How do I handle heavy Oak Pollen in the spring?
By Matt •
How do I handle heavy Oak Pollen in the spring?
“Spring in Austin means everything is yellow—including your pool water.”
When the Live Oaks start dropping their tassels (catkins) and the pollen counts skyrocket, your pool’s filtration system is under its heaviest load of the year.
Expert Spring Survival:
- Empty Baskets Daily: Oak catkins are bulky. They will fill a skimmer basket in hours. If the basket is full, water flow stops, and your pump can overheat.
- Filter Pressure Monitoring: Pollen is so fine it clogs filters fast. Watch your pressure gauge; if it’s 8-10 PSI above your “clean” baseline, it’s time for a deep clean.
- Flocculants and Clarifiers: Sometimes the pollen is so fine that even a good filter can’t catch it. Using a professional-grade clarifier can help clump those particles together so the filter (or your vacuum) can grab them.
Austin Detail: The “Yellow Dust” isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a nutrient source for algae. If you let pollen sit, you’re basically “fertilizing” your pool for a massive bloom once the heat hits in May.
Sent from my iPhone while clearing skimmers in Steiner Ranch.
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