Rusting bottom rail on AGP

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A

archjeb

0
May 22, 2017
68
Portland/OR
Hello folks,

Last spring (2017) I installed a 24' AGP from Costco; which is made by 'Swim'n Play, Inc' pool, but its actually distributed by Century Pools - Above Ground Swimming Pools
Its been just over a year and the bottom rails are starting to rust already. The ones that are not rusted, the paint is starting to bubble and I know that will eventually lead to the same thing.
pool-rail-rusting-lower-small.jpg

Is this typical after a year or is it a defect?

I'm going to call the manufacturer and see what they can do. I guess if I get too much push back, Costco will take it back with a 100% guarantee...

Thanks,

-J
 
Hi Arch! :wave: That's a shame. I can't provide any personal experience to confirm the typical longevity of a pool frame, but one year seems very short to me. Unless you have something very acidic or salty in the soil, I don't understand it. Curious to hear what the manufacturer has to say. Perhaps next go-round, protect the underside of the frame/rails with liners/pads to keep them off the soil? That's about all I can come up with. Maybe this :bump: will give others the opportunity to reply. Good luck!
 
So, its been a couple years since I posted this originally. Now fast forward to 2021, here is what that rail looks like:

pool-rail-rust.jpg


So it is really rusty now at this point. I could probably push a screw driver through the rust as enough of the metal is oxidized through.
The deal is, the manufacturer never, ever responded. I bought it through Costco and Coscto couldn't even get a response from the manufacturer.
Costco was willing to take it back...but seems wrong to have them eat the cost on this given I've gotten several years of use on this pool (plus the hassel of taking it apart and shipping).


My question now becomes, how criticial is that bottom rail? The pool wall itself looks like its in good shape as this is galvanized. The pool rail was NOT galvanized, it was just painted steel...so I'm not surprised that it rusted. It would take just a scratch and the rust cancer would start with just plain painted steel.

Once the pool is full of water, isn't the pool wall actually the support and these rails have very little value structurally since the water is pushing equally on the wall?
Thanks,

-J
 
You've learned one thing for sure at this point.......the only thing that improves with rust is the rust itself. That rail is on borrowed time at best and i wouldn't trust it if a section of it gives way. I'm willing to bet that the layer of galvanizing on that wall is about equal in thickness to that paint too.
 
If that rail gives way, it would push the base of the wall out of round. The pressure of the water at the base would also affect the cove inside the wall. Not sure how long that would hold.
 
Odds are you have more than one rusty bottom rail. If Costco is still willing to take it back I would consider it. As far as I can tell this manufacturer is out of business. There may be a few of their pools for sale with various companies but the warranty is useless. If you just want to replace the bottom rail you could contact Inyo Pools and see if they can match the parts. You will have to take the pool down to replace the bottom rails and you will also need a new liner.
 
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If I go and replace this 24' pool. Any recommendations on a specific brand that is not parsimonious/stingy on the galvanizing? Doughboy comes to mind, but any others?
If I replace, I'd like to make sure I'm not back where I'm at in 5yrs...
 
Did you check around to see if you could get away with replacing only the bottom rails?
My pool is 17 years old but I don't know if today's doughboy's hold up the same. Maybe.
Look into an all resin pool, which includes the bottom rails being resin, top rails and some even have resin walls.

all resin pool at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.
duckduckgo.com duckduckgo.com
Here's a few to read up on.

Above Ground Pools | Doughboy Pools

Doughboy Pools is one of the most adaptable above ground pools on the market today. Whether you want an above ground pool or an in-ground look, we have it!
www.doughboypools.com www.doughboypools.com

Resin Above Ground Pools

We've got 10 Resin above ground pool kits to choose from. Plus, check out our complete selection of more great above ground pool shapes and sizes.
www.familypoolfun.com www.familypoolfun.com
 
I'm checking to see if I can get replacement rails. parts list shows 54 1/4" painted rail part number 240835. But the challenge is, Swim'N Play is out of business...so trying to find out if some dealer has some in left over in stock.

Now even if I got a replacement set of rails...what prevents them from rusting out again in a few years? For boat/marine use, I have some anti-corrosion spray. I wonder if that might be worth while spraying these replacements down with a coat of this to help reduce corrosion?

These rails are NOT galvanized...and the paint is crappy. Its like they didn't prime the metal properly because early on it was already bubbling in areas - which those areas lost paint and were rusting in a short period of time.

If you know of a place that sells these rails, please let me know. Replacing the rails and liner is the path of least resistance.

Thanks.
 

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Did you check INYO pools for replacement parts?
Some people have sprayed pools metal with anti rust sprays. Consider checking the walls for rust and possibly spraying that.
Rust will not stop if it is not removed completely. Spraying it might slow it down. Current rust will continue to rust.
Since you have to take down the entire pool what did you decide about contacting Costco regarding the problem? Would it be a hassle to take it back? Will they take it back?
Are any better pools available?
Since the ground is level, changing out the pool would not be as big a hassle as you might think but that's only if the pools are the same size, and you can get a pool this summer.

Just things to think about.
 
Well, the reality is, I will not do anything till end of September - so I can continue to use the pool. The metal will hold up till then - I may spray with some anti-corosion to slow things down and buy me time till then; we're only talking about 3 more months.
Then its a decision of whether I completely rip & replace or just replace parts. I reached out to INYO via email to see if they can get replacement parts for this. I have an existing return order for Costco...so I could do that; but I no longer have all the parts that came with the pool - so need to check if that will still work within their return framework.

As far as replacing like-for-like in the pool replacement; ya, I figured it would be easy given I have everything leveled and compacted. When I put the pool up back in 2017, I used a laser level to get everything perfectly level, including the blocks on each support. So if the replacement has the same spacing for the blocks/posts, it would literally be a rip and replace.

-J
 
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