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 that's sat for weeks is a multi-day job that may need a drain. These are realistic 2026 ranges for the Sherman Oaks 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 filter run time; the larger negative-edge and waterfall pools in Longridge Estates and Royal Woods cost more to clear, and the catch basin has to be cleared too.
- Filter condition. A clogged cartridge or DE filter has to be cleaned or replaced mid-recovery or the water never clears — common where ficus and hedge debris loads 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 code-compliant drain to the sanitary sewer can be cheaper than chemicals.
- Valley summer heat. The Sherman Oaks heat pocket speeds algae regrowth, so a recovery started during a heat event needs aggressive sanitizer and tight follow-up to keep it from turning again.
Process & timeline
A typical Sherman Oaks 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 hedge and ficus debris 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 an acid wash on the plaster is part of the job.
Preventing the next one
Nearly every green pool in Sherman Oaks traces to a lapse — a skipped service stretch, a failed pump, or a vacation with no coverage during a heat event. Consistent weekly service at $160–$260/month is far cheaper than one or two recoveries a season. Keeping free chlorine in range, phosphates down (especially with all that ficus and hedge debris), and the pump running enough hours in summer is what keeps a clear pool clear.
The bottom line for Sherman Oaks
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.
Sherman Oaks Pool Service FAQs
Why is my Sherman Oaks pool green?
Almost always low free chlorine that let algae take over — usually after a skipped service, a pump or filter failure, or a vacation without coverage. The Sherman Oaks heat pocket speeds it up, and tannins and phosphates from ficus and hedge debris feed algae, so a pool can go from clear to green in a couple of hot days once sanitizer bottoms out.
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. Any drain is done to the sanitary sewer per LA code, and we'll tell you up front which path fits.
How long does a green-to-clean take in Sherman Oaks?
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 ficus and hedge debris loading the filter. Black or swamp pools take longest, particularly with a drain and acid wash. The summer heat pocket can speed regrowth, so we keep sanitizer aggressive until the water holds.
Does my negative-edge pool cost more for a green-to-clean?
It can. A negative-edge pool has a catch basin that also goes green and has to be cleared and balanced separately, adding gallons and labor to the recovery. Larger hillside estate pools in Longridge Estates and Royal Woods generally land at the higher end of the range for this reason.
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 tannin and phosphate load from ficus and hedges, and running the pump 8–10 hours in summer keeps algae from getting a foothold. Most repeat green pools in Sherman Oaks are ones that paused service or cut pump runtime during the hottest weeks.
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