Free for you · Pool algae removal
Pool Algae Removal and Green Pool Cleaning
Last reviewed October 2026
Has your pool turned green? Tell us once and we’ll pass your request for pool algae removal to up to 2 vetted local pool technicians. They quote you directly, and you choose who to book. Our service is free for you.
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Key facts (checked October 2026)
- Algae treatment labour is about £35 to £50 (Yoojo, Checkatrade); a visit with cleaning is about £100 to £200 (PoolRound). Estimates, not our prices.
- Light to medium green usually clears in 3 to 5 days, says DP Pool Services; a badly neglected pool can take up to 2 weeks, says PoolPro.
- Draining is rarely needed, says HiLife Pools.
- We cover Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire.
Why is my pool green?
Fi-Clor’s algae guide says algae in a pool grows when free chlorine drops, pH is too high, or stabiliser or phosphates build up (Fi-Clor). A filter that isn’t running enough makes it worse. Powell’s Pools says algae can take hold in 24 to 48 hours of a pool being left untreated in warm weather (Powell’s Pools).
The usual causes are:
- Low free chlorine
- High pH
- Poor filtration or circulation
- Heat and strong sun
- Heavy rain and falling leaves
- A pool left unused for a while
Is it definitely algae? Why is my pool green but no algae?
HiLife Pools gives a simple test. A spot that smears or feels slimy is almost certainly algae. Brown or rusty water can be metals, not algae. Grit that stays put when you brush it is often sand (HiLife Pools).
The first signs of algae are a light green tinge, slippery walls or steps, and small spots in shady corners (HiLife Pools).
How does professional pool algae removal work?
Pool algae removal, also called green pool recovery, means testing the water, killing the algae, filtering it out and rebalancing the water. A technician works through each stage and checks the results before calling the job done.
A technician usually follows these steps for pool algae removal:
- Test the water for free chlorine, pH, alkalinity and stabiliser
- Correct the pH
- Add a shock treatment
- Brush the walls, floor and steps
- Run the filter, then backwash a sand filter or clean a cartridge filter
- Add a flocculant or clarifier if needed
- Vacuum to waste
- Retest and give you advice
Does shock alone fix it? Pool Care Services Kent describes algae treatment as shock with brushing and running the filter, plus algaecide in severe cases (Pool Care Services Kent). Your technician chooses the products. Pool algae cleaning is about the whole process, not one bottle. If you need general pool cleaning services, start at our home page.
How our matching works
Describe your pool and how green it is. We pass your request to up to 2 local technicians who cover your postcode. Each one quotes you directly, and you compare and book. Read more about how our matching works.
Should you treat a green pool yourself or call a technician?
HiLife Pools says a mild case can clear in a day or two, while dark green may take several days (HiLife Pools). A light tinge is often a job you can tackle yourself. Dark, swampy water or algae that keeps coming back is usually one for a technician. These are guides, not promises.
| Shade | What it means | Likely time | DIY or technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light tinge | Early growth | A day or two (HiLife Pools) | Often DIY |
| Bright, cloudy green | Established algae | 3 to 5 days (DP Pool Services) | DIY if you have the kit, otherwise a technician |
| Dark or swampy, floor not visible | Heavy growth | Several days or more (HiLife Pools, DP Pool Services) | Technician |
| Keeps coming back or won't clear | Likely a filter, circulation or chemistry fault (HiLife Pools) | Varies | Technician |
Types of algae: green, yellow (mustard) and black
HiLife Pools describes three common types (HiLife Pools). Green algae turns the water green. Yellow or mustard algae hides in shade, can look like sand and comes back on swimwear and toys. Black algae shows as small dark blue or black spots in shady areas and grout. Don’t swim with any of them until the pool is treated (see the safety section below).
How much does pool algae removal cost?
Pool algae removal is usually priced after the technician sees the pool. Public price lists put algae treatment labour at about £35 to £50 (Yoojo, Checkatrade), and a regular visit with cleaning at about £100 to £200 (PoolRound). Chemicals and repeat visits are often extra. These are estimates, not our prices. Checked October 2026.
| Source | What it covers | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoojo | Green water treatment | £35 average | Labour only, products extra. Drain and refill £67 |
| Checkatrade | Algae treatment | £50 | Filter cleaning £25 |
| PoolPro Services (Kent) | Call-out; full service | £60 call-out; service £60 to £100 | Call-out includes 30 minutes' labour. Chemicals extra |
| Pro Pool Maintenance (Surrey) | One-off visit | £70 | Also covers emergency call-outs |
| PoolRound | Standard visit; visit including cleaning | £60 to £100; £100 to £200 | Same figures as our home page |
| Airtasker | Standard clean; deep clean; clean and refill | £75; £300; £120 | Airtasker's cost guide, last updated January 2023 |
| Revive Pools | Outdoor pool clean | £150 to £250 inc VAT | Starting prices, varies by region. Ask for a quote for algae work |
These are estimates from public price lists, not our prices. Checked October 2026. Airtasker’s cost guide was last updated January 2023. See also typical prices on our home page.
What changes the price
How green the water is, and how big the pool is. The state of the filter. Whether chemicals are included. How many visits it takes, and whether a partial drain is needed. What you pay for pool algae removal depends on all of these, so compare two quotes.
Can you fix a green pool without draining?
Usually, yes. HiLife Pools says draining is rarely needed and can damage some pools (HiLife Pools). Get advice before you drain. Fi-Clor’s algae guide also warns about structural risks when large amounts of water are removed (Fi-Clor).
A drain and refill is sometimes the right call. PoolPro says a pool left for a very long time is sometimes better drained and started again (PoolPro). DP Pool Services notes that stabiliser can build up so high that chlorine stops working well (DP Pool Services). Your technician will explain why before they suggest it.
Pool deep clean, drain and refill, acid wash
These are bigger one-off jobs. An acid wash is a drained-pool job, and a pool deep cleaning visit may follow a drain. A technician decides what your pool needs. See the deep clean and drain and refill rows in the price table above.
Why is my pool cloudy after shock or algae treatment?
HiLife Pools says cloudy water after shocking is usually dead algae in the water (HiLife Pools). Keep the filter running, clean it and vacuum. Cloudy water with no colour can come from poor filtration or high pH.
Dead algae settles on the floor as a dust or film, which is then vacuumed out. If the pool stays cloudy, ask a technician to check the filter.
Pool tile and waterline cleaning
Algae and scum collect in grout and along the waterline. HiLife Pools says black algae likes grout and shady spots. Airtasker’s cost guide, last updated January 2023, lists a pool clean with tile pressure cleaning at £275 (Airtasker). Ask for pool tile cleaning in your request if you need it.
When do pools usually turn green?
Green pool after winter
Covers trap leaves, and the water sits for months. HiLife Pools says algae growth slows in cold water but doesn’t stop. Plan your pool opening with this in mind.
Buying a house with a pool that's gone green
It’s a common worry. Get the water tested before you assume the worst. Many neglected pools can be brought back.
Before a summer party or holiday let
Summer is the busiest time for algae. Book early, and say in your request when you need the pool.
What should you ask a technician before you book?
- What does the price include?
- Are chemicals extra?
- How many visits do you expect?
- Will you test stabiliser and phosphates?
- Will you only drain if needed, and explain why?
- Do you have public liability insurance?
- Can I have a written quote?
Is it safe to swim in a pool with algae?
No, not until the water is clear and balanced. DP Pool Services says to wait until a test shows chlorine and pH are back in range. That goes for mild or yellow algae too.
Chemical safety (HiLife Pools): read the label, wear gloves and eye protection, never mix chemicals, add chemical to water and not water to chemical, and store products away from children and pets.
How we vet technicians
Before a technician gets any requests, we check they have public liability insurance of at least £1 million. We also check for an active Companies House record, or at least 5 genuine reviews on Google or Checkatrade. We don’t carry out DBS or criminal record checks, so please make your own checks too.
Where can you get green pool help near you?
Technicians in our network cover Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire. You can get algae cleaning in Kent or Surrey, and pool algae removal in Essex or Hertfordshire, from one request.
We cover Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire. Requests from elsewhere are welcome; we’ll email if we can’t match you.
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Why is my pool still green when the chlorine is high?
Usually something is stopping the chlorine working. DP Pool Services says very high pH or stabiliser can lock chlorine so it can’t kill algae. HiLife Pools adds that a dirty filter can keep the water green. If the tint is brown or rusty, it may be metals rather than algae. A technician can test and find the cause.
How much does it cost to clean a green pool?
It’s usually priced after a technician sees the pool. Public price lists put algae treatment labour at about £35 (Yoojo) to £50 (Checkatrade), and PoolRound puts a visit with cleaning at about £100 to £200. Chemicals and repeat visits are often extra. These are estimates, not our prices. Checked October 2026.
How long after algae can you swim?
When the water is clear, you can see the floor, and a test shows chlorine and pH are back in range. DP Pool Services says to retest rather than guess by time. Clear water alone isn’t enough, so ask your technician to confirm the pool is safe before anyone gets in.
How long does it take to clear a green pool?
It depends on how green it is. HiLife Pools says a mild case can clear in a day or two. DP Pool Services says light to medium green usually takes 3 to 5 days, and severe cases 5 to 7. PoolPro says a neglected pool can take up to 2 weeks. These are guides, not promises.
Will a green pool clear on its own?
No. Fi-Clor’s algae guide links algae to low chlorine, high pH and high phosphates, and those don’t fix themselves. Powell’s Pools says algae takes hold easily in warm weather when a pool is left untreated. The water needs testing, treatment, brushing and filtering before the algae in your pool will go.
Why does green algae keep coming back in my pool?
Usually there’s an underlying fault. HiLife Pools says algae in a pool that keeps returning often points to a filter, circulation or chemistry problem, and a service visit can find the cause. Fi-Clor’s algae guide adds high phosphates or stabiliser as common reasons. Treating the water again without fixing the cause rarely works for long.
Will pool shock clear up algae?
Shock helps, but it rarely works alone. Pool Care Services Kent describes algae treatment as shock with brushing and running the filter, plus algaecide in severe cases. Fi-Clor’s algae guide warns never to mix chlorine products. Your technician chooses the products and checks the water afterwards, so you don’t need to guess.
What are the first signs of algae in a pool?
A light green tinge, slippery walls or steps, and small green or dark spots in shady corners. HiLife Pools says a spot that smears or feels slimy is almost certainly algae. Catching it at this stage usually means a smaller job and a lower bill than waiting until the water turns fully green.
Can a pool go from green to clear overnight?
Rarely. HiLife Pools says even a mild case can take a day or two, and DP Pool Services says light to medium green usually takes 3 to 5 days. Dead algae then needs filtering and vacuuming out. Be wary of anyone promising an overnight fix once the water is properly green.
Can I get a one-off green pool clean near me?
Yes, if you’re in Surrey, Kent, Essex or Hertfordshire. Tell us about your pool and we’ll pass your request to up to 2 vetted local technicians for a one-off algae clean. Pro Pool Maintenance in Surrey lists a one-off visit at £70, an estimate checked October 2026. Our service is free for you.
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Get free quotes from up to 2 local pool technicians. Our service is free for you. Questions first? Contact us at info@thepoolcleaning.co.uk.
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