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Pool Stains, What They Mean & How To Remove Them

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Pool Stains - What They Mean and How To Remove Them - Steps for Removing Pool Stains

There is nothing worse than a dirty pool than perhaps a stained pool. Identifying pool stains and what they mean is important. There are different approaches towards cleaning certain types of stains. Figuring out what is causing the stain is often possible by looking at the color of the stain. Various maintenance issues have a tendency to create a certain colored stain in the pool. Identifying what those colors indicate can help you locate the source of the problem.

If you have a stubborn stain in your pool, it can be aggravating, to say the least. Stains in your pool can be difficult to remove. Before you attempt to clean a problem stain, first ask yourself a question, ‘how well do you know your pool stains‘? Use our Stain Comparison Chart and key below to identify which type of pool stain you have. Once you’ve identified which type of pool stain you’re dealing with, follow our instruction guide for pool stain removal tips. We also recommend the best products for removing even the most tenacious stains.

Pool Stains - What They Mean & How To Remove Them - Pool Stain Comparison Chart
How well do you know your pool stains? View our Pool stain comparison chart.

Types of Pool Stains & What They Mean

How to Remove Pool Stains - Green Brown Stains

Green Brown Stains

This type of pool stain is typically caused by decaying organic matter such as leaves and debris. Allowing leaf debris to accumulate at the bottom of the pool can cause an unsightly greenish-brown stain.

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Stain Removal

To remove an organic stain quickly, sprinkle granular chlorine shock directly on them. On vinyl-liner pools, you’ll want to pre-dissolve the shock first in a five-gallon bucket of water before pouring it on and brushing it in.

Red Blue Stains

Berries cause reddish-blue stains. If you have berry trees in your backyard, this could very well be the culprit of red-blue stains in your pool. As the berries decay, the juice and skin of the berry can cause a stain that looks almost purple in color.

Again, you’ll want to take the same approach as removing organic stains. Brushing the liner with shock is your best option here and should remove the stain quickly.

Remove Pool Stains - Red Blue Pool Stains
Pool Stain Removal - Blue Green Black Stains in your pool

Blue Green Black Stains

Blue-ish Green-ish Black stains on the bottom of your pool could very well be berries too. However if there aren’t any berry trees in close proximity, high levels of copper could be the cause. If you have copper piping as part of your pool equipment setup, corrosion could cause stains that are of a blue-green black composition.

Mineral Based Algaecides

The leaching effect of copper intrusion has been known to cause stains that can be difficult to remove. Heavy doses of copper-based mineral algaecides have also been shown to produce similar stains. There are products such as Stain Free, A+ Stain Remover, and Jack’s Magic Blue Stuff that do an admirable job of removing stains on vinyl liners.

Green Brown Red Stains

Pool stains that are greenish brownish red usually indicate the presence of iron in the pool. As iron rusts, it has a tendency to leave a rusty greenish brown-red stain. This is true in all types of pools.

Leaching Metal Stains in the Pool

Metal leaching can occur that produces a stain from the pool coping, decking material, and a variety of other sources. Marble, granite, and flagstone all contain the mineral Iron and can leach into your swimming pool after a heavy rainstorm. Stains of this nature also occur without proper waterproofing.

Pool Stain Removal - Removing green brown red stains in your swimming pool
Removing Pool Stains - Brown Black Purple Stains - Manganese staining

Brown Black Purple Stains

This type of stain may look like a big bruise on the bottom of your pool. Stains that are brownish, black purple tend to be the cause of high levels of manganese. This can actually come from the local water supply, especially if the source is well water. Superchlorination is the best way to handle the problem as it oxidizes the manganese to a rust like substance that can be vacuumed off the pool floor. The next step should be cleaning out the pool filter as manganese can cling to surfaces.

Testing for Organic Stains & Metal Stains in Pools

You can easily detect and remove organic stains with a little elbow grease and the right supplies. The typical field test pool contractors use for determining what type of stain they’re dealing with is to simply rub some chlorine on the stain to see if it dissipates. Metal doesn’t react to chlorine. This is why components such as pool ladders are made of metal. If the stain doesn’t react to the stain, then it’s probably metallic in nature.

How to Identify Pool Stains - Step 1 is testing for what type of pool stain you actually have. Learn the different types of pool stains and what they mean. Learn how to clean different types of pool stains.
How to Identify Pool Stains – Step 1 is testing for what type of pool stain you actually have. Learn the different types of pool stains and what they mean. Learn how to clean different types of stains.

One way to test if it’s a metal pool stain that you’re dealing with is to apply some ascorbic acid to the stain. If the stain is removed or at least reacts (lightens) in the presence of rubbing with Vitamin C powder, you have a pretty good indication that it’s a metal stain.

Plaster hydration stains
Plaster hydration stains – Photo Credit: Culator

Hydration Stains in Pools With a Plaster Interior

These stains tend to look like metal staining but are present in plaster pools. Since these types of stains can be difficult to remove there are some things you need to know first. Plaster hydration stains occur when the pool plasterer plasters the pool while the form isn’t completely dry or moisture or humidity is present. If you’re certain that the stain isn’t metallic (stain doesn’t react to ascorbic acid) then acid washing the pool interior is the best option for removing hydration stains.

Removing Organic Pool Stains

Once you’ve determined that it is actually an organic stain that you’re dealing with, chlorine is going to be your best friend here. Honestly, if you had the right amount of chlorine to begin with, you probably wouldn’t even have an organic pool stain. Superchlorination of the water is your best option for dealing with organic stains. Shocking the pool is going to help remove stains caused by leaf debris and decaying organic material. The go-to solution for many pool contractors is to use Cal Hypo (Calcium Hypochlorite Shock).

Best Products for Cleaning Organic Pool Stains

Every pool professionals old-standby for removing organic pool stains is Cal-Hypo. The powerful shock treatment is great for removing stains and for a quick chlorine boost to help balance your pool chemistry. Just one pound treats a 16,500 gallons of pool water

Jandy Pro Series Stain Remover is expertly designed to remove a variety of different pool stains quickly and effectively. Simply attach the applicator to a pool pole and then attach the supply hose to a bottle of muriatic acid (for metal stains) or chlorine (for organic pool stains). Safely concentrates chemicals over pool stains and is a favorite tool among homeowners and pool professionals alike.

How to Remove Organic Pool Stains

  • The process here is to test and balance your pool chemistry. Your ideal comfort zone for alkalinity is going to be in the range of 100ppm to 150ppm with 125ppm being the sweet spot.
  • The next step would be to shock the pool. For smaller stains a regular dose of Cal Hypo should do the trick. For larger pools or larger stains you’re going to want to up the dose. The typical regimen is 3 pounds per 10,000 gallons.
  • The third step in the process is brushing the pool to physically remove the stain. On vinyl liners you’ll want to be careful here making sure not to tear the liner while attempting to clean it.
  • Next, run your pump overnight and allow the water to circulate throughout the swimming pool. Make sure to do this for at least 8 hours.
  • Brush again in the morning. Repeat the entire process until satisfied with the results.

Removing Metal Pool Stains

The process of removing metal stains is a bit different than removing organic stains, however, using the correct products will greatly assist you in getting rid of metallic pool stains. There are a number of products on the market as we mentioned previously that can assist you in removing metal pool stains. Consequently, finding the right product to use all has to do with first identifying which type of pool stain you actually have.

Best Pool Cleaning Products for Removing Metal Pool Stains

For the removal of metal pool stains, we recommend using Pool Stain Treat, a sequestrate and chelator that is typically used for preventing stains in pool startups. It’s compatible with Baquacil and Soft Swim and works 40-60 days on most pool surfaces. The high strength stain remover works on any kind of swimming pool.

Pool Mate Metal Out helps prevent stains in your pool due to iron, calcium, manganese, copper and other types of minerals and metals that may be present. A great all purpose sequestrant, the product also helps to protect pool walls from rust as well as removing stains and scale. Just one quart treats a 10,000 gallon pool.

Cleaning a pool stain is only half the problem. Keeping them from coming back is the real issue. Recurring pool stains can be a real nuisance. Moreover, people are less concerned with cleaning a stain and more concerned about why it occurred to begin with. Ideally, people want to keep mineral and metal stains from coming back.

Top Editor Picks for Metal Pool Stain Removal

Metal-Free by Natural Chemistry

CuLator 4.0 Powerpak

There are a number of products that pool service professionals use for tackling metal pool stains. Some tried and true products the pros use are Metal-Free by Natural Chemistry, and CuLator 4.0 Powerpak.

4.8/5 - (46 votes)

Pool News coverage brought to you by Pool Magazine's own Marcus Packer. Marcus Packer is a 20 year pool industry veteran pool builder and pool service technician. In addition to being a swimming pool professional, Marcus has been a writer and long time contributor for Newsweek Magazine's home improvement section and more recently for Florida Travel + Life. Have a story idea or tip you'd like to share with Pool Magazine? Email [email protected] your story idea.

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Cleaning and Service Equipment and Supplies

The Long Road To And Future Of Pool Cleaning

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Did you know the first pool cleaner was invented in 1912? John Davison submitted a patent application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office entitled “Cleaning Apparatus For Swimming Pools And The Like.” The patent was issued on March 25th, 1913. The patent, proof that technology and innovation have long roads and requires many forward-thinking innovators.

While subtle advances and alternative cleaning techniques were trickling into the early days of the pool cleaning industry, it wasn’t until forty years later, in 1953, Joseph Eistrup invented a “pool cleaner.” Two years later, the “automatic swimming pool cleaner” was invented by Andrew Pansini. The original design was a crude device with several parts welding together but was described as “effective to remove the scum, dirt, and other accumulations from both the bottom and sidewalls of a pool to disperse foreign matter in the water for removal therefrom by a normal pump-filter system of the pool”.

Since then, technology has jumped leaps and bounds. It has brought down and raised entire industries, just for pool cleaners, but for everything. The rise of technology, computers, and artificial intelligence have defined eras, transformed how we live our lives. For pool owners, this has been no exception, as commercial pool cleaning devices have been more financially accessible, smarter, and more efficient.

Wireless technology, solar charging, and artificial intelligence are converging and intertwining to make a product that redefined pool cleaning for the current generation of pool owners. Behind every incredible yard is a brand that values making things clearer, tidier, and easier. The keepers of clean, Aiper proudly believes in transforming your yard into a paradise. Bringing ease, comfort, and value to your every day.

Since 2017, Aiper has earned its reputation for being an eco-friendly, smart solution in cleaning robotics. Aiper is not just the world’s best in cordless robotic pool cleaners but a pioneer of smart-yard robotics. Merging technology, innovation, and AI, their goal is clear – to make cleaning effortless, hassle-free, and automated.

There are 10.7 million swimming pools in the United States, on average boosting home values by about $35,000., roughly %7 of most homes. Maintaining that investment is a tedious, time-consuming task. The players in the robotic pool cleaning industry include Maytronics, Pentair, Polaris, Zodiac, and of course, Aiper. However, each Aiper is guaranteed to minimize the time and money spent laboring away, which means less time doing chores and more time poolside with friends and family. Racking up dozens of awards in the last two years, particularly, the Aiper Seagull Pro, Aiper is establishing themselves as the go-to brand in not just pool cleaning, but smart robotics.

The technology put into Aiper devices is cutting-edge and scales according to users needs. Aiper has designed an entire line of CORDLESS robotic pool cleaners with every pool owner in mind. If you’re looking for an entry into the robotic pool cleaner market without breaking the bank or having a smaller, above-ground pool, Aiper’s Seagull SE is a solid choice for first time pool cleaning buyers. Featuring a 90-minute battery life and a hydrodynamic design that glides across your pool’s floor, the Seagull SE is a miniature cleaning workhorse. And for the toughest cleaning jobs, the Aiper Seagull Pro is your answer. The world’s best cordless robotic pool cleaner, the Aiper Seagull Pro is a rapid charging cleaner boasting a three-hour battery life, up to 130 gallons per minute of filtration, wall cleaning and self-parking capabilities, and Aiper’s own patented WavePath Navigation technology. Technology that intelligently plans the most efficient cleaning plan to increase performance and save your devices battery. 

From the humble beginnings of the very fist robotic pool cleaner in 1912 and over 100 years of innovation, pool cleaning techniques and technology are finally making things not just easier, but more environmentally friendly, saving thousands of liters of water, and hundreds of dollars in electrical usage every year. Aiper isn’t just making things easier for pool owners, it’s making the pool owning experience a breeze for pool owners and with Black Friday around the corner, now is the best time to snag one in the line of the world’s best cordless robotic pool cleaners. 

Take care of your pool, and take care of it cheaper, with Aiper’s Black Friday Sale. From November 13th to November 30th, Aiper is discounting their award-winning Seagull Series by as much as 50% on some models, and the award-winning Seagull Pro is $310 off! Discount information and codes are below. For more information, check out Aiper.com.

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Cleaning and Service Equipment and Supplies

Natural Chemistry Offers Retail Display Racks For Spa Water Care Products

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Natural Chemistry

For a limited time, Natural Chemistry will offer a beautiful retail display rack for its line of high-end spa water treatment products.  With sleek graphics and modern wooden shelving, this retail display rack will enhance any retail store area.  Designed for retail operations looking to add a premium line of spa water treatment products, the display rack is available to those purchasing 12 cases of any mix of NC spa product available in the product line, from maintenance and remedy product to balancing and sanitizing products.  For more information, contact your local NC Brands District Sales Manager, or email [email protected].

This beautifully designed spa water product line gives retailers a high-end spa water care program with easy-to-understand categories of products that sanitize, balance, maintain and remedy spa water.  The clean, upscale look of the product packaging, is visually attractive and highlights relaxation, simplicity and wellness.   Created to provide retailers with an easy-to-sell program to spa owners that provides superior results for consumers. 

www.naturalchemistry.com

800 753 1233

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Cleaning and Service Equipment and Supplies

IPSSA Expands & Adds New Awards

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IPSSA Expands & Adds New Awards

The Independent Pool and Spa Service Association (IPSSA) continues to grow and has created more opportunities for its members and chapters to earn recognition and prizes.  IPSSA now offers three awards designed specifically for service professionals that are members.

The newest of these awards is called The Pool Professional of Tomorrow Award to be awarded to any member that demonstrates a commitment to the growth and future of the pool service industry through the activities within their chapter and community.  Designed specifically for newer members, applicants must be active in the industry for less than 10 years. The winner receives a $500 prize and travel accommodations to the annual Weekend of Inspiration event in 2024. 

Additionally, the Independent Pool and Spa Service Association has expanded its well-known Terry Cowles Lifetime achievement award. Established in 2006, the award for individuals was established for those with over 10 years of active service in IPSSA and provides a cash award and complimentary tickets to the annual banquet event.  The new Chapter of the Year Award provides a first, second and third place award that includes cash funds for the chapter as well as complimentary tickets and hotel accommodations for chapter members to the organization’s Weekend of Inspiration event. 

IPSSA - Independent Pool & Spa Service Association, Inc.

Those interested in applying for these awards, please contact Rose Smoot ([email protected]) for details on the nomination criteria.  Submissions must be received by September 1, 2023 to be considered for the awards.  Since its inception in 1988, IPSSA was established to promote educational opportunities and provide business support and resources to its members.  These awards are part of the organizations continued desire to engage members and the criteria reflect the organization’s core values of community, education and support of all IPSSA members.  More information about how to join a chapter can be found on their website, the official Facebook page, or by calling 888-360-9505.

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