Lesson Learned – Rust stains from pool cage screws etc

[nuttyp]

Here’s an idea to save a lot of time, trouble and cost….

Pool cages are popular in some locales, we like them in FL to keep out things like bugs, leaves & young kids. Over time the hundreds of little sheet metal screws that hold the cage together often rust. I suppose they are seldom made from stainless steel and/or the powdered coating gets nicked during installation – so they rust. So folks often contract for someone to crawl around on scaffolding or ladders to replace all the screws. Simple enough.

My neighbor had someone replace all the screws, then found six months later a couple dozen dime-sized rust spots on the bottom of the pool. He’s not in the pool very often so wasn’t stepping on or noticing the little pieces. Just a caution to anyone reading this, it seems that it may be wise to vacuum the pool thoroughly after any type of metalwork is done in the area. Perhaps while vacuuming it may help also to use a fine mesh inline filter, or temporarily put a fine mesh sock-type filter or screen in the pump filter basket to catch any small metallic particles that are vacuumed up.

I suppose if the screws get rusty enough, it’s not out of the question for pieces of the rust to break off and drop into the pool even if you’re not having the screws replaced.

Similar experiences or ideas always welcome.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welding is another example. Owners have had nearby metal work done and many of the metal arcs sank and left a tons of spots.

 

[Oly]

I found several 2" thin, stiff wires on my pool bottom and finally discovered they were shed from the center core of an old push broom I used around the pool.
The rust spots eventuall came off with light sanding with wet/dry. The wires are impossible to get out with a leaf net from the deck. It was winter so I used a magnet on a string to lift the wires and then retired the broom.