White stains expanding on gunite pool - Please Help

[rozus]

Hello,
My pool was built back in June, 22 by A&S. It came with the house we purchased. It is a gunite pool. I observed white stains a couple months back, and they are expanding. I have a high Ph problem due, not sure because it is a new pool or just swg. I am really note sure if these stains can be removed or prevented or common. I honestly have no idea what to do. I really appreciate your help and time in advance.

 

[rozus]

Couple more pics

 

[JamesW]

It looks like dark stains on lighter plaster.

It looks like maybe copper to me.

Can you show the whole pool and system?

Do you have pictures of the original surface when it was new?

It's odd that someone installed a pool and then immediately sold the property.

What's up with that?

 

[JamesW]

I recommend a stain ID kit.

Stain ID Kit | Jacks Magic

jacksmagic.com

Can you open the filter and show the grids before you clean them?

Have you already cleaned the filter?

If yes, was there any turquoise, blue or green color?

What are all of the chemistry readings?

 

[rozus]

Previous owners moved to another state for a job opportunity as far as I know. Here are some other pics. It is a gunite pebbletec pool. It looked dark blue always since we got it. I’m attaching more pics. Can it be due to the mineral cartridge of the swg system they installed? I am probably wrong, but throwing out there. Thank you.

 

[rozus]

I recommend a stain ID kit.

Stain ID Kit | Jacks Magic

jacksmagic.com

Can you open the filter and show the grids before you clean them?

Have you already cleaned the filter?

If yes, was there any turquoise, blue or green color?

What are all of the chemistry readings?

I never opened the filter, but I backwashed it like 3 times so far. It is a DE filter. Should I also open and clean the filter? Never cleaned the filter. TA 100, FC 3, Ph over 8, CYA 40

 

[JamesW]

The mineral system adds copper.

It looks like it might be copper to me.

I would get the stain id kit.

I would get rid of the minerals as soon as possible.

I would open the filter and give it a good cleaning.

Look for green, blue or turquoise stains or dust.

 

[JamesW]

 

[rozus]

The mineral system adds copper.

It looks like it might be copper to me.

I would get the stain id kit.

I would get rid of the minerals as soon as possible.

I would open the filter and give it a good cleaning.

Look for green, blue or turquoise stains or dust.

ok, I will get the kit and clean the filter. Not sure how to get rid of the cartridge and keep the swg running since they are combined. One thing though. Only one side of the pool is staining. If it was from the filter and returns, wouldn’t other areas also be affected?

 

[JamesW]

It depends on the circulation of the water.

It looks like you have a complicated system with multiple ways for the water to return to the pool.

You might have sheers, popup cleaners, spa overflow, wall returns, floor return, deck jets,fountains etc.

You can remove the mineral cartridge from the system.

Copper causes stains as you can see in the pictures that I posted.

 

[JamesW]

https://www.zodiacpoolsystems.com/-/media/Zodiac/Global/Downloads/H/H0330100

 

[rozus]

It depends on the circulation of the water.

It looks like you have a complicated system with multiple ways for the water to return to the pool.

You might have sheers, popup cleaners, spa overflow, wall returns, floor return, deck jets,fountains etc.

You can remove the mineral cartridge from the system.

Copper causes stains as you can see in the pictures that I posted.

Ok, I will remove the cartridge asap. Is it too late to remove the stains caused by it so far? Or is it too late? It looks like draining the pool and resurfacing is the only option? (From the pics you’ve shared)

 

[JamesW]

6.4.1 Nature2 Mineral Cartridge Replacement
The Nature2 cartridge for the Nature2
Soft Fusion lasts six (6) months or one pool season (whichever is the shorter length of time).
1. Shut off the pool pump and fi lter.
2. Close valves between fi lter and pool to prevent pool draining.
3. Turn large collar counterclockwise to remove and lift off cap.
4. Remove old cartridge and discard in household trash. Insert the new cartridge (see Section 4.3)
5. Position cap flat on the vessel housing.
IMPORTANT Make sure the o-ring is secure in the groove on the vessel top, not on the underside of the cap. Turn large collar clockwise until it locks into place, do not over tighten.
6. Open any valves that were closed to isolate the Nature2 Fusion.

 

[JamesW]

There are some options like sulfamic acid (Jack's #2) or other things.

Let's see what the stain id kit shows.

STAIN SOLUTION #2 – The Copper & Scale Stuff | Jacks Magic

jacksmagic.com

 

[JamesW]

Two-Year-Old Pool Major Discoloration and Bleaching

Hi, Everyone! New to the forum and to pools in general. Closed on a house with my first pool! Yay! Although it's only two years old it has major discoloration (light and dark spots). General home inspector thought it was algae but the water is so clear. Here is what the prior owners...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[rozus]

6.4.1 Nature2 Mineral Cartridge Replacement
The Nature2 cartridge for the Nature2
Soft Fusion lasts six (6) months or one pool season (whichever is the shorter length of time).
1. Shut off the pool pump and fi lter.
2. Close valves between fi lter and pool to prevent pool draining.
3. Turn large collar counterclockwise to remove and lift off cap.
4. Remove old cartridge and discard in household trash. Insert the new cartridge (see Section 4.3)
5. Position cap flat on the vessel housing.
IMPORTANT Make sure the o-ring is secure in the groove on the vessel top, not on the underside of the cap. Turn large collar clockwise until it locks into place, do not over tighten.
6. Open any valves that were closed to isolate the Nature2 Fusion.

Thank you

Two-Year-Old Pool Major Discoloration and Bleaching

Hi, Everyone! New to the forum and to pools in general. Closed on a house with my first pool! Yay! Although it's only two years old it has major discoloration (light and dark spots). General home inspector thought it was algae but the water is so clear. Here is what the prior owners...

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks for you advice and sharing this. I have a heather bypass as well, but honestly I am not sure how to use it. Should I also try that? So my game plan based on your advise:

1) remove the cartridge
2) get stain id kit
3) sulfamic acid if copper
4) bypass the heater?

Is it an accurate list based on your suggestions? Thank you sir

 

[JamesW]

Read through the thread.

They chose to do an acid wash and they were happy with the results as far as how it looks, but they have not reported about how the plaster feels.

There's a lot to consider, so do your research about everything before deciding what to do.

 

[JamesW]

You probably need a local professional expert to help you as there is too much information to cover here.

 

[rozus]

You probably need a local professional expert to help you as there is too much information to cover here.

Most pool pros charge ~$400 just to show up. I don’t mind if they actually solve this problem, but it is really hard to find a qualified trustable pool tech to come and help Last guy who came to open the pool screw things up more than helping.

 

[rozus]

Read through the thread.

They chose to do an acid wash and they were happy with the results as far as how it looks, but they have not reported about how the plaster feels.

There's a lot to consider, so do your research about everything before deciding what to do.

Scared of even considering acid wash since we just moved here and it is a new pool : (