Removing stubborn ‘Texas Tan’ stains from pool plaster

“In Austin, if it isn’t blue, it’s usually ‘Texas Tan’.”

Whether it’s from organic debris like Oak leaves or high iron content in the water, Austin pools are prone to brownish-tan staining on the plaster. We call this “Texas Tan.”

Expert Removal Methods:

1. Organic Stains: If the stain is from a leaf or acorn, holding a chlorine tablet over it for a few minutes will usually bleach it out.
2. Metallic Stains: If the stain is large and “mottled,” it’s likely metallic. We use citric acid or ascorbic acid treatments to “lift” the metals back into the water, followed by a sequestering agent to catch them.
3. Pressure Washing?: NEVER pressure wash your pool plaster yourself. You can easily “etch” the surface, making it rough and even more prone to future staining.

Austin Detail: The clay soil around Leander and Cedar Park is rich in iron and manganese. If you have a small leak, this “metal-heavy” soil can actually stain the plaster from the outside in.

Sent from my iPhone while treating a stained pool in Steiner Ranch.