How to Identify & Remove Pool Stains?

Removing pool stains, especially metal ones, is not as easy as clearing debris. Even with a well-maintained and balanced pool, stains can still form. Don't be disheartened if you notice stains on your pool floor despite having clear water. Fortunately, most pool stains can be treated with a stain remover.

The only challenge is finding the right one that suits your needs. Once you've removed your pool stains, steps can be taken to prevent future stains from appearing.

What Causes Pool Stains?

When it comes to removing pool stains, the first step is to determine the cause. Pool stains can be broadly classified into two types: organic and metal stains. It is crucial to identify the type of stain as it helps in deciding the appropriate course of action.

1. Organic Stains: The likes of leaves and berries can cause organic stains if left too long on your pool walls or floors.
2. Metal Stains: Various metals can find their way into your pool environment. It could be corroded copper pipes from your water supply, or perhaps someone left a metal object in your pool for too long. Even rusted metal accessories, parts, and equipment can cause stains.

Once you understand the nature of the stain, you can decide which type of pool stain remover to use. The quickest way to figure this out is by the stain colour.

Green and Brown Stains

These greenish-brown stains are often the handiwork of Mother Nature herself. Leaves, twigs, and other plant matter that drop into your pool can leave this kind of stain.

Red or Blue Stains

If you're noticing vivid reddish-blue stains, chances are those berry-bearing trees or bushes around your pool are to blame. Berries might look delightful on the vine, but leave a not-so-delightful memento when they fall into your pool.

Blue or Greenish-Black Stains

These could be from leaves or berries, but if there's nothing like that around your pool, it could signal the presence of copper in your pool. It might be lurking in your well water or even corroding your plumbing.

Greenish-Brownish-Red Stains

If you notice greenish-brown and red stains in your pool, there is likely iron present in the water. This happens when the pool is filled with well water or when there are iron fixtures nearby. Rainwater can cause iron to seep into the pool, causing these stains to appear.

Brownish-Blackish-Purple Stains

Manganese is a naturally occurring metal that can be found in well water and even some municipal supplies. It can cause brown, black, and purple stains in water. Although water treatment can reduce the amount of manganese, it is not possible to eliminate it entirely.

How to Remove Pool Stains?

How to Get Rid of Organic Pool Stains?

Generally, chlorine is the solution here. However, now that we know your 'standard' chlorine levels do not provide sufficient chlorine to combat the organic stains, you'll need to shock your pool. Below is a step by step guide to help you remove organic pool stains:

Step 1: Test and balance the water

Before diving into stain removal, it's important to ensure that your pool's water is tip-top. Grab pool test strips or a liquid test kit and check that the alkalinity falls within 100ppm to 150ppm and the pH is between 7.4 and 7.6.

Step 2: Shock the Pool

It's time to shock your pool into action. Follow the instructions on your choice of shock product packaging - you'll want to do this at night when the sun isn't out to maximise effectiveness.

Step 3: Brush It Off

Brushing helps to distribute the shock evenly and dislodge those stubborn stains from the surface.

Step 4: Run the Pump Overnight

Let your pool work its magic overnight. Running it ensures that the shocked water circulates throughout the pool, targeting those persistent stains.

Step 5: Brush Again for Best Results

Don't forget to brush your pool once more to help dislodge any remaining stains that may have loosened up during the night.

Step 6: Check for Results

If you no longer see any stains, then well done! You have successfully removed those organic pool stains. However, if the stains are still visible, don't worry. Simply repeat the process. Sometimes, it may take multiple rounds of shock treatment and brushing to completely remove the stains.

How to Get Rid of Metal Pool Stains?

Metal stains can be a little more difficult to get rid of, but it’s not impossible. Here is our method for removing metal stains:

Step 1: Determine the Stains

Metal stains in your pool can be quite a mystery, and solving it starts with identifying the intruder. To uncover their true identity, you could resort to home test kits, but we recommend taking a sample of your pool water to your local pool shop and asking them to test for you.

Step 2: Choose the Right Metal Pool Stain Remover

It's time to arm yourself with the right weapon - a metal pool stain remover specifically designed to remove the particular type of metal stain once the malefactor's identity has been unveiled.

Step 3: Follow the Manufacturer's Instructions

Each remover works slightly differently, so take a moment to read the instructions, ensuring that you're hitting all the right marks.

How to Prevent Pool Stains?

Now that you know how much work is involved in removing pool stains, you'll want to do your best to prevent them.

How to Prevent Organic Pool Stains?

• Maintain Water Balance

Your pool's pH, alkalinity, and sanitiser levels are your first line of defence. Regularly test and adjust them to create an environment where stains struggle to take hold.

• Cleaning is Key

Invest in an automatic pool cleaner or dedicate yourself to a manual pool vacuum.

• Skim Like a Pro

Regularly skim the surface to intercept leaves, twigs, and other organic intruders before they make their way into the pool.

• Landscaping Wisdom

If you're thinking about adding some greenery to your pool area, remember to keep fruit-bearing plants far from the pool's edge.

• Vigilant Inspections

Regularly check your pool for any signs of stains. The sooner you spot them, the easier they are to address.

How to Prevent Metal Pool Stains?

• Water Source Check

Before filling or refilling your pool, test your water source for metal content. If metals are present, use a hose filter to prevent their entry.

• Metal Sequestrants

Employ a metal sequestrant in your pool. This chemical acts as a guardian, binding with metal particles and preventing them from settling on pool surfaces.

• Maintaining Your Pool Plumbing

If your pool's plumbing contains copper pipes, be vigilant and check them regularly for corrosion and replace any corroded sections promptly.

• pH Perfection

If you have copper in your water, maintaining an optimal pH level is crucial. Low pH levels can turn the water acidic, which accelerates copper corrosion and leads to stubborn metal stains.

Discovering a stain in your pool can be upsetting initially. However, once you can determine the cause and origin of the stain, you will be able to remedy it with ease. Additionally, it is advisable to keep sufficient amounts of pool shock and metal pool stain remover in stock, just in case. This way, you can prevent future staining of your pool.

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