Pollen in Your Pool: How to Remove It and Keep Your Water Clean

As spring rolls around, you may notice an influx of pollen in your pool. While it can give your garden a fresh look, it can quickly become an annoying nuisance for pool owners. This yellow powder can accumulate on the water’s surface, leading to cloudy water and clogged filters. Thankfully, there are several ways to remove it from your pool and keep it looking crystal clear. Let’s dive into the best methods for managing this seasonal challenge.

1. Use a Pool Skimmer

One of the simplest ways to remove pollen from your pool is by using a pool skimmer. The skimmer net is perfect for scooping out debris that sits on the water’s surface. It’s best to skim the pool every day, especially during peak pollen seasons, to prevent buildup.

Tips for Skimming:

  • Skim Frequently: Regularly skimming the surface, especially after windy days or high-pollen counts, will reduce the amount of it that sinks to the bottom of the pool.
  • Use the Right Skimmer: A mesh net with a fine weave will capture smaller particles like pollen more effectively than a larger mesh skimmer.

2. Increase Pool Filtration

While skimming removes pollen from the surface, increasing your pool’s filtration can help trap pollen that settles beneath the water’s surface. Pollen particles are small, so you’ll need a filter that’s capable of capturing fine debris.

How to Optimize Your Pool Filter:

  • Use a Fine Mesh Filter: If your pool filter allows for it, switch to a fine mesh or micron filter to catch smaller particles.
  • Run the Filter Longer: During peak pollen season, extend the amount of time your pool filter runs each day. This allows the filter to catch more debris, including the pollen that might have sunk to the bottom.
  • Backwash or Clean Your Filter Regularly: Pollen can clog the filter, so cleaning it or backwashing it regularly will ensure it continues working efficiently.

3. Use a Pool Vacuum

For pollen that sinks to the bottom of the pool, using a pool vacuum can help you remove it. Automatic or manual vacuums are both effective at cleaning up particles that have settled on the pool floor.

Vacuuming Tips:

  • Vacuum Slowly: Move the vacuum slowly across the pool floor to give it time to pick up pollen and other debris. Rushing through the process might leave some particles behind.
  • Use a Pool Brush: If you notice pollen sticking to the sides or bottom of the pool, use a pool brush to scrub the area before vacuuming. This will loosen the particles and make them easier to pick up.

4. Add a Clarifier or Flocculant

If you find that pollen is still clouding your pool water even after skimming and vacuuming, you can use a pool clarifier or flocculant. These products help gather fine particles so they can be more easily filtered out of the water.

How Clarifiers and Flocculants Work:

  • Clarifiers: These help bind small particles like pollen together, making them large enough to be captured by your pool filter. They’re typically added directly to the pool water and work within a few hours.
  • Flocculants: Flocculants work by causing the small particles to clump together and settle at the bottom of the pool. Once the pollen settles, you can vacuum it up. However, flocculants are best used when you’re willing to perform a little more maintenance, as they may require a thorough vacuuming afterward.

5. Keep the Pool Area Clean

Prevention is always better than cure, and this is particularly true when it comes to pollen. Keeping the area around your pool free of pollen can help reduce the amount that ends up in the water.

Preventative Tips:

  • Trim Nearby Plants: If you have trees, bushes, or flowers near your pool, consider trimming them during pollination seasons to reduce the amount of pollen blowing into the pool.
  • Install a Pool Cover: When your pool is not in use, cover it to prevent pollen from falling directly into the water. This is especially useful during peak pollination seasons.
  • Clean Pool Decks and Surroundings: Pollen can accumulate on the pool deck and surrounding areas, so sweep or wash the surfaces regularly to keep it from blowing into the pool.

6. Use a Pool Cover Pump

If pollen accumulates on the cover of your pool during the season, a pool cover pump can be a great tool to remove the debris. By using the pump to clear the water from the cover, you prevent pollen and other debris from being transferred into the pool when the cover is removed.

7. Maintain Your Pool’s pH and Chemical Balance

Finally, keeping your pool’s water chemistry balanced is key to ensuring effective sanitation, even when pollen is present. When it and other organic matter accumulate in the water, they can throw off the pool’s pH, making it harder to keep the water clean.

  • Test Your Water Regularly: Test your pool’s pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels regularly, especially after heavy accumulation. Proper chemical balance will ensure your pool remains safe for swimming.
  • Shock the Pool: After a heavy storm, you might need to shock your pool to help break down organic material and maintain clean water.

Conclusion

While pollen can be an annoying seasonal problem for pool owners, it’s manageable with the right tools and maintenance habits. Skimming, using your pool’s filtration system, vacuuming regularly, and adding clarifiers or flocculants can go a long way in keeping your pool clean and clear. By staying on top of removal and maintaining your pool’s water quality, you can enjoy a refreshing swim without worrying about pesky pollen buildup.

Have questions about your pool maintenance? Our team of pool professionals are more than happy to help!