15/07/2014Swimming Pool Stains
Stains on the walls or floors of your swimming pool are just as unsightly as stains on your home’s carpet or drywall. Although pool stains are harder to notice, they do require action on your part.
What is it that causes pool stains and what can you do to avoid stains from developing in your pool?
Metals and organic compounds cause stains on the walls and floors of pools. The color of the stain indicates what caused it to appear. Organic compounds cause stains of a greenish-brown color to develop. Organic materials like leaves and algae left in a pool during winter will contaminate the water and stain the walls. On the other hand, metals like iron, manganese, and copper cause red, brown, or dark stains to appear in your pool. The list below indicates the color a stain appears when caused by each metal. In addition, a swimmers’ blonde or light-colored hair turning green indicates a very high level of copper in the water.
• Copper – blue, green or dark (Black)
• Iron – rusty, brown or green/brow
• Manganese – brown/black or purple
There are a number of reasons why metal would appear in your pool. Metals are often present in natural water. Well water is more likely to contain metal and will therefore cause more stains than filtered water. Regular testing is suggested if you fill your pool with well water. Metals are also introduced to pools when the water’s pH level is not properly maintained. Acidic pH levels makes the water corrosive. As a result, corrosion of components that are made of copper releases more metal into the water. This increases the likelihood of stains developing on the walls and floor.
There are several effective ways to remove stains. Use a stiff brush to start, and scrub away or lighten the stain by friction. If that does not work, add a natural ascorbic acid-based product or diphosphonic acid-based pool stain remover. In addition, use an appropriate tile or vinyl cleaner to gently scrub away wall stains along the water line of the pool. Enzyme-based cleaners are great for removing wall stains as well.
Before you begin cleaning stains, it is important that you test the water for metals. Determine what metals are present in the water and in what amount. Treat the water and take steps to prevent metals from forming again. Consider draining the pool at least halfway and refilling it with fresh water if you are dealing with high amounts of metal. Pool stains caused by metals and organic compounds can be easily removed with a natural ascorbic acid-based product. If that does not work, fill a sock with 1/2 pound of pH reducer and drop it onto the stain. Let the sock sit for 5-10 minutes to absorb the stain. If this works, repeat the process for all of the stains in your pool and then balance the chemical level.
