ServicesGreen to Clean Recovery
Green to Clean Recovery in Apache Junction
Your pool turned green and you want it back. We test the water, kill the algae, brush and vacuum it out, and clean the filter that has to catch it all. You get clear water and a plain answer on what caused it.
What green to clean recovery is
A green pool is an algae bloom. It starts when chlorine drops too low for too long, and in Arizona summer heat that can happen in a few days. A missed week, a pump that stopped running or a storm that dumped dust and leaves into the water is often all it takes.
Recovery means killing the algae, getting the dead material out of the water and off the walls, and getting the water chemistry back where it holds. Pouring in chlorine alone usually is not enough. The filter clogs, the algae comes back, and the pump ends up working harder than it should.
Most pools clear in a few days. A pool that sat for months, or has water that is too far out of balance to fix, may need a pool drain and refill instead. We tell you which one makes sense before any work starts.
What the work includes
Full water test
We check chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium and stabilizer. High stabilizer is a common reason chlorine stops working, and it changes the plan.
Debris removal
Leaves, palm fronds and sludge come out first with a net and leaf bag. Shock works better on water, not on a pile of debris.
Shock and algaecide
We dose chlorine based on your pool size and how green it is. The right dose the first time saves chemicals and days.
Brushing walls, steps and floor
Algae hides in corners, on steps and behind lights. Brushing breaks it loose so the chlorine can reach it.
Vacuuming dead algae
Dead algae settles as gray or brown dust. We vacuum it out, often to waste, so it does not just cycle back through the filter.
Filter cleaning during and after
A filter full of algae chokes flow and makes the pump strain. We clean it as the job goes and again at the end, so your pump can go back to normal run times.
Signs your pool needs a recovery
Green, teal or yellow water
Any color in the water means algae is growing. Light green can turn dark in a weekend.
You can't see the main drain
If the floor drain is hard to see from the deck, the water is not safe to swim in. Cloudy water hides a lot.
Slimy walls or steps
Slick spots on the plaster are early algae, even when the water still looks fairly clear.
Chlorine disappears overnight
If you add chlorine and it reads zero the next day, algae or high stabilizer is eating it.
The pool sat unused
A pump that was off, a home that sat empty or a vacation that ran long. Still water goes green fast.
How a recovery runs
- 1
Look and test
We look at the pool and the equipment and test the water. We check that the pump and filter are running right, because recovery fails if they aren't.
- 2
Clear debris and shock
We pull out debris, brush everything and add a measured shock dose. The pump runs much longer than its normal schedule for the first few days so the water keeps moving through the filter.
- 3
Return visits
We come back to brush, vacuum dead algae, clean the filter and retest. Most pools take two to four visits depending on how far gone they were.
- 4
Balance and hand back
Once the water is clear and holds chlorine, we balance it and set the pump back to a normal schedule. Shorter run times on clean, balanced water cost less to run.
What moves the cost
Every green pool is different, so we look at yours before we give a number. Your quote is free and covers the visits and chemicals we expect it to take. If something changes, we tell you before doing more.
- How green it is
- Light green clears with less chlorine and fewer visits. Black-green or swampy water takes more of both.
- Pool size
- More gallons means more shock and more time brushing and vacuuming.
- Stabilizer and water condition
- If stabilizer is very high, chlorine can't do its job. Sometimes a partial or full drain is cheaper than fighting it.
- Filter and equipment shape
- A worn filter or a weak pump slows the whole job. If we find a problem, we explain it and you decide on any pool repair.
Green pool questions
Something not covered here? (480) 672-6040
How long until I can swim again?
Most pools are clear in three to five days. The water has to be clear, hold chlorine and test balanced before anyone gets in. We tell you when it is ready.
Do I need to drain my green pool?
Usually not. Draining is only worth it when the water is too far out of balance, like very high stabilizer or calcium. We test first and give you an honest answer either way.
Why does my pump have to run so much?
During recovery the water needs to keep moving through the filter to catch dead algae. That means much longer pump run times than usual for a few days. Once the water is clear, we set it back to a normal schedule so you are not paying for extra run time.
Can I just add more chlorine myself?
You can try, but most bad blooms need brushing, vacuuming and filter cleaning too. Without those, the dead algae stays in the pool and the bloom comes back.
How do I keep it from turning green again?
Steady chlorine, a clean filter and a pump that runs every day. Many people move to our weekly pool cleaning after a recovery. We offer a free first month of weekly service, and there is no contract, so you can stop whenever you choose.
Let's get your pool clear
Tell us what the water looks like and how long it has been that way. We will set up a time to look and give you a straight number.