It’s fun to think about pools as a general place for recreation and relaxation. Especially in the dead of summer, nothing beats hanging out by the poolside with a cold drink in hand and some good friends around you. What nobody talks about, though, is all the work and money that can go into maintaining even the simplest pools, and when it comes to general upkeep, removing and preventing pool stains is one of the biggest headaches. This pool stain removal guide from Shasta Pools and Spas will hopefully serve to keep your own pool stain-free from here on out.
The first step in removing stains from your pool is to actually find out what kind of stain you’re dealing with. In general, stains come in two varieties: organic and metallic. You can typically tell the difference by discerning what color the stain is. Greenish-brown pool stains tend to be organic in nature and come from leaves and other debris but also algae and dead animals.
Metallic stains, on the other hand, are usually a very dark reddish-brown or are otherwise rust-colored, though different metals can cause different colored stains. Copper stains will often appear blue, black or green. Iron typically accounts for your rusty brown or green-brown stains. The presence of manganese can lead to brownish-black or purple stains.
If you’re having trouble diagnosing your stain type, you can also get your water tested for trace metals.
Organic stains tend to be very easy to treat. If left unattended over time, however, these stains can require heavy-duty chemical treatment that can cost a small bundle, so it’s best to stay on top of organic stains. Otherwise, a simple chemical shock (usually chlorine) will make your organic stains disappear almost instantly. Just go back over it with a brush later, and you should be all set.
The first thing to do if you have metallic stains is to treat and remove the trace metals from the water supply. If not, the stains will just keep coming back. After you’ve done this, you’ll then want to use a chemical stain remover to rid your pool of its metallic stains once and for all. A surprisingly good chemical to use when removing stains is Vitamin C. If treated correctly, this should be all that’s required.
Vigilance and proper pool maintenance are the best ways to prevent future pool staining issues. As long as you keep your pool clean of debris, and other organic matter, and regularly test your pool for trace metals, you should be fine. When do you notice a pool stain, be sure to treat it immediately.
This is meant to be a general guide for pool stain removal, but if you have any further questions or would like a professional opinion, don’t hesitate to contact Shasta Pools and Spas, and check out our monthly specials while you’re at it. We have over 50 years of pool experience to draw on, so you can trust that we know exactly what it will take to make your pool beautiful again. We can help remove those pesky pool stains from your Phoenix pool and much, much more!
