Green-to-clean cost at a glance
The price comes down to how far the water has gone. A pool that's slightly green after a hot weekend is a quick chemical recovery; a black, swampy pool left unserviced for weeks in a Tarzana summer is a multi-day job that may need a drain. These are realistic 2026 ranges for the Tarzana area:
| Severity | What you're looking at | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Light green | Slight tint, water still clear-ish | $250 – $350 |
| Deep green / cloudy | Can't see the bottom; heavy algae | $350 – $500 |
| Black / swamp | Opaque, organic, possibly with debris | $500 – $900+ |
| Drain & acid wash | Beyond chemical recovery | $700 – $1,400+ |
Rule of thumb: if you can still see the bottom, it's usually a chemical recovery in the $250–$500 range. Once the water is opaque and the main drain disappears, plan on the higher tiers — and possibly a drain-and-refill.
What drives the cost
Five things move the number:
- Severity. The biggest factor by far — a slight tint versus a true swamp can be a 4x difference.
- Pool size. More gallons means more chemicals and more filter run time; larger gunite builds and pools with attached spas cost more to clear.
- Filter condition. A clogged cartridge or DE filter has to be cleaned or replaced mid-recovery or the water never clears — common where Mecca-area tree litter has loaded the filter.
- Whether a drain is needed. If algae is too far gone, or the hard LADWP water has stacked up cyanuric acid and TDS, a partial or full drain can be cheaper than dumping chemicals at it.
- West Valley summer heat. Tarzana's scorching summers speed algae regrowth, so a recovery started during a heat wave needs aggressive sanitizer and tight follow-up to keep it from turning again.
Process & timeline
A typical Tarzana green-to-clean runs two to five days. We test and balance, then shock with a heavy chlorine dose; the pump and filter run continuously to pull dead algae out of suspension; we brush and vacuum to waste; and we clean or backwash the filter as it loads — sometimes more than once where tree litter is heavy. The water generally moves from green to cloudy white to clear as the algae dies and filters out. Swamp or drained pools take longer, especially if the plaster needs an acid wash.
Preventing the next one
Nearly every green pool in Tarzana traces to a lapse — a skipped service stretch, a failed pump, or a vacation with no coverage during a heat wave. Consistent weekly service at $145–$235/month is far cheaper than one or two recoveries a season. Keeping free chlorine in range, phosphates down (the Mecca-area tree litter drives them up), and the pump running enough hours in summer is what keeps a clear pool clear.
The bottom line for Tarzana
Budget $250–$500 for a typical green-to-clean, more if the pool is a true swamp or needs draining. The fastest way to get your number is a quick look — in person or from a couple of photos — for a firm, written quote before any work begins.
Tarzana Pool Service FAQs
Why is my Tarzana pool green?
Almost always low free chlorine that let algae take hold — usually after a skipped service, a pump or filter failure, or a vacation with no coverage. The West Valley heat speeds it up: phosphates from hillside scrub and Mecca-area tree litter feed algae, and a pool can go from clear to green in well under two weeks once sanitizer bottoms out in a heat wave.
Can a green pool be cleaned without draining it?
Usually, yes. Most green pools recover chemically — shock, filter, brush, and vacuum over a few days. We only recommend a drain when the algae is too severe to clear economically, or when the hard LADWP water has built up cyanuric acid or TDS to the point chlorine can't hold. We'll tell you which applies before starting.
How long does a green-to-clean take in Tarzana?
Typically two to five days. Light green can clear in a day or two; deep-green or cloudy water needs continuous filtration and repeated filter cleaning, which takes longer — especially with heavy tree litter loading the filter. Black or swamp pools take longest, particularly with a drain and acid wash. The scorching summers can speed regrowth, so we keep sanitizer aggressive until the water holds.
Is it cheaper to drain and refill than to do a green-to-clean?
Sometimes. If the water is a true swamp, or the LADWP fill water has stacked up cyanuric acid and TDS to where chemicals can't win, a drain-and-refill ($700–$1,400+ with an acid wash) can be the cheaper, faster path. For most green pools, though, a chemical recovery in the $250–$500 range is less expensive.
How do I keep my pool from turning green again?
Consistent weekly service is the real fix. Keeping free chlorine in range, staying ahead of the phosphate load from scrub and tree litter, and running the pump 8–10 hours in summer keeps algae from getting a foothold. Most repeat green pools in Tarzana are ones that paused service or cut pump runtime during the hottest weeks.
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