One of the biggest and most ignored problems in pool care is biofilm. Biofilms form in all areas of a pool and contain almost 99% of the pool’s bacteria. Chlorine and bromine can only do so much to remove and disinfect biofilms because they can only reach the top layer. To effectively remove and prevent biofilms, a few steps must be followed.
First things first, let’s talk about how biofilms form. Initially, the biofilm will find a place to grow, and it can be in any or all parts of your pool, not just on the walls of your pool, but also through your filter and plumbing. Once the biofilm has found a place to grow, colonization begins. This is where the bacteria begin to grow rapidly. Then comes the protection, the biofilm will begin to excrete a protective layer that is resistant to most chemicals, including chlorine and bromine. This coating is usually very viscous and heavy, making it difficult for chemicals to penetrate and kill the bacteria at its core. Once this protective layer is formed, the bacteria once again experience rapid growth. While the chlorine and bromine will attack and kill the outer layers, the inner layers are still growing and multiplying. Once the biofilm has reached a substantial size, it begins to break down and again spreads throughout the pool.
So how do you deal with such a diverse bacterium?
There are a few steps that need to be taken. Regular cleaning of the visible surfaces of your pool will help, but it can only help you so much. You should also use a chemical specifically designed to remove biofilms in your filter, skimmer, and plumbing. This is where most biofilms grow and thrive because they are unseen, untreated, and have everything they need to survive and thrive (water, a surface to grow on, and plenty of nutrients flowing through their system). . There are some products on the market that help remove the source of nutrients that help biofilm growth, but become very resistant to biofilms over time. You should use products designed to actually kill the biofilm, not just treat the spread.
There are also some side effects to treating a biofilm if you haven’t done it before. If it has not been treated for an extended period of time, you may need to chemically clean the filter after treating the biofilms. You may also need to change your filter media as well.
Once you successfully remove biofilm on your pool or spa, there are some maintenance products and tips that will help prevent it from forming in the first place. It is recommended to brush your pool regularly; this will make it much easier for chlorine or bromine to remove the biofilm as it is not attached to any surface. Additionally, you will want to find a product that will help keep your filter clean and performing at optimal levels.
It is also very important that you regularly use a filter cleaning product. This will reduce the amount of biofilm that can build up on your filter in the first place. You’ll have better filtration, your filter media will last longer, and you’ll also have less chance of developing combined chlorine.
Follow these steps to ensure you never develop a dirty, cloudy pool in the first place.