What happened here?

[Azger]

I live in Central Texas and have old Oak trees all around my yard and fronds have been dropping in my pool constantly. I have been skimming 3-4 times a day have the pool robot cleaning twice a day. This staining happened overnight my wife and was outside and the pool looked great went to bed woke up to this. Does it almost look like the floor drain exploded out? however, there was almost no debris in the pool just the normal I usually wake up to.

I have tried scrubbing and got the pool robot in but these stains will not come off. Any guess what it is, how it happened and how I would clean it?

 

[Texas Splash]

Azger, that's a plaster surface right? Do you have a chlorine tab handy? Maybe rub one across those stains for a couple minutes (don't let it just sit) to see if that lifts them.

 

[Azger]

Azger, that's a plaster surface right? Do you have a chlorine tab handy? Maybe rub one across those stains for a couple minutes (don't let it just sit) to see if that lifts them.

This is fiberglass, the worst part is we just got it redone when we bought the house last year so not even a year old finish. I do have some tabs I left over from the last owners.

 

[Texas Splash]

I have tried scrubbing and got the pool robot in but these stains will not come off. Any guess what it is, how it happened and how I would clean it?

As to the origin of those stains, that's anyone's guess. The only way something could come up (backwards) is if you had a major surge in pressure under the pool from the water table and it pushed up through a hydrostatic valve. Doesn't seem likely though. I suspect something fell or got blown onto the water and got sucked into the drain. What part of TX are you in? Country maybe? Any chance something agricultural could've blown in? Maybe a late night fire burn?

 

[Texas Splash]

This is fiberglass, the worst part is we just got it redone when we bought the house last year so not even a year old finish. I do have some tabs I left over from the last owners.

Well, I suppose you could still gently rub a tab on there for a minute or two, just keep it moving around. If you're hesitant to do that on the new gelcoat, increase the FC a bit today to perhaps SLAM level (based on your current CYA) - see FC/CYA Levels.

 

[Azger]

As to the origin of those stains, that's anyone's guess. The only way something could come up (backwards) is if you had a major surge in pressure under the pool from the water table and it pushed up through a hydrostatic valve. Doesn't seem likely though. I suspect something fell or got blown onto the water and got sucked into the drain. What part of TX are you in? Country maybe? Any chance something agricultural could've blown in? Maybe a late night fire burn?

We are outside Austin we have a lot of old Oak trees and other trees all around us. It is a constant fight keeping the pool clean, however, I work from home and go out and skim throughout the day. It's just weird it happened overnight and won't come up at all.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Doesn't seem likely though. I suspect something fell or got blown onto the water and got sucked into the drain.

That's what it looks like to me. Whatever it was fell to the bottom and dissolved, pulling the substance downhill towards the drain. Have you used any type of granular chemicals in the pool or maybe fertilizer around the pool?

 

[duraleigh]

I believe that to be tannic acid (from the oaks) stains from debris sinking to the bottom. Rather than exploding outward, I think the debris is being pulled toward the main drain causing that pattern.

The stains will be removed by chlorine. Elevate your chlorine to twice it's normal level and keep it there until the stains are gone. Brushing will help some but time and chlorine are the key ingredients.

 

[Azger]

I believe that to be tannic acid (from the oaks) stains from debris sinking to the bottom. Rather than exploding outward, I think the debris is being pulled toward the main drain causing that pattern.

The stains will be removed by chlorine. Elevate your chlorine to twice it's normal level and keep it there until the stains are gone. Brushing will help some but time and chlorine are the key ingredients.

Awsome! thank you all for the help going to wait a little until these trees have had their fun and then up the chlorine, the good news is we are not swimming yet water is still a bit too cold.

 

[Texas Splash]

the good news is we are not swimming yet water is still a bit too cold

Same here, although we're getting close. Make sure to use your own (good) test kit (TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C) to confirm your current CYA so that you know how high you can safely increase the FC as you attempt to get those stains to fade away. If you have any questions, let us know. Also, please take a moment to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info - including the test kit. It's the first thing we look for on each post and helps a lot. Good luck!

 

[JamesW]

I agree that it's probably from the trees.

Just to rule out iron, try some vitamin C on a stain.

 

[Azger]

I wanted to update you all and anyone else that sees this. Yep, you all were right organic from the trees just the regular chlorine levels throughout the day faded them to almost nothing. Though this morning it's like the trees had a party in my pool! Not only by the drain but stains all over the pool and steps Still planning to SLAM once the trees have had their fun to try and clean it up more. Also updated my Sig thank you all again