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How to fix a green pool

Containers of dry acid, granular pool chlorine, flocculent and algaecide, substances used to treat pool water

Overview

Without much use over the winter months, your swimming pool's water may have turned green. With the right chemicals and a few simple steps, it's easy to bring your pool water back to clear and sparkling.

Steps

1Decrease your pH level

To fix a green pool, you'll need to start by decreasing the water's pH level. This can be easily done with a pH decreaser. Follow the instructions on the pack to get the right pH level you need for a healthy pool.
Dry acid being added to a pool

2Add super shock chlorine

Next you'll need to give your pool a shock dosing of chlorine. The stronger levels of a super shock product will quickly kill or neutralise any organic substances in your pool. The instructions on your product will show you how much you need to use. It's also good to use after a very heavy period of rain or having lots of people in your pool.

Containers of dry acid, granular pool chlorine and flocculent, substances used to treat pool water

3Clear up the water

To get sparkling clear water, you need to loosen up the algae in your pool so it then can be easily vacuumed up. Do this by using a high potency flocculent. It'll also improve the performance of your pool filter. Refer to your product packaging for the right dosage your pool will need.
Flocculent being added to a pool

4Kill off any algae

In a green pool, you'll need to use a high strength algaecide to effectively kill off any algae or other life floating in your pool. For the correct dosage levels, consult your product packaging.
Algaecide being added to a pool

Suggested products

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.