Spending a leisurely dip in your pool can cool you down, especially during warm weather. Sadly, your enthusiasm to take a dip might vanish after seeing unappealing stains in your pool. Pool stains on the wall, floor, or even on the steps can be brought about by metals in the pool water or an organic material left in the pool. Read further to learn ways to properly remove stains from your swimming pool.
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A guide on how to remove stains from a swimming pool
If your pool needs to go through a cleaning session due to unsightly stains, take a look at this guide.
Organic-based or metal stains
Inspect the color of the pool stain to determine the cause. There are a variety of stain colors that you can find in pools. By identifying the stain in your pool, you can use the right treatment.
The two main categories are organic-based and metal stains, which manifest as various colors. These color combinations include red-blue, green-brown, blue-green-black, pinkish-red, green-brown-red, or brown-black-purple.
- Organic stains on the floor of the pool are caused by berries, leaves, dead animals, algae, worms or other organic debris. These are going to leave stains if left to settle on the pool surface. Luckily, organic stains are easy to remove. These stains are usually brown, green, or bluish-purple. If you have an organic stain, apply a small amount of chlorine directly to it. The stain will readily dissolve using a soft-bristled brush.
- Inorganic or metal-based stains. These substances can be introduced into a pool by accident from well water or corrosion from copper pipes. The types of metals that can seep into your pool includes manganese, rust, copper and iron. For metal-based stains, you must determine which metal is responsible so proper treatment can be started. In most cases, maintaining the correct water balance makes it easier to prevent the formation of metal stains.
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How do I remove organic stains from my pool?
Organic stains on your pool can be undesirable to look at. If you want to keep your pool free from stains, simply use these techniques.
- If permanent stains are evident, drain the pool water and acid wash the pool if it has a plaster liner. This might not be a simple task for all since it involves stripping of a thin layer of pool plaster. An acid wash is necessary, ideally every 5 years.
- If there are greenish-brown organic stains, you can use an enzyme-based pool chemical. These enzymes will eat away any organic material to remove the stains with minimal or no scrubbing on your part. For stains around the waterline, an enzyme-based cleaner is also a good choice and follow-up by brushing the area.
- Organic stains can be removed from plaster pools by shocking with chlorine. Use a long-handled brush with stiff bristles to work around the pool. You can try pouring a small amount of chlorine directly on the organic stain to get rid of it instantly. Avoid using this on a vinyl pool since it can remove the liner pattern.
- Localized stains can be removed using muriatic acid and a scrub brush. Pour the acid into a piece of PVC pipe and put the acid to the stain on the pool wall.
Can I use a pool stain eraser?
In most cases, a pool stain eraser works by removing stains on your pool without scratching, gouging, or damaging the pool surface. Most brands are manufactured with a proven patented formulation that will not cause any damage to your pool.
How do I remove brown stains on pool steps?
Over time, the pool stairs can become stained or discolored. The stains are typically due to algae or chemicals in the water. You must be careful when putting anything in the water to deal with the stains since it can alter the chemistry of the water or become unsafe. Luckily, there are techniques to remove brown stains on the pool steps. Follow these steps:
- Rub a chlorine tablet directly on the pool steps. Don’t forget to wear rubber gloves and use some pressure while rubbing. If the stain lingers, rub a chlorine tablet on the stained area and scrub using a tile brush. Remember that this might take time to eliminate the stains.
- Soak a cloth in liquid chlorine and scrub the stains. The chlorine will disperse into the pool rapidly.
- For every 10,000 gallons of water in your pool, add 15 oz of commercial pool stain remover. This must be applied weekly to prevent and remove stains. Do not forget to scrub the stairs with a tile scrubber after the application.
Final thoughts
A clean and stain-free pool can provide your family with hours of fun and relaxation during the summer. Once you find the early signs of stains on your swimming pool, do not hesitate to take action. By following the methods described on how to remove stains from your swimming pool, you can enjoy a cool, relaxing dip in your pool at any time of the day.
