It is often possible to identify the type of stain by the color that is produced.
It is also true that the vast majority of metal staining is caused by iron, which may occur as brown or tan.
Manganese produces a blackbrown- purple color and sometimes isn’t noticed until extra chlorine is added or when the pH is high Copper gives a light blue or green color to the water and can result in turquoise colored (and sometimes black) stains. It is frequently misidentified with algae. It is copper, not chlorine, that turns blond hair green.
But these are general guidelines, and the only real way to know what kind of metal, and therefore what kind of treatment will be effective, is to test for it.
To test for an iron stain, you could try a Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) test. Put about 20 vitamin C tablets in a sock and crush them. Then hold the sock to the stain for 5 minutes, and if the stain lightens, it is iron. The ascorbic acid is a reducing agent that converts the iron stain back into dissolved iron in the water.
Jack’s Magic also makes an excellent stain ID test kit that many service professionals carry in their arsenal of testing equipment.
To use the Jack’s Magic Stain Identification kit, begin by ensuring that the water is properly balanced for stain identification and removal. The stain ID kit employs a series of topical tests to determine which of Jack’s Magic products will remove the stain. A small amount of product is applied to a portion of the stain. It is best to test in the shallow end, steps or swim-outs, but the deep end will work provided the water is calm and not circulating. Within seconds of application, removal or reaction with the stain should occur.
Steps 1. Balance water to above specifications.
2. Turn the pump off and allow water to calm.
3. For easily accessible stains, ID product may be applied directly to stain. For walls and floor, ID product should be poured into a nylon hosiery or similar material and allowed to sit on the stain for 30-45 seconds.
Do not mix stain ID products in hosiery or in another container.
4. Apply ½ packet Stain Solution #1. Let it sit for 30-45 seconds. (iron, cobalt, and spot etching).
5. Apply ½ packet Stain Solution #2. Let it sit for 30-45 seconds. (copper and scale).
6. Apply ½ packet Stain Solution O2 Safe Shock. Let it sit for 30-45 seconds, then brush away. Follow with 1/3 packet of Stain Solution #2.
7. Apply 1/3 packet of Stain Solution #2. Let it sit for 30-45 seconds then brush away. Follow with ½ packet of Stain Solution # 1. Let sit for 30-45 seconds.
Jack’s Magic Stain Identification Kit is designed to take all the guesswork out of stain removal. Once you’ve determined which treatment worked the best, you can proceed to treat the pool.
The company always suggests that you begin with a Stain Identification Kit before proceeding to a treatment. Though you may be sure that it’s an iron problem, it could be one of two different products (or a combination of products) that will help lift your stain.
The kit saves on a lot of time and guesswork by allowing you to see how well each product will work in your pool environment.
