Black Spot In Fibreglass Swimming Pools
It is very uncommon for black spot algae to form in a fibreglass pool. This is because black spot algae cannot attach to fibreglass pools surfaces because the surface is smooth and difficult to penetrate. For this reason, black spot is not able to get properly embedded in your pool as it does in pebble pools. Although black spots may look exactly like black spot algae, most times it is not an algae but mineral and metal deposits in the form of black dots. The picture shows what black spot algae in a fibreglass pool can look like.
Black spots in fibreglass pools are either osmosis or mineral deposits from pool salts or algaecides. These spots can be usually be removed with our stain treatment products. So dont be fooled, it is very likely that an algaecide designed to kill black spots will do absolutely nothing at all to remove the spots. This is because the spots are not algae. In fact, treating these spots with an algaecide will make them worse!
How To Treat Mustard Algae
Mustard algae is yellow in color, and its rarer than green algae. Its also more difficult to remove. Mustard algae typically looks like yellowish-brown or appears as dirt-colored spots on the floor and walls of your pool, often in shadier spots. Although mustard algae is fairly easy to brush away from the pool surface, it can quickly return.
One of the main reasons why mustard algae is so difficult to remove is that it can adhere to anything that enters the pool. Once you remove the algae, thoroughly clean everything that has been in touch with the water, including toys and swimsuits. To remove mustard algae from your pool, follow these steps:
- Test and balance your pool chemical levels using a test kit.
- Boost any residual chlorine by adding a quality pool shock product according to label directions.
- Use a pool brush to vigorously scrub the surfaces where the algae has grown.
- Use a vacuum or backwash the pool to remove the dead algae.
- Apply a mustard algaecide following the label directions.
- Allow the water to circulate for 24 hours.
- Use a pool vacuum or backwash the pool again to remove the remaining dead algae. In persistent cases, brush the pool and apply algaecide once more after two to four days.
After treating, test and balance your pool chemicals and levels again. The ideal ranges are:
How To Prevent Black Algae In The Future
One of the best ways to keep black algae from growing in your pool is to keep up with regular cleaning and maintenance.
Other ways you can combat black algae include:
- Cleaning your pool tools often.
- Shocking the pool at least every week.
- Check and replace your filter as needed.
- Rinse off before swimming in the pool.
- Maintain a regular vacuuming schedule.
Also Check: How To Neutralize Mold Smell
You Can See Clearly Now The Algaes Gone
Whew! Were tired after just putting all this down, so we can imagine how exhausted you must be! Itll be worth it, though, to kill the black algae in your pool and keep it from returning.
More importantly, youll be keeping your family and pets safe, and maintaining a pool thats clean, sanitary, and fun to use without any worries.
Happy Swimming!
Test And Adjust The Water Chemistry
The next step is to adjust the water chemistry. Black algae is usually removed by adding a high dose of calcium Hypochlorite Shock to the pool water.
But before you can Shock the pool, the water chemistry has to be at the right level. If not, the calcium Hypochlorite will not work.
You can test all these levels using a pool test strip or pool water testing kit. Ensure the pool chemistry is within the ideal range before going on with the task.
pH Levels
The pH level of the pool water should be between 7.4 and 7.6 on the pH scale. You can adjust the pH level using pool pH reducer or pH increaser.
Stabilizer Levels
Stabilizer levels should be between 30-50 ppm. Add cyanuric acid to increase this. To decrease, youll need to partially drain the pool and refill it to dilute it.
Chlorine Levels
The active chlorine level should be between 1 ppm and 5 ppm with 3-5 ppm being ideal. You can add more chlorine to increase the chlorine level of the pool.
Alkalinity Levels
The alkalinity should be between 100 ppm and 150 ppm. You can adjust the pool alkalinity using alkaline increaser or alkaline reducer.
You May Like: Where To Buy Sustain Pool Chemicals
Don’t Miss: How To Remove Mold Smell From Clothes
How Do I Get Rid Of Black Algae In My Pool
What is black algae?
Black algae is a super resistant and hard-to-kill algae strain. It appears as small, black dots or blotches on your pools walls, floors and surfaces. These spots are pin-head to quarter sized. Black algae has a hard outer shell that protects the cells inside. Pools with porous surfaces like concrete, gunite and exposed aggregate are more susceptible to black algae because it can penetrate and grab hold of the walls. Removal can be difficult, but not impossible with the right tools.
How To Get Rid of Black Algae
There are 2 products you will need. The first is Suncoast Metal Control. This product, which contains calcium, softens the outer shell. This makes it easier for the algaecide to work. The other is Suncoast Super Black Algaecide. This fast-acting, concentrated algaecide is specifically formulated to kill black algae. Finally, youll also need a pool brush with stainless steel bristles to clean the walls and other surfaces. Here is what you need to do:
Step 1: Adjust the pool water pH to the normal range of 7.4-7.6 and the alkalinity to within 80-120 ppm.
Step 2: Brush all the black spots with a wire algae brush .
Step 3: Add 1.5 quarts of Suncoast Metal Control per 10,000 gallons when the pool is circulating by diluting in a bucket.
Step 4: Rinse the bucket, never mix chemicals together.
Step 5: Mix Suncoast Super Black Algaecide by diluting in a bucket and pour away from the sides of the pool. Use 12 oz. per 10,000 gallons.
What Causes Black Algae In Swimming Pools
Like all algae, black algae flourish in water, where they can photosynthesize and easily multiply. Growth is particularly common in pools with pH imbalances, low chlorine levels, and poor water circulation and filtration.
If your water levels arent falling within the recommended ranges, or your pool has been contaminated by another object such as a toy or bathing suit that was recently in a natural body of water black algae may begin to settle in the cracks, corners, and hard-to-reach places in your pool. Eventually, it will penetrate through concrete, exposed aggregate, and gunite surfaces.
Don’t Miss: Where Can I Buy Bath Bomb Molds
Rinse The Pool Filter Again
Dont get fed up, you are almost done. The first rinse of the pool filters was to get rid of any live black algae in the filtration system.
But since you have scrubbed the black algae patches, shocked the pool, and switched on the pump, there will be more dead black algae heads in the filtration system.
So clean the filters again in filter cleaner. A bit of scrubbing will help.
How To Get Rid Of Black Mold On Pool Deck
When it comes to the outdoor space of our home, we often forget how quickly black mold can show up. Mold spores are in the air outside just as they are in the air inside your home. Keep in mind that all mold spores are looking for is a nice moist and damp area to settle into. Also keep in mind, that it does not take black mold very long to grow in any moisture. Seeing black mold settle on your outdoor patio deck, pool deck, or even your fire pit can be troubling. How to get rid of black mold on pool deck? Scrub brush, bleach, water, pressure washer, and vacuum are all needed. The solution will do most of the work.
Lets take a look below at the step-by-step process and whats involved.
Don’t Miss: What To Do If I Find Mold In My Apartment
How To Prevent Black Algae From Invading Your Pool
The first line of defense is to always, always wash your swimsuits, aquatic shoes, toys, anything you may have used in a natural body of water before you allow it to even touch your pool.
And just rinsing isnt enough. Everything must be washed. Its fine to put swimwear through your washing machine, but pool toys must be scrubbed with a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water to not only clean, but sanitize them. You can also use a spray cleaner that contains bleach. Either way, rinse everything thoroughly before putting it back in the pool.
After those preventive measures, keeping your pool properly balanced and sanitized is the next step to keeping all forms of pool algae from growing.
- Keep your alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer levels in the recommended ranges at all times.
- Run your pump and filter for 8 to 12 hours a day, every day, all season long.
- Keep your pool clean by regularly vacuuming and brushing it.
- Shock your pool at least every week. More often if youre using it more often, or more people are swimming in it, or both.
Brush The Black Algae Patches
Use a steel-bristled pool brush for concrete pools, or a nylon brush for fiberglass or liner pools, to scrub the spots where the black algae is. Brushing these spots will loosen the grip that the black algae has on the pool walls, so its easier to remove. Youll need to use quite a lot of effort when scrubbing.
As stated earlier, black algae has strong and long roots that run deep into the pool frame. So even after you have scraped and scrubbed the black algae, chances are the roots will still be inside the pool walls.
If you paid attention in science class, then you know that if the roots are still alive, the black algae can still grow.
To kill the roots, you should
Read Also: How Can You Tell You Have Mold In Your House
Tidy The Area Around The Pool
First, you must tidy the area around the pool. For example, there should be no loose dirt or other items around the pavers. Things like kids toys and other pool accessories should be out of the way so that you can remove the black mold as efficiently as possible.
You can pick things up and sweep away any small particles or dirt. Once the area is tidy and free from any disturbances, you can move to the next step.
Four Quadruple Shock Your Pool
Now that you have brushed as many black algae off your Vinyl Pool walls and floor, you need to kill everything that is in the water. Use Cal-Hypo Shock for best results a regular shock will not kill everything. Determine the amount by following the manufacturers instructions.
NB. It is advisable to place all the pool washing equipments in the shallow end of your pool to sanitize them during the shocking process.
Do the shocking process at night because the sun will consume most of the chlorine if you do it in the daytime. Hence, the procedure will be list effective if done during the day.
You May Like: How To Fight Mold In Apartment
Keep Your Chlorine Levels Nice And High
Youre going to mainly be focusing on adding hydrochloric acid to your pool to lower your pH, but that, of course, goes hand-in-hand with making sure that your pool is sanitised with chlorine to help kill off the algae.
The use of an algaecide not only helps remove algae infestations but also starves them out to prevent algae colonization and blooming.
Recommended Reading: How Fast Can Black Mold Make You Sick
Check The Pool Pump And Filter
As we discussed earlier in this guide, when the swimming pool pump or filter underperform or malfunction, this is to the detriment of the cleanliness of your pool.
Keep the filter clean and check that both the filter and pump are working at least several times throughout the season. If you have to replace either of these components, dont delay.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Black Mold From Concrete
Test And Balance The Water
Ensuring your pool water levels are where they need to be helps determine how much how much pool shock to use when you get to that step, and will help the shock kill the black algae in your pool.
You can use test strips or a liquid test kit. You dont need to concern yourself with levels for things like calcium hardness right now. Focus on alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer, and shoot for optimal levels.
- alkalinity: 100 ppm to 150 ppm, with 125 ppm being ideal
- chlorine: 1 ppm to 3 ppm
If those levels are out of whack, adjust them before proceeding.
How To Treat And Kill Black Algae In Your Swimming Pool
So, how exactly do we remove every pool owners worst nightmare? Under the guidance of a professional team. Black algae are persistent, tough, and will often come back time and time again to wreak more havoc on your pool.
If you are experiencing a black algae problem, consult with a professional immediately.
Also Check: What Happens If I Breathe In Mold
Lack Of Filtration And Circulation
Your swimming pool uses a pool filter to catch contaminants in the pool and prevent them from circulating in the pool water.
A pool filter doesnt stay clean forever. No matter which type of filter you have, you need to keep the media clean, or the filter can no longer do its job.
The pool pump is another integral part of your swimming pool that circulates water. If the pump is old or cannot keep up with the water volume in your pool, then the circulation will lag as well.
Black mold loves still, stagnant water, and will quickly dominate.
How To Get Rid Of Pink Slime
Similar to white water mold, pink slime is also resistant to pool chemicals. It will take a complete shock and cleaning to rid your water of pink bacteria altogether.
Clean the Pool and Filter
To start, check and clean the pool filter. Its safe to assume that if pink slime is visible around your pool, its also in the filter.
Give the sides and base of your pool a good scrub with a firm brush. Like mold, this bacteria also lurks in hard to reach places, like under ladder handles and on your tiles.
Balance the Water
Check the pH levels of your water and balance it as needed. The pH levels should be between 7.2 and 7.6.
Shut Down the Pump
For the pool to properly soak the chemical treatment in, you need to shut off the pump so the water becomes stagnant.
Add a Pink Bacteria Cleaner
Search for a cleaner or algaecide that specifically kills and treats pink slime or pink bacteria. Closely follow your products instructions to determine how much you should add based on your pools volume.
Shock the Water
Youll need to triple or quadruple shock the pools water it will vary based on the size of your pool and the number of bacteria. We recommend you add three to four pounds of calcium hypochlorite for every 10,000 gallons of water. Let the shocking water set for about 24 hours.
Vacuum the Pool and Clean the Filter
Turn the Pump Back On
Now you can turn the filtration system back on and run it as you usually would.
Watch the Chlorine Levels
You May Like: How To Find Out If Mold Is In Your House
How Do You Get Black Mold Off A Concrete Pool Deck
Have you been noticing black spots on your concrete pool deck of late? You might be wondering what they are. Chances are there is black mold growth on the deck. Black mold, or any mold for that matter, is unsightly, slippery when wet and can result in allergies. So how do you get black mold off a concrete pool deck?
You can get black mold off your concrete pool deck by spraying it with a mixture of baking soda, distilled white vinegar and water in a 1:5:5 ratio. Spray, wait for 30 minutes and then scrub clean with a stiff brush and soap water.
Be sure to protect yourself by wearing safety glasses, a mask and a pair of latex gloves. Also wear boots, a long sleeve shirt and trousers. Molds are spores that get airborne when dislodged. You do not want them entering your eyes, throat or lungs. If the spores land on your bare skin your skin may itch.
Depending on how severe is the growth of black mold and how deep are the roots, you may need to repeat the process more than once. Make sure to thoroughly clean the area with a garden hose or pressure washer after getting the black mold off the concrete pool deck.
Mold Mildew And Algae Stain Remover
There are available products in the market that targets molds, mildew, and algae stains. You can get one that suits your needs best and use it according to the manufacturers instructions.
Apply it in the morning and let it sit for at least 4 hours before rinsing. Scrubbing is not required for these products, but you can repeat the application 3 to 4 weeks after for stubborn stains. It would be best to scrape off and remove the surface mold before using these removers for better results.
Also Check: What Can You Put On Mold To Kill It
