Hydration Issues

[Gofrogs727]

Here is the long and short of it...

New pool completed roughly 3-4 months. I have discoloration that is consistent in color along all sides of the pool that starts about 2 foot below the waterline and extends another 1-2 feet. The top is perfectly straight, almost level (like a water line).

Pool builder says its a hydration issue. They said "no big deal". They will "decrease my PH down very low and brush the stain away". I did a ton of research on this forum and sounds like the consensus is that an "acid wash"will not work and it needed to be re-plastered.

All pool chemicals ranges are in line with TFP standards.

Am I in line with the consensus on this?

 

[ajw22]

Let's see what @onBalance thinks.

 

[Poolbreh]

The pb or plaster company didn’t give you any instructions while filling? It looks like the water was shut off halfway through fill process.

 

[onBalance]

It is hard to tell how bad the discoloration is from the photo. Even if an acid treatment could remove the discoloration, which I doubt, you didn't pay for an etched plaster surface within a few months of being new. Normally, acid treatments aren't needed for 3 to 5 years.
A "hydration" issue has nothing to do with the water chemistry and is caused by poor workmanship or materials. It is internal within the plaster matrix. It is not a "stain." Therefore, acid treatments are not the solution. They just disguise the actual problem. This comes down to working out something reasonable and appropriate with the PB.

 

[Gofrogs727]

It is hard to tell how bad the discoloration is from the photo. Even if an acid treatment could remove the discoloration, which I doubt, you didn't pay for an etched plaster surface within a few months of being new. Normally, acid treatments aren't needed for 3 to 5 years.
A "hydration" issue has nothing to do with the water chemistry and is caused by poor workmanship or materials. It is internal within the plaster matrix. It is not a "stain." Therefore, acid treatments are not the solution. They just disguise the actual problem. This comes down to working out something reasonable and appropriate with the PB.

Thank you! At first glance, what would you recommend the solution be? Re-plaster?

 

[Gofrogs727]

The pb or plaster company didn’t give you any instructions while filling? It looks like the water was shut off halfway through fill process.

They did. We did not turn off the water at any point until full.

 

[onBalance]

I wish I had an easy answer and solution. Unfortunately, re-plastering is always risky due to delaminating possibilities. It is hard to achieve a good bond to the new plaster. Perhaps a partial refund is an option and sanding and polishing the pool.