Few things are more frustrating than lifting the cover or stepping into the backyard and finding green water where a clear pool used to be. In Glendale, this happens most often in summer, after a windstorm, or when a pool has gone a week or two without care. The good news is that a green pool can almost always be brought back.
Below, we explain what turns pool water green, what you can check yourself, and when it makes sense to call for help.
What Makes Pool Water Turn Green
Green water is almost always caused by algae. Algae spores enter every pool through wind, rain, and swimmers, and they are normally kept in check by chlorine and good circulation. When something tips that balance, algae multiplies quickly. Common causes include:
- Low chlorine: hot sun and heavy use burn off sanitizer faster than many owners expect.
- Poor circulation: a pump that is off, failing, or running too few hours leaves water stagnant.
- A dirty filter: a clogged filter cannot remove the particles algae feeds on.
- Debris: leaves, dust, and pollen from seasonal winds add nutrients to the water.
- High pH: when pH climbs, chlorine becomes much less effective, even at normal levels.
Why Glendale Pools Are Especially Prone to Algae
Glendale's long, hot summers create ideal conditions for algae. Warm water speeds up growth, and strong sunlight breaks down chlorine. Seasonal winds can drop a heavy load of leaves and dust into a pool in one afternoon, especially in foothill neighborhoods. Put those together, and a pool that misses a single week of care during a heat wave can turn cloudy and then green.
Simple Checks Before You Call
If your pool has just started to turn hazy or light green, a few quick checks can tell you a lot:
- Make sure the pump is running and water is flowing out of the return jets.
- Empty the skimmer and pump baskets.
- Look at the filter pressure gauge. A reading well above normal usually means the filter needs cleaning.
- Test chlorine and pH with a reliable test kit.
How a Green Pool Gets Cleared
Recovering a green pool is a step by step process. First, debris is removed so treatment can work. The water is tested, then shocked to kill the algae bloom. Walls, steps, and the floor are brushed thoroughly to break up algae, and the filter runs continuously as it catches the dead algae, which often means cleaning the filter more than once. Once the water clears, the pool is vacuumed and the chemistry is balanced. Darker pools can take several days and multiple visits to fully recover. Our green pool cleanup service handles every step.
How to Keep It From Coming Back
Once the water is clear again, prevention is mostly about consistency:
- Test and adjust chlorine and pH regularly, more often in summer. Pool chemical balancing keeps levels steady.
- Run the pump long enough each day to circulate the full volume of the pool.
- Clean the filter on a regular schedule with pool filter cleaning.
- Remove leaves and debris quickly after windy days.
Get Help With a Green Pool in Glendale
If your pool has turned green, or you want to keep it from happening again, our team can help. Many owners follow a cleanup with weekly pool maintenance so the water stays clear all season. Contact Glendale Pool Service Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.