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Questions and answers about sports

Why is my pool turning purple?

7 min read

Asked by: Aaron Lowe

The purple staining is caused when the pool water has formed something called copper cyanurate. Copper cyanurate occurs when excessive levels of cyanuric acid combine with non-chelated copper that is present in the water. This problem is most common in pools that have cyanuric acid levels measuring above 100ppm.

How do I get rid of purple in my pool?

  1. Place a half-pound of pH reducer powder in a white sock. …
  2. Raise the water level in your pool until it is above all the stains.
  3. Add muriatic acid. …
  4. Brush the stains away once a day for two consecutive days.
  5. Clean the filter. …
  6. Add two to three doses of mineral treatment after all the stains have disappeared.
  7. Why has my pool gone purple?

    When water contains copper and a high level of cyanuric acid, the combination creates copper cyanurate. This can reveal itself in the form of purple crystals along the waterline, skimmer basket, walls and bottom. It’s one of the prettiest chemical imbalances you’ll ever see.

    How do you clean pool discoloration?

    How to Remove Metal Stains in Your Pool

    1. Step 1: Lower You Water’s Chlorine Levels. …
    2. Step 2: Add Algaecide. …
    3. Step 3: Apply Vitamin C on the Stain. …
    4. Step 4: Add Ascorbic Acid for Larger Stains. …
    5. Step 5: Circulate Your Water. …
    6. Step 6: Check For Residual Stains.


    Why is the bottom of my pool discolored?

    These are likely caused by leaves, berries, algae, worms, dead animals, or other organic debris that will leave stains if allowed to settle on the pool surface. If they are not removed right away, they will sink down and begin to decay on your pool’s floor. Fortunately, organic stains can be easy to remove.

    What happens if you pee in a swimming pool?

    Cyanogen chloride forms when chlorine from the pool reacts with nitrogen in urine. It acts like tear gas, roughing up the eyes, nose and lungs, and it’s classified as an agent of chemical warfare. Predictably, the study quickly resulted in headlines like “Why peeing in the pool is chemical warfare.”

    Is there a pool chemical that turns urine blue?

    Is There Truth to the Rumor? No. There is no chemical which changes color when someone urinates in a swimming pool. There are dyes which could cloud, change color, or produce a color in response to urine, but these chemicals would also be activated by other compounds, producing embarrassing false-positives.

    How do I lower the cyanuric acid in my pool?

    The easiest way to lower the levels of cyanuric acid in your pool is to simply dilute the water. Partially drain your swimming pool by the same percentage by which you want to reduce your cyanuric levels.

    What pool chemicals contain cyanuric acid?

    Cyanuric acid is called CYA, pool stabilizer, or conditioner. It’s sold separately as conditioner and stabilizer or it’s included in chlorine products like trichlor or dichlor.

    Does bioactive CYA reducer work?

    At the lower levels the chlorine is more effective however it evaporates faster; at the higher levels the chlorine is less effective and evaporates slower. Bio-Active™ Cyanuric Acid Reducer works by reducing levels of cyanuric acid in swimming pools, maintaining the efficacy of chlorine and other sanitizing products.

    Does pool mottling go away?

    Can Pool Mottling Be Treated? Very little can be done to remedy the effects of mottling on cement decks and plaster finishes. This is due to how muriatic acid affects the plaster itself. Sometimes, depending on severity, the appearance can be improved by an in-pool acid wash.

    How do you clean a stained pool without draining it?

    If you have a stubborn pool stain, an acid bath is another option. This allows you to remove the stain without draining the swimming pool and uses strong acidic solutions to basically burn-away the stained surface spot. The acid removes the stained concrete surface from the pool.

    What causes pool plaster discoloration?

    Gray (or grey) mottling discoloration is due to high amounts of calcium chloride added to a plaster mix, and or late, hard and dry troweling. This issue has nothing to do with the water chemistry or the way the pool was originally started up with chemicals when initially filled with water.

    What does pool mottling look like?

    They are usually blotchy Gray or black areas on the surface of the pool. Hydration Problem is commonly known as Mottling / Trapped Moisture. It can appear as soon as the first day of the job or can take as long as 4-5 months to appear. Unbalanced water during start-up.

    Can high chlorine damage plaster?

    CYA, commonly sold as a stabilizer or conditioner will damage your pool plaster investment if left unchecked. Pools with colored finishes cannot maintain their intended color in high CYA level pool waters.

    Why is my pool plaster blue?

    The two most likely causes are calcium scaling or copper stains.

    How do you remove copper sulfate from pool water?

    Add a chelating agent to the water in a quantity per the instructions on the label according to pool size and the level of copper sulfate that is present. The chelating agent will bind with the copper sulfate and allow it to be carried away in the pools filtration system.

    How often should you Replaster a pool?

    Every 10 Years

    On Average, Replastering is Every 10 Years



    So how often do you need to replaster a pool? The short answer is about every 10 years. However, it’s important to consider the factors mentioned above, as they are typical signs that your pool needs to be replastered.

    What is the life expectancy of pool plaster?

    7 to 10 years

    Depending on a variety of local factors and your individual pool-water treatment routine, the typical lifespan of traditional marcite plaster is 7 to 10 years. If the finish includes a quartz aggregate blend, the time table should extend another five years.

    What happens if you don’t Replaster a pool?

    Either due to age, excessive acid washing, or a poorly done previous plaster job, the surface of the pool may become rough. This can cause snagged swimsuits, scraped skin, and algae that is extremely difficult to remove.

    How do you know if your pool needs resurfacing?

    Before you call for help, learn the ten signs that you need help from a pool resurfacing service.

    1. Plaster Flaking or Peeling. Maybe you’ve noticed the plaster is peeling along the steps or floor of your pool or spa. …
    2. Surface Stains. …
    3. Roughness. …
    4. Check Cracks. …
    5. Plaster Discolorations. …
    6. Structural Cracks. …
    7. Rust Stains. …
    8. Loss of Pebbles.

    Is it OK to leave a plaster pool empty?

    If the pool ever needs to be drained to replace the water or to maintain the plaster, it should never be left empty for more than eight to ten days at the most. More than this may cause the plaster to dry out and crack. Keep your pool full for best results.

    Will a pool collapse without water?

    Most inground fiberglass and concrete pools are built structurally to withstand the weight of the dirt against them when drained. However, if the groundwater is high enough, it can push the entire pool out of the ground. The pool shell acts like a ship and floats up in the groundwater.

    How often should you drain pool?

    Even with proper and regular pool maintenance, it’s often necessary to drain your pool — either completely or partially — every 3-5 years. Draining your pool often isn’t necessary, especially if you’re following a proper and regular maintenance program.

    How do I Replaster my pool myself?

    You need to let it set up until it's hard and then you need to fill the pool with water and it. Just doesn't really lend itself to being and do it you look yourself process.

    Can you retile a pool without plastering?

    ​Yes. The thinset and grout used to install the new tile will fall onto the pool surface. This is not easily brushed off. The pool will likely have to be pressure washed and possibly acid washed after the retile if you are not replastering the pool as well.

    What does Replastering a pool mean?

    In a nutshell, replastering a pool means putting a new layer of plaster on the walls and bottom. What does plaster do? First, it serves to make your pool waterproof. Kind of important, right? When you had your pool installed, the people who did it likely used either concrete or gunite to form the “shell” of the pool.