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How Do I Clean a Neglected Swamp Pool?

To clean a neglected swamp pool, first scoop out the leaves and sludge, then check that the pump and filter work, test the water, and decide whether to treat it or replace some of the water. After that, it is the same job as any green pool, only bigger: hold chlorine at shock level, brush every day, and clean the filter over and over until the water clears. Expect a week or more. If you would rather not do it yourself, Top Dog's Green to Clean service handles the whole thing.
Pentair variable-speed pool pump sold and installed by Top Dog Pool Supply in Bakersfield

What should I check before I start?

  • Can you see the bottom? If not, assume there is a lot of debris and sludge down there.
  • Does the equipment run? A pump that has sat for months may not start, and the filter may be clogged solid.
  • What is the stabilizer level? If it is over about 100 ppm, treating the water is an uphill fight, and a partial drain makes more sense.
  • Is anything living in it? Frogs, mosquito larvae, and dead animals are common in pools that have sat.

How do I clean a swamp pool myself?

  • Step 1: Scoop out everything you can with a deep leaf net. Do not vacuum heavy debris through the filter. It will clog the plumbing.
  • Step 2: Empty the skimmer and pump baskets and clean the filter.
  • Step 3: Fill the pool to the middle of the skimmer and get the pump running.
  • Step 4: Test the water. Bring pH to 7.2 to 7.4.
  • Step 5: Add liquid chlorine in the evening and hold it at shock level. Retest and top up at least twice a day.
  • Step 6: Brush the walls and floor every day.
  • Step 7: Run the pump 24 hours a day and clean the filter whenever pressure rises 8 to 10 psi. Expect to clean it many times.
  • Step 8: When the water turns cloudy blue, vacuum up the dead algae and keep filtering until it is clear.

Should I drain a swamp pool?

Sometimes part of it. Replacing some of the water makes sense when stabilizer is very high or the pool is thick with sludge. Do not fully drain a pool without talking to a pro first, and never in summer heat. An empty plaster pool can crack in the sun, and an empty pool can shift or lift if groundwater is high. Call us before you drain.

When should I hire it out?

Hire it out when you cannot see the bottom, the equipment does not run, or you need the pool clear by a deadline, such as a home sale or a new tenant. Our Green to Clean service treats green, mustard, black, and blue-green algae, brings the pool back to clear, cleans the filter, and adds startup chemicals. When black algae has taken over the plaster, we do a chlorine wash instead. Call (661) 664-9000 for a quote.

How long does it take to clear a swamp pool?

Usually one to two weeks of daily work if you do it yourself. It depends on how much debris is in the pool and how well the filter keeps up.

How much chlorine does a swamp pool need?

A lot, added over several days. The amount depends on the pool size and the stabilizer level. Bring in a sample and we will work out the numbers.

Is a green pool a mosquito problem?

Yes. Standing green water breeds mosquitoes within days, and neighbors can report it to local mosquito control. Getting the pump running and chlorine in the water stops it.

Can I just shock a swamp pool once?

No. One dose gets used up in hours. You have to hold chlorine high for days and keep cleaning the filter.

Don't cry, we can help

Bring a water sample to Top Dog Pool Supply. Local pool owners get a free water test on our Taylor Xpress Flex system, and we'll tell you what to add, and how much, for your pool's size. Visit us at 7440 District Blvd Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93313, or call (661) 664-9000. We're open Monday to Friday 9 to 5, Saturday 9 to 4, and Sundays 10 to 4 from April through September.

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ADDRESS
7440 District Blvd Suite B Bakersfield, CA 93313
Phone: (661) 664-9000
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Bakersfield, CA, with Zip Codes 93301, 93304, 93305, 93306, 93309, 93311, 93312, 93313, and 93314 HOURS Mon–Fri: 9am–5pm Sat: 9am–4pm Sun: 10am–4pm (April–September)
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