Keep It Green-Free Between Visits
We visit weekly to take care of the big stuff, but Gulf Coast summers require a team effort to battle the elements.
Weekly service calls get your pool looking great, but you may notice a few days later or after a storm, the green starts to creep.
The hard truth? The Gulf Coast heat, oak tree offerings, and getting pelted by whatever storm rolls through means once a week upkeep, isn’t always enough. If you want to keep your pool clean and avoid the green, here's what you can (and should) do between service visits.
01 Run your pump daily for a minimum of 12+ hours.
Stagnant water is how algae gets started. In a Pensacola summer, your pump needs to run at least 12 hours a day — more if you've got heavy use or a lot of shade trees. If possible, it’s best to run it during the hottest hours of the day. If you've got a timer, set it and forget it. When in doubt, run it longer. We know, electricity costs, but running your pump is the BEST weapon to fight against algae.
02 Keep an eye on your chlorine.
Pensacola heat burns through chlorine faster than you'd think. If you're checking it yourself, you want free chlorine between 1–4 ppm and pH between 7.2–7.6. When pH climbs, and it will, chlorine loses its punch. That's when you get green water three days after your last pool service.
03 Brush your walls weekly.
Algae clings to surfaces before it's visible — especially in shady spots, on steps, and behind the ladder. A quick brush mid-week breaks it loose so the sanitizer can do its job. Takes five minutes.
04 Skim it when it needs it.
Leaves, pollen, and debris become algae food as they break down. A quick skim whenever it looks like it needs it — especially after windy days — keeps the organic load down.
05 After a good storm, check the pool.
Florida rain doesn't just get your pool wet, it dilutes your chemistry and spikes phosphate levels, which is basically algae fertilizer. After a heavy storm, skim the surface, test if you can, and shock it. Don't wait until your next visit. Not sure what you're looking at? Just text us.
Reminder:Through our customer portal you can see your service history, water chemistry from our last visit, and message us directly if something looks off. Please let us know if you have questions about what chemicals to add to your pool based on any mid-week testing, and tell us what you have added, it can determine what course of action we take at your next visit.
The Short Version
Run your pump at least 12 hours a day. Check your chlorine if you can. Give the walls a brush mid-week. Skim when it needs it. And after a storm, don't just walk past it — give it a look.
None of this requires becoming a pool person. It's just a few habits that work with what we're doing on service day rather than against it. And if your pool does go sideways between visits, reach out. That's what we're here for.
