November 2011
-
Changing Your Hot Tub Water in 4 Simple Steps
-
How to Choose the Right In-ground Pool for You
in Maintenance
Subscribe to POOLlife Now!
Sign up today to get the latest pool articles, recipes and promotions sent straight to your inbox each month.
or
Find a Dealer
Find out where to buy our pool or spa care products near you.
Ask a Pool Pro
Do you have a pool care question? Submit your questions and each month we'll pick one to answer on our blog.
For immediate response, please call our Customer Care Center (800) 222-2348
Related Articles
Keeping your pool free of unsightly and unwanted stains this season is easier than you might think. Whether your pool is chlorine-based or chlorine-free, the key to a pool without stains is, first, education, next, proper treatment and, finally and most importantly, prevention.
Organic Pool Stains
or Metallic Pool Stains?
The first step in treating a pool surface stain is identifying its origins. Stephen Nimocks, region manager for Arch Chemicals, says pool stains can be broken down into two categories: organic and metallic. The stain’s chemical makeup will determine the best treatment method.
1. Organic stains are often caused by decaying leaves, Nimocks says, and can be bleached out completely.
2. Metallic stains, which can be iron, copper or manganese, are often from source water or can come from pool equipment or corrosive water (balance). “Organic stains usually bleach out with chlorine or the sun, but you can’t bleach out a metal stain,” Nimocks says.
Proper Treatment of Pool Stains: Get Rid of the Problem
Organic stains are quickest to treat because most will disappear through chlorination alone, Nimocks says. For chlorine pool owners who want to remove the stain immediately, he recommends applying a chlorine shock treatment directly to the stain. If you have a bleachable surface such as a vinyl or painted pool, Nimocks recommends applying a higher concentration of chlorine or shock treatment to the spot without direct contact to the surface. Products like Arch Chemicals’ POOLIFE® Organic Stain Remover can also remove stains instantly. In the case of chlorine-free pools, Nimocks says, as long as the water has a measurable level of oxidizer, the stain will disappear on its own within 1 or 2 days from the oxidizer or through the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
If the stain doesn’t go away using any of these methods, Nimocks says, chances are it’s a metallic stain. In that case, the next step is to identify the type of metal causing the stain. POOLIFE Stain Solution Pack includes three test packets of stain remover that quickly identify the type of stain (iron, copper or organic) on the pool’s surface. “You would apply each of them to the stain and see which packet is most successful at removing the stain. The result of the test will show you exactly how much of the stain will be removed,” Nimocks says. “It takes little more than a minute to do all of the steps.” Once the stain is identified, consult your pool dealer for the proper stain removal system. Generally, removal of the stain begins within seconds, although complete removal may take a day or more, depending upon the age and size of stain. Fresher stains are easier to remove.
Preventing Pool Stains: Don’t Sweat It
The most essential step to a stain-free pool is prevention. For organic stains, prevention is as easy as keeping your pool free of leaves and debris.
Metallic stains are a bit more complicated. They can be attributed to a number of factors. To prevent them from forming:
1. Well water or other source water should be tested by your pool dealer, as it is a common source of metals, which can increase the likelihood of metallic stains, and can accidentally introduce lawn fertilizer to the pool, which can cause instant stains.
2. Low pH, TA (total alkalinity) and calcium hardness levels can lead to corrosive conditions, so maintain proper levels.
3. Out-of-balance pool water can slowly dissolve copper from pool equipment, generally resulting in a bluish or greenish stain.
4. Have your authorized dealer analyze your pool water using the PINPOINT™ Water Analysis System on a monthly basis. This water test will identify out-of-balance water chemistry, as well as show the presence of iron and copper.
5. Lastly, “remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and in this case, 16 ounces of your pool taken to your local dealer monthly can prevent costly problems,” Nimocks says. “Besides, it’s a free service and they will be glad to see you. Have fun in the sun in your pool.”
Whether you are treating an organic or metallic pool stain — or preventing them from happening in the first place — maintaining a spotless pool this summer can be a breeze.
