Effective Ways To Remove Stains And Algae From Your Pool

Algae and stains can be a nuisance for any swimming pool. That is why the best way to remove them is to prevent them from escalating in the first place, but sometimes you aren’t able to do that, except you have an acrylic pool, which is easier to clean.

Even if you do not have an acrylic pool, you should still try to prevent stains, algae, and corrosion from appearing in your pool. Though sometimes it isn’t possible to remove these things completely from a pool, there are ways that you can take care of them. Here are the effective ways to remove stains and algae from your pool.

Consult pool maintenance professionals

If you have pool stains and algae problems, then you need to consult a professional pool maintenance pool. A good way to find that is to Google. For instance, if you live in Australia, you search for ‘pool servicing in Perth or pool cleaning in Perth, you are likely to find a trusted firm to help you clean your pool. Professionals have the latest pool chemicals, pool equipment, and pool supplies to effectively remove stains and algae from pools without affecting the filtration or any other aspect of pool maintenance. In fact, every pool owner should take pool servicing seriously, especially if you want to have a pool that looks pristine every day. If you have an above-ground pool, it’s even more important to invest in pool servicing, considering that they are the ones that tend to go through wear and tear faster compared to other types of pools.

Identify the Stain

First of all, you need to know what kind of stain you are dealing with before you can effectively get rid of the stains. There are different kinds of stains that you might be faced with. You need to figure out which type it is before using a specific solution or purchasing a product meant for that kind of stain only. You can also contact experts to assist you in identifying the type of stain if perhaps you have no clue. The most common types of pool stain include calcium pool stains, metal pool stains, algae pool stains, and chemical pool stains. Algae stains can be identified as having a green pool stain, while calcium and metal stains will leave a white, yellow, or orange pool stain.

Test the Stain

Use a pool stain testing kit to determine the type of stain you have. If you have a metal stain, it is more difficult to remove. Get a metal remover from your local pool supply store and apply, following the manufacturer’s instructions on the package. Before using this kind of chemical, test an inconspicuous area to check for colorfastness. Some of these products may damage the pool. If you don’t know what type of stain you have, there are a few ways to test it:

The color change test

Place a little chlorine inside the stain and see if it changes color. If there is water in the stain, then pour some into a bucket and let it sit for several hours. If the water in the bucket changes color, then you have metal stains, which are more difficult to remove.

The magnet test

Place a strong magnet on the stain and see if it sticks. If it does, then this is another indicator that there are metal stains on your pool. It can be due to iron or manganese, which are both difficult stains to remove.

The taste test

If your stain is blue/green algae, then you can squish it and taste the juice that comes out. If it doesn’t have a metallic taste, then this is another indicator that you might have metal stains on your pool.

A chemical test

You can use muriatic acid, a very strong but dangerous chemical, to check if it will eat away at your pool surface. Place a small amount on the stain and see how quickly it is eaten away. If the acid has no effect, then you have metal stains, which are more difficult to remove.

Shocking Your Pool Water

Vacuum the pool to remove any loose debris. Turn up the pump and filter rate to their maximum levels, then run them for 24 hours.  This will allow the fine particles in the water to rise to the surface with the help of higher water flow rates.  It also allows all of your chemicals time to work together to achieve the desired chlorine level.  After 24 hours, turn down the pump back to its normal setting and vacuum any particles that have collected at the bottom of the pool.  You should use a lower flow rate for vacuuming, so you don’t stir up more debris than necessary.  Many people skip this step, but it is a great way to remove any debris before you begin cleaning the pool.

Acid Bath in Extreme Cases

An acid bath may be necessary to clean the pool if there are severe algae or stain problems. Make sure that you wear safety equipment like gloves, goggles, and boots while handling any acids. Acid solution should always be added slowly; never pour it into an empty pool, since this can cause damage to tiles and other parts of the pool. If you think that the pool is too big for only one gallon, then you can divide it into two or more parts. Acid should be added at one place only so that the concentration is uniform throughout the pool. Lastly, make sure to completely cover the pool with a sturdy tarpaulin before you add acid to avoid any accidents.

Prevent Pool Stains

Pool stains usually occur when the pH balance is off. Try to maintain a proper pH balance of 7.2-7.6, and you should not have any issues with pool stains during the summer months. If you have an issue with pool stains, consider using a liquid or powder stain remover. You can also try increasing the chlorine levels or adding a shocking treatment to the pool. Be careful not to shock the pool excessively, as it could damage your equipment. More so, you can adjust the pH of your pool, which would help dissolve some of the mineral deposits.

One way to prevent algae growth in your swimming pool is to maintain proper sanitizer levels. You should test for chlorine and bromine on a regular basis to make sure it does not fall below 1ppm. If you notice any algae beginning to grow, you should raise your sanitizer levels and shock the pool to prevent it from spreading and getting out of control. Another way to avoid algae and stains in your pool is to purchase a pool cover. A pool cover will help limit how much debris enters the water as well as keep heat in, which allows for longer periods between necessary pool cleanings.

To remove stains from a vinyl pool, you can either use a chemical cleaner or pressure wash the surface. If you have used the chlorine method, and it has been unsuccessful, then this is probably your best option. You may need to do it several times to get rid of the stain completely. Be sure not to damage the surface of your pool in the process. Pressure washing is another method for vinyl pools to remove stains. You can rent a pressure washer from your local equipment store or hire a contractor to do it for you. Just ensure that they are experienced in this type of work so that you don’t have any issues with the finish on your pool.