Central Florida's heat and humidity create the perfect conditions for algae to take over fast. Stephon Wagstaffe, CPO certified with 6+ years of recovery experience, specializes in aggressive algae removal and safe acid washing for Orlando and Winter Park pools — without wrecking your plaster or marcite finish.
Some pool problems can't be solved with an extra dose of chlorine. If you're seeing any of the following, it's time to call in a CPO-certified operator.
Stephon will evaluate your pool's condition and tell you exactly what it needs — green-to-clean treatment, acid wash, or both. No upselling, no guesswork.
Request AssessmentThe right sequence matters. Rushing any step — or skipping chemical stabilization — can leave algae dormant and waste your money.
Full water chemistry panel before any chemical is added. pH, chlorine demand, phosphate levels, cyanuric acid, and alkalinity all factor into the treatment plan. Skipping this step is why most DIY treatments fail.
A calculated super-chlorination based on your pool's volume and algae severity. CPO certification matters here — over-shocking causes chemical burns to plaster and wastes product; under-shocking leaves the algae alive.
Dead algae must be brushed off every surface and suspended in the water so the filter can capture it. The filter runs continuously and is backwashed or cleaned as it loads up. This is the most labor-intensive phase.
A professional-grade clarifier binds remaining fine particles. Depending on severity, a flocking agent may be used to drop particles to the floor for vacuuming.
Once water is clear, full chemistry rebalance: pH adjusted to 7.4–7.6, alkalinity dialed in, chlorine stabilized, and a maintenance dose added to prevent re-bloom. You get a photo report showing before/after and your final water readings.
Severe staining — iron, copper, calcium scale, or deep algae penetration into the plaster — requires acid washing. This involves draining the pool, applying a diluted muriatic acid solution directly to the surface, and neutralizing it completely before refilling. Done wrong, acid washing strips too much plaster and dramatically shortens your pool's lifespan. Done correctly by a CPO-certified operator, it restores the surface without damage.
Not every stained pool needs an acid wash — and not every pool should be acid washed. Stephon will evaluate your surface material, stain type, and pool age before recommending it. We never upsell a drain-and-wash when a chemical treatment will do the job.
Unlike northern states, Central Florida's warm temperatures mean algae growth is a year-round threat. A single missed service week in summer can turn a blue pool green within days.
Florida's intense sun burns off unstabilized chlorine rapidly. Without proper cyanuric acid levels, your pool loses its sanitizer before the next service visit — and algae moves in.
Summer thunderstorms introduce phosphates, nitrates, and organic debris that feed algae directly. Post-storm chemical checks aren't optional in Central Florida — they're necessary.
Clear Ripples serves Orlando, Winter Park, Baldwin Park, Maitland, Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, and surrounding Central Florida. Call now or request a same-day assessment online.
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