Salt stains in pools
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in brown stain in salt water pool surfaces. This is because of an increase in cheap and low-quality salts sold aross America. These cheap salts are not graded to the same standards normally seen in pool stores. Also, some large hardware stores buy enormous volumes of lower grade salt and sell it at very low prices. As a consequence, issues with heavily contaminated salts and salt staining in swimming pools has increased.
Salt stains can appear in several forms and colors. For example, cheap pool salt with small metal fragments can cause very small rust spots to appear. Furthermore, prolonged use of salt with a light brown (minerals) appearance can lead to a brown stain in your salt water pool. Remember, it is not the salt that stains your pool but rather the minerals and metals found in low quality salt. To read more about this click here.
The good news is that our treatments remove salt stains in swimming pools without draining the pool or acid washing. Finally, our proven treatment process is very effective in treating and removing salt stains from Plaster, Quartz, vinyl lined and fiberglass pools.
5 Signs of salt staining:
- Brown stain in salt water pool that won’t brush away
- Retail stain products won’t remove it
- Brown stain in salt water pool toward the deep end
- Dark stains where salt is added
- Water turns murky when salt is added
Good Quality Salt
Low moisture content
Salt is vivid white
Product has small crystals
It is fast dissolving
Has low mineral content
Product was not the cheapest
Poor Quality Salt
High moisture content
Crystals seem slightly brown
Has large crystals
Takes hours to dissolve
High mineral content
Salt was a real bargain
How to remove salt stains from your pool without draining
Almost all salt stains in swimming pools can be completely removed using our treatments from every pool finish. As the images show, we can completely remove salt stains from swimming pool surfaces. And best of all, the treatment is a fraction of the cost of an acid wash and you don’t have to drain the pool water!
If you are unsure of the type of stain you have please feel free to contact us.
OPTION 1 – Salt Stain Removal DIY kit
FREE DELIVERY
9 lbs OF POWDER COMPOUND
STAIN DISSOLVING LIQUID
INSTRUCTIONS
- 64 oz of our powerful salt stain release and prevention formula
- 9 lbs of our granular salt stain dissolving compounds custom made for your stain
- Phone support from our technicians
- Simple step-by-step instructions included
- Pool does NOT need to be drained
- Kit is sent and electronically tracked by FedEx
- Kids are back in the pool in just 7 days
- Kit is $295 for pools 10,000+ gallons
$245
OPTION 2 – Salt Stain Removal – On Site Technician
TECHNICIAN VISIT
9 lbs OF POWDER COMPOUND
STAIN DISSOLVING LIQUID
TEST WATER
- 64 oz of our powerful salt stain release and prevention formula
- 9 lbs of granular salt stain dissolving compound
- Complete 7 point water test
- Your pool does NOT need to be drained
- Kids are back in the pool in 7 days
- Visit is $405 for pools 10,000+ gallons
$385
Remove copper and metals from pool water
CuLator Metal Eliminator removes copper and most other metals from pool water. Removing the metals from pool water helps to prevent metal stains from appearing in your pool later. This product is unique because it can physically remove metals and other minerals from pool water. On the other hand, many products only suspend, rather than remove metals.
Your pool store will help you to measure the metal levels in your pool water. Click here for more information about CuLator Metal Eliminator.
What causes salt staining in pools
Low quality or contaminated salts.
Inexpensive salts have large, light brown crystals (grains) which take longer to dissolve which can increase the chances of staining. Always make sure that your pool salt is thoroughly dissolved and not left undissolved on the floor of the pool. Remember, the minerals in low quality salts can leave a light brown haze on the surface of your pool. You can see examples of what that may look like here.
Poor methods are used when adding salt.
Some pool owners will pour the entire bag of salt in at the shallow end of the pool hoping that water movement will simply dissolve and distribute the salt over time. Although most pool owners are smarter than this, concentrated salt stains are still a very common type of staining. So make sure to disperse the salt around the entire pool and then brush it until it is completely dissolved. Good quality, fine salt should dissolve very quickly when added to the pool water. Therefore, if you find that you are spending a long time brushing to dissolve your pool salt, you may want to try a different brand.
Contaminated or mineral rich salt crystals.
Salt can sometimes have individual discoloured crystals in the bag. Remember that even the very best quality salt will have the occasional contamination from time to time. However, if you experience this frequently, you may want to consider changing your brand or supplier of salt. Above all, remember that cheap salt is cheap for a reason.
Adding salt when the water is out of balance.
When the pH of water is high, water loses its capacity to hold microscopic minerals and metals in suspension. This means that the brown minerals and metals often found in pool salt will plate out (or precipitate) to the pool floor and walls and leave a dark stain. Therefore, salt staining will most commonly present as a dirty brown colour or dark grey depending on the colour of the pool surface. Also, salt will rarely leave a white stain in your pool. It will almost always be brown or grey coloured. Remember, always balance the pool water BEFORE adding salt. If you have white stains or lumps in your pool click here as you most likely have calcium.
Why Choose Us?
Because you can speak to a stain specialist about your pool stain today. There is no cost or obligation and we are happy to look at pictures and talk with you before we come out or send a kit. Email pictures to info@poolstainremovers.com or call us.