Hi everybody,
Firstly, apologies if this is better suited to a different forum it just seems a little out of the ordinary so thought I'd try the pool chemistry wizard types.
I recently bought a house with a pool and moved in 5 weeks ago. As far as i know it is an old school chlorine pool. It is painted concrete. There is no chlorinator and i didn't think it was a salt water.
When we moved in the pH and alkalinity were crazy high. Particularly the alkalinity. I can't remember exactly what the readings were but both beyond the scope of my home test kit. When I took it into a local shop the kid was very surprised. After about 2 weeks of adding 500ml Hydrochloric acid each day i finally got them both pretty good. But then, the trouble started. Two separate leaks in the pipes connected to the filter. The water started getting really salty tasting and leaves white salty deposits where ever its splashed. Sediment kept collecting on the bottom of the pool within 24 hours of vacuuming. Pretty sure it was coming straight through the filter. When I left it on the bottom of the pool for a few days there were stains left behind. Also getting stains (or possibly paint coming off) in other spots. If i scrub at them with a brush most of them almost come off completely but not quite. Some are just solid stains - look almost like rust stains.
The sediment situation has gotten much better after vacuuming it to waste. But each day there is still some new stains on the paint.
Unfortunately, I don't have a salt reading for when I initially moved in and the pH and alkalinity were really high. Shortly after that (about 2.5 weeks ago) the reading was 8300 ppm and then a few days ago it was up to 11800ppm. This is based on the sample I brought to the local pool store.
My only working theory is that because of the high pH and alkalinity the filter and/or pipes were filled with mineral deposits, scale etc and when i got the chemical balance more neutral they started breaking down causing the leaks and maybe the saltiness. Just to clarify, I haven't added any salt. I have added only hydrochloric acid, stabilised granular chlorine, "pool sunscreen", and one of those blue gel cubes for clarifying since moving in 5 weeks ago.
I think I am going to have to get a submersible pump and drain or partially drain the pool to get the salt level down. Am worried its doing damage to the surface. But also a bit concerned about the structural problems that could arise from draining the pool.
Any input is appreciated.
The filter looks quite old, I have backwashed and rinsed several times. The little plastic "window" for checking that i have backwashed enough is completely yellowed so can't see the water unfortunately.
I had set some money aside for getting an electric heat pump but definitely need to get everything else sorted first. I anticipate getting a new filter and pump and chlorinator. But also considering alternative sanitising methods.
Firstly, apologies if this is better suited to a different forum it just seems a little out of the ordinary so thought I'd try the pool chemistry wizard types.
I recently bought a house with a pool and moved in 5 weeks ago. As far as i know it is an old school chlorine pool. It is painted concrete. There is no chlorinator and i didn't think it was a salt water.
When we moved in the pH and alkalinity were crazy high. Particularly the alkalinity. I can't remember exactly what the readings were but both beyond the scope of my home test kit. When I took it into a local shop the kid was very surprised. After about 2 weeks of adding 500ml Hydrochloric acid each day i finally got them both pretty good. But then, the trouble started. Two separate leaks in the pipes connected to the filter. The water started getting really salty tasting and leaves white salty deposits where ever its splashed. Sediment kept collecting on the bottom of the pool within 24 hours of vacuuming. Pretty sure it was coming straight through the filter. When I left it on the bottom of the pool for a few days there were stains left behind. Also getting stains (or possibly paint coming off) in other spots. If i scrub at them with a brush most of them almost come off completely but not quite. Some are just solid stains - look almost like rust stains.
The sediment situation has gotten much better after vacuuming it to waste. But each day there is still some new stains on the paint.
Unfortunately, I don't have a salt reading for when I initially moved in and the pH and alkalinity were really high. Shortly after that (about 2.5 weeks ago) the reading was 8300 ppm and then a few days ago it was up to 11800ppm. This is based on the sample I brought to the local pool store.
My only working theory is that because of the high pH and alkalinity the filter and/or pipes were filled with mineral deposits, scale etc and when i got the chemical balance more neutral they started breaking down causing the leaks and maybe the saltiness. Just to clarify, I haven't added any salt. I have added only hydrochloric acid, stabilised granular chlorine, "pool sunscreen", and one of those blue gel cubes for clarifying since moving in 5 weeks ago.
I think I am going to have to get a submersible pump and drain or partially drain the pool to get the salt level down. Am worried its doing damage to the surface. But also a bit concerned about the structural problems that could arise from draining the pool.
Any input is appreciated.
The filter looks quite old, I have backwashed and rinsed several times. The little plastic "window" for checking that i have backwashed enough is completely yellowed so can't see the water unfortunately.
I had set some money aside for getting an electric heat pump but definitely need to get everything else sorted first. I anticipate getting a new filter and pump and chlorinator. But also considering alternative sanitising methods.