rust

[sueasinsue]

I have a salt water above ground pool, 8 years old-yesterday I noticed a piece of thin rusted metal on the bottom of the pool, when I picked it out it it easily broke into pieces, I discovered this came from the vertical pool support beams, when in the pool, I ran my hand along the top of the liner just under the "lip" that goes around the entire pool, and at each support beam there is about 2 inches of metal from the beam that is not covered by the liner and is rusting, when I touched it tiny pieces broke off. Is there anything I can do about this? I saw online that some people recommend you use steel wool and rub the rust off then use a sealant paint to cover the exposed metal? Will I need to replace all the support beams? I'm concerned about how this will affect the structural integrity of the pool walls?

 

[Texas Splash]

Is there anything I can do about this?

For the beams, it depends. If it's just surface rust, sand it down, prime and paint. For rust spots in the pool, try rubbing with a Vitamin C tablet.

 

[sueasinsue]

It's the beams, nothing in the pool, the top of the beams that are exposed underneath the rim of the pool. Thank you!

 

[sueasinsue]

This is probably a dumb question but how do I sand the rust off without getting it into the pool water? Any suggestions?

 

[Texas Splash]

how do I sand the rust off without getting it into the pool water?

That's actually a very good question. I might try laying a plastic tarp on the water's surface near the area to be sanded. Hopefully you can catch it that way.

 

[Newdude]

I was thinking about using painters tape to bridge the gap of *impermeable layer of your choice*.

An open kitchen garbage bag might work taping the bottom of the 'mouth' just above the water level. It might help to drain a few inches.

Or a tarp, plastic sheeting or solar cover.