I am renting a house (possibly buying) and the pool is turning white. We moved in August of 2020. The pool had some white spots, but by October they were more and bigger. The white seems to be getting worse. The owners haven't lived in the home since 2017 and were using a pool company to maintain the pool.. At first when testing the water, calcium was low and I thought this was the problem. When I took the water to the pool store to be tested, ph happened to be high at the time and alkalinity low. I was instructed to add ph down, calcium, and I needed stabilizer. The lady told me not to add anything for increasing alkalinity even though it was low I dont understand why. Another pool store told me to add calcium scale and stain remover....this has done nothing. Any ideas? I have attached one picture, but this discoloration is all over the steps, sides, and floor
Fiberglass pool turning white
- Thread starter Lee1001
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,496
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
Do you know the manufacturer of the pool and it’s age?
Some FG pool manufacturers have had problems with their pool finish and have resurfaced pools under warranty.
@Texas Splash may have ideas.
Do you know the manufacturer of the pool and it’s age?
Some FG pool manufacturers have had problems with their pool finish and have resurfaced pools under warranty.
@Texas Splash may have ideas.
I'm not sure about the manufacturer. It was installed in 2015. The lady at the pool store did say it looked like the gel coat was compromised though.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,060
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Lee, welcome to TFP! 
We do see gelcoat chalkiness changes from time to time. It happened in my pool. But what is odd in your case is it seems to have happened exceptionally fast. Mine took a few seasons. Changes in just a few months is quite fast. You mentioned the pool store testing and advice, but we never rely on those. Often times they are incorrect, and their advice isn't much better.
Before we do any guesswork, I would recommend posting a full set of water test results of your own. You'll want to get either a TF-100 (my favorite) or a Taylor K-2006C. Both of those are user friendly and very accurate. The TF-100 link is in my signature. The K-2006C can be ordered from a variety of places. But that would be our best place to start. Then we can compare all of the levels.
In the meantime, please update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. Also list what type of chemicals you have been using in the pool since you've been there. Any details like that may help. Not sure if we can do anything to reverse the color change, but perhaps keep it from getting worse.
We do see gelcoat chalkiness changes from time to time. It happened in my pool. But what is odd in your case is it seems to have happened exceptionally fast. Mine took a few seasons. Changes in just a few months is quite fast. You mentioned the pool store testing and advice, but we never rely on those. Often times they are incorrect, and their advice isn't much better.Before we do any guesswork, I would recommend posting a full set of water test results of your own. You'll want to get either a TF-100 (my favorite) or a Taylor K-2006C. Both of those are user friendly and very accurate. The TF-100 link is in my signature. The K-2006C can be ordered from a variety of places. But that would be our best place to start. Then we can compare all of the levels.
In the meantime, please update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. Also list what type of chemicals you have been using in the pool since you've been there. Any details like that may help. Not sure if we can do anything to reverse the color change, but perhaps keep it from getting worse.