I am going to sand my pool.

Hmmm. What's odd is the chlorine tablet did nothing - so shocking shouldn't have a 'postive' benefit. This is very odd.... :scratch:

How is this to be applied?

Not sure. It sounds as though the method would be similar to doing an Absorbic Acid treatment, described in the article I mentioned before, but forgot to post the link too... :mrgreen:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/ascorbic-treatment-to-rid-pool-of-metal-stains-t2298.html

If you decide to try this product (use the Vit C tablet first!) I would follow the steps in the article (to the TEEE!) but substitute the AA for this product.

If you decide to purchase it, it would be helpful if you post their instructions for us first and we can advise better. :wink:
 
frustratedpoolmom said:
That doesn't look like or sound like Black Algae to me either...brushing with a stainless steel brush at that high of a chlorine level would certainly have a detrimental affect on true Black Algae.

Vitamin C, like a tablet you would ingest, buy it at the drug store. If you hold it up to the stain for 30 seconds and the spot vanishes or changes in appearance, it's likely metal. Holding a trichlor chlorine tablet to the staining - if it fades/disappears then the staining is organic but not necessarily Black Algae. Try both of these methods and report back. The fact that you've been brushing while at shock makes me lean towards this NOT being organic in nature.
I tried the VitC tablet, the black material did not change color, but when I rubbed it on the wall, the black material started to come off.

Either way - whatever method you use to remove the staining - irregardless - you'll still need to replace your water to lower the CYA level.

We don't recommend the use of Copper-based algaecide - even in the occurrence of true black algae because the copper itself can cause unwanted side effects (like permanent black staining).

I am not aware of a "sealant" for pools (but that don't mean much :mrgreen: :oops: ). I will PM a few of our surface experts and ask them to view your thread to advise if they can.
 
frustratedpoolmom said:
Hmmm. What's odd is the chlorine tablet did nothing - so shocking shouldn't have a 'postive' benefit. This is very odd.... :scratch:

How is this to be applied?

Not sure. It sounds as though the method would be similar to doing an Absorbic Acid treatment, described in the article I mentioned before, but forgot to post the link too... :mrgreen:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/ascorbic-treatment-to-rid-pool-of-metal-stains-t2298.html

If you decide to try this product (use the Vit C tablet first!) I would follow the steps in the article (to the TEEE!) but substitute the AA for this product.
When I rub the VitC tablet, the black material does not change color, but the black material starts to come off the wall.
So what exactly does this mean?
And what would be the treatment?


If you decide to purchase it, it would be helpful if you post their instructions for us first and we can advise better. :wink:
 
Mark-

You have massive copper sulfate staining, as indicated by the extreme blue color of the plaster. This was caused either by the introduction of the copper algaecide or chemical damage of the copper in your pool (plumbing, heat exchanger, etc.). Based on that, I would assume that you are seeing metal staining as well. You also are fighting plaster that is near the end of its life expectancy, as well as showing very hard water deposits (calcium).

Unfortunately, no matter what path you take (sanding, acid wash), you are only buying a little bit of time (and I would strongly suggest that you do not acid wash!). Plaster goes bad over time (10-15 years, depending on formulation and care),and you look like you have got the service out of that plaster that it is going to give. It is now time to consider a re-plaster or live with the finish you have. The next stop for this material will be delamination.

It will be hard to keep this pool clean, as you have such a rough finish. Some of the roughness is from the "cream" degrading from the plaster, and some is from the calcium build up on the plaster itself. There is no "finish" that goes on top of plaster; plaster is the finish in a pool. Some folks will put additives in the pool to strengthen the plaster, but there is no additional finish over the finish.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you are in need of a re-plaster. Nothing you do will bring your pool back to what I think you are trying to achieve. It is an old finish, and it has served its time.
 
simicrintz said:
Mark-

You have massive copper sulfate staining, as indicated by the extreme blue color of the plaster. This was caused either by the introduction of the copper algaecide or chemical damage of the copper in your pool (plumbing, heat exchanger, etc.). Based on that, I would assume that you are seeing metal staining as well. You also are fighting plaster that is near the end of its life expectancy, as well as showing very hard water deposits (calcium).
Yes, you are right on.

Unfortunately, no matter what path you take (sanding, acid wash), you are only buying a little bit of time (and I would strongly suggest that you do not acid wash!). Plaster goes bad over time (10-15 years, depending on formulation and care),and you look like you have got the service out of that plaster that it is going to give. It is now time to consider a re-plaster or live with the finish you have. The next stop for this material will be delamination.

It will be hard to keep this pool clean, as you have such a rough finish. Some of the roughness is from the "cream" degrading from the plaster, and some is from the calcium build up on the plaster itself. There is no "finish" that goes on top of plaster; plaster is the finish in a pool. Some folks will put additives in the pool to strengthen the plaster, but there is no additional finish over the finish.
Cream, I have never heard this term before. Is it sort of like when you float concrete and the sort of liquid cement rises to the surface to create a smooth finish?

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you are in need of a re-plaster. Nothing you do will bring your pool back to what I think you are trying to achieve. It is an old finish, and it has served its time.
Yes, I was afraid of this. I am just trying to get a couple more years out of the pool surface before hiring someone to resurface the pool.
I do want to treat this stain though, but I don't want to acid wash it for exactly the reasons that you stated.
Is there any website I can go to to see the process of resurfacing a pool?
Just curious what the process is.
 
Mark92677 said:
simicrintz said:
Mark-

You have massive copper sulfate staining, as indicated by the extreme blue color of the plaster. This was caused either by the introduction of the copper algaecide or chemical damage of the copper in your pool (plumbing, heat exchanger, etc.). Based on that, I would assume that you are seeing metal staining as well. You also are fighting plaster that is near the end of its life expectancy, as well as showing very hard water deposits (calcium).
Yes, you are right on.

Unfortunately, no matter what path you take (sanding, acid wash), you are only buying a little bit of time (and I would strongly suggest that you do not acid wash!). Plaster goes bad over time (10-15 years, depending on formulation and care),and you look like you have got the service out of that plaster that it is going to give. It is now time to consider a re-plaster or live with the finish you have. The next stop for this material will be delamination.

It will be hard to keep this pool clean, as you have such a rough finish. Some of the roughness is from the "cream" degrading from the plaster, and some is from the calcium build up on the plaster itself. There is no "finish" that goes on top of plaster; plaster is the finish in a pool. Some folks will put additives in the pool to strengthen the plaster, but there is no additional finish over the finish.
Cream, I have never heard this term before. Is it sort of like when you float concrete and the sort of liquid cement rises to the surface to create a smooth finish?

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you are in need of a re-plaster. Nothing you do will bring your pool back to what I think you are trying to achieve. It is an old finish, and it has served its time.
Yes, I was afraid of this. I am just trying to get a couple more years out of the pool surface before hiring someone to resurface the pool.
I do want to treat this stain though, but I don't want to acid wash it for exactly the reasons that you stated.
Is there any website I can go to to see the process of resurfacing a pool?
Just curious what the process is.

Mark-

Cream is indeed what comes to the surface, and it is what makes it smooth. The hard steel trowels allow this to happen.

Try these websites. They should both have somewhat of a time sequenced re-plaster, if I remember correctly:

http://www.poolscapeunlimited.com/
http://www.gardnerpoolplastering.com/index.html
 
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