FOR HOMEOWNERS

Stain Library

Treating a Copper Stain in a Marcite® Pool

The scary-looking cloud you see in the pool below is what initially happens when O2 Safe Shock (Stain Solution #3)™ is added to pool water. This cloud will go away in a relatively short time with proper filtration. The reason O2 Safe Shock was added was to oxidize and reduce a stubborn copper stain into a "more removable" stain.

Copper / Stain ID

Yet another great example of a copper stain on marcite (gunite). Again, the classic blue color with gray and black. The top step was the ideal place to use a Stain ID Kit.

A photo of a Stain ID being performed on the top step of the pool above. This was a Stain Solution #2 topical, which removed the blue, but not the gray and black. When we used the O2 Safe Shock, followed by more Stain Solution #2, the gray and black was removed and that's how the pool was treated.

Copper / Stain #1

The stains on this pool were originally brown, which by visual inspection only "normally" indicates iron. This is a great example of how a copper stain reacts when Stain Solution #1 is applied to it. Stain IDs will normally tell you whether or not you are on the right track. If we had assumed (and we all know how dangerous that can be!) this pool had iron stains and if we had used Stain Solution #1 without using a Stain ID Kit first, we would have turned the whole pool this color (far less attractive than the original color!). You'll hear us preach about the Stain ID Kit over and over and over again... we're not just trying to sell you something "extra"... we do it because it's necessary... because we save you money and grief in the long-run.

And, in case you are wondering, the nasty stain in the lower picture was removed using Stain Solution #2 (The Copper & Scale Stuff)®

Copper / Fiberglass

Color can vary. Blue, green, gray, black, brown, and even purple, are common.

Blue and green indicate that the copper is still in the "sulfate" form and needs to be oxidized before an effective removal can be done. Purple usually indicates that the copper is combined with a high CYA level (above 70ppm); which must be lowered to below 70 in order to treat pool. The discoloration is completely esthetic - the finish is not compromised if left untreated.

This pool is an excellent example of "oxidized' copper on a fiberglass finish. After using a Stain ID Kit, we determined that the appropriate treatment was Stain Solution #2, O2 Safe Shock and the Blue Stuff.

Iron Stains on Fiberglass Pool

Sources of Iron

• Fill water-typically well water
• Pool equipment-cast or brass pumps & valves
• Pool chemicals-chlorine generator salt; some chlorines (bleach); muriatic acid; calcium chloride
• Lawn chemicals-Fertilizers and pesticides - even the dust that becomes airborne, from a nearby property, can settle on the deck or screen and eventually be washed into the pool.

Typically brown in color-However, so is iron scale, oxidized copper and some organic discoloration, such as tannic acid (from leaves & acorns), tannins, and algae.

Virtually all chemicals that we add to the pool have some iron content (in one form or another). The discoloration is completely esthetic - the finish is not compromised if left untreated.

Pitting/Etching
Causes: Unbalanced water chemistry

• Improperly plumbed tri-chlor feeder (no Hartford loop)
• Floaters in a pool with little or no circulation
• Chemical attack - adding acid to same area every week

Characteristics: A Yellow, to orange, to brown color that collects in the depression of the pitted and/or etched area. Normally a rougher texture in the discolored area - the finish is eroded away in this area, allowing metals/minerals to collect there.

The discoloration can normally be removed, but nothing can be done about the erosion of the finish. If the water balance parameters that created the pitting and/or etching are not corrected, the finish will continue to deteriorate.

Iron Scale

Typically brown in color, however, so is Iron, oxidized copper and some organic discoloration such as tannic acid (from leaves and acorns) tannins, and algae.

Iron removal normally won't work - must treat for scale; it surrounds or covers the iron. Has texture (roughness) - will get worse if left untreated. Caused by: Chemistry fluctuations that create scale forming conditions with pre-existing iron in the pool.

Trapped Moisture in New Pool Finish (Hydration)

Black blotchy areas on the finish Probable Cause(s) High pH and Total Alkalinity during the hydration process (26-28 days), causes a scale over the finish, and "seals in" any remaining moisture.

Copper Cyanurate (Purple Haze)

A purple-colored stain usually indicates that copper has combined with a high CYA level (above 70ppm). CYA is an abbreviation for Cyanurate Acid (aka "Stabilizer"). Although this "purple haze" often adds a dramatic accent to swimming pools, most pool owners would prefer to see it removed. This can usually be accomplished as follows:

• Drain a portion of the pool water and replace with fresh water.
• Continue to drain and refill until CYA level is below 70ppm.
• Use a Jack's Magic sequestering product to prevent any future staining.