Pool start up levels - new IG

[Watershow]

Noticed this black spot yesterday in the deep end of my pool. Thought it was debris so this morning I tried brushing it several times but it didn’t come off. Also noticed grout in this coping is chipping and has a crack. Is this typical? Worried plaster has stained. You can see the black spot from the edge of the pool. Texted PB and waiting for his response too.

current levels:
Ph 7.8 after adding MA
FC 2.5 - added bleach but haven’t tested it yet
TC - 0
TA - 50

 

[ajw22]

The crack between the coping stones is mortar, not grout. It is either shrinkage cracks or the coping does not have a proper expansion joint between it and your deck and is moving. Post wider pictures of the area.

It should be chipped out and redone.

If your pool was older I would guess the black spot is rusting rebar that is not deep enough int he gunite. I would not expect it from a pool as young as yours. It could be some dirt that got on the plaster. I think your PB will start by pouring some acid on the spot and see if it clears.

 

[Watershow]

The crack between the coping stones is mortar, not grout. It is either shrinkage cracks or the coping does not have a proper expansion joint between it and your deck and is moving. Post wider pictures of the area.

It should be chipped out and redone.

If your pool was older I would guess the black spot is rusting rebar that is not deep enough int he gunite. I would not expect it from a pool as young as yours. It could be some dirt that got on the plaster. I think your PB will start by pouring some acid on the spot and see if it clears.

Thanks. Here are some shots.

 

[ajw22]

Are the joints I highlighted in red filled with flexible mastic or hard mortar?

 

[Watershow]

Are the joints I highlighted in red filled with flexible mastic or hard mortar?
Mastic.
Also, I bought calcium increaser. NPT guidelines say to increase it to 200 within the 28 day period. Should I slowly try to increase to 200 or give the full dose to achieve 200? Thanks
View attachment 169317

 

[ajw22]

It is always good to sneak up on your target level as you are learning about water chemistry. Best to add 1/2 to 2/3 in the first dose, wait 24-48 hours, and retest and see how your test tresult is compared to what you expected. That way if you are way off in your dosing you find it before you create a bigger problem.

 

[Watershow]

Thanks for all the replies. Really appreciate the help! I’ve noticed some discoloration in the not sure if this is plaster dust or scaling. I’ve went down the TFP rabbit hole and found onbalance’s thread about how discoloration could be due to workmanship. When they installed the plaster it was around noon and started to fill it around 4pm. Wondering if this is an example. Also the the white stuff on the skimmer lid and concrete, not sure what it is. Could it be efflorescence and is there way to get rid of it? Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

You are not going to get scaling in 7 days. Brush all the surfaces two to three tines a day.

Looks to me like someone was sloppy with chemicals around your skinner lid and coping. Did you try hosing it down or power washing?

 

[Watershow]

Yeah when the PB’s asst came to start up the chemicals. He added CYA into the skimmer and some of the granules spilled as he was scooping it up with his hands. I will try hosing it down. Thanks!

 

[duraleigh]

Hose it down sooner rather than later. CYA is pretty harmless......unless you let it sit.......then it can damage the surface (permanently) it is sitting on

 

[ajw22]

CYA is a mild acid. Hose down an area after any chemicals are spilled.

 

[Watershow]

OK. Hoses it down. I have square edge coping so the water and dirt easily went down the pool. Is this ok? Is it OK to hose down the coping due to dirt?

 

[ajw22]

OK. Hoses it down. I have square edge coping so the water and dirt easily went down the pool. Is this ok? Is it OK to hose down the coping due to dirt?

Yes. No different then when it rains, if it ever did in Southern California.

 

[Watershow]

What’s rain?

 

[Watershow]

It is always good to sneak up on your target level as you are learning about water chemistry. Best to add 1/2 to 2/3 in the first dose, wait 24-48 hours, and retest and see how your test tresult is compared to what you expected. That way if you are way off in your dosing you find it before you create a bigger problem.

CH - 150 after adding 5lbs of increaser
TA-50

should I start adding baking soda to increase TA or wait? Thanks!

ph 7.8
FC - 2
CC - 0
CYA - 30

 

[ajw22]

Nope. TA 50 is fine. Leave it alone.

 

[Watershow]

OK. Filter question. How do I know when it’s time to clean it? Do I need to clean it after new plaster installation?

 

[ajw22]

Note the clean filter pressure. It looks like it is around 8 now. When the filter pressure rises by 25% it is time to clean it. So somewhere around 10-11 psi would be time to clean.

Filter pressure is dependent on pump RPM. So measure your clean and dirty filter pressure at a constant RPM.

Maintenance and Cleaning of Pool Filters

Maintaining your swimming pool filter system is important. Learn how to clean and maintain your pool filter at low cost & enjoy a Trouble Free Pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Watershow]

Note the clean filter pressure. It looks like it is around 8 now. When the filter pressure rises by 25% it is time to clean it. So somewhere around 10-11 psi would be time to clean.

Filter pressure is dependent on pump RPM. So measure your clean and dirty filter pressure at a constant RPM.

Maintenance and Cleaning of Pool Filters

Maintaining your swimming pool filter system is important. Learn how to clean and maintain your pool filter at low cost & enjoy a Trouble Free Pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

I am noticing when I have it on 1500-1800 rpm
the pressure is around 8. When I increase the rpm to 2000 it rises to 10-11 psi. So if either one rises to 25% that’s when it’s time to clean, right?

 

[mknauss]

Select one RPM to measure filter pressure at. When it raises by 25% above clean pressure at the same RPM, then it is time to clean the filter.