Hi all, does anyone have long term experience with various scupper materials in their salt water pool? We are having a new pool constructed and want to switch from the plastic sheer descents that don't look as nice to a series of metal scuppers. We are looking at the CMP options: Scuppers - CMP and they offer copper or stainless steel. They state very explicitly to not use stainless steel in a salt water pool but the style of our pool doesn't really work with copper. Most of the posts here seem to be concerned with damage to stone coping and I couldn't find many posts talking about metals.
Scupper material and salt water pool
- Thread starter escapeyourmind
- Start date
STAINLESS STEEL
PATINA
Stainless steel does not develop a patina.
CLEANING
• Stainless steel is steel that is “stain-less” however, this DOES NOT MEAN THAT STAINLESS STEEL WILL NEVER RUST OR CORRODE.
Stainless steel can show water spots and deposits of minerals or other natural substances that appear, orange, white and/or brown.
We suggest regular cleaning, at least once a month.
• Use distilled, soft or purified water (preferably warm) while cleaning and as a last rinse.
Dry with a soft cloth.
• General maintenance and/or light buildup can be done with a soft cloth. Windex works well if you want to remove water spots.
Otherwise a mild soap or vinegar (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) will remove light buildup.
• Try to go in the direction of the natural polishing grains
• Heavier build-up can be cleaned using very fine red Scotch-Brite™ cleaning pads.
• In many cases, cleaning over time will greatly reduce reappearance of build-up.
SALTWATER
Stainless steel is not warranted for use in or around salt water.
Our products are made of 316 marine grade Stainless Steel.
Stainless steel can get water spots and stainless steel can get deposits of minerals or other natural substances that appeared,
white and/or brown.
If this happens you’ll need to clean the areas each time the build up occurs and after 3-6 cleanings the problem areas should be free of any build up returning.
www.ulbrich.com
PATINA
Stainless steel does not develop a patina.
CLEANING
• Stainless steel is steel that is “stain-less” however, this DOES NOT MEAN THAT STAINLESS STEEL WILL NEVER RUST OR CORRODE.
Stainless steel can show water spots and deposits of minerals or other natural substances that appear, orange, white and/or brown.
We suggest regular cleaning, at least once a month.
• Use distilled, soft or purified water (preferably warm) while cleaning and as a last rinse.
Dry with a soft cloth.
• General maintenance and/or light buildup can be done with a soft cloth. Windex works well if you want to remove water spots.
Otherwise a mild soap or vinegar (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) will remove light buildup.
• Try to go in the direction of the natural polishing grains
• Heavier build-up can be cleaned using very fine red Scotch-Brite™ cleaning pads.
• In many cases, cleaning over time will greatly reduce reappearance of build-up.
SALTWATER
Stainless steel is not warranted for use in or around salt water.
Our products are made of 316 marine grade Stainless Steel.
Stainless steel can get water spots and stainless steel can get deposits of minerals or other natural substances that appeared,
white and/or brown.
If this happens you’ll need to clean the areas each time the build up occurs and after 3-6 cleanings the problem areas should be free of any build up returning.
Overcoming Saltwater Corrosion with Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is less likely to suffer the extensive damage from corrosives because of the interaction between its alloying elements and the environment.
www.ulbrich.com
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They don't say "Saltwater Pools", they say not to be used with Saltwater...
I assume they are talking about real saltwater from the ocean with a salt level of 35,000 ppm and not the slightly salty water you find in a saltwater pool.
I doubt you would have any issues at all...
Thanks,
Jim R.
They don't say "Saltwater Pools", they say not to be used with Saltwater...
I assume they are talking about real saltwater from the ocean with a salt level of 35,000 ppm and not the slightly salty water you find in a saltwater pool.
I doubt you would have any issues at all...
Thanks,
Jim R.
Interesting, I did not pick up on that detail that they don't specify "saltwater pools" just salt water which as you mentioned is way saltier. Thanks @Jimrahbe for pointing that out.
And thank you @JamesW for the links, it sounds like some regular basic cleaning (or even just a quick rinse with fresh water after using them) would probably alleviate most of the concerns. Obviously with any water and metals there is some chance of rusting or corrosion.
And thank you @JamesW for the links, it sounds like some regular basic cleaning (or even just a quick rinse with fresh water after using them) would probably alleviate most of the concerns. Obviously with any water and metals there is some chance of rusting or corrosion.
- May 23, 2015
- 24,507
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Marine grade 316 is good but it is not going to be totally resistant to corrosion. And once stainless steel starts to pit and corrode, the process is mostly irreversible and will continue. Repassivating stainless installed into a wall will not be easy. Your only real option is to coat the steel with some kind of hard lacquer to exclude water completely but that could lead to other issues over time with water and sun exposure.
Brass is probably the best choice. It forms a mildly adherent patina that doesn’t continue growing over time. There’s a reason why the US Navy loves brass and it’s not just the color ….
Brass is probably the best choice. It forms a mildly adherent patina that doesn’t continue growing over time. There’s a reason why the US Navy loves brass and it’s not just the color ….
Which specific designs are you interested in?
Maybe figure out a way to make the product replaceable and plan to replace it every 5 years or so if necessary.
What prices are you seeing for the ones you want?
Maybe figure out a way to make the product replaceable and plan to replace it every 5 years or so if necessary.
What prices are you seeing for the ones you want?
Right now we are mainly looking at the smooth flow scupper: https://www.c-m-p.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SFC-x_SMOOTH-FLOW-SCUPPER-e1572621157482.jpg or the U-shape scupper: https://www.c-m-p.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/US-x_U-SHAPED-WITH-LIP-copper-e1572621333995.jpg. Don't know about pricing difference yet.
With these being built into the raised bond beam wall I can't imagine it being easily replaceable would be possible. The only thing I could think of, and likely not possible or a good idea, would be to use the plastic sheer descent we have now but don't have it stick out and then put something like the spillway scupper on the front: https://www.c-m-p.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/CSPILLWAY18X12_spillway-copper-straight.jpg.