EDITED TO ADD on 10/21 : I have the plaster company saying that they have to do a LIGHT ACID wash & Polish. I cannot do JUST a polish (which is funny, because the first guy said there is an option to do just a polish...but anyways).
How much should I push the issue that I only want a polish? From skimming various posts, ACID washes quite a bit of downsides, but I honestly don't know all the downsides. If I can only get a polish if I agree to the LIGHT acid wash....shouldI just do it?
Ok...I need help! My pool is only 4.5 yrs old.
My plaster pool was completed March 2020. In May 2023, I joined TFP because I was noticing discoloration/Staining on my plaster. Learned that I was not maintaining my pool right and started using the TFP method June 2023.
Since then I have been pretty meticulous about my chemicals. Yes, there have been a few times I went 10-14 days between adding acid (but did add Chlorine). But that is nothing compared to going MONTHS prior to starting the TFP method. So, I would give myself a B+....lol! and I can assure you, compared to most pool owners in my area...I am doing much better than them...lol! (for starters...my brother...lol)
The problem is....the last 3-4 months I have noticed the discoloration/staining getting worse. And I am getting little brown "volcano" spots all over my spa.
I have also noticed my Acid demand seems to be pretty high....(It has always seem to rise...but not this fast).
There was a short period (like 2 weeks about 8 months ago that it was stable for about 10 days)
For example:
PH on 10/13 was 7.8
PH today (10/17) it is 8.4 (possible 8.6)
I only have my spillover on 15 min twice a day and all my other measurements are within range
yes, my Calcium is a tad high...but nothing compared to May 2023 when it was 1,600+ . And my TA could make come down to 60??? but it's not off the charts high.
I contacted my pool company just to have them take a look at it. LONE STORY SHORT, the plaster guys said they could do a polish or a polish & and light acid wash. but they say that is a waste....as my pool needs an entire REPLASTER.
The guy that works for the PB who built my pool was supposed to come out today and determine if the plaster guys are right.....but he rescheduled.
The fact that my Acid demand seems pretty high...even with everything else being "within range" makes me wonder if the plaster is in fact deteriorating. But, if it is THAT bad......I would argue that maybe it is related to the install and not just my lack of maintaining chemicals. I mean, most people use a pool guy that comes once a week and most do not follow thee TFP method. So, how does my 4.5 yr old pool need an entire REPLASTER and I am actually cognizant of my pool chemicals (unlike most others). Could it be that the first couple years of bad maintenance is finally catching up.
They are quoting $7,000.00! At the very least...I would argue they should split the cost or even cover it...but not sure if I am going to win that one.
One final thought....I know a lot of TFP users would recommend converting to SWG...but accordingly to my PB, they are no longer recommending that in our area (due to our water) and they said one of the SWG equipment manufacturers won't even warranty if someone choses to install it in our area. So, I am not sure this would be a solution to me.
I guess I am just looking for insight, thoughts as to if this recommendation make sense? and do you think the high acid demand is in fact related to deterioatting plaster.
EDITED TO ADD : I should have noted that after joining TFP in May 2023...I learned that the stains are in fact dirt caught in calcium build-up. The only way to really "fix" it is to use HEAVY DUTY sanding. Which I can do in small areas.
SOLUTION : Have the plaster company "polish/Sand" the whole pool (no need for a replaster)
Going forward plan for a REFILL EVERY year to keep the calcium build up at bay...which will also keep the staining at bay
How much should I push the issue that I only want a polish? From skimming various posts, ACID washes quite a bit of downsides, but I honestly don't know all the downsides. If I can only get a polish if I agree to the LIGHT acid wash....shouldI just do it?
Ok...I need help! My pool is only 4.5 yrs old.
My plaster pool was completed March 2020. In May 2023, I joined TFP because I was noticing discoloration/Staining on my plaster. Learned that I was not maintaining my pool right and started using the TFP method June 2023.
Since then I have been pretty meticulous about my chemicals. Yes, there have been a few times I went 10-14 days between adding acid (but did add Chlorine). But that is nothing compared to going MONTHS prior to starting the TFP method. So, I would give myself a B+....lol! and I can assure you, compared to most pool owners in my area...I am doing much better than them...lol! (for starters...my brother...lol)
The problem is....the last 3-4 months I have noticed the discoloration/staining getting worse. And I am getting little brown "volcano" spots all over my spa.
I have also noticed my Acid demand seems to be pretty high....(It has always seem to rise...but not this fast).
There was a short period (like 2 weeks about 8 months ago that it was stable for about 10 days)
For example:
PH on 10/13 was 7.8
PH today (10/17) it is 8.4 (possible 8.6)
I only have my spillover on 15 min twice a day and all my other measurements are within range
yes, my Calcium is a tad high...but nothing compared to May 2023 when it was 1,600+ . And my TA could make come down to 60??? but it's not off the charts high.
I contacted my pool company just to have them take a look at it. LONE STORY SHORT, the plaster guys said they could do a polish or a polish & and light acid wash. but they say that is a waste....as my pool needs an entire REPLASTER.
The guy that works for the PB who built my pool was supposed to come out today and determine if the plaster guys are right.....but he rescheduled.
The fact that my Acid demand seems pretty high...even with everything else being "within range" makes me wonder if the plaster is in fact deteriorating. But, if it is THAT bad......I would argue that maybe it is related to the install and not just my lack of maintaining chemicals. I mean, most people use a pool guy that comes once a week and most do not follow thee TFP method. So, how does my 4.5 yr old pool need an entire REPLASTER and I am actually cognizant of my pool chemicals (unlike most others). Could it be that the first couple years of bad maintenance is finally catching up.
They are quoting $7,000.00! At the very least...I would argue they should split the cost or even cover it...but not sure if I am going to win that one.
One final thought....I know a lot of TFP users would recommend converting to SWG...but accordingly to my PB, they are no longer recommending that in our area (due to our water) and they said one of the SWG equipment manufacturers won't even warranty if someone choses to install it in our area. So, I am not sure this would be a solution to me.
I guess I am just looking for insight, thoughts as to if this recommendation make sense? and do you think the high acid demand is in fact related to deterioatting plaster.
EDITED TO ADD : I should have noted that after joining TFP in May 2023...I learned that the stains are in fact dirt caught in calcium build-up. The only way to really "fix" it is to use HEAVY DUTY sanding. Which I can do in small areas.
SOLUTION : Have the plaster company "polish/Sand" the whole pool (no need for a replaster)
Going forward plan for a REFILL EVERY year to keep the calcium build up at bay...which will also keep the staining at bay
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I will note....if there is space in testing....I was just adding 1 gal of chlorine just about every day or very other day as it was so hot and I knew I was burning through 4-5PPM everyday...but I didn't always log it....yes, in hindsight not a smart way to do it.
