If your pool has gone from crystal clear to cloudy or green, it's easy to assume a double dose of chlorine will fix it. Sometimes that's true. Often, it isn't — and waiting can turn a simple fix into a full drain-and-refill.
1. The water has a green or yellow tint
This is the most obvious sign of algae growth. Green usually means common algae; yellow or mustard-colored algae is more stubborn and resistant to standard chlorine levels.
2. The pool floor feels slippery
Run your foot along the bottom step. If it feels slick rather than smooth, that's early-stage algae forming on the surface — even if the water still looks mostly clear.
3. Strong chemical smell
A strong "pool smell" usually means chloramines have built up — a sign the chlorine in your pool is being used up fighting contaminants instead of keeping the water sanitized.
4. Visible debris that won't filter out
If leaves, dirt, or algae clumps keep circulating instead of settling or getting filtered out, your filtration system may be overwhelmed or undersized for what's currently in the water.
5. It's been open and uncovered for more than a week without service
Even a well-maintained pool can turn in South Florida's heat and humidity within days of skipped maintenance. If it's been a while since the last cleaning or chemical check, it's worth having someone take a look before it tips into full green-pool territory.
What to do next
A proper green pool cleanup isn't just extra chlorine — it involves balancing pH and alkalinity first, shocking the water, brushing algae off walls and steps, and running the filtration system through a full cycle (sometimes more than once) before the water is genuinely safe to swim in again.
If your pool is showing any of these signs, request a free estimate and we'll assess what it actually needs.