Welcome to Pool Ownership—Let’s Talk About a Hidden Threat: Black Algae
If you’re a first-time pool owner inAustin, Liberty Hill, Cedar Park, or anywhere near the lakes, you’re in for a fantastic time. A backyard pool is a luxury—a place to relax, entertain, and cool off during the scorching Texas summers. But as apool cleaning expert, I want to warn you about a common butoften misunderstoodproblem:black algae.
If you’ve never dealt with black algae before, count yourself lucky. It’sone of the hardest pool contaminants to get rid of, and—surprise!—it often comes from the very lakes we love to swim in.
How Does Black Algae Get Into Your Pool?
Austin is surrounded bybeautiful lakes—Lake Travis, Lake Austin, Lake Georgetown—and they’re perfect for a weekend escape. But they alsoharbor bacteria and algae, includingblack algae, a stubborn, chlorine-resistant organism that thrives in natural water sources.
The biggest way black algaespreads to pools?
🚤Lake toys, floats, swimsuits, and even people who have been in the lake!
When you take yourrafts, pool noodles, or even life jacketsinto a lake and then bring them back into yourpristine, chemically balanced pool, you could beintroducing black algae spores—and once they take hold, they areextremely difficult to remove.
What Makes Black Algae So Hard to Kill?
Unlike common green pool algae,black algae burrows deep into your pool’s surfaces, formingstubborn black spotson the walls and floor. It has aprotective outer layer, making it resistant to chlorine, and its rootsdig into porous surfaceslike plaster, making italmost impossible to scrub away completely.
Signs of black algae in your pool:✅ Black or dark blue-green spots on the walls or floor✅ A slimy or rough texture on the affected area✅ Growth thatkeeps coming backeven after brushing
How to Prevent Black Algae from Entering Your Pool
The best way to deal with black algae?Don’t let it in to begin with.Here’s how you can keep your pool safe:
1. Keep Lake & Pool Toys Separate
🚫DO NOT use the same floats, rafts, or pool noodles in both the lake and your pool.💡 If you enjoy taking inflatables toLake Travis, Lake Austin, or Lake Georgetown, have adedicated set of lake-only floats.
2. Clean & Sanitize Everything That Touches the Lake
If youmustuse the same floats or toys,sanitize them properly before putting them in your pool.
🧼How to clean lake gear before putting it in your pool:1️⃣ Spray everything down with achlorine-based cleaner or bleach solution.2️⃣ Scrub surfaces with apool brush or sponge.3️⃣ Rinse thoroughly withfresh waterand let them dry completely in the sun.
3. Rinse Off After Swimming in the Lake
Before jumping into your pool after a day at the lake,take a quick shower or rinse off with a hose.Thisremoves bacteria, algae spores, and sunscreen residuethat could contaminate your pool water.
4. Maintain Proper Pool Chemistry
Keeping yourchlorine levels high and your filtration system running efficientlyis your best defense. A well-maintained pool isless likely to develop black algae.
How to Get Rid of Black Algae If It’s Already in Your Pool
If you suspect black algae has made its way into your pool,act fast.The longer it sits, the deeper its roots grow.
🔹Step 1:Brush aggressively with astiff-bristle algae brush(not a soft pool brush).🔹Step 2:Shock your pool withextra-high levels of chlorine(you may need 2-3x the normal shock dose).🔹Step 3:Scrub again—black algae has deep roots, so you’ll need to break through its protective layer.🔹Step 4:Run your pump continuously for24-48 hoursand backwash or clean your filter.🔹Step 5:If it persists,call a professional(like us!).
Final Thoughts from Your Pool Pro
Austin’s lakes are beautiful, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy them—justbe mindful of what you bring back with you.Black algae is preventable, but once it takes hold, it’s along battleto remove.
If you’re ever unsure about yourpool’s water quality or notice suspicious black spots,Blue Ocean Pool Service is here to help.We specialize inpreventing and treating black algae, so you can enjoycrystal-clear, hassle-free pool ownership.
📞Need help? Call us today for a free pool health check!