Acid Wash problem

[AJ76]

Had an acid wash done professionally this past Thursday, having let the Ph fluctuate and rise too high over the past couple years. After they finished I see these two perfect circles in the deep end. I imagine the pump or some other piece of equipment they used to pull out the muriatic acid/water had circular feet on it. The company responded with "I'm not to sure what those are? No idea. Our method and cleaning has never or wouldn't make 2 perfect circles in your pool. Very strange." Any one ever see or hear of something like this before?

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

How old is your pool and plaster?

Are you the first owner of the pool?

You ever use Trichlor tablets in your pool?

Those circles look like what happens when a trichlor puck is dropped in the pool and left on the surface for too long.

 

[JamesW]

Your main drain does not look like an approved main drain.

It looks like a deck drain.

How old is the drain?

Do you know the make and model?

 

[AJ76]

Welcome to TFP.

How old is your pool and plaster?

Are you the first owner of the pool?

You ever use Trichlor tablets in your pool?

Those circles look like what happens when a trichlor puck is dropped in the pool and left on the surface for too long.

6.5 years old. Brand new pool we had built. I dont use trichlor tablets as it's a SWG pool.
It's only the ring that is indented/worn away, not the entire surface within the circle. Which makes me believe the acid wasn't neutralized quickly enough and was eating around the feet of the pump, preserving the surface of the circle.
The pool company of course is denying having anything to do with this happening. I asked and am waiting to see pictures of the bottoms of any pumps and any other equipment they used inside the pool.

 

[ajw22]

So the ring is not just a stain but an indentation you can feel?

How deep is that area?

 

[AJ76]

Welcome to TFP.

How old is your pool and plaster?

Are you the first owner of the pool?

You ever use Trichlor tablets in your pool?

Those circles look like what happens when a trichlor puck is dropped in the pool and left on the surface for too long.

6.5 years old. Brand new pool we had built. I dont use trichlor tablets as it's a SWG pool.
It's only the ring that is indented/worn away, not the entire surface within the circle. Which makes me believe the acid wasn't neutralized quickly enough and was eating around the feet of the pump, preserving the surface of the circle.
The pool company of course is denying having anything to do with this happening. I asked and am waiting to see pictures of the bottoms of any pumps and any other equipment they used

Your main drain does not look like an approved main drain.

It looks like a deck drain.

How old is the drain?

Do you know the make and model?

Pool was built in the fall of 2014, so 6.5 years old.
Main drain is listed on paperwork as Primus safety grate, hydrostatic relief, schedule 80 PvC under structure.

 

[AJ76]

So the ring is not just a stain but an indentation you can feel?

How deep is that area?

Yes it's an indentation not a stain. 5' deep.

 

[JamesW]

The rings are probably from a sump pump sitting on the plaster.

All of the acid would sit there the longest.

 

[AJ76]

I've already paid these people and other than a refund of some sort I don't know what else they could offer that would be a good resolution from them. But proving this was from their techs negligence and not something we did to our pool before or after their work is proving to be problematic.
Any advice how to deal with the pool company going forward would be appreciated.

 

[AJ76]

The rings are probably from a sump pump sitting on the plaster.

All of the acid would sit there the longest.

That's what I believe as well!! But to prove it is their fault is the issue I'm having right now.

 

[ajw22]

Even if you can prove it what remedy would you want?

 

[JamesW]

I think that it's definitely from the acid wash.

Really not much that can be done.

Maybe they can do underwater sanding to reduce the edges, but it's probably not worthwhile unless it's really bugging you.

 

[JamesW]

Main drain is listed on paperwork as Primus safety grate

I think that gary pools is the only builder using that grate.

I don’t think that it’s an approved grate, but I don’t know for sure.

About - Gary Pools

Since 1954, Gary Pools has been building the American dream in every shape, size and budget. With numerous innovations and awards, confidence comes standard in every single one of them.

garypools.com

 

[JamesW]

Additionally, Leif has designed, developed and produced a new main safety drain called the Primus® Safety Drain. This product was developed based on Leif’s studies on suction entrapment.

Safety grates have to be certified, and I doubt that it is.

It's a "liftable" grate, which is usually not allowed by most codes.

 

[JamesW]

All covers need to meet standards and be marked with something like "VGB2009," or "ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007"

RESIDENTIAL POOLS – As of December 20, 2008 – it will be AGAINST federal law to make or sell a drain cover in the United States that does not comply with ASME/ANSI 19.8.

Thus, all new residential construction as of December 20, 2008, must comply with the federal law, as well as, liner replacements or resurfacings on residential pools after this date.

All pool drain covers manufactured, distributed or entered into commerce on or after Dec. 19, 2008, must meet the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 standard, or the successor standard ANSI/APSP-16 2011.

 

[AJ76]

I think that gary pools is the only builder using that grate.

I don’t think that it’s an approved grate, but I don’t know for sure.

About - Gary Pools

Since 1954, Gary Pools has been building the American dream in every shape, size and budget. With numerous innovations and awards, confidence comes standard in every single one of them.

garypools.com

Gary Pools is who built it. Haven't had any issues with it.

 

[AJ76]

Even if you can prove it what remedy would you want?

At this point, acknowledgement they made a mistake and refund in full or part of the $600 I paid for the acid wash.

 

[AJ76]

I think that it's definitely from the acid wash.

Really not much that can be done.

Maybe they can do underwater sanding to reduce the edges, but it's probably not worthwhile unless it's really bugging you.

Acknowledgement they messed up and offer to refund fully or partly would be nice.

 

[ajw22]

Be noisy and make that demand to them in writing.

 

[nousername]

Late reply to the issue here but it looks like spalling.

Pool Plaster "Spalling"

One of the arts or skills of the pool plastering trade is properly timing the troweling process. If troweling is performed when water is present on the surface of the plaster, forcing water back into the plaster paste causes excessively high water:cement ratios in the surface finish, weakening...

www.troublefreepool.com

I have this issue in a few spot on my pool but without acid washing. They just slowly develop for me.