Gunk around steps?

[appstategrad]

SLAMing. FC is 16 (should have been 12 but I was heavy handed with the bleach). I have maintained FC throughout the day even though I passed OCLT early this morning (I was not sure if this gunk is enough to affect FC so I've just left it another day). I've tried 2 different pool brushes, neither is getting to the gunk stuck at the bottom of the steps very well but I see a slight improvement from yesterday. Vacuum didn't help. I also tried to dislodge it with the jet attachment​ on the water hose so I could brush again. That has helped the most I think. Is my only option to get in the pool and try to brush it? Should I let FC drop back to below 10 before I do that? Thanks in advance!

 

[AimeeH]

I'm having a really hard time seeing any gunk in that photo?

 

[appstategrad]

Bottom corner, black in color.

 

[AimeeH]

I even asked hubby to look and we don't see it. But........it looks like where fiberglass steps meet the vinyl of your IG pool. I have a very similar set up and have problems with algae in the cracks of the fiberglass frame of the steps and in the corners. I have purchased plastic bristled hand kitchen brushes to have my kids brush those areas by hand with a small brush when they are in the pool.

Not sure if that helps

 

[appstategrad]

AimeeH,

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I circled the area in the picture below and also put arrows where it extends down from the corner.

I've used those same types of brushes when I'm actually in the pool, but my arms aren't long enough to reach down that far from the outside. Also, a brush for dentures works great, but again only when inside the pool. I even tried a NEW toilet brush hoping I could reach down far enough with it, but no luck.

 

[Richard320]

I bought one of these to get in the corners by the steps. Can be used just as a brush or as a vacuum head.
https://www.amazon.com/Corner-Step-Pool-Vacuum-Brush/dp/B000SPWGOK

And if the jet stream works, cable-tie or duct-tape the hose to your pool pole and get right down there on it and blast it clean.

 

[appstategrad]

Sweet, thanks for the link!

 

[AimeeH]

I bought one of these to get in the corners by the steps. Can be used just as a brush or as a vacuum head.
https://www.amazon.com/Corner-Step-Pool-Vacuum-Brush/dp/B000SPWGOK

And if the jet stream works, cable-tie or duct-tape the hose to your pool pole and get right down there on it and blast it clean.

Yes Richard

That looks really cool.

 

[n240sxguy]

I used an old toothbrush to remedy that exact problem on my steps a couple weeks ago. I had little bits of algae everywhere around the returns and the steps. Just in the little cracks where a non OCD person wouldn't find them.

 

[appstategrad]

Yes, I've used that too when I'm in the water. Unfortunately I'm short and can't reach that far down, plus I'm not thrilled about getting in the water with FC at 16. ?

 

[n240sxguy]

What's your cya? I've been in mine at 26. All depends on the cya. I couldn't reach mine without a snorkel and a few submerged sessions. I even scrubbed around be main drains.

 

[appstategrad]

CYA is 30. I just came back in about an hour ago from brushing again...it seems to look a little better than it did this afternoon.

 

[n240sxguy]

Yeah. 16 is just over shock level. Probably better to stay out of it for the time being. Keep up the good work. I'd imagine it has a biofilm over it, so the FC can't get to it. It'll get destroyed when you get a brush to it when the FC is low enough to get in.

 

[appstategrad]

Thank you! "Pool Owner Patience" is hard sometimes! ?

 

[n240sxguy]

Oh I know it!