Stain test results

[ryang6]

I have a pool I’m servicing that has staining (grayish black). Customer doesn’t know how long it’s been there since they just moved in. I’ve spent time balancing water so that all levels are in speck. The only thing I had to work for is calcium levels which were low. Copper came back zero as well.

Fast forward I brought all the levels to jacks stain test prerequisites. None of the tests yielded obvious results. Jacks solution is it use sequestration for 6 weeks then try again.

I have two questions. When I did test 1 (iron etc) it caused some dark orange specs. Why would this happen?

I’m thinking of trying proteam metal magic, should I use culator at the same time or can it be used after the stain removal? I don’t want to waste it.

Any other suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Mdragger88]

Sometimes copper stains can get worse/change when ascorbic acid/vitamin c is applied
Not sure exactly whats in the #1 iron stuff since its a “trade secret”
Lets ask @JamesW what he thinks about the findings from the tests.
I do know the general consensus here is that the culator is a waste of $ so just spend that $ on sequestrant.

 

[JamesW]

Can you show the system?

 

[ryang6]

Can you show the system?

The filter system?

 

[ryang6]

Sometimes copper stains can get worse/change when ascorbic acid/vitamin c is applied
Not sure exactly whats in the #1 iron stuff since its a “trade secret”
Lets ask @JamesW what he thinks about the findings from the tests.
I do know the general consensus here is that the culator is a waste of $ so just spend that $ on sequestrant.

But the sequestrant would need to be used endlessly correct? The culator should remove the metal that was pulled from the plaster in theory right?

 

[ajw22]

But the sequestrant would need to be used endlessly correct? The culator should remove the metal that was pulled from the plaster in theory right?

Have you successfully used Culator before? The science behind it and it’s effectiveness is questionable.

 

[ryang6]

Have you successfully used Culator before? The science behind it and it’s effectiveness is questionable.

I have not. Draining doesn’t seem to be an option for this customer and not sure if she will pay for endless sequestrant so I was exploring options

 

[ryang6]

The filter system?

 

[JamesW]

Can you pull the filter cartridge and show what that looks like before and after cleaning?

 

[ajw22]

I think you have a customer with old stained plaster who should save the money towards a new plaster job.

 

[ryang6]

Can you pull the filter cartridge and show what that looks like before and after cleaning?

I did it recently and it was brownish and washed away easily. I don’t know how old it is. I did notice the weir and skimmer neck have an orange tint, as do return jets when I turned them and exposed the inside.

 

[JamesW]

Drop a vitamin C tablet on a stained spot.

 

[ryang6]

Drop a vitamin C tablet on a stained spot.

Did that too…nothing.

 

[JamesW]

Maybe try Jack's #2 Copper and Scale Stuff (Sulfamic Acid) followed by a drain and refill.

While it is drained, you can sand it with diamond grit discs and/or acid wash.

Acid washing is generally not recommended due to how aggressive it is towards the cement.

Acid destroys cement and this can ruin the plaster.

If you acid wash, make sure that the customer is well aware of the risks of damage to the plaster as it can become very rough.

You can try sanding first and then acid washing if necessary followed by sanding to smooth things back out.

Note that pool can float if drained when the ground water is too high.

 

[JamesW]

Acid wash or re-surface

Pool between 7-10 years. Not sure. Possibly acid washed 1-2 x in past. (not sure). Pool guy says I can acid wash again because of both dark and light stains. How do I know if I reached my limit on acid washing and need to go with the resurfacing? Is there something I can inspect further?

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JamesW]

Draining doesn’t seem to be an option for this customer and not sure if she will pay for endless sequestrant so I was exploring options

Seems like she is expecting you to magically make the plaster like new by adding some sort of chemical.

Be careful not to promise anything.

Most likely, the choices are to just live with it or to do an aggressive treatment including a drain and refill or replaster.

Sometimes you just cannot make people happy.

 

[ryang6]

Seems like she is expecting you to magically make the plaster like new by adding some sort of chemical.

Be careful not to promise anything.

Most likely, the choices are to just live with it or to do an aggressive treatment including a drain and refill or replaster.

Sometimes you just cannot make people happy.

I appreciate that and all the advice since I feel like I can do it all sometimes, a good reminder.

 

[ryang6]

Maybe try Jack's #2 Copper and Scale Stuff (Sulfamic Acid) followed by a drain and refill.

While it is drained, you can sand it with diamond grit discs and/or acid wash.

Acid washing is generally not recommended due to how aggressive it is towards the cement.

Acid destroys cement and this can ruin the plaster.

If you acid wash, make sure that the customer is well aware of the risks of damage to the plaster as it can become very rough.

You can try sanding first and then acid washing if necessary followed by sanding to smooth things back out.

Note that pool can float if drained when the ground water is too high.

The copper stuff didn’t help when dropped on it so not sure I want to try that since it’s not cheap. Do you think metal magic is an option to help?

 

[JamesW]

Do you think metal magic is an option to help?

Probably not if none of the test chemicals are doing anything.

You can try it if you want.

It might magically clear the stains, but it is probably just a waste of money.

 

[98Poolmaster]

Probably not if none of the test chemicals are doing anything.

You can try it if you want.

It might magically clear the stains, but it is probably just a waste of money.

James is correct these stains will not come out using any kind of product the only thing you can do to remove is an acid wash or sanding but you can damage plaster and you cannot tell how bad it is completely until it is drained and like James posted you can have the pool float from draining,this is what happens with plaster pools eventually when not balanced properly.You aren’t a magician that just waves a magic wand and Voila stains are gone.She is just going to have to understand it is what it is.