Help: Iron stains and white (calcium?) marks on tile?

[AJ81]

Hello all,
I’ve been having tiny rust marks showing up on hot tub spillover edge as well as on a corner of the pool. I tried the vitamin c test, some came off and some didn’t. I’m assuming I have iron in my water? How can I remove it fully? I previously used small amounts of iron out on the tiny spots on spa edge and they came back but it didn’t work on the corner area. (See photos)
As for the white marks, they have been there since the pool was brand new. We had asked about it after it was filled and were told to scrub it off with a sponge which doesn’t work. If I rub it with my finger it does come off. What is it? It’s on the tile line ABOVE the water. I also just found more of the same marks in skimmer and what I think is calcium scale below coping and above the tile line I mentioned above. Recommendations on products to remove these marks?

 

[Texas Splash]

Not that it's impossible, but I don't hear of iron the city water often in the Dallas area. Any iron might be bleeding through from behind the shell or tiles, If so, that will continue unless the iron (i.e. rebar) is removed. How old is the pool? Are you able to speak to the builder about it?

As for the white substance, the areas I could see on the screen appear to be Efflorescence. Basically water wicking through from behind leaving a calcium residue. I'll post an article below for you to look over.

Efflorescence - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[AJ81]

The pool is a year old.
We have been dealing with the PB and he is blaming our issues on us not balancing the chemicals (we do just fine). He wants us to meet with the plaster representative because we have discoloration from when water leaked in after the plaster. They already did an acid wash and now I have rough spots on bottom of the pool. It was a botched job since the beginning. I’d love to get this stuff off before they show up next week. He advised mixing muriatic acid and water in a spray bottle to remove the iron marks. Would those really come through the tile? We did have an issue with rebar in one area of the plaster that they repaired.
The efflorescence showed up almost immediately after the pool was completed. Our project manager at the time told us it’s just residue from the tile being installed but it’s gotten worse in my opinion. I think he was full of it and wanted to move on to the next job.

 

[Texas Splash]

I would definitely reach out it to the builder.

 

[AJ81]

I assume he will be here with the plaster co next week. I sense an uphill battle.

 

[AJ81]

Here are pics of some of the other rust marks on spa spillover. Tiny marks as well as the corner area I showed you above. Since there are no marks anywhere else in pool it has to be rebar. Operations mgr told us it was our water chemistry so I know it’s going to be a fight.

 

[Texas Splash]

Operations mgr told us it was our water chemistry so I know it’s going to be a fight.

Without fail, that is always a builder or manufacture's first comment.