Q&A for How to Diagnose and Remove Any Swimming Pool Stain

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What could be causing a brownish stain to my pool liner? The water samples are good from the pool.

Community Answer

I used Atlantica on a Friday, the next Tuesday I did the weekly chemicals and the next morning the liner was brown around the top. It could be from something like that.

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Question

What is wrong if I poured algaecide into my pool and the water surface has turned a thick white? Will it go away?

Community Answer

Nothing's wrong. The algaecide has killed the algae, and the dead algae has turned white. It will all filter out when you turn on the pump.

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Question

How do I remove a yellow stain on a vinyl liner at the water line?

Community Answer

Repaint the area. To prevent it from happening again, keep refreshing the water.

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Question

It looks like black staining all over the walls and bottom. Could algae have caused all the staining? How do I get rid of it?

Community Answer

Yes, it was probably caused by the algae. Clean out the filter. Turn off the pump. Get a stiff bristle brush with a telescopic handle and start scrubbing away to the best of your ability. This is a better option than bleach. Wait a day, then scrub the spots again. Repeat until the black spots go away. To remove persistent staining, put a chlorine tablet into an old sock along with a few rocks and put it on the stained area. Check it frequently. It could take up to 2 weeks to get rid of the stain this way.

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Question

I have a fiberglass pool that holds about 15,000 gallons of water. All of a sudden, the walls of the pool are turning brown. How do I get rid of the brown color?

Community Answer

Lower the chlorine levels to almost zero and add about a pound of ascorbic acid to the pool with the filter set to circulate. Let it run for a half hour to an hour and if the acid hasn't started lightening the stains, add more acid every hour or so. I wouldn't suggest putting more than 2 lbs of acid in a pool that size per day. Keep the water circulating until the stains disappear.

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Question

How much scale should I use in my pool, and how often can I add it?

Community Answer

You should add two drops of scale to your pool every two weeks.

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Question

How do I remove a stain caused by pouring chlorine into my blue quartz pool?

Community Answer

You can't, because it's not a stain you can lift off; you burned the surface with the bleach.

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Question

Where can I buy the absorbent disposable bags that remove metal from pool water?

Community Answer

Most hardware stores have a section for pool maintenance.

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Question

I shocked my pool, but when the shock settled it stained the bottom of my plaster pool a black color. How do I get rid of that?

J Bloodsworth

Community Answer

It sounds like you caused a copper cya stain. Do you use copper algicide? How high is your cya level? Don't let chlorine sit on the bottom until you lower either or both of those. To remove, follow the metal stain removal instructions above.

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Question

How do you remove a black stain on the liner that is above the water line? My water is crystal clear and levels are good.

J Bloodsworth

Community Answer

It sounds like oils from swimmers' bodies and/or sunscreen has accumulated along the water line and then dirt has stuck to that. Use a tile soap and tile scrubber that is safe for your liner. You might also try an enzyme like Pool Perfect.

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Question

How can I remove a rust stain caused by leaves?

J Bloodsworth

Community Answer

If it's caused by leaves, then it's an organic stain from tannins. Oxidize it with calcium hypo-chlorite.

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Question

Is it dangerous for people to swim in bleach?

J Bloodsworth

Community Answer

Like just about everything, in heavy doses, bleach can cause problems. Don't drink the water obviously. The Health Department in the state of Florida allows up to 10ppm chlorine. Anything over 20ppm can damage skin, hair, clothing, etc.

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