cromulentkevin

So the vitamin C tablet is a test to see if it is iron, meaning it could potentially remove staining from a small area, not a large area. I had a noticeable stain on the step (moreso than the overal plaster staining). I did rub a vitamin C tablet on it and it worked, but it was an atypical stain, so I'm not sure I proved anything by that. Is there not a water chemistry test a pool guy could do to check for iron levels? I am not on well water. I live in a fairly large suburban city. I don't think the water itself would have high levels of iron. Perhaps it is precipitating from my pool pipes/equipment/heater for some reason? Let's say it is established there is iron in the water as the culprit. What steps are needed to diagnose why it is happening and how to prevent it in the future?

I'm hoping someone can help point me in the right direction. My pool is probably about 10 years old. I've had it for 8 years or so (previous owner built it). So it was like new when acquired, but has over time developed various issues. I've had a slew of pool guys over the years who all seem to do different things, so I don't really know what's right or wrong. But I was curious about one issue that seems to be getting worse and wanted to try to get some insight. The following is some links to some pictures I took of my Hayward Navigator. The top shell is original, but all the guts were totally replaced about 2 years ago. So really it is basically only 2 years old. And it already looks like this! http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f391/kross65/haywardbrown1.jpg http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f391/kross65/haywardbrown2.jpg http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f391/kross65/haywardbrown3.jpg As you can see, it is highly discolored with brown staining. The hard plastic parts seem totally stained. The softer parts such as the flat underbelly piece the brown can be scratched off to reveal white underneath, almost looking like algae (though I'm not convinced it is). Also, I've been noticing the pool plaster is just getting worse and worse. Blue stains have been developing for awhile, which I think is likely copper from what I've read. But it seems lately there is just lots of stains everywhere, like brown stains, etc. They are not super noticeable like an iron stain, but just sort of an overall discolored mottling. The staining is more noticeable on areas where two sharp edges meet or around grates and inlets. My pool guy has never seemed to point out all the staining that is going on or bring my attention to it. I have been kinda not noticing as it got worse and worse and am finally seeing it with clear eyes, that my pool is not in the best shape. So I'm trying to figure out what is going on here? I've never had the pool surface acid washed or otherwise resurfaced. Perhaps all the plaster staining is somewhat typical over time, even if the plaster is not brushed that much (which my pool guy only seems to do a little on the sides, not on the bottom). Or is staining not a given if the chemistry is right and things like metals in water are paid attention to (which I'm sure my pool guy never has bothered to test for or think about). The staining on the cleaner seems really weird to me. I've seen pool cleaners in other peoples pool. I have a family member with a hayward navigator and it has some brown discoloration too from aging, but nothing like how bad mine looks. There is also a good amount of calcium deposits in places, though I've seen worse on people's pools. This is a very hard water area. I'm just throwing that out there in case that helps diagnose. Anyway, I hope someone can point me in the right direction and let me know what I should investigate. Is this a matter of pool guy doing something incorrect? Or is this something fairly common that most pool guys wouldn't think to look for? I guess I don't want to spend money doing some reconditioning of the plaster and getting a new pool cleaner. . .just to not have solved the root problem and have my beautiful new things get quickly messed up again. Thanks to anyone who can help me out!

Thanks for the reply. Though whatever nasties might come from the pillows would probably just fall into the water and be killed by bromine/chlorine. . .but I get your point, if I'm going to go through the hassle of decontamination, might as well do it right. Though technically I probably should replace my worn out spa cover if I really want to prevent any nasty things getting into water. . .but I can't afford to spend 300 extra bucks right now and will probably put that off and hope just cleaning the cover is good enough for now.

What about the spa pillows - should this be removed before shocking with chlorine? The parts of my pillows that touch the water are already bleached out. . .it seems as though raising the waterline then adding high dosage of chlorine would bleach them out higher up on the pillows?

I am getting sick to death of trying to make my above ground hot tub decent. I've been using bromine / leisure time products. Everytime is the same pattern: Drain thoroughly, clean filters, and refill Metal gone, packet of "reserve", add tabs in floater, balance PH Add "renew" shock stuff at pretty high dosage at startup to get bromine levels up At this point, the test strips say everything is fine and the water seems clear Then inevitably after a few weeks everything goes crazy. The water becomes fizzy and makes people cough. After the jets are turned off, an obvious residue on the surface can be seen. Starts out looking like oil on the surface then changes to soapy looking little clumps all over the entire suface of the water. This isn't raised soap bubbles, but flat white soapy looking residue all over the surface. I'd post a picture but I don't think this board allows it. The water chemistry according to test strips says it is within proper levels. I throw in some of the "renew" about once a week. They package says to put in an absurd amount on a weekly basis. I have been probably putting in like a 3rd of this because the tub does not get much use. Like it became all weird after maybe 3 weeks max and was probably only used 4 times in that period. I don't see how I could have dragged a bunch of soap or contaminants in there with such brief use, so I can't help but think it is to do with chemcials. Maybe the leisure time renew product just does horrible things to the water or is conflicting somehow with something in my water. Anyway, any ideas would be greatly appreciated as I am sick to death of trying to take care of this stupid thing.