November 2011
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Changing Your Hot Tub Water in 4 Simple Steps
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How to Choose the Right In-ground Pool for You
in Maintenance
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You work hard to make your pool area picturesque, from the furnished and landscaped surroundings to the water inside. Your diligence is rewarded by the feeling you get gazing out on your sparkling backyard oasis. Few pool problems will create as stark a contrast to this idyllic image as stains on your pool walls or floor. Fortunately, stains are preventable.
Pool Maintenance Matters
According to Paul Loomis, water scientist with Arch Chemicals Inc., most stains are caused by metals in your water (as well as metal objects such as nails or keys) or organic matter, such as leaves, that have collected on the pool floor and been left there for some time. Keeping your pool free from organic contaminants requires vacuuming your pool, running your filter and using the appropriate shock products.
Stains resulting from metals are a trickier matter. Loomis says the three most common metal stains are those resulting from iron (usually a rust-brown color), manganese (black) and copper (blue-green or black). Iron is the most common offender. Iron enters your pool water at the water source, especially if your water comes from a well. The iron particles are dissolved in the water you are adding to your pool. The dissolved iron is then oxidized once it comes into contact with the sanitizer in your pool water — especially in chlorinated pools. This causes the dissolved metal to precipitate out, making it visible in the form of discolored water or, if untreated, stains.
Metals can get into your pool in other ways, as well. If your pool water is highly acidic, it can corrode your heater, causing copper particles to dissolve into the water. Some algaecides also contain copper as an active ingredient for fighting off algae. However, the copper from algaecides is unlikely to cause staining problems. Just be sure to follow the usage instructions and use a chelating agent, such as POOLIFE® Intensive Stain Prevention when adding the product.
Combat Stain Problems Before They Start
The best way to prevent problematic stains is by first taking a pool water sample to your authorized dealer for analysis. Your dealer will be able to tell you whether you have metals in your water at levels high enough to cause stains or discolored water, and your dealer can advise you on the best course of action.
If metals are detected and your water starts to show color, remedy the problem by adding POOLIFE Intensive Stain Prevention for chlorinated pools or BAQUACIL® Metal Control for chlorine-free pools according to the directions on the product label.
Should stains develop in a chlorine-based pool, Loomis recommends using the POOLIFE Stain Solution Pack. This stain identification pack will help determine the type of stain present in your pool and the correct product to remove it.
TIP: Rid your chlorine-treated pool water of metals by adding calcium hypochlorite, such as POOLIFE Active Cleaning Caplets, into your skimmer, and then filling your pool by pouring water over the caplets. This approach ensures metal collects in the filter instead of in the pool. *Do not use this procedure in chlorine-free pools such as those on the BAQUACIL Pool Care System.
