Pool Inspections

[Dale Marwood]

I have encountered a new construction residential pool that has leaching grout between the under water tiles.

This leaching requires a good scrubbing with a brush to remove and I don't know what might cause this.

Any ideas?

Dale.

[Jeffrey Moore]

The water chemistry is off. Calcium level may be low.

[Russell J. Hensel]

Originally Posted by jmoore5

The water chemistry is off. Calcium level may be low.

Agree

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

Originally Posted by jmoore5

The water chemistry is off. Calcium level may be low.

Exactly....
is the pool, a new install?
particualr attention needs to be made to calcium
when the pool is new
along with regular / routine brushing.

Use of a pumice stone may also be required to remove the scale buildup.

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

Contrary to what the Saleman may have told the Client...
Plaster pools are not Maintenance FREE....

[Lawrence W. Losciale]

There may be a bigger problem than chemistry. The "leaching you describe may also be caused a void behind the tile.

Pool tile are supposed to be fully embedded in the thin set or mastic. Many "tile men" use just a pat of mortar instead of a full set. This leaves voids that water can get into. When the water gets trapped like this the chemistry in the void causes the calcium build up you see no matter what the chemistry in the pool is. If the problem is bad enough it can actually pop the tile off. The only permanent fix is to remove the tile and do the job right.

The same thing can happen with the pool plaster. Have you ever see those calcium "icicles" form. It's caused by exactly the same thing, voids under the plaster coat. In the case of the plaster doing this its usually only a problem if its wide spread or very heavy in a particular area. Other wise you can just knock them off each time they grow back.

[Lawrence W. Losciale]

Originally Posted by jmoore5

The water chemistry is off. Calcium level may be low.

Actually the calcium would need to be to high for build up to occur

[Pete Campbell]

Good posts, Lawrence!

[Rose Camoro]

Use a high quality peeble stone tiles!

[Pete Campbell]

Note to Admin: Pls exclude 'guests' who cannot write a legitimate proper sentence!

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by pcampbell

Note to Admin: Pls exclude 'guests' who cannot write a legitimate proper sentence!

Hey ,are you picking on me again.

[Lawrence W. Losciale]

Originally Posted by Rose Camoro

Use a high quality peeble stone tiles!

You don't get the point. It's not the tile it's the installation.

BTW: there IS a spell checker for your posts.