YorkshireMidge

Little bit of an obscure question! A white closed-cell foam swimming pool float (used in private pool) started to acquire brown powdery/mildewy deposits within a few days of use. It brushed off. These were mainly around the bottom of it where it will have been wettest for longest while drying out.

Just curious if anyone knows what it might be, or whether they have seen this before?

In the UK, I have seen pinkish/reddish slime develop where water sits or is trapped (e.g. around the bottom of shower frames) but that takes a number of days and I know that is caused by airborne bacteria that feed on soap deposits.

Would have thought pool chemicals in the water would have stopped (or at least slowed down) any organic growth, and the climate would have dried it out too quickly for anything to form anyway, as the foam doesn't absorb water.

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

MrBife

If you are interested in an answer to that question from a molecular chemistry point of view then a google search using the search term ´chlorine degradation of polyether based polyurethane' will give you a lot of bed time reading.

For the rest of us we just accept that pool microclimate and chemical balance is pretty complex and reactions to changes or new stuff are likely.

Welcome to the forum by the way - helluva first question !

YorkshireMidge

Thanks for your reply - I'll have a read!

Thanks for the welcome too. I suppose it makes a change from the usual stuff people ask about

All the best.