How can I get rid of black mold in my swimming pool?
milf asked:
We have proper chlorine/ph (now) levels and have shocked it but there is black mold areas all over the bottom and in the crevices around the tiles on the steps and sides. We used some HTP mold/algea treatment and the water is clear, no algea, but the pool looks filthy because of the mold. Is there a treatment we can do ourselves that will work?
I think it is accurately “black algae” not black mold….
Black Mold Exposure
We have proper chlorine/ph (now) levels and have shocked it but there is black mold areas all over the bottom and in the crevices around the tiles on the steps and sides. We used some HTP mold/algea treatment and the water is clear, no algea, but the pool looks filthy because of the mold. Is there a treatment we can do ourselves that will work?
I think it is accurately “black algae” not black mold….
Black Mold Exposure
Related posts:
You are going to have to scrub.
Black algae spots are resistant to chlorine and just shocking/chlorinating or dispensing an algaecide in your pool will not rid you of black algae. There is no easy way to get rid of black algae. It will take muscle power, correct chemicals and vacuuming to eliminate this problem.
The supplies you will need to handle black algae spots: a stiff pool brush, chlorine tablets and algaecide. These directions are not for a vinyl lined pool. Do not swimg in your pool during the black algae spot treatment.
Each black algae spot needs to be brushed with your stiff brush. Shut off the pool pump so the next step will be more beneficial. Using a chlorine tablet spot treat the black algae spot (not on vinyl lined pools). Next step, pour concentrated all purpose algaecide on the algae spot. With pump off leave the dissolved algaecide on the black algae spot over night. Next day brush your dead algae spots and vacuum to waste. If there are still some black algae spots you should repeat the process. After vacuuming start filter pump for circulation and adjust pH. Keep your pool chlorine level adjusted to 7.2 – 7.6) to prevent reoccurrence. Keep your chlorine residual at 1.0-3.0ppm.
Black algae spots occur in a swimming pool when your water has low free chlorine level and/or the pool chemicals are unbalanced. Good circulation is a must! The time took to avoid black algae is well worth your time and energy.
Try and put in double the chlorine for about a week and see if that gets rid of it. Don’t swim in it with high chlorine levels. If that doesn’t work then you’ll have to start brushing it off.
You need to keep that filter running, brush where the algae is and vacuum your pool
black alge has a hard top. use a chlorine tab to scrub all the black alge spots. afterabout 24 hours scrub with a metal brisol brush. after a few day if the alge is still there repeat.
Nice answers but if you have a vinyl liner pool you can’t do what either of the good answers suggested. Yes no matter what you need to brush and brush and destroy the upper crust of the spot but use an algaecide created to treat it. It will have a high dose of Copper in it to kill the algae. The bad news is that you also need to buy a quart of a metal control to keep any staining to your pool from happening.
Of course lowering your pH will help greatly to the 7.2 range. I would not recommend putting a chlorine stick or tablet on any pool surface.
i have a vinyl liner pool (inground) and i was told that the mold is most likely coming from behind the liner.water gets behind the liner when it rains, and it has been raining alot,and it is staining it on the outside and it is coming threw to the inside making it look like black algae. i was told it would spread and there is nothing i could do about it.has any one ever heard of this problem? email me @ dummluck1@aol.com
I am having the same exact problem. I have tried all the different solutions but none have worked. I am at the point of thinking about pulling the vinyl liner and having someone come in and treat the vermiculite behind the liner or replacing it outright. Vermiculite is used in potting soil to help stimulate plant growth. It is also used extensively in pool walls before laying down the liner. Yes, I have scrubbed, I have shocked;quadruple the levels; I have put in twice the algecide just for BLACK Algea. It reduces for a day or so and then comes back with a vengence. With the unusual amount of rain we have had, I am thinking the vermiculite under the vinyl liner is acting as the ultimate breeding place for this black mold. Many pool service companies in the South Jersey area have heard of this. They suggest seeing if it comes back next year – and hope it doesnt rain as much. I’m of the opinion that this will conitnue with the climate changing. I am looking for a pool service company that has removed the vinyl liner, dug up the vermiculite and replaced it with another backing material?
Have you found anything that worked?????
rich i am having the same problem did you find a solution@Rich
Our vinyl liner is having the same black/gray spots that won’t go away. We are trying to figure out what to do. The liner is only 3 years old and we haven’t had much rain to cause water to get behind the liner. It has been extremely hot so the pool temp has been in the upper 90′s for several weeks so maybe that is what is causing it. Only thing that worked temporarily is super shocking it. It all went away overnight, but then was back the next day. The spots this week have started to go up the walls now.