Georgia’s Pollen Season and the Pools it Wrecks
Spring comes around and your pool is a peculiar yellow-green? You put in the work to scoop out the powdery dust only to have it make another appearance? Then there is the filter that will not stop clogging once the trees are in bloom.
You would not be alone in finding all of this familiar; it is pollen, one of the more intractable seasonal afflictions in Georgia. We at Yummy Pools see our share of it with homeowners in Metro Atlanta and put in the work to leave their water spotless for the duration of the season. For some guidance on the matter, pick up the phone at (470) 703-6894.
There is a good reason the spring pollen in Georgia has a reputation. The same thick yellow you find on the deck or the car makes its way into your pool as well. Before you know it you have a host of issues and what was a swimming pool is a maintenance chore.
The Trouble with Pollen in Your Pool
It is not merely a surface level annoyance. On the water it clumps into a film resembling a fine layer of yellow powder. But that is the easy part.
Get some of it in your circulation system and it is a different story. The filter will clog, your chemistry is thrown off and you will be feeding algae. With a pollen season in Georgia that can run for weeks, it is hard for a homeowner to stay on top of it.
Some of what you can expect come spring:
- Water with a hazy cast that defies ordinary cleaning
- A yellow film on the surface you can skim right back off
- Filters losing pressure and having trouble circulating
- Organic material from the pollen to promote an algae bloom
- pH and chlorine levels going out of whack
- Surfaces stained by pollen left to sit
- The pump under strain from poor water flow
What Happens to Your Water Chemistry
Pollen works its mischief behind the scenes too. Being organic, it uses up your chlorine as it degrades in the pool so the sanitizer you rely on is gone quicker than normal.
Bacteria and algae will take advantage of any drop in chlorine. Without regular testing you might not be aware of it till the water has gone green. It requires more vigilance these few weeks of the year to maintain a balance.
Filters Get the Brunt of It
Expect your filter to be overworked. The finer particles of pollen will pack in the system, slowing things down and reducing pressure. Circulation suffers and chemicals do not get where they should while debris is left to settle.
That is the case for doing more frequent cleaning or backwashing of the filter in the spring. Old or worn equipment may not be able to handle the added load, which is something our in-house repair department puts right for people in the Atlanta area.
Ways to Put Up a Fight Against Buildup
With some consistency you can put yourself ahead of the pollen. We recommend:
- Make a habit of skimming every day in the height of the season
- Leave the pump running a bit longer to prevent settling
- Be more diligent about testing and putting the chemistry in order
- Keep up with the filter to ensure proper flow
- Give the walls and steps a brush to head off stains
- Put a cover on it when you are not using the pool
Then again, there is no need to go at it by yourself. Stick to a cleaning regimen and you will not let minor issues become major ones.
Leave the Pollen to Yummy Pools
We are licensed and insured and do business with homeowners in all of Metro Atlanta, Cumming, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Kennesaw and beyond. Our services are done in accordance with our 10 Step Cleaning Process and include the standard pool chemicals. And we stand by our Done Right Guarantee; if it is not right we will correct it without charge.
We put together quotes in under a day and have financing available with no long term contract to tie you down. Come in between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday for a free estimate.
This year let us keep the water in your pool clean and clear and in good shape for you to enjoy. Call Yummy Pools at (470) 703-6894.