Plaster Staining

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Rchorn06

Rchorn06

Member
Sep 21, 2019
9
Port Neches, Texas
Bought a house with a pool that was cloudy when we first looked at house and when we moved in. I have gotten it to clear up, but now I’m left with this staining all over most of the pool surfaces. I believe the pool was replastered in the last ten years. Any thoughts on what is going on?0136C5EB-AD01-4691-8A21-B6C974B6E8C7.jpeg
 
Go through the stain identification in ...

www.troublefreepool.com

Stains in Your Pool

The stained pool is beyond embarrassing. Our in-depth Guide to remove stains in your pool will help you to remove the stains and prevent them in the future.
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
Last edited:
mknauss said:
Welcome to the forum!
Did the Vitamin C test change the color at all? They appear to be copper, do you have a heater?
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.
Click to expand...
Okay I did the vitamin C test again in better conditions and it does look like it changed the color. The areas where I was holding it were lighter and/or more pinkish. I do have a heater, but it was disconnected by the previous owner because it stopped working. I believe due to corrosion of the tubes...
 
Color changing with the Vitamin C typically points to copper staining. Normally the stain gets darker -----

The other indicator is the old heater with corroded tubes. That would have added copper to the water at the time they corroded.

Removing copper stains is tedious. Be sure you want to go down that route.
 
Hard to say.

Jacks Magic makes a stain identification kit. You might try that. It should be more definitive.
 

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duraleigh said:
You are correct to keep your issues all in one thread but I can't see what I am looking for in the last pic......maybe someone else can interpret.
Click to expand...
Ok good. It’s piles of a greenish solid that keeps setting up on all the “horizontal” surfaces like steps and skimmer if I have them off for a little bit. I haven’t noticed it on the walls or anything. I have a sand filter with the zeosand filter media so I know it can possibly put off a green dust if lot initially installed properly.
 
Rchorn06 said:
Yeah, pretty much. Been fighting cloudy water for weeks. Added a clarifier, brushed like crazy, and it cleared up after a couple days. I have continued to brush and run filter 24/7, but it clouded up again. My thought at this point is something is up with the filter even though it is brand new.
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Clarifier does not fix algae. Filtering does not fix algae. Chlorine fixes algae. You need to follow the SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain - Trouble Free Pool Process.

What test kit do you have?
 
As you continue to read and learn, ajw22's advice will ring more and more true. Your issue is chemistry......not filtration.

Please read "The "ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School. Then, read the SLAM article in Pool School as your next step. You will see it requires you to get one of the two test kits that are good enough to help you complete the SLAM.
 
Rchorn06 said:
I don’t have any test kits at this point. I have been bring samples in to a local pool shop.
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You cannot adequately manage your water chemistry with unreliable pool store testing. You need to do your own water testing with your own test kits. We recommend either the TF-100 Test Kits or the Taylor K-2006C. We also recommend the Speedstir Magnetic Stirrer to make testing easier and more accurate. For more on test kits you can read...

Pool Test Kits - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

While you are waiting for your test kit put 5ppm of liquid chlorine in your water daily. Download PoolMath to determine the amount needed since we don't know the size of your pool. If you are currently using tablets to chlorinate remove those for now since you likely have high CYA and they are just adding more to your pool water.

Find a local source for 10% Liquid Chlorine and stock up on it.

As Dave suggested you want to do a bit of reading. ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry is a key place to start. Then browse Pool School - Trouble Free Pool for just some general information. It's going to be incredibly overwhelming, but trust me, it comes together and there's plenty of very helpful people here happy to guide you through it.

Finally when your kit arrives you will want to do a full batch of tests. Remember, pool store testing is unreliable so treat this as the very first test you are doing on your pool. A moment you will look back on with pride that you took full control of your water. Post those numbers up for us to offer comment on, but from there you will begin the SLAM Process to eradicate the organics growing in your water. This is going to be the first step to fixing the problem and setting you up to never running into it again.

Ask all the questions you have along the way. If you are willing to put in the effort we are willing to guide you through it.

And please put details of your pool in your signature. It will help us help you.
 
Other than the possible algae and copper staining, I suggest you consider that this pool may also have gray mottling.
See these posts.

How White Pool Plaster Turns Blotchy

This experiment below explains how white pool plaster can become blotchy gray, and also have white areas mixed into the gray areas. Both white pool plaster coupons below have been in water for one year. Sometimes the water was slightly aggressive (negative CSI), and sometimes the water was...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

How White Pool Plaster Turns Blotchy

This experiment below explains how white pool plaster can become blotchy gray, and also have white areas mixed into the gray areas. Both white pool plaster coupons below have been in water for one year. Sometimes the water was slightly aggressive (negative CSI), and sometimes the water was...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Gray Mottling Plaster Discoloration

Gray (also spelled “grey”) or darkened blotchy or streaky discoloration of pool plaster (cement flatwork) is known to be caused by several improper plastering practices, including the addition of calcium chloride to the mix (even less than 2%), late hard or dry troweling, and sometimes a cement...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
Rchorn06 said:
I have two skimmers and the main drain...what set up is best once I start the SLAM? All three open? One skimmer and main drain open? Just the main drain open?
Click to expand...

Use your normal filtering setup. I would say skimmers and main drain all running.
 

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