Ok. Yeah that made no difference. I guess I need to get some vitamin C tablets and try that test
First test results
- Thread starter Familyman2018
- Start date
So just to summarize the situation: I recently took over a pool in a new home. Pool was refinished about 7 years ago. Recently cleaned the roof and removed some large redwoods next to the pool. This put a lot of stuff in the pool, which I managed to take out and clean up fairly quickly. But somewhere around that time I noticed these stains and marks show up on the pool walls mainly, but also in the steps (Pictures below).
I cleaned my filters couple months ago following all the debris that went into the pool and noticed some brown staining on them. My strainer basket and that whole area also has had some crazy brown staining on it as long as I remember (pictured below).
My CYA was at 180 and I think previous owners just used pucks to treat the water so I just did a no drain water replacement which took some time. My test levels from today:
FC: 6
TA: 70
PH: 7.8
CH: 250
CYA: 50 (rounded up)
So today I balanced my levels to what you see above. After lots of reading and learning about stains, I started with the puck test and that did nothing to the stains. So I got some vitamin C, making sure it was pure absorbing acid, crushed up about 20 pills in a sock and tried that on various stains around the pool. That did nothing. I’ve been brushing as much as I can with a basic pool brush and that has done nothing.
So now I’m at a crossroads and I’m looking to figure out what to do about these stains or marks on my plaster. The pool guy I had before mentioned an acid wash as an option to get rid of the stains. This idea has been a last resort option that I’m hoping to avoid, but if it’s my next step then I guess I have to do it.
I will say the water itself looks much better, but those stains suck!
I cleaned my filters couple months ago following all the debris that went into the pool and noticed some brown staining on them. My strainer basket and that whole area also has had some crazy brown staining on it as long as I remember (pictured below).
My CYA was at 180 and I think previous owners just used pucks to treat the water so I just did a no drain water replacement which took some time. My test levels from today:
FC: 6
TA: 70
PH: 7.8
CH: 250
CYA: 50 (rounded up)
So today I balanced my levels to what you see above. After lots of reading and learning about stains, I started with the puck test and that did nothing to the stains. So I got some vitamin C, making sure it was pure absorbing acid, crushed up about 20 pills in a sock and tried that on various stains around the pool. That did nothing. I’ve been brushing as much as I can with a basic pool brush and that has done nothing.
So now I’m at a crossroads and I’m looking to figure out what to do about these stains or marks on my plaster. The pool guy I had before mentioned an acid wash as an option to get rid of the stains. This idea has been a last resort option that I’m hoping to avoid, but if it’s my next step then I guess I have to do it.
I will say the water itself looks much better, but those stains suck!
Attachments
Last edited:
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,911
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,911
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
So I had to compare the spots to clean spots and I can notice a slightly rougher texture. Also there are these small black stained spots scattered throughout the pool that are definitely rough, they feel like they stick out from the plaster… like I need to take a wire brush or scraping tool to knock them flat.
I don't think the discoloration is an algae problem. It appears that the discoloration is from, unfortunately, several issues; heavy mottling (discoloration), copper and iron (staining) and perhaps calcium scaling.
The gray mottling is internal of the plaster and virtually impossible to remove. The other metal staining can be somewhat removed by sanding (by draining and power sanding). It appears that the discoloration and metal staining covers much of the pool and is too big of a job to be performed by hand sanding with sandpaper.
An acid wash can somewhat remove the metal staining but to adequately remove the stains (by using acid) would probably end up removing too much of the plaster surface and etch it severely, making it very rough to the touch.
You could get estimates to perform either task and decide which is the best route to go.
The gray mottling is internal of the plaster and virtually impossible to remove. The other metal staining can be somewhat removed by sanding (by draining and power sanding). It appears that the discoloration and metal staining covers much of the pool and is too big of a job to be performed by hand sanding with sandpaper.
An acid wash can somewhat remove the metal staining but to adequately remove the stains (by using acid) would probably end up removing too much of the plaster surface and etch it severely, making it very rough to the touch.
You could get estimates to perform either task and decide which is the best route to go.
That’s unfortunate, but I kinda figured that was the case. So I’m stuck with the look unless I want to seek out a local pool installer I guess? Or someone to drain and essentially ‘refinish?’ The plaster? Should I at least attempt to scrub the black spots to remove them or would that just be a waste of time?
Also, since I was told this pool was refinished in 2017, is this issue just a matter of poor upkeep by prior owners?
The redwood trees may have played a part in some of the staining problem.
If there isn't too much black spots, try using 80 grit wet&dry sandpaper to remove those stains. The sanding can be performed under water or if the pool is drained, just have a water hose to help remove the residue while sanding.
If there isn't too much black spots, try using 80 grit wet&dry sandpaper to remove those stains. The sanding can be performed under water or if the pool is drained, just have a water hose to help remove the residue while sanding.
Also, is there something I can do to help get rid of all the brown staining I have around my strainer basket area? Just reading up it looks like iron stains. Is there something I can add to remove those and hopefully trap in the cartridge filters to clean out of the pool? I notice some browning stains at the bottom of the pool as well, but they are pretty rare. I just recently pulled the filters out to clean and they had some browning on them so I soaked them in a tub of water mixed with TSP. Just wondering how I can clean up the rest of the pool before the start of next season.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,911
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) powder in water...
Orange skimmer basket
Hi, I have an inground 18x36 vinyl liner pool. My water is clear but my baskets are both stained orange. I have a Salt water pool and don’t have well water. Should I worry about the orange discoloration or just ignore it? I do have vitamin C but I read someone said you’d have to empty the pool...
www.troublefreepool.com
I would like to see a couple close-up photos of the small black spots that you want to remove. Just want to make sure what those spots are and caused by that you are concerned about.
Wife says she remembers the spots around the pool before we moved in in August. I guess I just notice them more when I get to see them everyday.
It doesn't appear to be black algae, which if you can scrape it off, has a spongy texture. But I am pretty sure it isn't black algae. Sanding should be able to remove those black spots.
I’ll give sanding a shot. They’re really hard spots. Definitely not spongy or anything.