How to Clean a Green Inground Pool
Having a pool in your yard is not always a pleasure. Regular maintenance is a requirement, and even then the unexpected can happen, such as waking up to the sight of green water in your pool. If your pool is above ground, cleaning is a simple matter of draining and scrubbing. The process is different, however, with an in-ground pool, as draining is neither a convenient nor a recommended option. Fortunately, there are ways to clean your in-ground pool without draining so you can get back to the business of swimming. The first step is to bring the pool water's chemistry into balance. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pool test kit
- Pool chemicals kit
- Long-handle pool brush
- Leaf rake
- Pool vacuum
- Replacement pool filter inserts
- Pool shock
- Algaecide
Instructions
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Balance the Water Chemistry
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Test the alkaline levels using the alkaline strip in your pool test kit. Acceptable levels range from 80 to 100 parts per million (ppm). Alkalinity provides a buffer for pH and aids in keeping pH at relatively constant levels. Dip the test strip into the water, wait a few seconds and compare to the chart included in your test kit. You can add a commercial product to raise or lower alkaline levels, or use sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to lower a high alkaline level.
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2
Test pH levels using the pH strip in your pool test kit. pH is a measurement of acidity where readings 6.9 and below indicate acidity, while readings 7.1 and above indicate a base (7.0 is neutral). Pool water should lie between 7.0 and 7.2. Dip the test strip into the water, wait a few seconds and compare to the chart included in your test kit. Adjust pH by adding muriatic acid to lower the level or sodium carbonate (soda ash) to raise it. Both products are available at pool supply stores. It's very important to follow label instructions for the application of these chemicals.
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3
Test calcium hardness levels. Too much calcium carbonate ("hard water") can contribute to calcium buildup, or scale. Too little ("soft water") can lead to surface corrosion. Calcium hardness level in pool water should be between 150 and 250 ppm. While the usual directive is to correct high hardness levels by adding water with a lower calcium level to your pool, this is not always possible. Commercial additives are also available to correct this problem.
Clean and Scrub
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Brush to scrub the pool bottom, sides and pool steps.
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Clear any floating debris with a leaf rake.
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Vacuum the pool bottom, sides and pool steps.
Filter and Backwash
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Start the filter and set the timer to run continuously. You will reset the timer to normal operation when the cleaning process is complete.
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Backwash twice daily. Backwashing involves running the pool filter in a reverse direction to help remove debris from the filter. Because you are now running the filter continuously to aid in cleaning the pool, you should backwash twice daily. Turn the knob on your filter to "backwash" or "waste," let the filter run in reverse for a few minutes until the water clears and then set it back to normal operation.
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Replace and clean the pool filter insert as necessary while the filter is running. Check the filter daily.
Add Pool Shock and Algaecide
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Add pool shock to super-chlorinate your water, remove any remaining algae and complete the cleaning process. Add the pool shock according to manufacturer directions.
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Add an algaecide as a preventative measure.
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Reset the timer on the filter back to normal operation.
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Tips & Warnings
Watch for color changes as the water in your pool begins to clear. You will see the water turn from green to white and then begin to clear.
Turn your pool heater off while cleaning the pool. Warm water will make cleaning more difficult.
Maintain a regular maintenance schedule of cleaning and filtering to make your in-ground pool more resistant to algae infestations.
When adding pool chemicals such pool shock, muriatic acid and algaecide, be sure to follow all manufacturer directions carefully to ensure you add chemicals correctly.
