I recently had somebody come and empty a fire pit and they did it a little too close to the pool and I suspect there’s ashes in the pool now and I can’t get them out. Honestly, I’m not sure if that is exactly what it is. It looks like blackish, grayish whitish, depending on the light. Very flakey and thin. They’re most noticeable at night, but I have seen them during the day on occasion. I don’t think they’re green or anything. they are Approximately an inch in diameter and evenly spaced across the pool. I have a regular pool service come every week. They test the water. They vacuum. They clean the filter. They skim and they add any chemicals required so I don’t believe the pH is off or that there are any issues chemically. I have also tried skimming with a very fine cloth, which seemed to help for a minute, but it keeps coming back. Any ideas on what this is and what I need to do?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,928
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Welcome to TFP!!!
One of the foundations of TFP is testing your water yourself. To really diagnose and attack this problem, we need a full set of test results from your kit. Here are the kits we recommend. Link-->Test Kits Compared
I'd recommend you order a kit today, and post results when you get it.
Do you have any knowledge of the chemicals the pool care company is using in the pool? Knowing this would also help us.
Are you able to actually capture any sizable amount of the substance by skimming with the cloth? What does it feel like? It looks more like foam from the pictures, but knowing you can capture some may make the diagnosis different.
One of the foundations of TFP is testing your water yourself. To really diagnose and attack this problem, we need a full set of test results from your kit. Here are the kits we recommend. Link-->Test Kits Compared
I'd recommend you order a kit today, and post results when you get it.
Do you have any knowledge of the chemicals the pool care company is using in the pool? Knowing this would also help us.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,018
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
If that is indeed related to the firepit cleaning, it will take time. Make sure to use a skimmer sock in the poolside skimmer(s). Just Google skimmer sock and you'll see some examples. I would avoid adding any pool store snake oils to the water as it could complicate matters.
As for the pool service, we could go on & on about that. In short, they "dump & run" and provide very little assurance that your chemistry is accurate throughout the week. Be mindful of that. It may not be directly related to this issue, but in the long run it can be very costly and problematic. Accurate homeowner testing is the best way to ensure your water is in good shape. It's one of the few things we as homeowners can still do without needing high-end equipment or special skills. All you need is a proper test kit - either a TF-100/Series kit or Taylor K-2006C.
Be sure to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. It helps us tremendously as we review your posts. Have a great day.
www.troublefreepool.com
As for the pool service, we could go on & on about that. In short, they "dump & run" and provide very little assurance that your chemistry is accurate throughout the week. Be mindful of that. It may not be directly related to this issue, but in the long run it can be very costly and problematic. Accurate homeowner testing is the best way to ensure your water is in good shape. It's one of the few things we as homeowners can still do without needing high-end equipment or special skills. All you need is a proper test kit - either a TF-100/Series kit or Taylor K-2006C.
Be sure to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. It helps us tremendously as we review your posts. Have a great day.
Create Your Signature - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,928
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
That certainly looks more like ash than the previous photos.
We do not recommend clarifiers in general, they are not needed for regular maintenance.. In your case, with fire ash, I would recommend SeaKlear Chitosan clarifier. Do not use any other clarifier.
www.troublefreepool.com
Hairnets in the skimmer will be easier to deal with than skimmer socks. You can just throw out hairnets, skimmer socks need to be cleaned...a pain. Put the hairnet over the skimmer basket, find a rock that is larger than the hole in the bottom of the skimmer and place it in the hairnet in the skimmer basket.
As to your equipment, it looks like a single speed pump, a cartridge filter and a puck chlorinator.
We do not recommend clarifiers in general, they are not needed for regular maintenance.. In your case, with fire ash, I would recommend SeaKlear Chitosan clarifier. Do not use any other clarifier.
Clarifier - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Hairnets in the skimmer will be easier to deal with than skimmer socks. You can just throw out hairnets, skimmer socks need to be cleaned...a pain. Put the hairnet over the skimmer basket, find a rock that is larger than the hole in the bottom of the skimmer and place it in the hairnet in the skimmer basket.
As to your equipment, it looks like a single speed pump, a cartridge filter and a puck chlorinator.
Thank you all! So strange that again tonight the spots are gone. It seems they come and go? I run the filter daily. I’ve also ordered the products you recommended so will test and use socks (already ordered before the hairnet recommendation!) but OK why would these spots come and go? Is that something that ash typically does?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,928
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Post some wider pictures of the pool environment, taken during the day...that may help diagnosis.
When you kit arrives, post up complete results.
When you kit arrives, post up complete results.
Thanks for the hairnet suggestion. Easier than the skimmer socks and cheaper?! Yes, please! I love how much small debris the socks collect, but cleaning & reusing them after they stretch out is annoying.That certainly looks more like ash than the previous photos.
We do not recommend clarifiers in general, they are not needed for regular maintenance.. In your case, with fire ash, I would recommend SeaKlear Chitosan clarifier. Do not use any other clarifier.
Clarifier - Further Reading
Hairnets in the skimmer will be easier to deal with than skimmer socks. You can just throw out hairnets, skimmer socks need to be cleaned...a pain. Put the hairnet over the skimmer basket, find a rock that is larger than the hole in the bottom of the skimmer and place it in the hairnet in the skimmer basket.
As to your equipment, it looks like a single speed pump, a cartridge filter and a puck chlorinator.
- Jun 7, 2024
- 410
- Pool Size
- 7300
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Intex Krystal Clear