Vitamin C worked - now what?

[Hisbestcatch]

Our pool was filled in October and water chemistry has been perfect and my husband is diligent about following TFP for chemistry!

About a month after fill, we noticed a halo around a ‘larger’ pebble in our finish. Only 1 spot on vertical wall of sun shelf (CL industries pebble). It never got much worse, never got better, about the size of a dime. We thought it may have been a void in the finish, especially since every other area is perfect. I’ve attached before and after photos the best I could get them!

Tried the vitamin C today and the halo immediately disappeared with that ‘larger’ rock remaining (we think it’s a rock) . My understanding is that it’s iron.

I’m worried this means the rebar may be coming through..? This is the only spot and everything else looks great!
If the halo of rust appears again around that same area, what is that telling me? If it doesn’t reappear, what would that tell me?

Since it’s on a vertical surface, we are able to rule out a metal object causing it, etc.



Your help would be appreciated!!

 

[JamesW]

See if a strong magnet sticks to the spot.

 

[Hisbestcatch]

See if a strong magnet sticks to the spot.

Just tried and YES! Eeek what in the world does that mean!?

 

[Texas Splash]

Just tried and YES! Eeek what in the world does that mean!?

The magnet strikes again!

 

[Hisbestcatch]

The magnet strikes again!

Goodness what does this mean?

 

[Texas Splash]

James will confirm with his thoughts, but it sounds as if the rebar is too close to the surface underneath. That's what's bleeding through.

 

[Hisbestcatch]

James will confirm with his thoughts, but it sounds as if the rebar is too close to the surface underneath. That's what's bleeding through.

Oh no my biggest fear!!

 

[ajw22]

It means you have some rebar near the surface that is rusting. It is cosmetic and you can ignore it.

Only fix is to chip out the plaster and gunite to expose the rebar and cut it out. Then fill the hole with hydraulic cement and replaster.

How old is your pool?

 

[mknauss]

How old is your pool?

Our pool was filled in October

 

[Texas Splash]

Our pool was filled in October

Definitely something to discuss with your builder. Still under warranty. But don't let it get you too upset. Structurally you are fine, no leaks, etc. But under warranty the builder should have some good remedies for you.

 

[ajw22]

Talk to your Pool Builder and see what he suggests. There is no quick fix if it is rusting rebar. Maybe a piece of a nail got in the plaster and can be chipped out. Whatever the fix will leave a scar.

 

[Hisbestcatch]

Talk to your Pool Builder and see what he suggests. There is no quick fix if it is rusting rebar. Maybe a piece of a nail got in the plaster and can be chipped out. Whatever the fix will leave a scar.

In your opinion, would this be a plaster company issue or the pool shell guys issue? When it comes to warranty.

 

[JamesW]

The builder will probably want to cover it with epoxy putty and "keep an eye on it".

As noted above, the rebar will need to be cut out and patched.

Overall it's not a huge problem.

 

[JamesW]

In your opinion, would this be a plaster company issue or the pool shell guys issue? When it comes to warranty.

It's a gunite shell issue.

All metal should be covered by at least 3" of gunite.

 

[ajw22]

In your opinion, would this be a plaster company issue or the pool shell guys issue? When it comes to warranty.

The problem is owned by the PB and shared by the rebar contractor who placed some rebar too high and the gunite company who did not put enough thickness over the rebar. The PB should have been watching over the gunite job and caught it and had more gunite thickness added.

 

[Hisbestcatch]

The problem is owned by the PB and shared by the rebar contractor who placed some rebar too high and the gunite company who did not put enough thickness over the rebar. The PB should have been watching over the gunite job and caught it and had more gunite thickness added.

The builder will probably want to cover it with epoxy putty and "keep an eye on it".

As noted above, the rebar will need to be cut out and patched.

Overall it's not a huge problem.

They mentioned “hydro cement”. Isn’t this a bandaid? What would they be watching by doing that?

 

[ajw22]

They mentioned “hydro cement”. Isn’t this a bandaid? What would they be watching by doing that?

Are they cutting out the rusting rebar first or are they are just trying to bury it deeper so the rust does not show.

There will be some scar from the fix.

 

[JamesW]

They might just put something over it to buy some time and hope you forget about it.

To really fix it, they need to cut it out and patch.

You will see the patch, but in the grand scheme of things, it's not a big deal.

 

[Hisbestcatch]

Are they cutting out the rusting rebar first or are they are just trying to bury it deeper so the rust does not show.

There will be some scar from the fix.

Are they cutting out the rusting rebar first or are they are just trying to bury it deeper so the rust does not show.

There will be some scar from the fix.

When I First mentioned it to them in November they never showed up. When I brought up my concerns again today they just said we can put hydro on it. It wasn’t anyone from the shell company. Just one of their workers. I will make sure to push to have it corrected right!

 

[JamesW]

Make sure that the pool is vacuumed well after the patch because the metal dust from cutting the rebar will settle and cause metal stains if it's not vacuumed up.