Hello. Last summer I started getting stains on the plaster. Chemicals were perfectly balanced. Got worse and worse. Muriatic acid and a wire brush have no effect on the stains (it's not algae). Please see pictures. Anyone know what these stains are? Time to get plaster resurfaced? Thank you for the help.
What are these stains? Time to resurface?
- Thread starter JustinAZ
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,107
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
Looks like iron or copper staining.
Get...
jacksmagic.com
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
Looks like iron or copper staining.
Get...
Stain ID Kit | Jacks Magic
jacksmagic.com
Stains in Your Pool
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You nailed it! Problem solved.
Problem: Copper staining. Confirmed by determining that undiluted acid removed the stain, whereas Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and Iron Out didn't remove it.
Cause: From Clorox XtraBlue algaecide (contains 13% copper) and XtraBlue shock. Pool last drained 2 years ago (I should drain it annually). I thought staining was algae, so I added algaecide, which just made the stains worse.
Solution: Muriatic acid washing. I used undiluted acid. Diluted acid didn't cut it.
Prevention: I will drain my pool annually like I used to. Copper can only be sequestered temporarily. Draining is the only way to remove it. I will also be very judicious in using algaecides.
Thanks for your help!
Problem: Copper staining. Confirmed by determining that undiluted acid removed the stain, whereas Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and Iron Out didn't remove it.
Cause: From Clorox XtraBlue algaecide (contains 13% copper) and XtraBlue shock. Pool last drained 2 years ago (I should drain it annually). I thought staining was algae, so I added algaecide, which just made the stains worse.
Solution: Muriatic acid washing. I used undiluted acid. Diluted acid didn't cut it.
Prevention: I will drain my pool annually like I used to. Copper can only be sequestered temporarily. Draining is the only way to remove it. I will also be very judicious in using algaecides.
Thanks for your help!
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,907
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Acid wash will reduce the life of your plaster. Re-plaster is very expensive.
There is no reason to use algaecides following TFP care methods...
Why do you want to continue to use them?
Recommended Pool Chemicals
Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.
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Non-Recommended Pool Chemicals
These pool chemicals should not be added to your pool. Save your money and frustration and avoid these chemicals!
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I agree with everything you said. I do not plan to use algaecides. I shouldn't have said "be judicious." I should have said "won't use them."
There's no need to drain your pool every year. You've solved the copper issue. Now start following the tried and true methods of TFP. While our water is high in CH it doesn't need to be that way if you can autofill with soft water. If unable to do that then a drain every 3-5 years can correct high CH. Even a No Drain Exchange Draining - Further Reading can effect what you need. Use the following links to get you started.
Pool Care Basics
Test Kits Compared
FC/CYA Levels
PoolMath
Pool Care Basics
Test Kits Compared
FC/CYA Levels
PoolMath