Rough white areas in deep end of pool
- Thread starter bdleib
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,726
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Rough areas can often be an indication of scaling. Spots might be algae or metal staining. Would you happen to have a full set of test results you could share from a TF-100 or Taylor K-2006?
Thanks for the reply. I don't have any test results. I noticed the white raised areas before I closed the pool for the winter. I swam down and felt that the white spots were raised and very hard. I just removed the winter cover this week and saw that the areas are getting larger.
I would think that if this is algae, the surface would be slippery. The white raised areas are definitely not slippery.
I would think that if this is algae, the surface would be slippery. The white raised areas are definitely not slippery.
borjis
LifeTime Supporter
I like all the components shown on your sig under Caribbean Clear System.
That is all but "small amount of copper." --that could be the darkness you are seeing...metal staining.
Hard stuff could be calcium.
But we won't know anything for a fact until some test results are posted.
That is all but "small amount of copper." --that could be the darkness you are seeing...metal staining.
Hard stuff could be calcium.
But we won't know anything for a fact until some test results are posted.
The "small amount of copper" comes from the Caribbean Clear system. I have had my pool for seven years now (built it myself). Never had any trouble with the pool chemistry, but I kept ruining clothes that were splashed with bleach from WalMart. 2 years ago I switched to a Salt Water Generator system....hated it. Ladder and slide started rusting, electricity bill went thru the roof among other issues. About the same time I noticed these spots starting to develop. I removed the system and went back to the old standby.... These white spots keep getting larger with every year and they are starting to look unsightly.
How can I tell if the spots are calcium, and what can be done about it?
How can I tell if the spots are calcium, and what can be done about it?
As you have observed calcium scale is a condition that develops slowly over time and gets progressively worse. It is caused by having high CSI over a sustained period causing calcium to deposit in the pool.
More here, Pool School - Calcium Scaling
And here, Langelier and Calcite Saturation Indices (LSI and CSI)
You can sand the scale with wet dry sand paper to smooth it. EDIT: this only applies to plaster pools. Poolmath will calculate your CSI for you after you enter all your test data. Keeping the CSI aggressively negative -0.5 to -0.6 and brushing as often as you can stand to will slowly reduce the calcium scale. It will be about as slow as it took to to get where you are now, months or years.
More here, Pool School - Calcium Scaling
And here, Langelier and Calcite Saturation Indices (LSI and CSI)
You can sand the scale with wet dry sand paper to smooth it. EDIT: this only applies to plaster pools. Poolmath will calculate your CSI for you after you enter all your test data. Keeping the CSI aggressively negative -0.5 to -0.6 and brushing as often as you can stand to will slowly reduce the calcium scale. It will be about as slow as it took to to get where you are now, months or years.
borjis
LifeTime Supporter
I'd be very concerned about sanding the scale with a vinyl liner, won't that harm it?
Ooooopppps! Sorry, didn't catch that. You are correct, do not sand the scale on a vinyl liner.
Here are the results of the water tests. Keep in mind that I am just opening the pool for the first time from the winter.
Free Chlorine: 0
pH: 7.2
TA: was 40, now at 80 after adding baking soda
TH: 80
CYA: 30
Free Chlorine: 0
pH: 7.2
TA: was 40, now at 80 after adding baking soda
TH: 80
CYA: 30
