Oh, so you shocked the pool, ran the pump, tossed in some chlorine tablets, and figured you were the gold standard of pool owners? That is adorable. Meanwhile, algae is throwing a housewarming party in your deep end because you forgot one small detail: brushing the walls. Skipping brushing is like brushing your teeth but never flossing; it looks fine for a while until the real problems start.
Let us talk about the mistakes that have algae laughing behind your back.
Mistake 1: Thinking the Filter Does All the Work
You toss in chemicals, let the pump run, and think the filter will magically take care of everything. Nope. Filters are great at grabbing particles floating in the water, but algae loves to cling to surfaces. If you do not brush, that stubborn slime stays stuck where the filter cannot touch it.
Quick Fix: Brush your pool walls, floor, and steps at least twice a week. Yes, it takes time. Yes, you actually have to do it.
Mistake 2: Skipping Corners and Steps
Sure, you give the main floor a few lazy sweeps, but when was the last time you got into the corners, behind ladders, and on the steps? Algae loves low circulation spots. These are its penthouses.
Quick Fix: Use a small hand brush for tight spots. If you ignore them, you are basically giving algae a VIP lounge.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Water Chemistry Swings
Maybe you test your water once in a blue moon and add chemicals based on a gut feeling. Algae thrives when chlorine drops too low or pH swings out of range. That murky tint creeping in? That is your warning sign.
Quick Fix: Test water at least twice a week and keep chlorine between 1-3 ppm with a pH of 7.2-7.6.
Mistake 4: Waiting Until You See Algae to Act
If you wait for green patches to appear before brushing, you have already lost ground. Algae is fast. Once it shows up, it takes more chemicals, more brushing, and more money to get rid of it.
Quick Fix: Treat brushing as part of your regular maintenance, not an emergency response.
Mistake 5: Letting the Pump Schedule Slack
You think running the pump a few hours here and there is enough. It is not. Without consistent circulation, water becomes stagnant in spots, which is algae heaven.
Quick Fix: Run your pump for 8-12 hours daily in peak season. Combine that with brushing to keep water moving and algae homeless.
The Brutal Truth Checklist:
- Brush walls, floors, and steps twice a week.
- Do not skip corners, ladders, or steps.
- Test water chemistry twice a week.
- Maintain chlorine and pH in the proper range.
- Run the pump for 8-12 hours daily.
Your pool is not high-maintenance, you just need to actually maintain it. Keep up with brushing, stay on top of chemistry, and maybe, just maybe, algae will have to crash someone else’s backyard party.
