Pebble tec rust

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SoCalD

SoCalD

Member
May 14, 2022
12
California
Pool Size
12000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hi everyone. I’m new here. We redid the entire pool last year and had a contractor from heck. Nothing was done right. so now I’m noticing some rust spots in the pebble tec. Looking up close with goggles I see that it is the pebble itself that is rusting! We were on vacation when they shot the pool but when we got back there were a bunch of metallic beads everywhere. Almost like BBs or tiny ball bearings. I asked the contractor about it but he just shrugged and said he didn’t know. I had to get on my hands and knees and dig every one out of the polymeric sand between the pavers because of course they rusted. I’m wondering if these were a part of the pebble tec mix. But why would they use a “pebble” that would rust? Has anyone experienced this? If so, what can be done?
 
No shells. Just regular pebble tec mini pebble Caribbean blue. It’s definitely the actual pebble that is rusting. I also caught some in the pump basket. Which is also stained with rust because of it.
 
What a puzzle. I do not know of ANY plaster mix that would use anything like metal for this very reason.

Do you have the contact info on the people/crew/company of the plaster installers?

Do you have a chlorine tablet? How about some vitamin C tablets? I have an idea.
 
kimkats said:
What a puzzle. I do not know of ANY plaster mix that would use anything like metal for this very reason.

Do you have the contact info on the people/crew/company of the plaster installers?

Do you have a chlorine tablet? How about some vitamin C tablets? I have an idea.
Click to expand...
I wish I did know the company but I don’t. I was not here when they came Unfortunately. I do not have any tablets. I’m not so concerned at getting rid of the rust as I am wondering why a ”pebble” would rust! But I’m open to suggestions! I’m just afraid I’m going to have to sue this guy. There are other issues such as paver installation/drainage issues, discolored coping, etc
 
ding, ding, ding..................you might have a winner right there!!!!

When you are out and about pick up some cheap vitamin C tablets. Make sure they are white. When you get home break a few of them up in to small pieces. Put the pieces in a thin sock. Tie it off. Set the sock on one of the rust spots. Let it sit for about 15 mins. See what happens.
 
I do still have some embedded in the polymeric sand joints. I took pics of them. Also took a pic of one of the spots in the pool. If you look real close, it is an actual “pebble” that is rusting. EA2FE68C-FBCB-4F6B-85CC-B2276FFE4458.jpegE4E8EDAA-C437-4017-890D-7DB849AC81C6.jpeg
 

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I will tell you I REALLY don't think there is ANY plaster company that would use metal on purpose. What leads away from that idea is the "things" also being in the sand on the deck.

I wonder if a machine of some sort gave out and what you are seeing are the bearings from the machine. The rust could be what is causing it to not be round.

Other than that I have nothing to help you other than saying to dig them out and putting the vitamin C on it to get the rust stains up.
 
Often times during the startup on pebble Tec they use a stainless steel brush and the bristles will sometimes get caught in the pebbles and over time will rust. It looks identical to your picture. Iron would show immediately, it would take time for stainless steel to break down and rust in the pool.
 
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Since you found them also embed in your paver lines, they might have ignorantly used steel shot blast bead when stripping old plaster, and these beads were later tracked and blown into the wet new plaster.

Second pic looks just like it!

IAI-shot-600x600.jpg
 
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Can you collect as many as possible and show a really clear picture with a ruler for scale?

It seems like something sprayed metal particles everywhere while the plaster was wet and some became embedded in the plaster.

Maybe use on of those magnetic sweepers to go around the property to see if there are any spots with a lot of particles that are not easy to see like in grass or a gravel driveway.

www.harborfreight.com

17 In. Mini Magnetic Sweeper

Amazing deals on this 17In Magnetic Sweeper at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
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Are the particles in any particular location or pattern or are they evenly and randomly spread out?

Maybe someone was cutting something metal with a metal cutting saw and the particles went everywhere?

Did you have any fence or ironwork done or maybe cut rebar or other metal?
 

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