60 algaecide that is safe for pools. Don’t rely on algaecide as your only line of defense. Don’t risk overdoing it; if in doubt, give Pool Butler a call. We can advise or talk about a professional and proper treatment for you.
Main Types of Algae
Algae come in various types, each typically characterized by its own distinct color. Each type also tends to have distinct characteristics and levels of difficulty to remove. The good news is that algae are among the more easily identified and addressed enemies of an otherwise clean, clear, healthy pool.
So, let’s highlight how to identify each type, but most importantly, how to prevent it and make it go away if and when it does show up…
Green Algae
Green algae is typically the most common, the first to show up, and the easiest to eliminate.
What it looks like – cloudy, greenish water, green slime along the walls and floor.
Where it shows up – here in Corinth, Lantana, Double Oak, Copper Canyon, and throughout those nice homesites with oak trees and other significant shade, green algae loves to start in shaded corners. Other areas include pool walls, floors, or water that hasn’t been properly circulated and/or treated. Basically, algae loves warm, direct sun, shaded areas that offer a break from the otherwise blistering afternoon Texas sun, and places with poor circulation/water flow.
Green algae grows fast; it can take over your pool in as little as 24–48 hours, especially after a heavy downpour that might bring in a lot of dust, pollen, etc..
Causes – the main suspect is your chlorine level is too low; HOWEVER, be sure to check and balance ALL chemicals. It might also suggest that your pool’s circulation and filtration systems might not be running properly, or you might not be running them long enough.
Treating Green Algae
Green algae is probably the easiest to get rid of, but it might take you more time if you allowed it more time to spread (that’ll teach you a lesson…).
1. Balance chemicals – see our blog on this topic for more insights and proper levels for at least your main chemicals – salt/Tri-Chlor, CYA, pH, alkalinity, and calcium.
2. Brush Thoroughly – remove algae on walls, floors, and behind steps. As most pools in North Texas are plaster or concrete, you should be using a stainless steel brush.
3. Shock your pool – use 2–3 times the normal shock dose (calculate based on gallons). Use cal-hypo shock for fast results.
4. Run your filtration/circulation system 24/7 – until the pool is clear—usually 2–3 days. Backwash or clean filter daily – especially for more cloudy or green pools. Get that algae out of town!
5. Vacuum and clean – preferably, manually vacuum the dead algae to waste (bypass filter if possible). Clean the skimmer basket and pump strainer.
6. Add algaecide – after salt/chlorine (and other key chemical balance) levels drop back to the proper range, add a preventative algaecide. Don’t add TOO much; if in doubt, call Pool Butler.
Mustard Algae
1. Follow all the green algae steps – plus a few changes/additions as noted below:
2. Deep clean – mustard algae clings to swimsuits, toys, pool brushes, etc.; soak in a chlorine solution or similar as appropriate (for example, for swimsuits).
3. Increased shock – use 3–4 times the normal shock dose; mustard algae is more resistant.
4. Brush multiple times a day – mustard algae hides in cracks and corners. Brushing releases those more pesky algae spores.
5. Reapply algaecide – in addition to any green algae treatment, use a mustard-specific algaecide – especially for pools with repeat issues. You don’t want to do this all again, do you? Yup…mustard algae is more tedious. If it’s more than you care to handle, call Pool Butler
Black Algae (Cyanobacteria)
Yuk…the more scientific name even sounds nastier – and black algae is nasty.
What it looks like – black or dark blue-green spots, often in clusters. Looks like mold or mildew.
Where it shows up – grows deep in porous surfaces like plaster or concrete. Root systems burrow into pool walls. This stuff wants to hang around longer than that weird cousin of yours at a pool party/cookout…
Causes – chemical balance has likely been off for a long time. It requires persistent treatment and brushing, like a big dog with bad fleas. Might be time to call Pool Butler. We have affordable plans that protect your investment – AND your peace of mind.
Treating Black Algae
1. Brush aggressively – use a stainless-steel brush. You need to break through the waxy protective layer and into the root system. You’re gonna be “buff” by the time you finish…
2. Spot treat with chlorine paste – mix granular chlorine with water to form a paste. Apply directly to black spots (with filtration/circulation systems off). Let sit for 15–30 minutes, then brush.
3. Triple shock – yup…even more. Shock the entire pool heavily to kill remaining spores. Be aware of the higher chlorine level and manage accordingly as it pertains to skin sensitivity before swimming.
4. Run and clean filtration/circulation continuously – after brushing out all the chlorine paste from Step 2 above, monitor pressure and backwash often. Repeat Step 2 if spots return.
5. Keep an eye on your pool – black algae is persistent; continue brushing and testing for at least two weeks. If this is a detriment to your work schedule, call Pool Butler to discuss the best plan of action. We’ll get through this together…
Algae’s Cousins
There are other things that may seem like algae, but they’re not. Examples are pink slime and white water mold. These are actually bacteria and fungi, but treated much like algae because they are found in poorly circulated places. But they can also be more sneaky as you might find them in harder-to-reach places like behind pool lights and even inside pool plumbing when filtration/circulation systems aren’t being checked properly and run regularly.
Are you picking up on that simple theme here…an ounce of prevention? It really does make a difference in pool maintenance.
What If Algae Keeps Coming Back?
Chronic algae problems are usually the result of:
- Inadequate filtration or run time
- Poor brushing or dead zones
- Old or saturated filter media
- Incorrect chemical levels
- Hidden algae in light niches or plumbing/equipment
As you can see, most all of these symptoms are the result of improper routine maintenance, cleaning, and chemical balancing. If you’re still having problems, consider these additional steps:
- Remove and clean lights and ladders
- Consider enzyme or phosphate-removing products
- Call Pool Butler to inspect your pool, chemicals, systems, and to discuss any more professional-grade treatments for algae and other
It’s Gonna Be OK…!
Algae might be the enemy of pool clarity, but with proper, proactive, and consistent care, you can prevent algae from showing up – and recognizing and eliminating it when it does. Staying ahead of algae means staying consistent with chemical balancing (water chemistry), consistent circulation/filtration, and regular cleaning (brushing, skimming, vacuuming). It sounds like a lot, but a little thoughtful weekly maintenance saves a lot of time, money, and avoidable stress.
If you have algae problems and don’t have time to deal with remediation (or regular, proactive weekly maintenance), professional help is just a phone call away. Pool Butler is here to listen, understand, and address what matters most to you. Call Pool Butler now at 972.317.2200.
Where We Serve
While we’re based in southern Denton County, Pool Butler has proudly served the greater North Dallas area for over 25 years. We’ve built our business with a careful, steady approach—one that ensures our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction never wavers. This thoughtful growth also allows us to deliver greater efficiency, better results, and meaningful savings directly to you.
Dallas County
- Addison, Carrollton, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, University Park, and Wylie
Denton County
- Argyle, Carrollton, Denton, Flower Mound, Frisco, Lake Dallas, Lewisville, Little Elm, Roanoke, The Colony, Highland Village, Double Oak, Copper Canyon, Lantana, and Corinth
Collin County
- Allen, Fairview, Frisco, Hebron, McKinney, Murphy, Nevada, Plano, Prosper, Richardson, and Sachse
Tarrant County
- Arlington, Bedford, Colleyville, Dalworthington Gardens, Euless, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Hurst, Keller, and Southlake
Don’t see your location? No worries. Just give us a call. We love helping people and making new friends!
You may also find these additional blog posts helpful and relevant.
| Prepare Your Pool for Winter Weather Continue Reading | Check Your Skimmer Basket Often Continue Reading | How to Keep Your Water Level Adjusted Continue Reading | Choosing The Right Pool Service Company Continue Reading |
| Weekly Pool Maintenance–A Little Effort Goes A LONG Way Continue Reading | Say Goodbye to Pool-What Algae Every Homeowner Should Know Continue Reading | Keeping The Chemicals Balanced In Your Pool Continue Reading | Contact Pool Butler Today For A Sparklingly Bright Pool Continue Reading |
