Some types of bacteria and fungus found in the soil can actually penetrate through a vinyl
liner and cause stains to appear on the liner. Usually they will start off as spotted or
cloud-like formations on the liner. Algaecides used in the pool water have little if any effect
on the stains caused from bacteria, since it doesn't get to the source of the bacteria in the soil.
If a pool is known to have a problem with bacteria staining the liner, the ground underneath
the liner may be treated with a solution of one half household chlorine bleach and one half
water. Mix the bleach in the water and mist the floor of the pool with a small garden sprayer
three or four times prior to dropping the new liner in the pool. After the last application of
bleach solution, wait several hours before dropping the liner; making sure the solution has
been absorbed into the ground.
If the liner has been recently replaced, one method which has been used several times is the
use of Copper Iron Sulfate (FeSO4) to change the pH of the soil around the pool, therefore
killing off the source of the bacteria or fungus. This is not a guaranteed cure in all cases but in
the last few years it has had some astonishing results for some of our customers. Best of all,
this can be tried without having to drain the pool and replace the liner! Copperas Iron Sulfate
is a chemical used by tree nurseries for treating the pH of soil for some iron deficiencies in
plants. For an average size pool, say an 18 x 36 rectangle, you need about twelve to fifteen
pounds of this powered chemical. Sprinkle it on the ground next to the pool deck on as many
sides of the pool as possible. Then turn a lawn sprinkler on the ground for two or three days,
long enough to get the ground around the pool thoroughly saturated with water. The idea is
to get the powder to soak deep into the ground so it can change the pH of the soil and
hopefully kill off the source of the bacteria. Usually results are not seen for a week or two
since it has to get deep in the ground to have any effect on the bacteria. The Copper Iron
Sulfate has not been known to have any harsh effects on grass and care should be taken
when using around delicate flowers.
liner and cause stains to appear on the liner. Usually they will start off as spotted or
cloud-like formations on the liner. Algaecides used in the pool water have little if any effect
on the stains caused from bacteria, since it doesn't get to the source of the bacteria in the soil.
If a pool is known to have a problem with bacteria staining the liner, the ground underneath
the liner may be treated with a solution of one half household chlorine bleach and one half
water. Mix the bleach in the water and mist the floor of the pool with a small garden sprayer
three or four times prior to dropping the new liner in the pool. After the last application of
bleach solution, wait several hours before dropping the liner; making sure the solution has
been absorbed into the ground.
If the liner has been recently replaced, one method which has been used several times is the
use of Copper Iron Sulfate (FeSO4) to change the pH of the soil around the pool, therefore
killing off the source of the bacteria or fungus. This is not a guaranteed cure in all cases but in
the last few years it has had some astonishing results for some of our customers. Best of all,
this can be tried without having to drain the pool and replace the liner! Copperas Iron Sulfate
is a chemical used by tree nurseries for treating the pH of soil for some iron deficiencies in
plants. For an average size pool, say an 18 x 36 rectangle, you need about twelve to fifteen
pounds of this powered chemical. Sprinkle it on the ground next to the pool deck on as many
sides of the pool as possible. Then turn a lawn sprinkler on the ground for two or three days,
long enough to get the ground around the pool thoroughly saturated with water. The idea is
to get the powder to soak deep into the ground so it can change the pH of the soil and
hopefully kill off the source of the bacteria. Usually results are not seen for a week or two
since it has to get deep in the ground to have any effect on the bacteria. The Copper Iron
Sulfate has not been known to have any harsh effects on grass and care should be taken
when using around delicate flowers.
Bacteria
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