Stains from dirt getting in pool

[Elgrecus]

The previous owner planted turf to the edge of the coping, but he planted it too high. Runoff from the sprinklers went into the pool. There are now brownish stains in two corners of the pool floor where dirt-laden water entered. The stains are about 3 feet wide by 6 feet long.

I am assuming these are mineral stains. What is the best way to remove the stains? As a test, I scraped a very small area of the stain with a smooth rock and it cleaned it up. Is this something that can be done with a "pool eraser" on the end of a telescoping pool? My pool chemistry is usually pretty solid. Occasionally my FC gets a bit high in the winter when outside temperatures drop but I get it under control quickly. TFP members have been very helpful with all my questions in the past, so thanks in advance!

 

[gwegan]

Are you sure it's not just dirt?

What color is the stain? Dirt usually doesn't stain.

Hold a triclor puck against the stain for a few minutes if it goes away it's organic. Hold an aspirin against it. Does that work its iron.

I would not be scraping.

 

[Elgrecus]

I am assuming it is dirt since the stain pattern matches the pattern of the intrusion of dirty water. I will try the triclor and aspirin to test what the stain is. Thanks. Any other thoughts are appreciated.

 

[duraleigh]

Identify the stain as organic or inorganic.

organic - get a tri-chlor puck and hold it in contact with the stain for perhaps five minutes......if the stain is gone, it is organic.

Inorganic - crush vitamin C tablets (not aspirin) into pieces and put in a sock. hold the sock down onto the stain for five minutes or more. If the stain is gone, it is inorganic.

Post back with the results and we'll discuss how to get rid of it.

 

[Elgrecus]

Thanks Dave S. I will try the tri-chlor puck and vitamin C and post back. Thanks again.

 

[Elgrecus]

Is there a place I can order less than $30 of tri-chlor pucks? My local supply places only have 5 gallon buckets for $30 or 10 gallon for $63. Or am I being too cheap

 

[WASP]

Perhaps one of your neighbors has a pool that uses the pucks. They might give you one.

 

[bakerboy]

What part of LA are you in?

 

[Elgrecus]

I'm in Culver City. I don't know any neighbors with a pool or I would ask them.

 

[bakerboy]

Oh ok! I live in Chino but work in Downey, if you're willing to take a drive I'd be more than happy to toss ya a couple pucks! LoL

 

[Elgrecus]

Chris B.,

Thanks so much for the offer. I'd love to take you up on it but I am absolutely slammed at work right now, so Downey is a bit far for me. The $30 for pucks here in Culver City might be cheaper than the gas to Downey. Once I'm done testing, I'll let you know and maybe you could come and get the extra pucks!

 

[bakerboy]

For sure man!

HAHAHAHA!!!! Thanks for the offer, but I have a full bucket of em'!!!!

 

[dumbcluck]

I think you can pick up a 2 pack at lowes.

 

[Elgrecus]

Okay... long delay there. I finally got around to buying a tri-chlor puck from Lowe's. It did lighten the stain but only after it was left there overnight. Should I continue to the vitamin C test or is it conclusive with the tri-chlor? Thanks.

 

[pooldv]

Trichlor is conclusive. Keep your FC elevated up near shock level for your CYA and brush often? Hopefully a couple of weeks will clear it up. Chlorine CYA Chart

 

[Elgrecus]

Trichlor is conclusive. Keep your FC elevated up near shock level for your CYA and brush often? Hopefully a couple of weeks will clear it up. Chlorine CYA Chart

Okay. Will do. Thanks.

If elevating the chlorine levels doesn't work (it's pretty stubborn staining), is there any issue with using a hard bristle wood block scrub brush? Something non ferrous.

 

[pooldv]

That is fine, they also make stainless steel pool brushes.

 

[Elgrecus]

That is fine, they also make stainless steel pool brushes.

Thank you. That's exactly what I need. That will take the stain off in a jiffy. I woke up this morning and thought, "aluminum". Glad to know they do them in stainless. I appreciate your help.

 

[Elgrecus]

Quick update and request for advice here... I used the stainless steel brush with no luck. The stain is just too stubborn. Someone recommended putting down a layer of chlorine granules on the effected areas and letting it sit for a while to remove the stain. I did notice that wherever I had put the chlorine pucks, the stain was noticeably reduced over time. Any thoughts?

 

[pooldv]

That means it is an organic stain. Raise your FC to shock level for your CYA or a little lower and brush daily. That should help reduce/remove the stains. [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA]