Pool stains look like rust

[PoolStored]

19 years is a good stretch for a plaster pool...

 

[Pkhpool]

Hi the pool is from 2006 gunite and have been keeping the calcium at 250 ppm any other suggestions appreciated

 

[Pkhpool]

I’ve had to refill my pool each day this week due to evaporation I just took my reading

readings this morning and it’s at 160 ppm not the 250 below is the bag I’ve been using and indicates I need to add 8lbs does that appear right

 

[mknauss]

Calcium does not leave the pool due to evaporation. So your CH prior to adding the water was likely less than you are testing now.

 

[Pkhpool]

Thanks apologies I’ve added 2.5 pounds today and will add 2.5 pounds Friday and then Saturday test and add as needed . Thought I was adding enough but didn’t realize the qty that was needed to increase to the 250ppm.

Are you suggesting this may just need doing every 6mths as it doesn’t evaporate ?

 

[mknauss]

The calcium will lower in your pool if you have overflow due to rain and your fill water is low in CH. So you should be testing CH every month and managing the level as necessary.

 

[Pkhpool]

19 years is a good stretch for a plaster pool...

Is this expensive to refinish will keeping the calcium high help

 

[Pkhpool]

The calcium will lower in your pool if you have overflow due to rain and your fill water is low in CH. So you should be testing CH every month and managing the level as necessary.

Ok don’t think I’ve been adding enough will this help remove stains or is the plaster gone

 

[mknauss]

Maintaining the CH level is to protect the plaster structure. Once the structure is gone, no fixing it.

 

[PoolStored]

As long as it is holding water, the issue is just cosmetic.

 

[Pkhpool]

As long as it is holding water, the issue is just cosmetic.

Yes it’s the wife’s thing we had a pool company who never mentioned the calcium being low got rid of them trying now to see if the stain will go but the wife is telling me it’s the gunite which has gone brown

 

[onBalance]

I don't think it is gunite showing through and I don't see any evidence from the photos that the gunite is showing through. IMO, the plaster surface looks okay for being 19 years old.
I suggest you don't worry too much about the discoloration. The best way to make the plaster surface white and smooth again is to drain the pool and have it power sanded. That is a lot of labor and somewhat expensive.

 

[Pkhpool]

Hi guys, I’m going to increase the calcium up more as recommended. Attaching more photos of you have time to review if it looks
Like the covering of the plaster is going brown or it’s a removable stain thanks

 

[onBalance]

No, I don't see anything but old plaster with typical old plaster discolorations.

 

[Pkhpool]

Hi all I just found the gunite warranty my question . 1. Are the stains the plaster or the gunite ?

 

[PoolStored]

Plaster.

 

[Pkhpool]

Thanks poolstored and I’m guessing the only way to fix is drain the pool and replaster ?

 

[onBalance]

Power sand, replaster, or leave as is are your options.

 

[Pkhpool]

Thanks I’ll let the chief know appreciated