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black stuff attacking liners

Posted by Kim Mitten on November 9, 2009 at 11:39am in Pool Service Topics
This isn’t a common condition nor is it inherent to a pattern or vender. I have seen it 5 times in the last 3 yrs. and know of 2 others.The pools I’ve seen the (because I don’t know what it is, I’ve called it) black fungus or mold on have had auto covers and salt systems. It originates at the top of the liner and even on the coping. It is concentrated on the deep end or areas where the cover rubs as it is pulled across. The black comes off easy but takes with it the pattern from underneath leaving a void or spots on the liner.Do you know what this is?How do we prevent it?I'm attaching photos

Black stuff.jpg

Black stuff 1.jpg

Black stuff 2.jpg

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Replies

  • Michael Simons November 10, 2009 at 12:32pm
    Could it be an oxide from the aluminium track for the cover or grahite which is sometimes used to lubricate the track?
  • Kim Mitten November 10, 2009 at 6:26am
    It's not the chemical it's the black stuff or mold thats taking it off, once attached it degrades the vinyls protective coating and when it's wiped off it also takes the pattern from underneath.

    Luke Norris said:
    I've never had a problem with a pool chemical taking the pattern off the vinyl. If you use it properly it shouldn't. Otherwise the chemical manufacture would be in for a lawsuit!
  • Kim Mitten November 9, 2009 at 8:00pm
    Luke,
    The problem is that it takes the pattern off the vinyl, it actually comes off with just the pool water and a light rub.
    I need to prevent it.

    Luke Norris said:
    United Chemicals makes a great water mold remover chemical. Check them out. They have excellent pricing that is affordable and will do the job. Call them up, they'll help you out!
  • Kim Mitten November 9, 2009 at 5:04pm
    No Ozone, and they are from South Dakota to Ohio.

    Bruce Hudson said:
    Sure looks like a mold Kim. Does it fade if sprayed with bleach solution? Curious that it occurs under cover in a salt pool. Possiible corrrosion of the coping or cover hardware from chlorine off gassing under the cover? If the covers are in sump, do they need cleaning and disinfection?

    A good tool to have in your arsenal is a small, low powered electric power washer. The kind I'm referring to are available from Black & Decker, Husky, and Karcher and have an adjustable wand . They are very usefull for cleaning where other washers would do damage.

    The photos look to me as if this stuff originates at the track. Perhaps a good flush and disinfect will stop it. Additionally, generator output can get way out of control under a cover, even when covered only for a day or two.

    Just curious, are any of these pools also equipped with ozone?
  • Bruce Hudson November 9, 2009 at 12:50pm
    Sure looks like a mold Kim. Does it fade if sprayed with bleach solution? Curious that it occurs under cover in a salt pool. Possiible corrrosion of the coping or cover hardware from chlorine off gassing under the cover? If the covers are in sump, do they need cleaning and disinfection?

    A good tool to have in your arsenal is a small, low powered electric power washer. The kind I'm referring to are available from Black & Decker, Husky, and Karcher and have an adjustable wand . They are very usefull for cleaning where other washers would do damage.

    The photos look to me as if this stuff originates at the track. Perhaps a good flush and disinfect will stop it. Additionally, generator output can get way out of control under a cover, even when covered only for a day or two.

    Just curious, are any of these pools also equipped with ozone?
This reply was deleted.

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