What is this weird substance?

[bTL]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and a new pool owner. Thanks for having me. I have these white deposits all over my pool vac and broom handles. I've searched high and low for somebody with a similar issue, but I just cant seem to find anybody else who has had this issue. Maybe I'm doing it wrong? I've attached a picture. Thanks in advance to anyone who may know what this is!

 

[JamesW]

Is that aluminum?

Have the parts been left in the water?

 

[bTL]

Thanks for responding. I believe it is indeed aluminum and yes, it has been left in the water.

 

[JamesW]

Aluminum oxidizes and the parts are now ruined.

The substance is probably aluminum oxide.

I would replace all parts and then keep them dry when not in use.

 

[bTL]

Really? What specifically causes this to form on there?

 

[JamesW]

Aluminum is weird because it can resist corrosion for a long time, but under certain circumstances, the corrosion can happen very quickly.

Try to keep the equipment clean and dry and do not expose the aluminum directly to any chemicals.

Storing the equipment near chemicals like acid or trichlor can expose the aluminum to fumes and vapors that can attack the aluminum and make it corrode.

Sometimes, the aluminum can be damaged if it is left in the pool water, especially if the pool water is out of balance.

What are all of your chemical levels now?

 

[JamesW]

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[JamesW]

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[JamesW]

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[Newdude]

Sometimes, the aluminum can be damaged if it is left in the pool water, especially if the pool water is out of balance.

Don't scratches and such accelerate the aluminum corrosion also ?

Whether the poles are hung or tossed on the ground somewhere, it be all but impossible to not scratch them up.

 

[JamesW]

Metals often develop a layer of oxidized metal compounds that protects the metal from further oxidation.

If the oxidation layer is damaged by chemicals or mechanical means, the metal becomes susceptible to corrosion.

 

[JamesW]

 

[JamesW]

If you check a Nobility chart, you will see that aluminum is near the bottom of the chart, which means that is is one of the least noble metals.

This is why aluminum, zinc and magnesium are used as anodes to protect other metals from corrosion.

Less noble metals lose electrons more easily than more noble metals.

Corrosion or oxidation is what happens when metal loses electrons.

Acid can directly oxidize metals like aluminum, zinc and magnesium.

Acid cannot directly oxidize copper, but acid will strip off the protective oxidation layer, which makes the metal susceptible to oxidizers like chlorine, bromine, oxygen, ozone, hydrogen peroxide etc.




Once the aluminum loses the anodizing layer, the corrosion can happen very quickly especially if the aluminum if left in the pool or exposed to chemical fumes like acid or chlorine.

 

[OntarioCanada]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and a new pool owner. Thanks for having me. I have these white deposits all over my pool vac and broom handles. I've searched high and low for somebody with a similar issue, but I just cant seem to find anybody else who has had this issue. Maybe I'm doing it wrong? I've attached a picture. Thanks in advance to anyone who may know what this is!


View attachment 515855

i had similar issue where I had small which flakes/chips coming out of returns. I learned it was calcium build up on salt cell plates because I was not shutting down the salt cell before turning pump off. Your issue looks like something else but if you have salt cell, keep that in mind so you don’t have to clean cell every 2-3 weeks.