Welcome to the sunny coastal landscapes of Georgia, where backyard pools are as much a part of the lifestyle as the beautiful beaches of St. Simons, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, Brunswick, St. Marys, and Amelia Island and pools can turn green in less than a week in the summer.
As a leading provider of top-notch pool cleaning and equipment repair services, Jeff’s Pools understand the importance of maintaining your aquatic oasis. Whether you're battling a green pool, needing routine service, or looking for quality pool chemical supplies and equipment, our expert team is here to ensure your pool or hot tub remains a sparkling centerpiece for relaxation and entertainment. Dive into our comprehensive guide to keep your pool pristine and enjoy the coastal charm, hassle-free!
Here is our step by step guide we use as a framework for treating green pools.
As always, please feel free to call us and arrange an appointment for us to fix your green pool for you! Also, we offer water testing and supply one of the largest inventory of pool chemicals and equipment in Georgia.
DAY 1
When starting a green pool recovery, be sure to net out all debris in the pool before beginning chemical treatments
Step 1. Inspect pool conditions and equipment
- Take a picture of the pool
- Check water level and turn on hose even if water seems ok. If the water level is normal or low, make sure there is a skimmer valve that can be turned off to keep the pool running after you service pump several inches of water out of the pool.
- Remove the Polaris or any other pool cleaner and sit it on the deck until the green pool is finished. Cleaners only stir up the algae we want to settle on the bottom.
- Check the equipment and set pool to run 24hrs. Remove the “off” timer clip or leave box in service mode.
- If the salt cell needs cleaned, start it before service pumping.
- If a cartridge filter needs cleaned, sell them tile and filter cleaner and let filters soak before service pumping.
Step 2. Remove Debris
With the pool pump OFF, service pump floors and walls. Make sure to empty your pump basket if your service pump slows down. You may have to do this many times to clean the entire pool properly. It is tedious and time consuming, but necessary. It helps to have your service pump discharge hose visible where you can see the water coming out. You can see the flow of water when it slows down and the pump basket needs emptied, and when you hit a spot of heavy algae, you can see the color of the water change dark green. Pump in that area until the water coming out of the hose clears up.
Step 3. Engage Equipment.
- Backwash or clean the filters
- Empty the pump basket
- Max out whatever chlorine generation method they have. (Fill up tabs in chlorinator and skimmers or turn up salt cell and put tabs in the skimmers). You can sell individual tabs out of a bucket, but make sure to record them and request them back for that bucket. Turn on the equipment making sure it primes up and functions properly and is set to run 24 hours. If the water level is low, turn off the skimmers.
Step 4. Add chemicals.
- Make sure to adjust your pH to 7.2. and a minimum of 80 on the alkalinity. Do not worry about Calcium hardness.
- Add 1lb of yellow eliminator per 10,000 gallons (first Day only).
- Salt Pools: adjust salt and CYA levels to appropriate range.
Chlorine per 10,000 gallons (First Day only): Primarily use liquid, but Dichlor or Cal Hypo may be used when you are low on liquid, but do not add more than 4 lbs per 10,000 gallons. Do not use Cal Hypo on a vinyl liner unless you pre-dissolve it in a bucket. ALWAYS ADD CHEMICALS TO WATER, NEVER WATER TO CHEMICALs.
Orenda has a great app for calculating pool dosing. You want to target Free Chlorine of 25+ ppm to shock the pool. For example, a 10,000 gallon pool with 0 Free Chlorine would require at least 1 jug (2.5 gallons) of liquid chlorine or 3.25lbs of Cal Hypo. We recommend using the liquid chlorine liberally and supplementing with Cal Hypo as needed.
For follow up, test Chlorine levels first. If zero, use same dosage. If the pool has a chlorine residual but the water is still cloudy, use one jug of liquid CL per 10,000 gallons.
Step 5: Brush the ENTIRE surface of the pool.
- For concrete pools, use your steel brush. For vinyl pools, use the vinyl brush. This step is very important, and must follow the service pump and chemical addition steps.
Step 6. Make sure you have all your equipment and that the pool is functioning properly.
DAY 2 (Chem check, balance, and clean filters)
You should immediately begin to see more clarity and dead algae settling at the bottom of the pool
Ideally, this occurs within 48-72 hours after the initial treatment to ensure chemical adjustments were correct.
If all of the above steps have been completed correctly, it should be all chem checks until the water clears up enough to see the floor. Do NOT brush the pool during this phase. Do NOT allow a pool cleaner to run during this phase. We want the algae to settle so that we may pump it out later.
- Take a picture
- Inspect equipment and backwash/clean filters.
- Test chemicals. Adjust pH to 7.2 and Alk to 80 minimum.
- Add chlorine as needed by chart.
- Contact JPS with any questions on pool conditions and follow up information
Day 3+
These treatments should be separated by several days in order to let the filter do its job. Do not skip more than 1 day unless the pool is holding chlorine (there is chlorine in the pool when you check) or the owner is willing to add chlorine as needed on the days we skip.
- Take picture
- Chem check and balance, shock, and clean filters and baskets as needed.
- Make sure equipment is still functioning properly
- Contact JPS with any questions on pool conditions and follow up information
FINAL Day (water clear)
- Take picture
- Service pump the pool one last time to remove the rest of the dead algae and debris.
- Balance pool chemistry
- Reconnect pool cleaners and clean up any messes made during the turn around.
- Pay close attention to the pool over the next couple weeks to make sure it’s holding chlorine. Water chemistry is at its most fragile when the pool is recently recovered.
Navigating the challenges of pool maintenance in coastal Georgia doesn't have to be a daunting task. From St. Simons to Amelia Island, our dedicated service and expertise in pool cleaning, equipment repair, and providing the best pool chemical supplies ensure that your pool or hot tub remains a crystal-clear haven for you and your family. Remember, a well-maintained pool is the key to endless summer fun and relaxation. So, whether you're in Jekyll Island, Sea Island, Brunswick, or St. Marys, trust us to keep your waters inviting and immaculate. Dive into carefree pool ownership with us by your side!