Everyone including you wants to dive into a clear, and clean pool. But what happens when your pool has been attacked by algae? When you have a dirty pool, it doesn’t only breed algae.
It also breeds dirt and debris like leaves and all sorts of unwanted pests. But then how do you clean your empty above-ground pool that is filled with algae?
In this article, we shall be exploring some diverse ways of cleaning pools in such conditions.
Table of Contents
What Does An Above-ground Pool With Algae Look Like?
An above-ground pool is a pool that is built on the ground. That is, the edge of the pool is completely above the normal ground level.
But an in-ground pool is a pool that is at the same level as the ground. Most homes with toddlers, usually have an above-ground pool to help prevent kids from getting into the pool accidentally.
When an above-ground pool is emptied, there is usually no water in the pool. Sometimes, there is usually little water at the base of the pool. And when your above-ground pool is plagued with algae, the pool looks murky, slimy, and completely irritating.
You might get to see some algae stains on the pool wall when you look closely.
Why are algae in pools?
Algae can be found anywhere. The truth about algae is that these plant-like organisms thrive well in colder locations. No wonder the pool is usually their first target.
Algae come in different colors. There is yellow and black, and the most popular color is green. Algae can get into your pool with the help of the wind and before you know it, algae begin to multiply and grow to form colonies when it is encouraged.
That is why pool owners have been encouraged to always use algaecides for their pools.
If your pool encourages the growth of algae, then it means that there is an imbalance in the pH level of your pool. if the pH level is higher than 7.8, or lower than 7.2, then it means that provision has been made for algae to thrive.
How Do You Clean An Empty Above-ground Pool With Algae?
Since you have an algae-infested above-ground pool, how can you get it cleaned since it is empty? Since there is no water in the pool, one of the easiest ways is to use chlorine.
Chlorine usually takes the place of algaecide. That means when an algaecide is not seen, chlorine can stand in its place.
Now add chlorine to the pool although this might take you 3 days to get it all cleaned out! although this has to be done manually since the pool is empty.
The chlorine will kill the algae and thus, give you a better sight of how your empty pool should be. But if the algae don’t come off completely from the pool, then you need to add more chlorine to the pool.
When this has been done, you can now vacuum the pool manually using a garden hose, and then rinse your pool to get rid of the algae stains.
Furthermore, to clean an empty above-ground algae infested pool, you need;
1. Vacuum your pool
No matter your pool size, you need to vacuum it manually. You can make use of a long pool basket for carting out debris from the bottom of the pool.
Make sure that this part is handled manually because going the automated way to remove debris like the algae itself, might not work out well. so get it done the manual way!
2. Wash the water filter
If you don’t wash the water filter, you will contaminate the water in your pool again. To disconnect the water filter and wash the cartridges properly.
Brush the filter and clean then repeatedly with a garden hose. This will help remove any stuck algae in the filter. Now rinse the pool with a garden hose, or by turning on the pool pump.
You can turn on the pool pump in this part. Rinse the pool at least twice and empty it again while you brush the pool surface to get rid of algae.
3. Leave the pool pump running.
After rinsing the pool and brushing it for the third time, turn on the pool pump and leave it running for around 4 hours to remove debris and other algae stains.
Now finally brush the pool and let out the water.
4. Add chlorine
Add some quantity of chlorine to the now filled pool. the chlorine will help to kill every microorganism that your brushing and rinsing could not clean out.
This method will entirely get rid of the remaining algae that are stuck around the wall or floor area.
You may decide to add algaecide but chlorine is the best option in situations like this. Algaecide helps to prevent the growth of chlorine and stops the growth as well.
Chlorine also does the work of algaecide but it also goes at length to kill other microorganisms in your pool and retain that bright crystal, blue glow in your pool.
5. Turn on the filter pump this time
Now it’s time to turn on the filter pump. While you add chlorine to the pool. turn on the filter and allow the chlorine to disperse gradually in your snow-filled pool.
Then check the pH level of your pool using a pool tester. If the pH level is between 7.1 and 7.8, then your pool is balanced! Balanced enough to check out any new algae breeding.
And since you have now cleared out the algae from your above-ground pool, you can take a swim in it since the pool is now filled with water. Enjoy!
How Often Can You Clean An Empty Above-ground Pool?
In order to avoid an algae-infested pool, you must avoid emptying your pool. Asides from the fact that emptying the pool sometimes destroys the pool, an empty pool can breed algae and all other forms of debris.
For regular pool maintenance, avoid emptying your pool and run the pool filter every day for like 7 hours.
Then always test the water pH level and ensure that it is not below 7.1. also, test chlorine level too, it should be within 1 to 3 ppm, observe the pool water level, and inspect the filter and pool pump operation as well. also make sure that if your chlorine level falls below 1 ppm, then it needs to be chlorinated.
However, chlorinating your pool daily should be avoided and that is why it is important to test the level of chlorine in your pool before adding another batch of chlorine.
1. Weekly check:
For the weekly maintenance of your above-ground pool, you should skim the surface using a pool basket, ( meanwhile, you should clean your above-ground pool by using a leaf rake, a pool brush, tele-pole, and skim net, vacuum hose.) and vacuum it with a brush.
Then test the alkalinity level as well. clean the pool edges, the deck, and the pool surrounding. You can trim the flowers and plants around it to prevent debris from entering the pool later. Add some doses of algaecide, chlorine, clarifier, and some other pool chemicals.
Always test your pool with a pool tester to be sure of which chemical your pool needs.
Finally, backwash your pool. your above-ground pool also needs backwashing. When this is done, there would be no need to empty your pool for the sake of algae!
2. Monthly Check;
For the monthly maintenance of your above-ground pool, always check the waterline around the skimmer walls and clean thoroughly by using a vinyl cleaner. Then check for algae around the ladders and steps area.
Algae can be trickish. So check these places thoroughly to be sure that no unseen algae are hidden in those places. Don’t forget to shock your pool as well if necessary. You can find out the quantity of pool shock to use in contrast to the number of pool gallons your pool is.
Also, check the hardness of the calcium in your pool. you can do this by using the pool test to test for the calcium hardness in your pool. please note that the calcium hardness in your pool should be around 200-400 ppm.
Also, don’t forget to check the acidity level of the pool. it should be between 30 to 50 ppm at least.
Final Thoughts
An empty above-ground pool heavily infested with green algae needs to be given maximum cooperation. Because the pool wall and floor surfaces have been endangered due to the emptiness of the pool, and the algae stains as well. don’t forget to vacuum the pool manually.
This should be the first step to take when dealing with an empty above-ground pool. Remember to rinse and brush the pool repeatedly and thoroughly to brush off stains and the remaining dead algae.
There are certain tools that will make cleaning an above-ground pool a lot easy. Tools like; pool brush, tele-pole, skim net, etc.
