How to Identify and Remove Stains in your Oasis

Is your pool stained? When the surface of your pool develops stains, it can ruin the look of your oasis, and make your swimming pool less welcoming. Do you know what causes spots? More importantly, do you know how to get rid of them?

Stains in your pool are generally metallic or organic, and they come in a wide range of colors. You might see greenish-brown stains, or they might be bluish-red, blue-greenish black, greenish red-brown, pinkish red, or black purplish brown. None of these colors sound appealing, do they? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you what to do about them.

• Organic stains come from things like leaves, berries, algae, worms, and dead animals. When you don’t remove these things quickly, they sink and begin to decompose. They’re usually green, brown, or bluish-purple, and not difficult to remove. If you think you’re seeing a natural stain, a small amount of chlorine applied directly to it should dissolve it enough to be removed with a soft-headed brush.
• If organic stains are being stubborn, try a shock treatment with enzymes, and use a hard brush to remove the stains. This will quickly rid your pool of greenish spots, and using an enzyme-based cleaner can often eliminate organic stains before you even scrub. What’s more, natural enzymes help break down organic compounds and oils by accelerating chemical reactions. You’ll still want to scrub thoroughly to remove any remaining residues and oils. You can also shock the pool with chlorine, testing the water to make sure the pH and alkalinity levels are correct.
• Metallic stains get into your pool’s surface from corroded copper pipes or from a water well, and sometimes from a rusting ladder. The types of metals likely to stain a pool include rust, manganese, iron, and copper. Copper causes blue, green, teal, black, or dark purple blotches, while iron leaves rusty brown, gray, or greenish-brown spots. Manganese creates pink or dark brown spots, and calcium manifests as white crystals. The best way solution for metallic stains is to prevent them by maintaining proper pH and scrubbing the pool proactively. If you do have these stains though, they can be removed with muriatic acid and a brush or the circulation of ascorbic acid through the pool water for 30 minutes.

When you need someone to help you take care of your pool, you can trust Millennium Pool Service to get the job done right. With got over 30 combined years of experience in the pool industry, we provide a comprehensive range of services for both residential and commercial customers in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland. When you hire Millennium Pool Service, you get a well-qualified, industry-trained staff, services that are tailored to your needs, and a commitment to 100% customer satisfaction. In Virginia, call 703. 939. 5062, in Maryland, call 301. 591. 3750, or you can contact us through our website.