I have a customer with an indoor 10,000 gallon heated pool with a cartridge filter that's about 7 years old. They installed a salt system about 2 years ago and have always kept the pool chemistry inline themselves. This is an elderly couple and they use the pool for physical therapy. Within the past month the plaster on the pool has become extremely rough. Think 60 grit sandpaper or worse. The problem is over the entire pool and not alocated to one area. the pH hasn't been below 7.2 and the calcium level is at 400ppm. The heater shows no signs of high acid content and there is no plaster decomposition at the bottom of the pool. Any ideas?
Yeah, That's what I told them. I have never seen any chemical do that other than a poor pH problem. I might try the sandpaper the next time I go over there. Thanks.
Sanding failed plaster will only smooth-off a weak surface. If the plaster has failed it will be a waste of time. It is done with power tools and water. Obviously electric power tools are not recommened. Salt should not have had the effect you describe on good quality 7 yr. old plaster. See Kim Skinners blogs. Sounds like a replaster.
Jeff,
As Bruce said, it was probably a scaling situation. As a sales rep for a plaster company and Jacks Magic, I see this same problem often. It is a very easy fix by simply performing a "Zero Alkalinity" procedure. This procedure is a basic "in pool acid wash". Just add 1 gallon of acid per 2,000 gallon of pool water, add sequstering agent 1 quart per 10,000, by pass heater, and run pool for 24-48 hours. Take everything out of the pool, and of course no swimming. I recommend this procedure because it is a low cost solution and is the gentlest on the plaster surface.Then continue to use the Jack's Magic to keep the problem from coming back.
Thanks, Ben. I had mentioned that to the customer as a possible option. How do you sand plaster? What do you use? How do you quote it? How does it turn out? Thanks.
Being indoors and heated, my initial suspician would be at the opposite end of the spectrum Jeff. Think scaling instead of etching and have another look. Does the skimmer basket or weir show roughness also?
Comments
As Bruce said, it was probably a scaling situation. As a sales rep for a plaster company and Jacks Magic, I see this same problem often. It is a very easy fix by simply performing a "Zero Alkalinity" procedure. This procedure is a basic "in pool acid wash". Just add 1 gallon of acid per 2,000 gallon of pool water, add sequstering agent 1 quart per 10,000, by pass heater, and run pool for 24-48 hours. Take everything out of the pool, and of course no swimming. I recommend this procedure because it is a low cost solution and is the gentlest on the plaster surface.Then continue to use the Jack's Magic to keep the problem from coming back.