Here is a list of the most common problems relating to PVC coatings and how to resolve them.
As you will see, the reasons for these issues are mainly linked to imbalanced water.
It is therefore essential to treat your pool water using a tester, or to have your water analysed by a pool specialist.
Creases and bLISTERING in the PVC
Causes: Imbalanced water + pH too low + hot water
The water is not balanced and is corrosive. This means that it does not contain enough minerals to be balanced.
As it wants to restore its balance, it will dissolve some of the minerals contained in the PVC, which makes it fragile.
With a pH lower than 7.0 along with hot water, the PVC will stretch and creases and blistering will appear.
Treatment solution:
Balance the water (adjust the hardness and the alkalinity) and raise the pH in order to enable the PVC to contract.
BLACK STAINS
Causes: Imbalanced water + algae + metals
The water is not balanced and is corrosive. This means that it does not contain enough minerals to be balanced.
As it wants to restore its balance, it will dissolve some of the minerals contained in the PVC, which creates microscopic holes.
The algae in the water will cling onto these holes. By consuming part of the dissolved metals, they will produce metal sulphides, which will stain the coating black.
Treatment solution:
Lower the pH and carry out shock treatment with chlorine.
Add a metallic sequestering agent (ActiMétalfix)
Balance the water (adjust the hardness and the alkalinity) and raise the pH in order to remineralise the PVC and fill in these holes.
PINK STAINS
Causes: Imbalanced water + water beneath the coating
The water is not balanced and is corrosive. This means that it does not contain enough minerals to be balanced.
As it wants to restore its balance, it will dissolve some of the minerals contained in the PVC, which creates microscopic holes.
These holes will allow water to get through and will cause a build-up of humidity beneath the coating.
This humidity will enable the development of fungi, which cause the pink coloration.
Treatment solution:
Lower the pH and carry out shock treatment with chlorine.
Balance the water (adjust the hardness and the alkalinity) and raise the pH in order to remineralise the PVC and fill in these holes.
NB: Where there are stains that are either too large or that will not disappear, the only solution is to drain the pool and disinfect beneath the coating and the mats.
YELLOW/ORANGE STAINS AT THE WATER LINE
Causes: Imbalanced water + sun cream and cosmetics.
The water is not balanced and is causing scale build-up. This means that it contains too many minerals for the pH value.
As it wants to restore this balance, it will deposit some of the minerals where the most evaporation occurs: at the water line.
These deposits will enable fats and their organic solvents to cling on firmly and their organic solvents will corrode the coating.
Treatment solution:
Clean the water line using an acid grease-removing product (Acti Water Line Cleaning Gel).
Balance the water (adjust the hardness and the alkalinity) and lower the pH in order to stop the build-up of scale.
Use a scale sequestering agent (Acti Anti-scale) in order to limit the scale deposits during the high season.
NB: Should traces remain, use a cotton pad and impregnate it with unstabilised chlorine (Acti HP Granules). Its high pH will enable the fat to be dissolved and the chlorine will get rid of the coloration.
GREEN STAINS
Causes: Imbalanced water + algae
The water is not balanced and is causing scale build-up. This means that it contains too many minerals for the pH value.
As it wants to restore this balance, it will deposit some of the minerals mainly in the bottom of the pool.
These deposits will enable the algae in the water to firmly cling on. This algae will mainly deposit itself in the corners and other spots where the least mixing occurs.
Once the algae has fixed on, it will grow on the surface and in the scale deposit.
Treatment solution:
Lower the pH and carry out shock treatment with chlorine.
Add an anti-algae agent in order to limit algae development (Acti triple-action anti-algae).
Balance the water (adjust the hardness and the alkalinity) and lower the pH in order to stop the build-up of scale.
Use a scale sequestering agent (Acti Anti-scale) in order to limit the scale deposits during the high season.
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