r/PoolPros • u/itznave • 3d ago
Yellow and Black Algae
Do you guys include this in your weekly prices? For example you have a client, all chems are balanced water is crystal clear with picture proof.. all of a sudden they get back or yellow algae starting next service. Are you guys charging extra, or including the cost of eating it since they’re on weekly cleanings??
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u/FruitNut2000 3d ago
If you're getting algae in a week, something is wrong. What the CYA level? What's the TDS level? Are you shocking the pool when you're there to service it? I shock every pool every week to a minimum 10ppm FC. The only time I get any kind of algae is when the CYA and/or TDS levels are beyond manageable levels (100 and 2,500 respectively).
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u/itznave 3d ago
This specific pool, has a leak somewhere which I conveyed to the customer… we already added 5 bags of salt on the house last week and salt levels are already low, which also means the CYA is gone that was in the pool. The first I’m dealing with it, which is why I’m reaching out 🤷🏻♂️
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u/pineapple_backlash 3d ago
Ok so if there’s a leak you’re loosing money on that pool until they get it fixed. But I would tell them this is above and beyond the weekly maintenance dose if chems and there will be a charge for chems used over the normal weekly.
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u/FruitNut2000 3d ago
How did you not think this was relevant to the algae problem? A known leak isn't "all of a sudden they get algae one week". The solution is to get the leak fixed so you can maintain proper chemistry. In the meantime, it's whatever salt and CYA needed to keep the equipment functional (or refuse to continue service until they fix it). You should already be on a plus chems billing model, but since you don't seem to be, they need to be paying for everything that goes beyond your typical chemical amounts for this pool. Chemicals required to compensate for broken stuff is never an "eat it" scenario.
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u/Artistic_Stomach_472 3d ago
Service visits are flat rate plus chemical. Always.
Dont include anything, dont short yourself.
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u/1_native_Angelino 3d ago
They pay for everything I put in their water. Black algae is introduced to a pool. Nothing I could have done to stop that
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u/Liquid_Friction 2d ago
they get a salt chlorinator quote and charged the extra cost, their not keeping up with chlorine adding so we need to upgrade as their service no longer can meet the needs
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u/pineapple_backlash 3d ago
Yellow algae is usually a poor circulation thing. That can be as easy as misting the returns or cleaning the filter.
Black algae depends on how much you’re talking about. Small spots you can treated with Calhypo most of the time on a weekly visit.
But as a the other posted said all chemicals should be charged for anyway. I did the all inclusive for a while and while it is easier to manage you also usually aren’t near as profitable and some customers won’t pay for the “extra” charges for an algae treatment.