Green pool cleaning in Perth north of the river
Green pool help from Sunwest Pools starts from $399 incl. GST, plus chemicals. We assess the pool first and confirm the price before any work starts. A green pool can’t always be cleared in one visit, so we explain the treatment, the chemicals and any return visits before we begin.
Why pools turn green
A pool turns green when algae grows faster than the chlorine in the water can control it. Usually a few of these line up at once.
Chlorine falling behind
Chlorine is what keeps algae in check. When there isn’t enough, because a salt chlorinator isn’t keeping up, the water hasn’t been tested for a while or the pool has had heavy use, algae gets a foothold and then uses up chlorine even faster.
Filter and pump run time
The filter removes what the chlorine has dealt with. If the pump isn’t running long enough or the filter is clogged, the water sits still and algae spreads. A green pool is sometimes the first sign of an equipment problem.
Perth summer heat and storms
Long hot days, strong sun and warm water all use up chlorine faster. A summer storm can then wash in dirt and leaves and dilute the water. That’s why a pool can turn after a heatwave or a big storm.
Leaves and debris
Leaves, flowers, grass clippings and dust all break down in the water. They use up chlorine, block the baskets and feed algae. Pools under gum trees collect more.
Green, cloudy or mustard: what you’re seeing
The colour gives a clue, but only a test tells the full story. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.
- Cloudy or milky. The floor is harder to see. Often an early sign that the water is out of balance or the filter isn’t keeping up.
- Light green. Algae has started to grow. The walls may feel slippery, especially in corners and on the steps.
- Dark green or swampy. You can’t see the bottom. This usually needs several stages of cleaning, treatment and filtering.
- Yellow or mustard patches. Patches on shady walls or the floor that come back after brushing.
What we check first
We look for the cause first. Treating the water without fixing it can mean the pool turns green again.
- The water. We test with a Spin Touch photometer.
- The filter. Its condition, and whether it can cope with the clean-up.
- The pump and circulation. Whether water is moving through the filter as it should.
- The baskets and debris. The skimmer and pump baskets, and how much has settled on the floor.
Then we explain what we found, the treatment, the chemicals and any return visits. Work starts only once you agree the price.
Green pool recovery, step by step
Assess and agree the price
We check the water, the filter, the pump and how much debris is in the pool. Then we explain what we found, what we recommend and what it costs.
Clear debris and brush
Leaves and floating debris come out first, and the skimmer and pump baskets are emptied. Then the walls, steps and floor are brushed to loosen the algae so the treatment can reach it.
Start treatment
We treat the water based on the test results. The chemicals are itemised on your quote, so you can see what goes in and what it costs.
Return visits and filter checks
As the algae dies off, it settles on the floor or collects in the filter. On return visits we retest the water, vacuum out what has settled and check the filter is coping with the extra load.
Hand over to regular care
Once the water is clear, regular care, one visit a month, is the simplest way to keep it that way.
Why some pools need more than one visit
Clearing a green pool happens in stages. The treatment works on the algae, then the dead algae has to be filtered and vacuumed out and the water retested. That can’t always happen in one go.
- The darker the water, and the longer it has been green, the more work it usually takes.
- A filter that is clogged or struggling slows everything down.
- A thick layer of leaves and sludge on the floor needs more vacuuming.
- Heat or a storm between visits can set the water back.
After the assessment, we tell you how many visits we expect. If that changes, we discuss the cost with you before going ahead.
What affects the price
- How green the water is, and how long it has been that way.
- The size of the pool, the filter’s condition and how much debris has settled.
- The chemicals the water needs, which are itemised on your quote.
- Whether the pool needs draining, an acid wash or other extra work, which isn’t part of the $399 starting price and is quoted separately before we go ahead.
Your price is confirmed after the assessment, before any work starts. See pool cleaning prices for all our prices and how quotes work.
What to do before we arrive
You don’t need to prepare anything, but a few things help.
- Keep the pump running, if it works. Moving water helps, even while it’s green. If the pump isn’t working, leave it off and let us know.
- Don’t add random chemicals. Untested additions can make the water harder to treat. If you’ve already added something, tell us what and when.
- Clear what you safely can. Scoop floating leaves from the edge or empty a full skimmer basket. Don’t climb in or reach into water you can’t see through.
- Keep children and pets out. You can’t see the bottom of a green pool, so keep the pool gate shut until the water is clear.
What we don’t do
Green pool help is cleaning and water treatment. Our servicing doesn’t include repairs. If we spot a fault, we’ll explain what needs attention; electrical, gas and other specialist work go to the right qualified trade.
Keeping it clear afterwards
Regular care is the simplest way to stop a pool turning green again. Our regular service is one visit a month, which keeps the water tested and balanced and the filter and circulation checked.
In between, skim off leaves, empty the skimmer basket, keep the filter running and tell us if the water starts to look cloudy.
See regular pool maintenance, from $99 per visit incl. GST, plus chemicals as quoted.
Common questions
Can a green pool be fixed without draining it?
Many green pools can be cleared with cleaning, treatment, a working filter and, where needed, return visits. It depends on how green the water is and how well the filtration is working, which we check first. If draining is the better option for your pool, we explain why and quote it separately before going ahead.
How long does a green pool take to clear?
It depends on the pool, and it can’t always be done in one visit. After the assessment, we tell you how many visits we expect and keep you updated as the water clears.
Can chlorine alone fix a green pool?
Not always. Chlorine is part of the treatment, but if the filter or circulation isn’t working, or the pool is full of leaves and debris, the water won’t clear properly. That’s why we check them first.
Why did my pool go green after rain?
Rain dilutes the water and can wash in dirt, leaves and garden debris. That upsets the balance and uses up chlorine. Add warm weather after a storm and algae can grow quickly. A water test shows what has changed.
Why is my pool cloudy?
Cloudy water usually means the water is out of balance, the chlorine isn’t keeping up or the filter isn’t removing fine particles. It can be an early sign before a pool turns green, so it’s worth getting it checked.
Is $399 the total price?
It’s the starting price for green pool help, including GST. Chemicals are extra and itemised on your quote. If your pool needs extra treatment, a return visit, draining, an acid wash or other extra work, we’ll quote the extra cost before going ahead.
Can we swim while the pool is green?
In green or cloudy water you can’t see the bottom of the pool clearly, and the water still needs treatment. We don’t advise it.
Get help with a green pool
Tell us about your pool and we’ll confirm the price before anything is booked.