Calcium deposits outside circulation pump

[Calais Marie]

Hello TFP,

I just noticed this morning that my pump and/or the plumbing connected to the pump, is leaking and forming salt deposits on the floor.

I use liquid bleach as my sanitizer and muriatic acid to manage the ph level. TF100 test kit. Gunnite pool.

Unfortunately, I’ve been a little negligent the past few months in keeping the ph in the correct range. It often gets up to 7.8 - 8.2. CH is 450. Another factor to consider is a lot of white, chalk-like powder on the walls and floor. I’ve been scrubbing the walls with a scouring pad (to remove a green stain-cause unknown), little by little, resulting in clouding up the whole pool (white, chalk-like powder), taking several hours to clear up. Water is always crystal clear, otherwise.

I thought at first it might be the ph, but now I’m thinking it might also be the white powdery substance (calcium?) that used to be on the floor and walls, blocking up the plumbing. As well, the pump, installed new last fall, sounds a little louder than usual today, and we’re sensing increased vibration in the house (indoor pool, pump and filter in the basement).

Does anyone have a take on this problem and how it can be resolved? I was thinking more diligence on the ph level, but I think that might not be enough.

Thanks for your help.
Tom

 

[Texas Splash]

A couple thoughts:
1. Can you tell where that leak is coming from? Clearly the residue is settling down behind and underneath the motor. Is the water seeping from the motor casing or just running along underneath somehow?
2. You should confirm if that substance is salt of calcium. I'm guessing calcium. Place some of it n a pile and pour a little muriatic acid on it. If it fizzles it's calcium.

If your CSI level has been elevated for a while as it appears, that would explain all the scale you have been scrubbing off. When you remove that scale from the pool surface, it goes back into the water and now the water is over-saturated with calcium. My guess is that you either need to do a partial water exchange to lower the CH or do a better job of controlling the pH.

Can you post a full set of test results?

 

[Calais Marie]

Salt fizzles and turns yellow when mixed with Muriatic acid.

The leak seems to be coming from the pipe fittings above the filter.

Pump is making a higher pitched whine in addition to normal operating sound. I’ve turned it off for now.

PH 7.4
FC 1
TC 1
TA 40 - adding baking soda now to correct.
CH 350-400
CA <20 - I generally don’t have an issue with FC loss to sunlight- indoor pool and low bather load - 1 person x 1hour cumulative per week.

 

[Texas Splash]

The leak seems to be coming from the pipe fittings above the filter.

I'm sure you meant pump. But the key is determining if the leak is coming from the adapter threaded into the top outlet or if it's running down from top of the black extension pipe (or hose) where those band clamps are. It could also be the union above. Based on the white/vertical drip line, I'm guessing it's from the band clamps or the union. At least that makes disassembly much easier. There should be an O-ring in the union. Perhaps it just needs a little silicone lube on it. Or maybe the union threads need some fresh Teflon tape of plumbers putty on them. I'm a little confused about the band clamps and that extension. Is it a flex or rubber hose of some sort? Not sure why regular PVC pipe wasn't used to avoid having those band clamps. That may be something to consider replacing as well. I would do the repair as soon as you can. Its possible the dripping water has found its way into the motor casing which is part of the reason for the excessive noise.

 

[Calais Marie]

Thank you,
Yes, I meant pump, not filter!
I’ll be fixing the leak pronto, but should I be worried about calcium deposits in the pump/filter/plumbing? Is that something that will “dissolve”, once I stabilize the ph?
Should I still consider a partial drain? The backwash yesterday was rather white in appearance. The CH test results are in the normal range, but are all the calcium deposits on the pool floor and walls not captured in that same test?

 

[Texas Splash]

I wouldn't worry about the plumbing like a clogged artery. The PVC should be fine. For the pump/motor, if the water simply ran along the outside of the motor casing and dripped down to make those deposits, hopefully you'll be okay. The wet end of the pump is not an issue, it's always the concern for anything that may have managed to seep into the dry end motor casing.

For the water itself, if your CH is around 400 you can manage that fine. But use the PoolMath APP to monitor your CSI and keep it slightly negative from now on. That should help to prevent future build up. Some scale around places like the waterline may need some elbow grease to remove, but hopefully you'll be able to keep it from getting worse.

 

[Calais Marie]

Thanks so much for your help.
I tightened the band clamps and I’ll keep an eye on it for any future leaks.
As for the motor, I think it has dried out and righted itself. The whine has diminished to almost nothing. No more vibration (I gave the pump a little nudge, similar to dealing with an unruly washing machine).
You’ve set my mind at ease.
Any suggestions as to how to deal with the scale on the pool walls and floor?
Would a robot cleaner take care of that?

 

[wireform]

I suggest you also watch for a shaft seal issue possibly as you stated the motor making noise.

 

[Calais Marie]

Good point on the shaft seal. Thank you.