How To Prevent Organic Pool Stains
- Check your landscaping. Since organic matter is the cause of organic staining, its a smart idea to keep plants, shrubs, and trees located around your pool well-pruned to avoid getting leaves and fruit into your pool.
- Frequently skim the poolsurface to remove any organic matter that may have found its way in.
- Keep the pool water balanced by testing weekly, paying special attention to pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels.
- Vacuum your pool either manually or with an automatic pool vacuum to keep any debris from settling on the bottom and causing nasty stains.
How To Prevent Swimming Pool Stains
So whats the one surefire way to prevent pool stain?
Bulletproof pool maintenance habits.
What do we mean by that?
Well, we dont expect you to brush your pool 24/7 or anything crazy like that. Instead, just a few changes thatll keep your pool clean and fend off buildup. A defense again future pool stains.
To prevent pool stains from returning in the future:
- Test and balance your water at least twice a week
- Keep your pool properly sanitized
- Skim and brush the pool 2-3 times each week
- Vacuum at the end of each week for a spotless and debris free floor
- Add a mineral sequestering agent to lock up excess minerals
- Add a metal eliminator pack to contain and deactivate excess metals
How To Get Rid Of Metal Pool Stains
Metal stains can be a little more difficult to get rid of, but its not impossible.
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Liner Pool Stain Colors
Its not always easy to tell whats causing the stains by looking at the color. Sometimes, theres a dead giveaway next to your stain that tells you where it came from , but much of the time youre going to have to look for other clues to find out whats causing it.
Here are a few of the colors that you may see and their usual causes:
- Teal or blue-green stains indicate that you have an issue with copper. The copper stains could be originating from pipes or they could be leaching from the pool heater due to improper chemical maintenance.
- Reddish-brown stains typically come from iron in the pool. Sometimes, the pool liner will also be stained yellow. These rusty patches on the liner can come from metal parts, like handrails or ladders, but they can also be caused by corroded iron pipes or well water.
- Green or brown pool liner stains usually come from organic matter like algae, leaves, bugs, and mud.
- Red or purple stains often come from berries or fruit falling into the pool from nearby bushes or overhead trees. Light pink stains can also be a sign of bacterial buildup.
- Black stains on a pool liner also often come from metals like manganese which usually comes from well water.
Treating Iron And Manganese Stains:
- Remove Chlorine and ensure pH is 7.2 to 7.6.
- Add 1 Kg of Lo-Chlor Multi Stain Remover, by sprinkling around the outside of the pool.
- Filter as normal.
- The stain should be gone within twelve hours. If in the unlikely event this does not remove all the stain, repeat with another 1 Kg.
- When the stain is gone, add 300mls of Lo-Chlor Metal Solution
- Run the filter for 12 24 hours
- Backwash or clean cartridges thoroughly
- Repeat this treatment of Lo-Chlor Metal Solution every 3 days until the bottle is empty
- Do not superchlorinate for 10 days after adding Metal solution, or the stain will return immediately.
- If the stain was severe it may be necessary, after stain removal, to adjust pH to 7.8 to 8.0 and add 1 Litre Lo-Chlor Maxi Floc Plus.
- Making the pool alkaline and then floccing will remove about 70% of the dissolved metals.
- Leave overnight and then vacuum to waste.
- Balance the water and then add 1 Litre of Lo-Chlor Metal Solution.
- For a salt water pool this treatment may need to be repeated every six months!
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How To Clean A Fiberglass Waterline
Cleaning a fiberglass pool along the waterline essentially means getting rid of the ring around the pool. The ring is formed due to metals that naturally occur in the water, combined with body oils and sun protection products that have been exposed to the water.
You can get rid of this ring by adjusting the setting on your pool filter to make it work faster than normal. Once you have run the filter and the water becomes clearer, you can add more chlorine. This cleans debris from the water and sanitizes it. Be sure the filtration setting remains at 7.2 so that the water is safe to swim in, even during the cleaning process.
Some swimming pool suppliers provide commercial products that can be used for thorough cleaning. Ceramic tile or vinyl cleaner that is not too abrasive can effectively remove stains from fiberglass pools, especially if the pool has minor stains and is cleaned regularly, these cleaners can work well. Oxalic acid also helps to remove fiberglass pool stains. However, the substance can make the pool water cloudy for a few days. Swimming pool suppliers also have many industrial products that can be used to clean the pool. Atlantic Pool and Spa have a number of products and methods that will keep your fiberglass pool looking its best.
What Is Mustard Algae & Why Is It Bad For Your Pool
Mustard algae is actually another form of green algae, but it varies slightly in color: it can be yellowish, yellow-green or yellow-brown.
The problem with this pesky little nuisance is that it looks so much like dirt, pollen or sand, that often, people dont even realize they have it.
Its also not slimy like other algae, so it even has a texture close to that of dirt. But, why is it bad?
Well, algae itself is not dangerous to humans, but an overgrowth of it can harbor harmful bacteria that is dangerous, such as E coli.
Also, like any other algae, it can stain your swimming pool and cloud the water, which also sticking to things like pool equipment, pool walls, bathing suits, floats and toys. Nobody wants to swim in that mess!
This type of algae usually requires chlorine plus an extra chemical like Yellow Out to finally get rid of it.
Mustard algae is most commonly found in freshwater or warm water climates, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt keep a look-out for it anywhere you live.
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Ballstar Pool And Billiards Ball Cleaner
The BallStar Pool Ball Cleaner includes everything you need for hundreds of cleaning cycles.
You can clean 8 pool balls per cycle. Each cycle takes about 1 minute.
The machine is fast and easy to use.
Included are some pretty useful instructions, a liter of liquid cleaner, a cleaning box, two pads for cleaning, an 8-blade impeller, and an injector bottle.
Even though it looks like the latest space-age crockpot, this heavy-duty system is extremely efficient.
Using the machine wont remove the heavy scuffs.
The balls shine after cleaning and the english imparted on the ball is night and day.
Your game will become completely different with clean balls.
How To Remove Algae Stains From Pool Walls
Algae stains are one of the many things that pool owners get to deal with after dealing with the nasty green, black or yellow organic matter called algae. Some stubborn stains may be left on the pool walls and other services when you remove the matter from your swimming pool. The bad news is, unlike other stains, algae stains dont scrub off that easy it doesnt even respond to pool shock or algaecide and chlorine alone. So, how do you remove the stains from your swimming pool walls?
The best solution is to try and combine multiple algae stain-removing hacks, such as using the best, proven algae stain removers, scrubbing, and more. Cleaning your swimming pool with normal algaecide and pool shock might kill the algae but wont cut it for you in removing the stains left. You might be forced to drain your swimming pool depending on the extent of the stain problem.
Companies continue to develop treatment solutions to make algae stain removal easy and seamless as possible. But before they can produce the magic cleaner, I have to keep you on tabs on the best way to clean algae stains from your pool surfaces and how to prevent them from occurring again.
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Add Metal Sequestrate In Your Pool Water
Metal sequestrate should be the last option to use in a pool because it works differently from metal removers like Metal Magic and Orendas SC-100. Metal sequestrate does not remove metals in your pool water. Still, it naturally binds to the metals, holding metal particles together in your water so that they don’t come out of the solution to react with chlorine when added to your water or when pH levels get too high.
Ideally, regular doses of sequestrants will prevent metal staining when chlorine is added into the water and slowly break down. Therefore, they should be introduced regularly in your pool water to maintain the right level to keep stains away.
The most effective sequestrants are derived from phosphoric acid, and the best in the market today is Pool Mate Metal Out. This product helps prevent discoloration of pool water from iron, silver, manganese, copper, and other metals and minerals that may be present in the water supply.
Pool Mate Metal Out is an excellent general-purpose sequestrant that helps protect plumbing and pool walls from rust, stain, and scale. It should be used for pool openings and closings and throughout the season. For best results, add 1 quart per 10,000 gallons weekly, and you will never have metal stains in your pool.
Keep The Pool Surface Clean
There are some different types of automatic pool cleaners but the robotic pool cleaner is pretty much like a Roomba for your pool .
The great thing about a robotic pool cleaner is that it will scrub the surface and the tile lines, keeping your pool brushed and free from debris.
Its the best cleaner for mustard algae blooms because it does the best job at picking up fine, silty debris.
If you have trouble with this type of algae, this is definitely something I recommend using.
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How To Id Stains
Stain identification can be tricky. No doubt, you can find a lot of pictures online and try to compare your pool stain to others, but different compounds can cause similar looking stains. So it is best not to guess. Just to give you a primer, well run down a list of different stains characteristics here and then go on to actual testing for stains.
Organics will leave an impression in the shape of the offending debris, typically brown in color.
Green Algae will tint pool water green and also speckle the pool surface.
Mustard Algae So-named for its brown/yellow color, this algae has a wispy texture and grows in shady areas.
Black Algae forms black speckles and clusters that will actually grow roots into the pool surface.
Iron forms stains ranging from yellow to rust to dark brown.
Copper can tint pool water blue at first before stains form on the surface which are commonly blue-green but can also be gray, black, brown. Copper can stain purple as well when the cyanuric acid level is high.
Manganese found in well water in some regions, this metal can cause a purple tint to pool water and brown/black or purple stains on surface.
Where Does Mustard Algae Come From
Mustard algae is most common in warm climates, and lives in fresh water. The microscopic cells of algae often migrate into pools on the suits, hair, or water toys of people who have taken them into lakes and rivers.
It may also migrate from one pool to another, especially if pool equipment is used in different pools and isnt sanitized in between.
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C Brush Your Pool Walls
While the pool shock treatment and the algae stain removers do their thing, you will want to brush off the stains from the pool walls.
You need an ideal pool brush with stiff but safe bristles for your pool type. You have to go hard on the stains. Dont worry It can be your workout of the day.
If you have a fiberglass or vinyl swimming pool, the best brush to use is a stiff nylon brush. If your swimming pool is tiled or has concrete surfaces, then a wire pool brush is your best product.
Dont be surprised if some stains dont come off right away. Some might take days or weeks to come off.
How To Get Rid Of Mustard Algae
You might be saying to yourself, This is all great advice, pal, but what am I supposed to do if I already have mustard algae?
So, let’s talk about how to kill mustard algae!
As I said earlier, mustard algae is one of the harder ones to get rid of because of its stubborn chlorine-resistant nature.
How much work you have to put in will depend largely on how much algae has invaded your pool.
But a little hard work never hurt anyone, right?
Lets get started with these 6 easy steps to banish the yellowish brownish greenish monster from your pool:
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Common Sources Of Pool Stains
Algae can tint the pool water and also speckle the surface. The three most common algae types are described by their respective colors green, black or yellow .
Metals, such as iron and copper, are found naturally in water and their presence can be compounded by leaching from other sources such as residential plumbing, fertilizers, and pesticides. Copper also comes from pool heaters which often have copper heat exchangers, and from pool algaecides.
The issue with metals is that water evaporates but metal does not, so the concentration of metals builds over time. When the saturation point is reached, the pool water is not able to contain additional metal. This is when metals begin to cleave to the pool surface and form stains. Sequestering agents can help to keep metals in suspension to prevent staining but are not sufficient in some cases.
Tips To Prevent Pool Liner Stains
- Keep your pool chemistry balanced
- Keep debris out of the pool, and dont let leaves or dirt sit on steps or pool floor
- Use metal sequesters to keep metals from building up again if youve had problems with it in the past
- Try using a pool cover to keep dirt and debris out
- Brush and vacuum your pool once a week
- Shock your pool regularly
At River Pools, we manufacture world class fiberglass pools for customers across North America. In our experience, fiberglass pools are easier to maintain, and they resist algae better than plaster and vinyl pool liners.
If you’re interested in exploring your fiberglass pool options, feel free to check out our catalog of models, try out our fiberglass pool pricing calculator, or request custom pricing using the button below.
And don’t forget to download your free ebook to get an in-depth comparison of fiberglass, concrete, and vinyl liner swimming pools.
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How To Clean An Empty Fiberglass Pool
There are several eraser products on the market that you can use to clean a ring around a fiberglass pool. Of course, it is easier to use this product when there is no water in the pool. You may also find that cleaning the pool sides and the bottom is easier when the pool is empty. However, fiberglass pools do not need to be drained often. In fact, it is recommended that you do not drain your pool once it is filled. If your area has recently experienced a flood and there is lots of debris at the base of the pool, the fiberglass pool should be drained. However, it is important that the pool is drained safely, and it is best to leave this process to the professionals.
Cleansers that are designed for fiberglass pools are best for cleaning. However, if these are not strong enough, Atlantic Pool and Spa have several cleaning solutions to get the job done.
What If Your Pool Steps Have Stains But Theyre Made Of Fiberglass
Tackling fiberglass stains is going to require a different set of rules. You can read about removing stains from a fiberglass surface here.
For a brief recap on how to remove stains from fiberglass, here are a few tips to consider:
- Maintain your water chemistry
- Dont let leaves or dirt sit on your pool steps
- Try wiping stains off with a fiberglass friendly sponge or cloth
- For metal stains, try rubbing a vitamin c tablet directly onto small stains
- Try a metal sequestering agent to fade the stain and remove metals
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Do Not Use Home Cleaning Items
Household cleaning products can look like a great option for bringing back the glow and shine in your pool balls but the opposite of what is expected happens most of the time.
These products can be harsh and abrasive on the surface.
Some spray bottle liquids and bleach can cause discoloration and turn the balls yellow which is risky.
So, it is best to keep such damaging products away from your pool balls.
