How to Identify and Remove Pool Surface Stains

Identifying and Removing Pool Surface Stains

Objective

This guide explains how to properly identify mystery pool stains and determine the exact chemical treatment needed to safely and permanently remove them.

Stop Guessing With Your Stains

Don't waste time and money treating the wrong stain. Because iron, copper, and manganese require entirely different chemical reactions for removal, applying the wrong product can be ineffective or even make the problem worse. Before you scrub or dump chemicals into the water, diagnosing the stain ensures you buy and apply the correct solution the very first time.

Prerequisites

  • Obtain a Stain Treat ID Kit

  • Identify the most prominent stained area in your pool for testing.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Diagnosing Your Stain

  1. Locate the Stain: Find a clear, easily accessible area of the pool where the discoloration is prominent.

  2. Apply the Test Packets: Follow the included instruction card to apply the spot-test solutions directly to the stained area. Note: For color finishes, always test in an inconspicuous area to check for color fastness first.

  3. Observe the Reaction: Watch for a color change or the lifting of the stain, which takes only a few minutes.

  4. Identify the Metal: Compare the reaction to the provided guide.

    • Iron: Typically appears as brown, rusty, or yellowish discolorations. Responds to Iron Stain Treat™.

    • Copper: Usually appears as bright blue, teal, or green discolorations. Responds to Copper Stain Treat®.

    • Manganese: Manifests as dark brown, purple, or black spotty discolorations (often misidentified as black algae). Responds to Manganese Stain Treat™.

  1. Treat the Pool: Once identified, navigate to our Products page and click Add to Cart on the corresponding stain remover.

Troubleshooting Note: Organic Stains vs. Metals
If none of the tests in the ID kit cause the stain to lift or change color, you may be dealing with an organic stain (like tannins from leaves) or black algae, rather than a metallic stain. To prevent metallic stains from returning after treatment, always maintain your pool using the Hamilton Index™, which keeps alkalinity lower (60-90 ppm) to remove the "carbonate fuel" that causes metals to stain.

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