I am freaking out about stains that started appearing in the plaster especially visible in the early morning or evening in the lagoon and bench. They are large. This started before the grass and is not fertilizer. I have been brushing and adding acid (a lot) since it has risen over 8.0 at times. It started week 3 and has not extended the last 2 weeks. The plaster was installed April 30th. I can keep it under 7.6 the last 2 weeks.
The plaster guy came out last Friday and said it is calcium trapping dirt, applied some muratic acid and scrubbed with sand paper, and said it does remove, (I didn't see much remove at all), and he would give recommendations to the builder. When the builder came out, he applied some descale product and put in the salt since it is now 6 weeks. He said there wasn't much to do about the stains and it would happen because of the water here being so hard (half CAP from Colorado River and half ground surface water high in rock and minerals) and especially high in calcium. He basically did a shoulder shrug and said the plaster is still curing, the scaling will be a constant battle, staining will appear, and he doesn't recommend an acid wash because it would harm and weaken the plaster. He said I should lower the ph down to 7.2 to 7.4 and keep brushing and clean the cartridge filter. I did both. I am not happy about this occurring so early. If our fill water was an issue, we were willing to have it treated or even get a filter special for it or I would have chosen to tint the plaster a light gray brown to hide discolorations better. I want an even look especially where it is so noticeable in the lagoon and bench.
I got metal remover tonight and will see if it helps over the next 24 hours. It works with the pH low and chlorine below 2.0 Any advise is welcome. Please. So advise for new builds: Test your water source prior to the fill and be ready to treat imbalances immediately to avoid issues appearing. I brushed and continue to brush like a maniac.
pH 7.1
TA 63
Ca 243
Chlorine 0.05
Cyanuric acid 35
Copper 0
Iron 0.3 *** high
TDS 2100 (salt pool)
salt 3500
Here are some pics of the stains:
See the darkened areas? It is a grayish brown. I even applied some acid and sandpapered and pumice stoned it. It helps just "a little", but my arms can't sustain that kind of work. I am so frustrated. Calcium? or Iron? It stated appearing late week 3. Sent text and pics to builder and he said it is curing. He cancelled the apt on 4/21 due to a family event, ten we were out of town 10 days (I had a dog sitter and 2 friends employed to brush several times a day and they did it). Then he was busy and unable to come out until last Friday with a test strip, salt, and descale bottle.
The plaster guy came out last Friday and said it is calcium trapping dirt, applied some muratic acid and scrubbed with sand paper, and said it does remove, (I didn't see much remove at all), and he would give recommendations to the builder. When the builder came out, he applied some descale product and put in the salt since it is now 6 weeks. He said there wasn't much to do about the stains and it would happen because of the water here being so hard (half CAP from Colorado River and half ground surface water high in rock and minerals) and especially high in calcium. He basically did a shoulder shrug and said the plaster is still curing, the scaling will be a constant battle, staining will appear, and he doesn't recommend an acid wash because it would harm and weaken the plaster. He said I should lower the ph down to 7.2 to 7.4 and keep brushing and clean the cartridge filter. I did both. I am not happy about this occurring so early. If our fill water was an issue, we were willing to have it treated or even get a filter special for it or I would have chosen to tint the plaster a light gray brown to hide discolorations better. I want an even look especially where it is so noticeable in the lagoon and bench.
I got metal remover tonight and will see if it helps over the next 24 hours. It works with the pH low and chlorine below 2.0 Any advise is welcome. Please. So advise for new builds: Test your water source prior to the fill and be ready to treat imbalances immediately to avoid issues appearing. I brushed and continue to brush like a maniac.
pH 7.1
TA 63
Ca 243
Chlorine 0.05
Cyanuric acid 35
Copper 0
Iron 0.3 *** high
TDS 2100 (salt pool)
salt 3500
Here are some pics of the stains:
