I love my pool, and my kids love it more than me. Not even a single day passed last summer when they didn’t jump in it and spend hours there. But this year they stopped doing that, like they never liked it in the first place.
All they said is – it’s dirty now!
Later on, my wife told me that she tried to get rid of white water mold in pool, but couldn’t. So, I thought of stepping in with a few solutions.
A chlorine shock treatment can help you deal with mold. Plus, if you can balance the pool chemistry, that too can lower the mold significantly. If none of that works, you better clean the pool thoroughly.
Now the question is, why does this white water mold pop up in your pool in the first place? Is there any way to prevent that? Well, let’s discuss that with a cup of ‘scrolling’. The answers are all waiting down there.
Key Takeaways
- White water mold can show up in a pool if there is inadequate pool maintenance, poor sanitizer levels, imbalanced water chemistry, and stagnant water.
- The best ways to get rid of white water mold in pool are by brushing and cleaning the filter, shocking the pool, adding algaecide, and rebalancing water chemistry.
What Exactly is White Water Mold?
This is mostly a fungus that grows in water with low to no circulation. Along with seeing them floating on the top of the water, you’ll also see them sticking to the sides. It’s a clear sign that something has gone really wrong with your pool’s atmosphere.
Though it’s not dangerous for the swimmers, you still need to take the pool maintenance a bit more seriously. Otherwise, a new problem might show up in no time – the clogged filtering system of your pool.
Why Is There White Water Mold in Your Pool?
There are a bunch of reasons that can turn your swimming pool into a perfect living place for these white flakes. Such as the following:
Inadequate Pool Maintenance
When you don’t brush and vacuum the pool regularly, biofilms start to form on its walls and floor. Once the debris and algae find it good enough to grow, they promote mold growth more than ever. And skipping the vacuum regularly allows the organic matter to settle and accelerate mold growth.
Poor Sanitizer Levels
Chlorine and other sanitizing agents play quite a part in keeping harmful microorganisms away and getting you a clean pool. But once their level goes down, there will be nothing strong enough left to stop mold and bacteria.
Imbalance in Water Chemistry
7.2 to 7.6—that’s the ideal pH level for a pool with good water condition. But once the pH of the water goes out of this range, the chlorine starts to become less effective and promotes mold in the pool.
Furthermore, the alkalinity and calcium hardness can also mess with water quality, leading to mold growth.
Stagnant Water
No matter how many gallons of water you’ve got in your pool, it still can’t stop mold if there is too little or no water circulation. The same goes for ineffective filtration, as that can leave you with clogged or dirty filters.
Organic Debris
If your pool is filled with organic debris, like dirt, leaves, and insects, mold becomes a ‘must to have’ for your pool. These can easily decay and boost the biofilm formation process. Plus, unwanted pollutants such as pollen and bird droppings can do the same.
Older Mold Contamination
White water mold and pink slime can be the classic case of re-contamination. So, if the water in your pool was affected by mold before but wasn’t properly cleaned, the mold can come back.
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10 Effective Ways to Get Rid of White Water Mold in Pool
Moving on, it’s time to kill the white water mold in your pool. Here are the top ten ways that will clean your pool just like a new one:
1. Closing Your Pool
Start by closing the pool, as you don’t want the mold to spread anymore. You never know when the white mold floating on the surface of your pool will cling to someone’s swimsuit and spread somewhere else. Make sure no one is entering the area before you’re done with the cleaning.
2. Brushing the Pool
Get a stiff-bristled pool brush and scrub the surfaces thoroughly. Make sure you’re paying extra attention to steps, corners, ladders, and other areas where mold can sit easily. This will dislodge the mold and make it easier for you to get rid of it.
3. Cleaning the Filter
There are three types of filters out there. So, if you’ve got the cartridge filters, remove the cartridges, soak them in a filter cleaner solution, and rinse thoroughly. But for sand filters, backwashing the filter and flushing out contaminants should be enough. If you find it necessary, try using a sand filter cleaner.
In case your pool comes with DE filters, I’d say to do nothing but backwash and recharge it with fresh Diatomaceous Earth (DE). Cleaning these filters will free up the trapped contaminants and prevent the mold from coming back into the pool.
4. Shocking the Pool
First of all, check if the pool’s pH level is between 7.2 and 7.6 or not. If not, adjust it. Now get a chlorine shock product and add 2 to 3 times. To be sure about the dosage, check out the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once you’re done there, make sure the pool shock is evenly distributed around the pool. I’d say shock your pool at night, as the sunlight might lower the chlorine effectiveness. The purpose of this move is to kill the mold spores.
5. Adding Algaecide
After the shock, get a non-foaming algaecide and add it to the pool. Here, you need to follow the product’s dosing instructions and ensure even distribution all over the pool’s surface. This will add an extra protective layer by killing the remaining spores and eliminating the chance of future growth.
6. Running the Pool Pump
Now get the pool pump started and keep it running for the next 24 hours in a row. This will make sure the chlorine and algaecide are perfectly mixed and the contaminants are gone.
7. Cleaning Pool Equipment
The mold can come back through the pool equipment. So, remove all the pool equipment, including pool toys, skimmers, and ladders, and clean them up with a diluted bleach solution [9 parts water and 1 part bleach].
After soaking the items and scrubbing them thoroughly, rinse them with clean water properly.
8. Vacuuming the Pool
There can still be debris from the pool surface and floor. To get rid of them, manually vacuum your pool.
It’ll be better if you can just vacuum the waste. This way, you can bypass the filter and save it from clogging while sending the debris out of the pool.
9. Rebalancing the Pool Water
If you really don’t want the mold back in your pool, fixing the balance of pool chemicals is a must. Just test the water to be sure about the chlorine levels, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness.
And bring the chlorine level to 1-3 ppm, the pH to 7.4–7.5, the alkalinity to 80–120 ppm, and the calcium hardness to 200–400 ppm.
10. Maintaining Regular Pool Cleaning
Lastly, to keep the mold away, brush your pool walls and surfaces on a regular basis. Also, keep your pool filter clean and adjust the chemical levels consistently.
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How to Prevent White Water Mold?
Prevention is and has always been better than cure. The same goes for white water mold as well. So, rather than trying to get rid of white water mold in the pool, here are a few things you can do to keep it away in the first place.
They are as follows:
Balancing Water Chemistry
Keeping the water’s chemistry on point doesn’t only prevent mold but also other contaminants at the same time. So, make sure you’re keeping chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness at a balanced level.
Shocking the Pool Regularly
To keep your pool clean and mold-free, shocking can be a very effective method. So, try doing that every 1-2 weeks, especially during hot weather when the pool gets heavily used.
Proper Filtration and Circulation
The water needs to circulate if you don’t want to see white mold all over the water. So, run your pool pump every day for at least 8–12 hours to give the pool enough circulation. And to keep the filter functioning properly, clean, and maintain it regularly.
Brushing and Vacuuming
Water mold in a chlorine pool becomes obvious once you start skipping the vacuuming. So, make sure you’re brushing the pool walls and floors once a week. Also, vacuum the pool to take care of the settled debris.
Using Preventative Algaecides
Using non-foaming and broad-spectrum algaecides can keep your water free of white mold. So, apply this as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Do the same while fixing the application frequency.
Keeping Pool Equipment and Accessories Clean
One of the easiest ways to recontaminate is by letting the mold come back through the pool equipment and accessories. So, keep the floats, ladders, pool toys, and other accessories clean. Also, keep the pool area clean to save the pool from the intrusion of any organic matter.
Using a Pool Cover
A cover will keep the debris away from your pool. Not only that, but it can save the pool from sunlight and slow down mold growth. So, cover up your pool when it’s not in use.
How to Treat White Water Mold in a Biguanide Pool?
Seeing white mold floating in your pool can be frustrating, especially if it’s a biguanide one. But with these techniques, you can easily get rid of them in no time:
- Increase oxidation with a large dose (triple or quadruple) of a non-chlorine oxidizer to break down the mold.
- Brush the pool surfaces thoroughly, including the bottom of the pool, and loosen the mold. Later on, skim the surface and remove the debris.
- Clean the filter properly. Replace the filter cartridges if needed to skip recontamination.
- Run the pump for at least 72 hours to ensure the oxidizer is properly circulated and distributed.
Concluding Words
Keeping your pool free from white water mold doesn’t have to be a challenging task. Instead, with these above-mentioned easy steps, you can ensure your pool always stays inviting and clean, ready for those perfect summer days.
Also, regular maintenance and a little bit of extra care will keep that pesky mold at bay, so you can focus on enjoying your pool to the fullest.
Happy swimming!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is white water mold toxic?
You can’t call it toxic, but it can surely cause skin and eye irritation. Plus, it makes the surfaces slippery, increasing the chances of slipping and falling.
Can you swim with white water mold?
Yes, you can swim with white mold, but you shouldn’t. As the mold reaching your skin and eyes causes irritation, it’s better to skip swimming before cleaning the pool.
What are the symptoms of inhaling white mold?
Inhaling something like white mold can lead to respiratory issues such as sneezing, nasal congestion, coughing, and throat irritation. It can also trigger allergic reactions such as fatigue, headaches, and even asthma attacks.
How do you get rid of white water mold in a saltwater pool?
The process is quite similar to that of a chlorine pool. Just brush the surfaces and clean up the filter and salt cell. Later on, shock your pool at dusk or night with a non-chlorine shock treatment.
