Refilling Pool

[utahpool]

My pool is drained and has the dreaded green lines and such from algae, I know that an acid wash would be the best thing but can't afford that right now. What would be the best cleaning stuff to use to clean the algae marks and such?? Thanks!

[PoolDoc]

You're in luck!

An acid wash would NOT be the best thing. Acid washing works by CORRODING off the top layer of pool plaster. What's left is whiter, but also rougher, more porous, and MUCH more susceptible to algae and staining.

Rent a LOW POWER pressure washer (ideally, a low power high volume washer) and pressure wash your pool. GREAT way to get an all over tan, because the sun reflects off the sides onto every thing but the soles of your feet. Of course, if you don't tan, slather the sunscreen on!

Be careful: high pressure can cut the plaster as badly as acid, so don't over do it. It can also cause SERIOUS skin infections, so don't accidentally spray yourself.

Do NOT try to remove 100% of the stains -- let chlorine do that later. Instead, get the bulk of it and refill. It would help if you slosh a 5:1 water / bleach mix on the sides. Doing so will help remove the marks AND give you an algae free start up.

When you do it, do not wear any clothes or swimwear you like; do wear sun glasses or safety glasses; do wear cuffed gloves; do NOT leave the bleach mix on your skin for long periods. I'd do it in an old swimsuit, gloves, and flip flops, and keep a hose running gently near me to clean off splashes. A plastic bristle broom will help you spread the stuff around. If you've removed the goop first, you can leave the bleach mix in the pool on startup. Just make sure it's diluted some by pool fill before you start your pump.

PoolDoc

[polyvue]

My pool is drained and has the dreaded green lines and such from algae, I know that an acid wash would be the best thing but can't afford that right now. What would be the best cleaning stuff to use to clean the algae marks and such?? Thanks!

Oh, no! An acid wash would not be the best thing... it dissolves carbonate structure (plaster etc.) and could shorten the life of your pool surface.

If the dreaded green lines are composed of organic material (such as algae residue) try maintaining a higher than normal concentration of chlorine in your pool and brush the lines every day. Eventually they'll fade and should disappear completely.

[Edit: posted at same time -- follow PoolDoc's recommendations]

[utahpool]

I did pressure wash it and it came out pretty good! Thanks for the advice. Now to start the refilling process might take a day or two with a hose. Should I check the levels after it is mostly full then add chemicals or what?

[PoolDoc]

Just make sure you dose it with chlorine nightly while your are filling.

You can adjust your other levels later.

Start your pump as soon as you can, after there's at least 6" water in the shallow end.

PoolDoc

[utahpool]

Will do, thanks much!