Calcium Buildup?????

[Silva1181]

Hello, I recently needed to replace my pool pump motor and while the pool service tech was around, I asked him about these white patches / bumps that are starting to show up on the plaster of the pool. These are hard bumps that were not on the plaster before. When I tried to push against the bump with the end of the leaf net, it was a hard and wouldn't break it off. He told me the plaster may not be of the best quality/grade and it's possible there's a small crack in the plaster allowing the calcium to seep through and form this calcium build up. He said I can scrap them off with a plastic spackle tool, but that they will continue to appear.

Hoping someone can tell me if what I was told is accurate and how to remove these and keep them from reappearing. So far I counted about five of these in different sizes.
thanks in advance.

 

[mknauss]

Calcium Nodules in pools

What are calcium nodules? In swimming pools and spas, they are small mounds, bumps, deposits, or “slag” piles of calcium carbonate which are formed from material that has been released from the plaster. The small calcium nodules are rough to the touch, hard, and generally gritty. Nodules may...

www.troublefreepool.com

He is pretty much correct. The above thread gives some great information.

 

[Silva1181]

Thanks mknauss.

in order to remove these, I can use sandpaper, or gently scrap at them. The water temp is very cold right now, so whatever I do will have to be done from out of the water. If in see a pin hole or crack, fill with under water epoxy. My PH has been high as I haven't added MA for a couple of months. Will keeping my PH at about 7.2 by adding MA help in the long run?

 

[mknauss]

From what I read about the nodules water chemistry does not have a huge effect. You should keep your water chemistry such that it rides in the Recommended Levels by TFP.

I would think it would be easier to wait until spring and the water warms up to deal with the nodules.

 

[sktn77a]

I don't think a plastic putty knife is going to move them - they're pretty firmly attached to the plaster. You might try a small cold chisel and hammer gently when the water warms up.