If you own a swimming pool, you probably know how unsightly and frustrating a buildup of algae can be. If you’re not sure whether your pool has a buildup of black algae, look for black spots in the nooks and crannies of your pool. If you see those dark spots, you need to figure out how to get rid of the algae before it spreads. That’s the purpose of this two part article series. We’ll look at what black algae is and what you can do to remove it from your pool. We’ll also consider some strategies you can employ to help keep your pool a black algae-free zone in the future.
What is Black Algae?
Black algae can develop roots that reach far down into the porous surfaces of your pool, where it can grow and thrive. It grows especially well on surfaces such as concrete or plaster. Whether your pool is in a shady or sunny area, black algae can develop and spread. Once established, black algae will form a thick layer that is difficult for chemicals to penetrate. This type of algae is the hardest to treat and remove from your swimming pool.
How is Black Algae Treated?
Black algae needs to be treated aggressively if you’re going to have success in removing it and preventing it from coming back again. You may think if you vigorously scrub the area of the pool’s interior that’s displaying black algae that you’ll be able to get rid of it. Think again! Scrubbing with a durable nylon brush is the first step in getting rid of black algae. But due to its deep root system, you’re likely to see black algae return if all you do is scrub away the visible spots.
After scrubbing the area thoroughly, you’ll need to add chlorine tablets to the pool. Don’t just drop them into the water. After you break a chlorine tablet into two pieces, rub it right over the area of the pool where the black algae spots appeared. This highly concentrated chlorine should hopefully be strong enough to get all the way down to the roots of the algae and eliminate them once and for all.
Is it Safe to Treat Black Algae?
As long as you wear protective goggles and rubber gloves when you handle the chlorine tablets and chemicals, you should be safe while treating black algae. You don’t want the chemicals to hurt your eyes or your skin. The black algae itself should not harm you if you accidentally touch it with your hands or feet.
Simply scrubbing and adding chlorine to the area won’t usually be enough to completely remove black algae from your swimming pool. In our next article, we’ll look at some additional steps you should take to get rid of black algae in your pool and discourage it from coming back. Though it may seem like a laborious task, you’ll be thankful in the end that you went to such lengths to make sure the job was done right.
Continue reading with Part 2.
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