After a full season or longer of use, there's a good chance your swimming pool is a little worse for the wear. One common problem that many pools face is various forms of algae. Whether you're preparing to close your pool for the season or looking to squeeze another few weeks out of it, algae blooms are something you'll want to address. Here's a concise primer on how to get rid of the pesky photosynthetic water organisms. 

Add Chlorine

There's a good reason so many people strongly associate swimming pools with the smell of chlorine. The chemical is the ultimate algae killer, and dousing your water with large amounts of chlorine is one tried-and-true method for wiping out burgeoning algae. 

Brush & Scrub

In addition to pouring chlorine in your pool, you'll also want to take a large broom or brush and scrub the floors and walls of your pool. This is an especially important step if you're in the process of closing down your pool for the fall and winter. After draining the water, scrub the floor and walls thoroughly, making sure you've rubbed away anything that could serve as the beginnings of future algae blooms. Try to be especially diligent in the small, narrow spaces where algae tend to collect, including steps, ladders, and floor tiles. 

Perform Shock Treatment

If chlorine and scrubbing don't get rid of all the algae in your pool, you might want to consider what's called a "shock treatment." Shock treatments entail buying a powerful pool-cleaning product—which usually consists of not only chlorine but other potent chemicals—and using it on your pool for several days or longer. 

If you're a resident of the Greater Cincinnati, OH, area looking for top-notch pool services, reach out to the professionals at Don Marcum's Pool Care. They specialize in both pool and hot tub maintenance, repair, and equipment installation. Visit the acclaimed team's website to read some of their glowing testimonials, or call directly at (513) 561-7050 to speak with a friendly representative.