How to Remove White Pool Mold and Pink Slime

If your pool water looks unhealthy with white floating particles or pink spots, you may be dealing with white pool mold or pink slime issues. The good news is that these problems can be resolved with the right cleaning methods and preventive measures. In this article, we'll walk you through how to remove these two common pool contaminants.

What Are White Pool Mold and Pink Slime?

White pool mold is a type of fungus that typically appears on the bottom and walls of the pool, resembling mildew. Pink slime (which is not actually algae) is caused by a bacterium called Serratia marcescens, and it usually forms around the waterline, pool lights, and pipe joints. While they may not seem severe at first, if left untreated, they can lead to health issues.

Causes of Pool Mold and Pink Slime

The appearance of white pool mold and pink slime is often due to inadequate pool cleaning or imbalanced water chemistry. They thrive in warm, damp environments, so regular cleaning and maintaining balanced water chemistry are key to prevention.

How to Remove White Pool Mold

1. Clean the Filter: Start by cleaning your pool filter to ensure it hasn't been contaminated by mold.
2. Balance the Water: Check and adjust the pool’s pH level to keep it between 7.4 and 7.6.
3. Shock the Pool: Use three to four times the usual amount of chlorine powder to shock the pool and kill the white mold.
4. Thoroughly Scrub the Pool: Use a stiff brush to scrub the pool's bottom and walls to remove the mold.
5. Run the Pump System: Keep the pool pump running for at least 24 hours to filter out any remaining mold.
6. Repeat Scrubbing and Clean the Filter: Repeat the scrubbing process and clean the filter again to ensure all mold is removed.

How to Remove Pink Slime

1. Clean the Filter: As with removing white pool mold, begin by cleaning the filter.
2. Balance the Water: Ensure the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6.
3. Use a Pink Slime Treatment: Use a product specifically designed to treat pink bacteria, such as Pink Treat.
4. Shock the Pool: Like with pool mold, shock the pool with three to four times the usual amount of chlorine powder.
5. Let the Pool Sit Overnight: After shocking the pool, turn off the pump system and let the pool sit overnight.
6. Vacuum the Pool: Use a pool vacuum to clean up any remaining residue from the bottom of the pool.
7. Clean the Filter Again: Clean the filter again to ensure all bacteria is removed.
8. Maintain High Chlorine Levels: For the next few days, keep the chlorine level in the pool at 5ppm to prevent the pink slime from returning.

Preventive Measures

Prevention is the best treatment. By regularly cleaning your pool, maintaining balanced water chemistry, and using appropriate sanitizers, you can effectively prevent the recurrence of white pool mold and pink slime. Check the water chemistry weekly, keep the filtration system clean, and maintain proper water balance.