Help with stains

[ald2002]

Happy Sunday! It’s been a while since I’ve posted and I am seeking advice and guidance from this wonderful community and I hope I’ve posted in the correct forum. This is the fourth season with my pool and I am dealing with a losing battle with white stains on my tile grout, underneath my coping, and on my waterfall (see photos). It is getting worse. I think I’ve exhausted all remedies like muriatic acid, bar keepers friend, vinegar, and pumice stones. I’ve spent countless hours cleaning tiles. I think this is due to efflorescence. I’ve read articles but I am at a loss as to how to remediate this issue. What are my next steps? See the latest test results. Note, high FC is due to a very recent SLAM (just completed) and the high pH is a constant battle. I do have a pool service but I also test my water using my Taylor kit in between service to try to keep my pH in check etc. Thanks in advance.

 

[PoolStored]

Efflorescence - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ald2002]

Efflorescence - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you! I’ve read this and the other docs linked. Still, I am at a loss as what my options are to remediate. During my build I asked about waterproofing and was informed it was not needed. I have this documented, If I recall. Any advice?

 

[PoolStored]

@ajw22
@JamesW

 

[ald2002]

@ajw22
@JamesW

Thank you so much.

 

[ajw22]

There is no fix for efflorescence after the build. It is a natural result of water flowing through porous stone. You can do your best to divert water elsewhere or accept that it is part of the outdoors.

 

[ald2002]

There is no fix for efflorescence after the build. It is a natural result of water flowing through porous stone. You can do your best to divert water elsewhere or accept that it is part of the outdoors.

Thanks. I assume this means there is no way to remove the white marks and stains?

 

[ajw22]

Thanks. I assume this means there is no way to remove the white marks and stains?

Elbow grease and scraping with the help of power tools.

Try some of these methods - Waterline Scale Removal - Further Reading

I have been using this in a cordless drill in addition to a paint scraper and a brass wire bristle brush-

Avanti Pro 4 in. x 1 in. Non-Woven Drill Mount Quick-Strip Disc PNW040100D01G - The Home Depot

Visit the Home Depot to buy Avanti Pro 4 in. x 1 in. Wire Strip Disc PNW040100D01G

www.homedepot.com

 

[ald2002]

Elbow grease and scraping with the help of power tools.

Try some of these methods - Waterline Scale Removal - Further Reading

I have been using this in a cordless drill in addition to a paint scraper and a brass wire bristle brush-

Avanti Pro 4 in. x 1 in. Non-Woven Drill Mount Quick-Strip Disc PNW040100D01G - The Home Depot

Visit the Home Depot to buy Avanti Pro 4 in. x 1 in. Wire Strip Disc PNW040100D01G

www.homedepot.com

l

Elbow grease and scraping with the help of power tools.

Try some of these methods - Waterline Scale Removal - Further Reading

I have been using this in a cordless drill in addition to a paint scraper and a brass wire bristle brush-

Avanti Pro 4 in. x 1 in. Non-Woven Drill Mount Quick-Strip Disc PNW040100D01G - The Home Depot

Visit the Home Depot to buy Avanti Pro 4 in. x 1 in. Wire Strip Disc PNW040100D01G

www.homedepot.com

View attachment 604877

Thank you! Elbow grease is not cutting it lol and I tried Bar Keepers and acid. The stain comes right back. So frustrating. I searched for bead blasting near me and it does not exist. I’ll try a paint scraper next and then move to a drill with this attachment.

1 lPView attachment 604877

 

[ajw22]

The stain comes right back.

Cleaning it off does not fix the underlying problems and it will return.

 

[ald2002]

Cleaning it off does not fix the underlying problems and it will return.

I am learning this. I clean it and the stain comes back with 30 minutes. So frustrating. Really appreciate your input.

 

[ajw22]

I am learning this. I clean it and the stain comes back with 30 minutes. So frustrating. Really appreciate your input.

Where does it come back in 30 minutes?

 

[ald2002]

Where does it come back in 30 minutes?

Everywhere! If I clean between the grout or anywhere there is white stain it goes away and within 30 minutes the stain is back. It’s a losing battle.