If your Dallas/Ft. Worth home has a swimming pool, it’s probably seen a fair amount of usage over the summer. After all, temperatures for the metroplex have been reaching the triple digits, so spending several days in your swimming pool is a common go-to solution for beating the heat. However, with this extra usage comes a higher need to clean it, especially if you’ve discovered swimming pool mold and algae.

Mold and algae are both self-reproducing organisms that can infest your swimming pool. Their growth can be the result of several causes with your swimming pool such as chemical imbalances, improper water circulation, no filtration, and other maintenance-related issues. And since mold and algae thrive on warm temperatures, summer is their preferred time to grow. Therefore, it’s important to know about treating swimming pool mold and algae.

RestoPros has detailed a step-by-step guide on this process below for Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners.

Remove all Pool Items and Sanitize Them

Pool toys and accessories used in mold or algae-infested water should be regarded as contaminated. Remove all pool items from the water and sanitize them using bleach and a soft scrubber. Be sure to wash any used swimwear as well. If you feel bleach is too strong, try using white vinegar instead.

Vacuum the Pool

Once pool items have been removed, it’s time to vacuum the pool. You will need a pool vacuum hose, pool vacuum head, and a pool pole to do this. Once assembled and connected, you’ll then want to switch your pool’s valve to the “waste” setting. Finding this setting is dependent on your pool’s valve type. But for multiport valves there should be a handle position with a “waste” setting. Begin vacuuming the bottom of the pool to start removing lingering mold or algae. Be quick, as the water levels will be dropping!

Scrub All Noticeable Spots on the Pool’s Sides

After vacuuming as much of the mold or algae as possible, you’ll then want to start scrubbing away all the mold or algae spots you see on the sides of the pool. Be sure to use a brush with firm bristles that stay intact underwater. Scrub away stains as thoroughly as you can.

Note: Do NOT use bleach as a cleaning agent to scrub the pool. Bleach mixed with chlorine creates a deadly gas that can seriously harm you.

Test Your Pool’s pH Levels

After scrubbing, you’ll then want to test your pool’s pH levels. pH levels show whether your pool is considered acidic or basic. Any pH level below 7 is considered an acid, while levels above 7 are considered a base. Generally, your swimming pool should be within 7.4-7.6, as this keeps chlorine levels high enough to kill mold and algae without being harmful to your body.  You can find pH level testing kits at almost any department store. Once pH levels have been measured, adjust your chlorine levels if necessary to fit within the 7.4-7.6 range. This should help eliminate what’s left of the mold or algae.

Protect your swimming pool for the summer by knowing how to treat swimming pool mold and algae! If you’ve noticed a mold infestation in your home, you’ll want to contact RestoPros for our mold remediation services. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to have Dallas/Ft. Worth’s leading mold-removal experts treat your mold problem.

Related Links:

Healthy and Safe Swimming – CDC

Disinfection & Testing – CDC