Re-plastered our pool with pebble finish and its turning white

[JeanneEisen]

I posted previously about white power all over the bottom of our re-plastered pool ... snow or pool dust and once that resolved we could see the pool was getting splotchy. Several pool guys said it was a bad start-up. Another (from the contractor's company) said scale and recommended SL1000. A rep from the company looked at my pictures and said he didn't think it was scale. We have not had aggressive water or balance issues at all. I read an article reprinted with permission from @onBalance which I think is my answer.

Why Colored Pool Plaster Turns White and I pretty convinced my issue calcium added to plaster.

I asked the contractor back out after (it's been 4 months) and told him we want to file a claim under the warranty. He will be here tomorrow . . . I need opinions if this looks like it could be a workmanship/materials issue with the plaster?

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[onBalance]

The photos do not seem to be showing significant discoloration of the plaster job. Perhaps other photos can be taken and provided to view.

 

[JeanneEisen]

The photos do not seem to be showing significant discoloration of the plaster job. Perhaps other photos can be taken and provided to view.

Thanks for the response. It is difficult to capture in photos which why I tried taking those under water .. .. all that white you see is all fixed into the plaster and does not brush away. The white is throughout the entire pool and since it was only done a few months I didn't expect any "white stained look" to the finish. I hope these are helpful.

 

[JeanneEisen]

 

[JeanneEisen]

last 2 pictures I'll post ... hope they help

 

[onBalance]

First, be sure that the white discoloration isn't calcium scaling that leaves a deposit on top of the surface.
Second, the contractor may suggest that the white is calcium scaling. Have him sand a small white area with 100 grit sandpaper for a few seconds. It the white doesn't disappear immediately and expose the underlying dark color plaster, then that would indicate that the white probably isn't calcium scale. (Scale is easily remove on new plaster).

 

[JeanneEisen]

First, be sure that the white discoloration isn't calcium scaling that leaves a deposit on top of the surface.
Second, the contractor may suggest that the white is calcium scaling. Have him sand a small white area with 100 grit sandpaper for a few seconds. It the white doesn't disappear immediately and expose the underlying dark color plaster, then that would indicate that the white probably isn't calcium scale. (Scale is easily remove on new plaster).

Thanks, will have the sandpaper ready. We test our PH 3 - 4 times a week and have since the re-plaster, it has never been higher than 7.8. The PC rep also told us to use Orenda SC1000 which we did and it didn't touch any of the white on the plaster surface. We starting seeing white flaking but the Orenda rep said that was probably descaling within our equipment. The white in the photos has been in the pool since our start-up. PC said it would get better and go away. They did a no drain acid re-start (as was later described by our pool guy when I told him the PC poured 8 gals of acid in the pool a few week after our start up to get rid of the white) but you see it is back so I don't think it is scale. I had no idea how complicated a pool could be. Thanks for your time.

 

[JeanneEisen]

PC came by and he thinks it scale - used a tube to pour acid directly on surface --- after several tubes full and 5- 8 minutes it did turn a tiny bit of the white surface brown again (color of our pebble plaster). I'm thinking it would turn it brown again whether it was scale or carbonation, am I right?

 

[onBalance]

Yes, you are correct.
However, if it were to be scale, it would have been removed with the first acid procedure and within the first minute.
You might try and look close at the spot where the acid treatment and see if it is now etched and rough.

 

[JeanneEisen]

Hard to really tell if it felt rougher with the pebble finish and it was a very small area. I did capture a few pics and will work on a macro of that spot.

 

[onBalance]

Another way of telling between the two issues is that the white calcium scale will also cover the pebbles themselves with the white deposit. Whereas, if only the cement portion is turning white, then it is defective plaster.
If the pebble themselves are not covered with a white calcium deposit, then I would show that to the PC and have them explain why the scale isn't covering the pebbles.
Your photos seem to show that the pebble are not covered with a white calcium deposit.

 

[JeanneEisen]

For anyone following this post I am providing updated photos of our pool. they tried a scale treatment which did nothing and them they drained and did an acid wash. The photos are from about a week or so after the acid wash. It is even worse than before. The rock are severely exposed and rough. Regulations for re-plaster needs to be required.

 

[JeanneEisen]

the owner of the plaster company came to look and says our salt cell generator is causing our ph to be too high causing the whitening. We did not have the problem with the previous surface but it was a lighter surface. He said the PH should be keep 7.0 - 7.2. Any opinions on keeping the PH at that level, beside how hard it might be to do with the rain in Florida. Seems we will be adding acid constantly. He is wanting to do a 3rd acid wash, diamond grind the surface of the pool to smooth out the protruding rocks and try to level the step. He said the color and stones are throughout so we will get the surface we are looking for. I don't see how I don't try before going resorting to a full rechipping of the plaster and start over. @onBalance do you have an opinion?

 

[onBalance]

The contractor should be allowed to try and resolve the plaster discoloration, and a diamond grind may work. He is on the hook if he fails to make it right.
Tell the plaster contractor that he cannot insist or expect that the pH has to be kept between 7.0 and 7.2. That is unreasonable and ridiculous. The standard for all pools is 7.2 to 7.8.

 

[JeanneEisen]

The contractor should be allowed to try and resolve the plaster discoloration, and a diamond grind may work. He is on the hook if he fails to make it right.
Tell the plaster contractor that he cannot insist or expect that the pH has to be kept between 7.0 and 7.2. That is unreasonable and ridiculous. The standard for all pools is 7.2 to 7.8.

Agree, we always seem to fall between 7.2 and 7.6. Sometimes In the mornings we may be at 7.8 but 7.4 is our typical. Your feedback is appreciated.

 

[Allyson H]

Wow I am having the same issue. Thank you for posting. Had pool for two months and from the jump the Wet Edge Glossy Black was grey. They came 4 weeks after fill and did acid bath, scrubbed and turned black. But it is slowly turning back grey. No scale anywhere on water line or pebbles. Plaster Co keeps saying “it’s a chemistry problem.” Pool builder is useless. Called Wet Edge and they said I need a Jack Magic test prior to warranty claim. Keep up weekly with pH. I’m at a loss. Spent my entire savings in this pool and I’m just looking for some answers. Thanks for the post, feels good to not be alone but hate that we have to deal with this. I attached three pics of sun shelf which is most effected. You can see grey/white at first fill to black/grey after acid bath and now mostly grey plaster slowly coming back.