Is there a better solution? Simply click here to return to. Expandable Liners Once you have enough holes to cover the whole bad area, use bolts and nuts to bind the entire area together. Brush rusted or oxidized areas lightly to remove flaking paint and rust, using a wire brush. Rust on pool wall is not a good sign for the structural integrity of the pool. The hole for the return was also rusted but other than that the pool is in really good shape as you can see by my picture of the pool itself. There are two types of an above ground pool wall. To do this you would need to lower the water level to below the skimmer area and remove the skimmer. Hopkins pools professional team can put you back in shape. Since the crack is at the bottom of the wall do your best to reinforce it. Private Counsel The rust problems are not equal. If it is I was thinking on sandwiching 1/8 aluminum plates about 1 1/2” x 4” to prevent it from spreading. b.) If you are in need of a new pool liner, remove the old one and take a peek at your interior pool walls for rust. The pressure is massive towards the bottom, and you are more likely to get a blowout than it would be in the case of the hole at the top. I removed a section of the liner behind the buckled area, and banged it straight with a hand held mallet with a piece of wood on the outside to take the hammer blows. Any professional installer should be able to do it for a small charge. This is what many people hope. Can I cut this section out, buy another piece of steel/metal the same length/height, and attach there to fix? All pools are susceptible to corrosion (rust or oxidation) on the metal at some point during its lifespan. The wall of an above ground pool wall has to hold thousands of pounds of water so if the rust has eaten its way deep into the steel or aluminum, it may no longer be strong enough to hold the water. On concrete pools, a rebar tie wire that is too close to the surface, or a crack that allowed water to reach the rebar steel. You can try cutting pieces out a bit at a time, but you will still need to dig out the structural steel behind the walls. It's easy to do. Then, you will be left out with only 3 options: 1. Rust caused by backfill usually stays on the outside of the wall. These are three places where to much rust can make moving and re-installing a pool difficult. by cindy kane There is very little water pressure that hi on the wall so the patches are perfectly save. When you notice rust on pool wall, you should spring into action and remove it. My old pool building partner has these made locally and carries them on his truck at all times. SHEET METAL POOL WALL REPAIR: Get yourself some sheet metal, sold in squares or in a roll at your local home or hardware store. Most rebar comes off the truck with at least a little rust. You could then rivet a piece of flat metal over the opening and cut a new skimmer opening. Since it will be behind the coping, do you think it will it be an issue? You should investigate to know the intensity of the rust. I have thought about draining the pool down, patching the liner and moving the return line to a new spot. I have seen all of these methods work with great success. a.) Follow manufacturer's specification for optimum results. Do it yourself pool installation don’t always turn out the way you want. The pool wall then started coming out of the top of the pool. If you have rust inside, you may have had a hole or two in your pool liner. There are stainless steel service panels available, they would splice into your damaged area. The rust does not look too bad, the areas could be sanded and painted over to prevent further rusting. When the rust hole is towards the bottom, you are looking at a bigger problem. Pool Wall & Structure Corrosion. A common misconception is that it’s the pool builder’s fault for installing rusty rebar. When I put the new liner in and went to cut the hole for the return line I see that the outer pool wall has rusted out and now the new gasket will not seal and I still have a slow leak. Rebar will rust through if placed within an inch of the surface. Either that – or the rust is coming from the inside-out! Some of the rust spots are rusted through and I can see the liner. Use duct tape to make sure the bolts are firm. Concrete (gunite & shotcrete) is a very strong material but not flexible. This is where pool walls rust from bare edges and leaky gaskets. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6105c01a8bfd41048b391bf1af82378" );document.getElementById("hd503e10fd").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This should stop the rust that has started. It appears the walls are rusting from the inside out. The owner claims it is 9 years old. Rust caused by backfill usually stays on the outside of the wall. You should investigate to know the intensity of the rust. Another way of dissolving rust is to rub chlorine tablets on the affected areas. Use the most appropriate method to deal with the issue immediately and maintain your future chlorine levels — especially if the outdoor pool temperature is relatively high . Pool Installation, AGP Help Center I now manufacture these repair kits because it makes no sense to scrap a pool for a small area of rust. You can do this with either a uniform depth liner or the expandable liner. Please see fairoaksproducts.com, Join in and write your own page! Replace the entire bad section with a new piece: doing this all alone may give you a hard time. It could be something that is threatening the integrity of your pool wall. It will teach how to diagnose the problem, deal with it, and prevent similar rusty issues in the future. We saw the rust but didn't know it could literally tear. One, it is only a surface problem that you can deal with efficiently depending on the, that you have. 99 $18.99 $18.99. If you keep in mind that most of the water pressure on the wall of an above ground pool is on the lower half, repairs on the upper half do not need to be nearly as strong. I read your other posts on repairing small holes with flat metal. Cracks relating to soil issues. Be sure to use this method of installing the new liner once you ready for it. If you see any rust spots on the outside of your pool then the inside will be much worse as the rust forms in the inside of the pool wall and works its way out in most cases. It's about 6 years old and this year we noticed rust stains on the outside of the walls. Over time, aluminum pools are designed to withstand this process longer than steel pools. When we did this we noticed large areas of rust on the inner wall. The other typically called slat-wall uses interconnecting extruded aluminum panels (slat wall). But no worries! Only attempt to repair minor holes or cracks yourself; consult a professional for pools that show signs of extensive or structural damage. How? It's easy to do. If rust staining is present at the bottom of the pool and you are reluctant to drain it or get in the pool during the cleaning process, use an extendable broom to scour the stain. Awning Contractors Is the jacketing cladding an okay product to use? We lost our liner this year and decided to take the liner out before we ordered a new one and had it professionally installed. Your email address will not be published. Metal exposed to chemically treated water will corrode over time. You could then remove a few top rails and pull the liner back. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Pick a screwdriver and scratch the surface of the rusty patch. It could be something that is threatening the integrity of your pool wall. The rust on your walls may appear unsightly on the outside of your pool, but it's the rust that is inside the pool you really need to worry about. To do this you would need to cut the rusted area back a couple of inches. Assuming I need to add another layer of aluminum to the entire perimeter of the pool, should I repair these holes at the bottom with rolls of aluminum and duct tape (will it be safe)? Some of the bottom channels were corroded beyond repair, but I located some plastic replacement channels. (I did not take it down) but am attempting to set it up. The most common area for this to take effect is the skimmer and return area. Pool Mate Metal Out is an excellent general purpose sequestrant that helps protect plumbing and pool walls from rust, stain, and scale. Pool Parts My question is can something like this be repaired or are we looking at purchasing a whole new pool rather than just a liner? If moving the skimmer location is not a good option you could rebuild the existing opening. Two, and this is not good news; the rusty issue is just a tip of the problem. You then need to move over a section of wall and cut a new skimmer opening. I found some 20"x50' rolls of aluminum at Home Depot, as well as some 24"x50' aluminum rolls at a gutter supply house and a 36"x100' "aluminum insulation roll jacketing cladding" material. There are several ways to go about this. Over time rust my come out of these cracks and that can be a significant concern, for as the rebar rust it expands in volume; up to four times its diameter. Step 2. Doing this would also require draining the water below the skimmer. At least one hole at the bottom of the wall is 1-2" tall and 6-10" long. Untreated, rusting rebar can create a bigger issue, because the corrosion always is worse underneath. c.) Should I use pop rivets to connect the two layers? For more information see the full disclaimer page. This particular pool builder doesn’t provide me with many details of previous work, type of pool finish or even where in the pool the problem is located on their work orders although I have been asking them since 1995 to do so. Pool Supplies, General Pool I cannot afford a new pool of this size so want to repair it. Pick a screwdriver and scratch the surface of the rusty patch. If the rust goes all the way through the pool wall, or the wall is rusted out, you will have to patch the wall with sheet metal. There is a lot of water pressure down there. The other places you need to carefully inspect are the bottom rails, the bottom rail connectors and the bottom of the uprights. It is tricky to repair a hole in the wall of your pool. Any creases from dirt caving in or the wall pulling down can be easily knocked back into place. Overlap Liners Join in and write your own page! How Does a Pool Skimmer Work? Hi, Just found this site while I was looking for an answer to my question about my pool dilemma. This is because concrete is high in alkalinity, which neutralizes … I checked your site, good product, good prices, I am more than happy to recommend. This method is for those who have already purchased a replacement liner and have no money for a new pool. This means the ground water accumulated around the outside of a pool's walls can exert greater pressure on an empty pool than the pool's concrete walls can exert back on it, causing the pool walls to crack or even collapse when it is drained. They make a lot more sense than replacing the entire wall. Doughboy pools are designed for stretching the liner into place. One comes on a roll and is rolled out on the job, with hardware to mechanically fastened the two ends. If you do spot rust then you will need to assess the severity. Under the plaster of your pool are intersecting metal shafts called rebar. It might be possible for moisture from the backfill to work its way up the inner wall but I have not known this to be the case. I am in the process of moving a pool to my house, and in the removal process, some significant corrosion was discovered on the aluminum side wall (please see the photos). I don't remember the name of the pool and I don't have the receipt handy. Pool Wall Rust. This expansion creates tremendous pressure on the concrete, causing spalling, cracks and damage. We are considering buying a Doughboy pool 16x32. They appear right now to be just on the surface. If you are the one doing it you could search this site a little, I have explained the process many times. Push the screwdriver into the wall. Step 3. Most metals, when subjected to swimming pool water chemicals, will react and leave a stain where they were in contact with the pool's plaster.The most common objects to stain swimming pools are soda or beer cans, pop tops, and coins. in the wall of your pool. This can be caused by a small hole in the liner or leakage through the skimmer or return gaskets. If the rust is through the wall I would patch the opening and cut a new one in a good section of wall. We have a Colosseum 30' round AG 52" high pool. Pool Liners How? If the rust is not terrible, as in not through the wall, you could probably repair the area. Out of sight, out of mind is not the way to go. Yes, this can be fixed, I have done it many times over the years. It can be done, but needs to be a good solid patch. Removing the rust as soon as you notice it will save you a lot in future replacements and repairs. The problem should be solved once and for all. If this has to be done professionally who would be able to do it? Here are some of the most effective ways to handle rust on the walls of a pool: Rust on pool wall is not a good sign for the structural integrity of the pool. Rust on the walls of your pool can be two things. You can get iron/rust out of your pool water by purchasing an iron remover, shock treating your pool with the help of pHin, separating your oxidized metal from the water and vacuuming it out, and/or brushing your pool walls and other surfaces. I have a 24' round pool that has very bad rusting around the skimmer. I have no idea what you are paying for the pool, but from the looks of it, you should be able to enjoy it for many years to come. Our pool wall was crushed during the last winter right over the skimmer due to ice on the cover. I have an aluminum Esther Williams pool that was recently taken down and moved. This is what many people hope. That’s not the issue. These stains will get darker in colour and continue to get bigger. Tape metal sheets. Is there anyway to repair it? Would the inner wall rust have anything to do with backfilling the pool or improperly installing the pool? It may be a problem on the surface, but you should not assume anything. A patch taped to the wall works just fine. Some should give you a sleepless night, while for others you should not be so afraid. Do an exterior inspection of your pool. This page tells you how to cut a new skimmer opening. A small swimming pool stain is usually caused by a metal object being left on the plaster bottom long enough to rust and leave a stain. In essence, the piece should be 4 inches longer than the bad section. I had the same problem and fabricated a stainless steel panel to repair the wall. Noticed this split in the lower end of the pool that I believe happened when it was being taken down. We tried saving the pool wall by ripping more of the liner to relieve the pressure. Rust pool stains that appear in isolated spots are usually caused by metal objects that (mysteriously) find their way into the pool. In order to keep this resource about pools and spas available for free to all readers I earn commissions for purchases made through links on this page. Then sanding the wall and painting it with a rust stopping paint. (island lake illinois). If you are changing your liner and discover rust, you should think twice before installing your liner over the rusted area. Let’s suppose that there is a lot of rust at the bottom of your pool wall. (Lexington, KY, USA). Not only is this not a problem, but some say a bit of rust can actually strengthen the bond between the steel and cement. Oval Pools, Swimming Pool Contractors Do-it-yourself above ground pool installation. You do not want to install the skimmer over two pieces of metal so be sure the original wall is cut back far enough so that it is not in the way. That is the # 1 areas of the pool wall that give way first. Vinyl liner swimming pools most commonly are built using galvanized steel wall panels. $17.99 $ 17. (Acushnet, Ma). It does not appear the wall has been damaged. This page shows another option, the skimmer panel. This can be caused by a small hole in the liner or leakage through the skimmer or return gaskets. I have approximately five or six dime size rust spots on the exterior walls of the pool. A wall is very easy to straighten once the dirt is removed from around the outside and the liner cut out from the inside of the pool. Required fields are marked *. The pool store where it was purchased maybe? What can we do to prevent these spots from eating thru the wall and any suggestions of what else to look for while buying a used pool? One, it is only a surface problem that you can deal with efficiently depending on the type of pool plaster that you have. Make sure the new pieces you are using will cover the entire bad area. How to Remove Rust From Outside Walls Step 1. Pools made of extruded aluminum panels are best. Everything ElseAbove Ground Pool. SwimmingPoolSteve.com is user-supported. Use metal channels to drill holes all through the rusty wall: The steel channel will be your reinforcement as you drill holes from the inside of the pool. I would install the wall and just slip the aluminum roll into the bottom rail on the inside of the pool. If it goes deep inside, then you have a bigger problem at hand if you have a regular or. A repair person has said that this can be repaired and should last for many years. A piece of flat metal, or aluminum, could be duct taped over the existing opening. On the inside, I would sand the area and repaint it. When you have rust infection spread out across the pool, put ascorbic acid powder to your pool filter. The pool wall started caving in because we had little water. A couple layers of duct tape will hold it in place just fine. This should prevent further rust and extend the life of your sidewall. If it goes deep inside, then you have a bigger problem at hand if you have a regular or saltwater pool. Step 3 - Treat Stain Directly Where elbow grease fails to remove pool stains, the next step is … Just because you had the pool filled with water just days before does not … For best results, add 1 quart per 10,000 gallons on a weekly basis, and you will never have metal stains in your pool. Simply click here to return to Ask the Pool Pro. I had a 24 foot round pool installed 4 years ago. So much, that the walls are full of deep rusted holes and you really doubt the strength of the walls. Rust may appear in spots or streaks. We got a leek in the bottom of the liner. Cut out the sheet metal with tin snips or bolt cutters, or use entire square pieces to avoid cutting. I am so glad we did because when we removed the liner we found that the skimmer section was all rusted. Two, and this is not good news; the rusty issue is just a tip of the problem. Try your soft-bristled brush again on any stubborn and excess stains. This post will tell you what you may be dealing with. If this is a problem coating the wall with roofing tar prevents it. Some solutions will work for certain pools but fail terribly with others. When properly encased in concrete, steel will not rust. Step 4 - Stain and Rust Prevention Above-Ground Pool Wall Construction. Once the liner is out, be sure to sand down and paint and rust you see on the pool wall. You just need to tape some flat stock metal over the openings from the inside of the pool. Beaded Liners What you should do is assess the kind of problem you are dealing with, and then come up with the best repair approach. The pool is an 18' by 48" round. www.bluepoolshouston.com/houston-pool-builders-blog/rust-on-pool-wall By Roxanna Ignacio | February 26, 2014. What you should do is assess the kind of problem you are dealing with, and then come up with the best repair approach. You could then sand and paint the rusted area. Stay on top of this and your pool will last much longer. by Frank Attempting to repair after the first indication of rust staining may lead to having to carry out this repair procedure numerous times because insufficient time has been allowed for all incidences of Ironstone to erupt and produce a stain on the surrounding surface. It might be possible for moisture from the backfill to work its way up the inner wall but I have not known this to be the case. Do an overhaul of the bottom coves when you are dealing with rusty holes close to the bottom. Push the screwdriver into the wall. Doing this with a hand grinder will be grueling. While inspecting the pool we took the liner out and found that there are 2 rust spots the size of quarters on one side of the pool near the bottom. We did back fill half the pool about 2 1/2 feet under ground. Hi Tony. by Chris A wall can look pretty bad and still be fine, but if there are spots where it has rusted all the way through then that is bad and cause for alarm. Use the most appropriate method to deal with the issue immediately and maintain your future. If the area was already somewhat bad to begin with, it may have been a. when you first got your pool built. I have a 33 foot above ground pool (large) and the wall literally ripped in half due to rust. In this case I knew it was a pebble finished pool and the color was Irish Mist but I didn’t know the rebar was located behind the waterline tile. If your rust stain has not from a metal object that has fallen into the pool it may be from the pool steel structure. Protecting Your Liner From a Rusty Wall for Above Ground Pools - YouTube. I would use one of the two aluminum rolls, either should be fine. Towel Racks 5 Hooks Black Sandblasted Robe Hooks Wall Mount Towel Holder Black Metal Towel Racks Rustproof and Waterproof for Kitchen Storage Organizer Rack, Bathroom Towels, Robes, Clothing( Black) 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,785. – Pool Care Tips. The only other things that need replacing are my top plates but everything else seems okay. What causes rust spots on pool walls. Let Me know your thoughts. It should be used for pool openings and closings and throughout the season. Pool Filters You would then go to a good section of wall and cut new openings. This page discusses buying a used above ground swimming pool, it might be helpful. Your email address will not be published. Pool QuestionsWith Answers Get it as soon as Fri, Mar 19. I have an eleven year old eighteen foot round above ground pool. When you notice rust on the walls of your pool, you feel like it is a big problem. Some solutions will work for certain pools but fail terribly with others. This is especially true for the area around the skimmer and return jet punch-outs. My dad and I ripped out my steel pool from the 80's and the track hoe saved us oodles of work. Hopkins pool wall repair kits are made of the same wall material as your pool so you can repair it with… Read More. Pool Base The rust was also located near a top cap that we had to keep getting replaced. It buckled down about 4 inches. Rust like your photo is showing normally comes from moisture in between the wall and the liner. My E-books and Kindle Books, Pool Installation Rusted skimmer opening, not a problem. Rust on the walls of your pool can be two things.