White flakes that don’t seem to be going away.

[Tnola]

New pool owner. Have gone to local pool store that last few weeks and still have the white flakes in bottom of pool. They say the only thing we need to add based on test results attached is acid and that the white flakes are normal for a salt water pool. Is this correct or should we be doing something else?

 

[MITBeta]

Hi Tnola,

Welcome to TFP. We don't rely much on pool store testing around here and encourage pool owners to get a quality test kit and perform their own testing. See Test Kits Compared.

To answer your question: No. It is not normal for salt water pools to have white flakes in them. Please don't take any more advice from your pool store.

Assuming the test results you provided are anywhere close to accurate (which is a big assumption), you calcium saturation index (CSI) score is tilted toward scaling. Your salt water chlorine generator is scaling up and then throwing off calcium flakes.

Can you catch some flakes and put a couple of drops of muriatic acid on them? If they fizz, they're calcium.

You can manage your CSI by making some changes to the balance in your pool. For example, lowering pH for starters, which is easy, or lowering calcium hardness, which is harder because it requires you to drain some water from your pool.

If you download the PoolMath app you can play with the settings to figure out the best way to accomplish this.

Do you ever shock your pool with calcium hypochlorite? If so, this is liking contributing to your problem.

 

[MITBeta]

I meant to add that you want your CSI score to be slightly negative, like around -0.3 or so.

 

[Tnola]

Hi Tnola,

Welcome to TFP. We don't rely much on pool store testing around here and encourage pool owners to get a quality test kit and perform their own testing. See Test Kits Compared.

To answer your question: No. It is not normal for salt water pools to have white flakes in them. Please don't take any more advice from your pool store.

Assuming the test results you provided are anywhere close to accurate (which is a big assumption), you calcium saturation index (CSI) score is tilted toward scaling. Your salt water chlorine generator is scaling up and then throwing off calcium flakes.

Can you catch some flakes and put a couple of drops of muriatic acid on them? If they fizz, they're calcium.

You can manage your CSI by making some changes to the balance in your pool. For example, lowering pH for starters, which is easy, or lowering calcium hardness, which is harder because it requires you to drain some water from your pool.

If you download the PoolMath app you can play with the settings to figure out the best way to accomplish this.

Do you ever shock your pool with calcium hypochlorite? If so, this is liking contributing to your problem.

We have not shocked the pool. Pool was just completed in April

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! It's time for you to take charge of that investment. Pool water testing is one of the few things we as homeowners can still do without someone's help or hidden agenda. It does however mean having the proper test kit. That's all. From there you know "accurately" what's happening and what to do.

I recommend the TF-100 (link in my signature), but the Taylor K-2006C will also suffice. Definitely do not trust free local testing, advice, or waste your hard-earned money with their over-priced products, many of which don't work.

Once we see a full set of your own water test results, this will all make sense. You will be MUCH less frustrated and pleased with the results.

See Pool Care Basics