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From Soiled To Stunning: How To Get Rid Of Stains On Your Fibreglass Pool

6 January 2015

Timmothy Mitchelle

A swimming pool makes you the envy of your pool-less neighbours when the summer heat really starts to bite, not to mention that it increases the value of your home by up to 30%. However, if you do not keep your pool looking top-notch, it is not going to remain desirable for long. You already know how to keep the water in your pool clear, but what do you do when stains appear? Here is a breakdown of two common types of fibreglass pool stains, and instructions for how you can get rid of them.

Rust Stains

Rust stains can easily be caused by metal ornaments sitting on the pool surface. When these are not moved regularly, moisture from condensation gathers underneath the object and causes corrosion to occur. This corrosion is the reason why you see a rust stain on your fibreglass.

One way of getting the rust stains out is to use 1,000 mg vitamin C tablets. Take two or three tablets (depending on the size of the stain) and crush them down to a fine powder. An easy way to do this is to place them inside a plastic bag and pulverise them gently with a rolling pin. Take the powder and rub it over the rust stains. The ascorbic acid in the vitamin C melts the rust away.

Black Algae

If you do not clean the water of your pool as guided by the pool manufacturer, algae will form. In particular, a pool that has a low chlorine level or one where the pool chemicals are not balanced correctly can become prone to black algae growth. Not only is it unattractive to look at, black algae can hide germs like E. coli, and these can make pool users quite ill.

To remove black algae spots that have formed on your pool surface you will need some old-fashioned labour. You will need:

• Pool brush with stiff bristles
• Chlorine tablets
• Liquid algaecide

You can purchase the above three items from a pool supply store. Once you have them at hand, proceed as follows:

• Turn off the pump to the pool. This will stop the flow of water over the algae while it is being treated.
• Brush each of the black algae spots vigorously using the stiff bristled brush.
• Scrub the chlorine tablet several times over the algae using pressure from your hand. This will force the chlorine into the algae and spot treat it.
• Next, pour enough liquid algaecide over the algae to cover it, and then leave this to sit for 12 hours. The algaecide will break down the algae molecules and kill it.
• Brush away the dead algae the following day and then use your pool scoop or vacuum to remove any debris.
• If any black algae spots remain, repeat the process.
• Once all the algae has been removed, turn the pool pump back on.
• Add chlorine to the pool water as per the manufacturer's instructions to bring the pH levels back to a place where the algae will no longer grow. A pH level of 7.2 to 7.6 is perfect.

If you have other stains on your fibreglass pool that you are considering treating, do your research before reaching for a bottle of stock-standard pool cleaner. Some cleaners are too harsh for fibreglass pools, and they will bleach the colour from the pool shell. If your pool was custom manufactured, repairing a colour fade is not so easy. Custom pools achieve their look with a unique combination of colour layers and these are not easily replicated.

The faster you treat a stain on your fibreglass pool, the better your odds of success. Speak to your pool specialist if you have concerns about removing any stains on your pool, and then get back to enjoying some water fun in the sun while summer is still here.

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