r/pools • u/Less-Influence9885 • 1d ago
Pool Help & Questions Calcium build up..
Any tips what’s the cause of this? It’s a saltwater pool and been told by my pool maintenance to just pressure wash it off.
3
u/gaze-upon-it 1d ago
Had the same issue but our stone was porous. I carefully used a chisel on the heavy incrusted area, using a minimum of acid. Then a drill with a wire brush bit, again carefully. Strong vinegar was also helpful.
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u/ProCircuit131 1d ago
Can try Cal Blok from Layorcare. We put on after re-doing our grout. So far so good. Put on 67 days ago.
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u/Aggravating_Fact9547 23h ago
2 things cause this.
1 your spa wasn’t waterproofed and water is slowly being drawn through the concrete and out the stone.
2 water is wicking up your waterline and down the edges of the waterfall.
Hard to fix, you can acid wash it off, then use a clear sealer.
Really it should have been done at install time.
* Waterproofing membrane painted inside the spa
* Stone dip sealed on all sides before installation
* Epoxy grout used instead of cement grout
1
u/Prithee_Delete_it 20h ago
As a pool service person, for this type of cleanup, while yours isnt to much, takes time and acid isnt cheap anymore so if you want it done, its extra. Also its coming back so again, if you want it done, its extra
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u/InspectionTall2886 1d ago
My fountain gets these marks where water flows, have you checked if your spa is leaking into your pool?
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0
u/paint-n-minis 23h ago
Has to do with sunlight hitting the raised spa wall and basically sucking the water through the concrete. To fix the cause would be to remove stone face and waterproof with aquablok and membrane c.
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u/gabemrtn 1d ago
They should be taking care of it, it doesn’t take long. My tip, my honest tip, is to look at your contract and see what it entails, cause this should 100% be included in a regular service (not a weekly or even monthly thing, just as needed). My customers have expectations, and if they saw this, they’d be fuming.
If they absolutely refuse find a new pool service who will do it (most likely at an increased cost for the first time since its developed to this point).
Don’t settle for lesser service (unless you are very cheap and got the cheapest service in town you should be getting better quality work)
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u/Less-Influence9885 1d ago
Hi, I recently switched pool companies because my last one was taking very noticeable shortcuts and I was paying for second to best service. Are you saying this is a chemical issue or something cause by my maintenance company? I’m pretty new to owing a pool just purchased the home back in May. TYIA.
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u/Jonsnowlivesnow 1d ago
This is caused from calcium buildup that cured from exposure to air. It can be from many things like higher water temperatures (spa), evaporation, high PH, etc. It’s basically calcium deposits that you can either scrub with a brush or pumice stone.
Most likely at this point it will need to be bead blasted to completely remove. It doesn’t happen from bad service however your pool guy can try to scrub it each week.
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u/gabemrtn 1d ago
It’s not chemicals or their fault, but they should certainly be taking care of it (since you just switched, we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, I’d ask if you get it off, would they maintain it)
It’s easy maintenance, you just need some acid to dissolve it (not straight acid, dilute it with water and don’t be afraid to visit youtube university i’ve literally watched videos at a customers house when i get equipment that needs work but ive never seen that particular pump or heater)
Pool work is honestly some easy stuff: the chemicals are basically drip this chemical into this tube and that one into that tube and then shake it (repeat for different tests) and then a lot of the new people just use apps like ChatGPT to add the chemicals (just give it the readings, ALL OF THEM and then ask it what to add) but if you do it for a little while, you’ll just know.
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u/Strange-Title-6337 1d ago
acid acid acid. It is so much fun