Rust stains coming from spa jets - pool is 2 1/2 years old

3 years ago

We've been wrestling with this issue for a while now and have talked to our pool contractor who naturally claimed he has 'never seen anything like this before'. Basically, we have rust coming from 3 jets our built-in spa AND rust coming out of one of the return jets in the main pool.

What we have done so far:

Had Pentair out to check the system and confirm it is not an issue with the equipment
Cleaned off the surface rust only to have it return

New construction pool. 2.5 years old and this has been occurring for at least a year.

I have my theories as to what the issue is, but would love to hear from anyone in here.

Featured Answer

PRO

Mystic Pools, LLC

3 years ago

OK. This is not a water chemistry issue, Sounds like your diligent in the chemistry management. You're one of the few!!

When we set our plumbing either in the spa or the pool, we have to support the pipe by tying it to a piece of rebar. The pipes are stubbed out beyond the shotcrete. After the shot, the crew will carve out around the pipes to allow for access to the pipe to cut them back prior to plastering.

I'll post a pic of a recent build during construction to see the stubbed pipes.

Most times we have to chip a bit more to allow the wall fitting to sit back far enough to finish flush with the plaster. Sometimes the supporting piece of rebar interferes and we will cut it out. The pipe is cut back and the wall fitting is set. Everything is pre-measured to ensure the fitting when glued is fully seated and ends flush for plaster.

Setting the wall fittings should be the PB's responsibility. Not the plaster contractor.

Perhaps in your case the rebar was exposed, the pipes were cut back too far, not extended and the plaster contractor set the wall fittings flush as they were plastering. So now the wall fitting is not glued to the stub and the space in between has the rebar exposed resulting in rust. It will never stop.

Chipping out the wall would be a great undertaking and any plaster patching would be noticeable.

I don't have eyes on these wall fittings, but perhaps cleaning up the affected areas, allow to dry, reach into the fittings and rough the plastic surface with some emery cloth. A long, narrow wire brush attachment may work well.

Wipe it clean and apply some GE Silicone where there is a gap. This may be tricky if it's in deep. A long flat applicator of some sort will help.

Apply enough to fill the gap but not too much interfere with the jet function. Allow 24 hrs to set.

This won't be a permanent fix, but it should stop the rusting issues.

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Comments (8)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
Have you had your water tested? Well or city?
chispa
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Have you had someone run one of those small cameras down the pipes? That would hopefully show you if there was something in there that was rusting.
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ShadyWillowFarm
3 years ago
Have your water tested.
PRO
Mystic Pools, LLC
3 years ago
Inside your jet body or the jet itself, is there some sort of metallic item? Do you know the brand of the jets used?

Is there any metallic components inline on the pool equipment? A sacrificial anode perhaps??

Absolutely have your water tested. Check the Iron content also.

This looks similar to some pools built in the 60's or earlier whereas galvanized pipe penetrated the wall. It would create a rusty wall fitting and many times leave flaky residue on the pool floor.
Chris Bell thanked Mystic Pools, LLC
Chris Bell
Original Author
3 years ago
Nothing in the jet body or the jet. I drained the spa down and got some decent shots inside the jet. And no metallic components -- everything has been inspected.

I'll take everyone's suggestion to have the water tested and will check the iron content. We are on city water, but it is well. We have very hard water here. But we also account for that. We do most of our own pool chemistry because it is a salt water pool and keeping it in balance has been a focus so we are withing normal ranges for Ph, alkalinity, cyanuric acid, chlorine, etc.

Here's my theory...on all of the jets (including the intake), there appears to be a slight separation between the PVC fittings. I think the pool plaster subs just slapped it together and didn't really focus on making sure it was a perfect fit when finalizing everything. This is allowing metals from the soil (or from rebar) to leech into the pool. The separation isn't enough to cause an issue where it's clear we are losing a lot of water.
Chris Bell
Original Author
3 years ago
@Mystic Pools, LLC -- thank you for the in-depth response. I was afraid that it might result in chipping into the plaster and (as you said), it would be noticeable unless we did an entirely new plaster job.

Here in California, we are still within the window for a construction defect claim. While we are hoping to avoid going down that route, we spent a lot of $ on this pool and backyard remodel so we want it to look good and last for a long time.
PRO
Mystic Pools, LLC
3 years ago
My solution is just a "fix". You may have some water loss as well over time.

I'm not aware of the California defect claim. This would allow for a permanent repair.

Chipping would be necessary and I would push for a completely new plaster finish.