How to Clean Your Pool Screen

In Florida and other subtropical regions, algae, dirt, pine needles or other organic matter build up on your pool screen all year round. Different from the northern states most of our tree leaves fall in spring and pollen is everywhere. Dead leaves, twigs, stuck pine needles and yellow smudge is covering pool cages, making your pool area a gunky, unattractive sight

Sure, you can get up on a ladder or climb your roof and try to swipe off those pine needles and leaves. You can scrub your screens by hand with a brush and a bucket full of soap water - but do you really want to do so? No, of course, you don't. It's long, tedious, and frankly, not a bit of fun. Additionally you have to be very careful to not pop the mesh our of the screens or break it with too much pressure.

That's why queries about power washing your pool enclosure are some of our most frequently asked questions here at DPI Pressure Washing. Spring is a great time to power wash your pool cage. The screens may look okay right now, but trust us, organic matter that you can't see yet is just waiting to blossom as soon as the temperatures and humidity begin to climb - and we have seen it climb already. Take the following steps to make your pool area look like new.


3 Basic Steps to Clean Your Pool Enclosure
 
Step 1: Pool Area Preparation
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First, make sure that all electronics, such as pool pumps and heaters, are turned off. If your pool enclosure already has significant amounts of leaves, pine needles and general dirt already trapped on the screen, take a leaf blower and aim it at the surfaces to loosen the debris. You can also take a pool rake to sweep debris off. To do this, you have to either work from on a ladder or get on your roof. Obviously, larger pool screens will be difficult to clean on your own, as you cannot reach every section of its surface. Once you have removed loose debris from the screens, sweep your pool deck to keep dirt from falling into the water while you do your second step.

Additional tip: 
Protect adjoining shrubbery and vegetation by wetting it down either with a garden hose and sprayer or via the power washer with the pressure setting on low.


Step 2: Prepping the Screens

Before pressure washing the pool screens, you'll need to apply a cleaning solution to loosen further any mold, algae or other organic contaminants that may or may not be visible. These organisms love to grow in and around your pool because they thrive on water and humidity. You'll first notice these growths as greenish powdery substances on the aluminum frame of your pool screens.

Not only are mold, mildew and algae ugly, they can also lead to permanent discoloring your frame and - at the extreme -  make your pool area unhealthy for those who have allergies or asthma. Note: Removing mold will take a little extra effort.
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How to Clean your Pool Screen: The Cleaning Solution

A diluted bleach solution is effective at killing organic contaminants and help prevent then from reappearing. To make a cleaning solution ​mix three quarts of cool water to one quart of chlorine bleach in a bucket. We use a commercial grade chlorine-based solution with a 10% concentration of liquid chlorine, called Sodium Hypochlorite when cleaning. You can read about it  here . Wear rubber gloves and eye protection while mixing and working with this cleaning solution to protect your eyes and hands. Use a soft bristle brush to apply the solution to the pool cage frame and screens. Use an extension pole as needed. You can use the same solution to clean the pool deck.

Alternative Cleaning Solution for Pool Screens
If you don't want to use a bleach solution because you are allergic to chlorine or bleach, you can make one with vinegar which is also effective at removing organic growth. For this solution, mix one-part vinegar to one-part warm water. You can place the solution in a bottle to spray it on the surface or in a bucket and apply it with the soft bristle brush. Another product you can try if Oxygen Bleach. Whatever solution you choose, let it sit on the frame and screen for at least 10 minutes so it will loosen the organic matter.

Extra Tip: Choose a cloudy day for this project so the solution does not dry up before the 10 min. are over.

Step 3: Power Washing Your Pool Enclosure

You're ready to begin the job. Use a lower setting on your pressure washer along with a broader nozzle, so you don't damage the screen or the frame. Work from the top down and spray evenly from side to side. Take a look at one of the videos on this website for additional tips on how to clean your pool cage.

Once you have blasted away the gunk, make sure you thoroughly rinse the cleaned area, especially if using a bleach solution as bleach can discolor the frame. Some stubborn areas may need a second scrubbing with the cleaning solution to thoroughly remove organic matter. When finished, rinse nearby vegetation again to ensure that no cleaning solution remains on delicate leaves or flowers. You'll also have to skim the surface of your pool as some debris will inevitably fall in it.


Reasons for Having your Pool Screen Cleaned Professionally

Pressure washing the pool area is one job that our regular customer Aaron doesn't like to do, so he calls us annually in early spring to schedule it.

"As I started getting older, I found that I didn't like climbing up on a ladder to clean the top of the screen," Aaron said. "The first time I called DPI Pressure Washing, I was amazed at how fast they completed the job. My pool area looked like new again, and they cleaned up too, so I didn't have to do anything."

Another benefit of having your pool screen power washed professionally is that experience is of essence when you attempt to clean those delicate screens. Homeowners don't want to see the screens or mesh damaged and often don't have the patience or tools to do it properly. In addition, like our customer Aaron, they are not comfortable standing on a ladder or roof while handling a brush or pressure washer.

A professional pressure washing company does the task quickly and efficiently. When the solution is rinsed away, you'll have a fresh pool area that's completely ready for you and your family to enjoy.

Read more genuine customer testimonials

At DPI Pressure Washing, we love making your tired-looking outdoor areas look like new again. Call us at (813) 991-7243 to get your free quote or to schedule an appointment to ready your pool enclosure for the quickly approaching hot summer season.

More articles:
How to safely clean a pool cage off leaves, pine needles and other debris