Fix for Rust Spot

[ahallam]

We've just purchased a new house with a pool. There is a rust stain approximately 2" in diameter, about 8" below the surface. It feels like something metallic is exposed to the surface which is slightly pitted.

1. What are the options for repairing this problem without, or with, draining the water?

2. Is there any action I should take while waiting for it to be repaired?

3. Is there likely to be any permanent damage?

Thanks for your help.

 

[duraleigh]

Welcome to the forum. :lol:

Ouch! That sounds like the finish may have been applied to thinly and there truly is metal exposed.

I would exam that very carefully and determine if steel is exposed or it is simply a stain on the finish. If it's the latter, it will be a pretty quick fix.

 

[JasonLion]

If there is metal at or near the surface of the plaster then the fix can get complicated. If it is just a rust stain then it can be treated fairly easily.

Any metal in the pool wall needs to be covered by enough plaster to prevent bleed through. If there is metal too close to the surface, the area might simply have too thin a plaster layer, or there might be metal protruding out too far that needs to be cut back. Either way that means patching the plaster, possibly after digging out the whole area and cutting the metal back. Plaster patches on plain white plaster aren't too bad, but add in color or quartz or pebble in the plaster and it gets more complex.

The simplest thing to do might be to treat it as a normal rust stain and then wait to see if it comes back. If it comes right back in that specific spot and doesn't show up anywhere else then get a plaster expert to take a look at it.