How do I remove winter stains when opening my pool?

[Ryan Brooks]

Just pulled the cover off and found a bunch of brownish stains on the walls and floor. I’m guessing it’s from leaves or water sitting too long over winter. Any tips on the best way to get rid of these without damaging the plaster or liner? Do I need to drain or can I treat them while the pool’s full?

 

[Jake Roberts]

Those stains are super common after winter usually organic from leaves or dirt sitting too long. I always try a good brushing first, then use a chlorine-based stain remover while the pump’s running. If it doesn’t fade after a day or two, you might need an ascorbic acid treatment. Works wonders on both plaster and vinyl stains, and you don’t need to drain the pool. Just remember to balance the water afterward, especially pH and chlorine.

 

[Henry Graham]

Had the same thing happen a couple of springs ago, brownish blotches mostly near the deep end. I didn’t drain the pool, but what helped me was lowering the chlorine a bit first, then trying a vitamin C tablet pressed directly on one of the stains. Weird trick, but it told me right away it was metal-related, not organic.

Once I knew that, I used a metal stain remover made for filled pools and let it circulate for a full day. The stains didn’t vanish instantly, but by the next morning, most had faded way down. I followed up by running the filter a little longer than usual and brushing daily for a few days.

Didn’t damage anything, and I didn’t have to mess with draining, which was a win.

 

[Grace Hall]

I call those brown stains my pool’s “winter tattoo collection.” Every spring, it’s like uncovering a mystery mural. I usually just give it a good scrub, whisper some motivational words, and hope the chlorine does the rest. Anyone else pretend their pool’s trying to tell a story?

 

[William Walker]

I like to think of the brown stains as my pool’s “winter artwork.” Every spring, it’s like I’m unveiling a new mystery mural. I usually just give it a good scrub, tell the pool it’s doing a great job, and hope the chlorine takes care of the rest. Anyone else pretend those stains are telling a story?

 

[Abigail Scott]

I add a sequestering powder, run the pump 6 hours, then lightly brush stains loosen and rinse away without ever draining the pool.

 

[Benjamin Lewis]

Ha! Love how we all call them ‘winter artwork’ now. I usually wait a bit before attacking the stains let the pool do its magic, and then jump in with a good brush and some elbow grease. Works most of the time, but I think it’s all about patience, right? Anyone else ever just let it go for a few extra days to see if it clears up on its own?

 

[Ella Robinson]

I always find stains like that when I open the pool after winter. I don’t usually panic right away, though. First, I scrub the areas with a brush, and if the stains are still there, I use a stain remover. I’ve also tried a trick where you put a vitamin C tablet on the stain, and it actually works pretty well. But the most important part is balancing the water afterward. Anyone else tried something different?

 

[Lily Allen]

I’ve had those brown stains too, I call them my pool’s ‘winter tattoo collection!’ I usually give it a good scrub and wait a couple of days for the chlorine to work its magic. If they don’t fade, I’ll use a stain remover and run the pump for a day or two. It always clears up after a little while. Anyone else talk to their pool like it's telling a story?

 

[Minjun Kato]

If it’s just brown stains after winter, I usually start with steady brushing and keeping pH in range. A lot of times it’s organic staining from leaves sitting too long, and it fades with proper circulation and stable sanitizer.
I rarely drain unless the staining is severe or clearly metal-related. For me, trying mild treatment while the pool is full is safer for plaster or liner.