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What causes calcium nodules

7/13/2014

 
The text and images in this blog post are credited to onBalance and www.poolhelp.com. Many people over the years have asked me where calcium nodules come from? High water hardness and high pH will cause a uniform layer of calcium scale throughout a pool surface, not isolated and individual spots (bumps) on the floor of the pool, or a vein on the wall. Pool owners or pool professionals servicing the pool are are not the cause. Balanced water will not prevent nodules from forming, but actually facilitates the visible growth that exposes the underlying problem.

What are calcium nodules? 

In swimming pools and spas, they are small mounds, bumps, deposits, or “slag” piles of calcium carbonate which are formed from material that has been released from the plaster. The small calcium nodules are rough to the touch, hard, are generally gritty and can cut your feet if you walk on them. Nodules may form singularly (far apart or sporadically), or many and close together along a crack in the plaster surface.
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The most common type of nodule is the “delamination” nodule. These nodules grow because of a void (usually a bond separation) between plaster and its substrate. Here is the sequence:

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Under normal conditions, the plaster (white) is exposed to the water (blue), which is bonded to the gunite substrate, or concrete (speckled), which in turn rests on dirt (tan).
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Sometimes, an air cavity (a bond failure) can form between the gunite and the plaster, or between multiple layers of plaster. This is referred to as “delamination” and the cavity is referred to as a “void.” As long as the void is not connected to the surface of the plaster, the fact that the void even exists may not be known. Unless the plaster completely breaks free from the surrounding plaster, creating what is referred to as a “pop–off,” or unless the delamination is extensive, this is not considered by the plaster industry to be a defect.
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In some cases, however, the void is connected to the surface by a small pinhole or hairline crack. Pinholes and cracks are often created from structural flexing of the delaminated plaster. 
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Gradually, water from the pool penetrates the void via the hole or crack, and creates a localized chemistry environment completely separate from the water balance in the pool. As calcium hydroxide, from the plaster itself, bleeds into the void water, it creates a calcium–rich, high pH solution like a little “calcium/pH factory” beneath the plaster surface. The pinhole or crack is not of sufficient size to create a rinsing effect like that which occurs at a new plaster surface.
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Calcium–rich void water and the pool waters natural alkalinity, come into contact with each other at the plaster surface, then react with each other, which results in the production of an insoluble calcium carbonate by-product. This insoluble calcium carbonate can build up a “slag pile” around the exit point, thus forming a nodule.

It is important to keep in mind that nodules are a symptom, rather than the disease itself. The disease is bond failure, cracking or some other imperfection in the plaster from the pour, so acid washing them does not fix the problem. I have removed the build up to eliminate the chance of someone cutting their foot on the sharp slag, but the spot where the the top layer of plaster delaminated remains.  
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Heater repair and installation - spa heaters

4/23/2014

 
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Hayward propanne/natural gas heater
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Raypak electric heater

Above are the two most popular options for heating a spa. On the left you have a gas heater, either natural gas, or propane, and on the right is an electric heater. For heating a spa, which is typically 1000 gallons or less, you will often see 150,000 BTU - 250,000 BTU gas heaters and 5K - 11k electric heaters. Since there is often such a small difference in price between the smaller and larger sizes, I like to recommend the larger of the two, because they bring the water temperature up in less time. The electric heaters may end up costing you less over time to heat a spa. The price of gas can be expensive compared to the cost of electricity and depending on how often the spa is used and what time of year it is used, the cost of heating the water can differ greatly. An 11k electric heater is roughly 37,000 BTU's, which means it will take a lot longer to heat your spa than a 250,000 BTU gas heater. Though an electric heater can be cheaper to buy and cheaper to run [I have even heard some say it provides a more uniform heat] it simply cannot heat up the water as fast as the gas heaters, which is why I don't personally recommend them. 

Propane tanks 

You should know that if you have a propane system, your propane tanks are never filled all the way. Propane tanks are filled to 80% capacity. This is called the 80% rule. Leaving some air in the tank is a preventative safety measure against the fluctuations that happen inside a tank. Propane, like water, will expand when it heats up. However, propane, increases in volume nearly 17 times greater than water with the same increase in temperature. Here in Phoenix, the outside temperature can be as low as 32 degrees at night in January and as high as 103 degrees during the day in July. Considering the temperature differences through out the year and from day to night, space in the tank is necessary. If you have a 25 gallon tank, that does not mean you have 25 gallons of fuel to burn.

The temperature matters

Typically, it takes 75 minutes to raise the temperature of 1000 gallons of water 30 degrees with a 250,000 BTU gas heater. The amount of gas you use will depend on the temperature of the water to start with and how warm you want to make it. The colder the water is, the more time and fuel it will take to raise the temperature to 100+ degrees. Lets say for example you have a 1000 gallon spa and a 250,000 BTU gas heater. During the month of January, the water temperature is often 65 degrees here in the valley. When I use a spa, I like to heat the water to 103 degrees. This is an increase in temperature of 38 degrees, which will take about an hour and a half. Now on the other hand, if it were July and the starting water temperature is 80 degrees, it would only take about 45 minutes to go up 23 degrees, requiring a lot less fuel.

An 11K electric heater will raise the temperature approximately 5 degrees an hour in a 1000 gallon spa. Under the same conditions mentioned above, it will take about 8 hours to bring the 65 degree water to 103 degrees and 4.5 hours to raise the temperature from 80 degrees to 103 degrees. 

Fuel and energy consumption

With a 250,000 BTU gas heater, you can expect to use approximately 3 gallons of propane per hour and approximately 3 therms of natural gas per hour. The electric heaters use the kilowatts listed per hour. I have been using the Raypak 11K heater in my examples, so that is 11 kilowatts per hour of energy used.  

Water chemistry 

I cannot stress this enough...if you have a heater, you must pay attention to the water chemistry weekly through out the year. You want to make sure you are keeping your pH between 7.2 and 7.6. Scaling will form on the heat exchangers when the pH is allowed to get high, over 7.6. When the pH is left to drop below 7.2, the water is more acidic, which can also damage heat exchangers as a result of corrosion. Corrosion can also happen through oxidization, so you want to avoid putting chlorine tabs in the skimmer when you own a heater. Damaged heat exchangers due to poorly maintained water, or neglect, will void the manufactures warranty on new products. 

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Broken pool baskets

3/31/2014

 
Jason the pool guy
Falling debris from a flowering lilac tree split this basket
jason the pool guy
A flowering Ash tree is responsible for this basket becoming overfull and warping from the pressure

It is always a good idea to keep your yard clean when you have a pool. Dead leaves, flowers and loose trash [like styrofoam and plastic bags] lying on the ground will get into the pool when the wind kicks up. Debris like this will clog baskets and suction side cleaners, effectively stopping your pools ability to circulate water and keep itself clean. All debris when there is enough of it can cause problems, but flowers, like those from the Bogenvia bush, a lilac, or trumpet flowers for example, are like paper pulp when wet. Keeping Bogenvia bushes from getting too big will help a lot to control debris when it flowers. A small amount of these flowers can line a basket, clog the holes and effect water circulation. One plastic bag from a grocery store, or a sheet of newspaper can cause a loss of water circulation and shut a suction side cleaner down. 

Even if your yard is spotless, remember that your pools cleaning system can easily be effected by a neighbours tree, or a city tree adjacent to your property. You should always check the baskets after a storm if you are able, even if you pay for pool service. I visit my accounts once per week and a lot can happen in just a few hours when a wind storm comes through. Trimming trees like Palms for example when they have dead fronds hanging and seed pods dropping onto the ground should be trimmed back.  

A pump basket splitting open will allow debris to get past the basket and into the pumps impeller. When this happens, water circulation will be greatly effected and the system will lose filter pressure. Floor head systems will not have the pressure required for the pop ups to function and suction side cleaners, if not clogged themselves, will not have the water circulation required to keep them moving. Sometimes a pumps impeller can be cleaned once the basket has been removed, but, depending on the pump, the motor may have to be taken off to access the impeller.

Making the effort to keep your yard clean and check the baskets after a wind storm is important and will save you from a lot of unnecessary problems. 
Jason the pool guy
An Ash tree has claimed yet another basket.
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What is a Skimmer Weir 

3/19/2014

 
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Inside of your skimmer, there is a plastic gate called the weir. The weir is a very small part that makes a very big difference in how clean your pool looks through out the week. Its amazing how often I see the skimmer missing its weir gate and how many people, including pool technicians who clean pools every week, that don't know what it is, or what it does. 


Jason the pool guy weir gate skimmer

The weir gate is simply a way to keep the debris that is sucked into the skimmer, from getting back out into the pool. While the pump is on, the weir gate will be pulled back as water comes into the skimmer and just like the name describes, the water skims over the top of the weir. Styrofoam makes the weir gate buoyant, so when the pump shuts off and there is no longer water pulling across the top of the weir, it stays upright in the skimmer trapping the leaves inside.  


Jason the pool guy weir gate
Here is a great example of the weir gate doing its job. This last week it has been breezy. Many trees in Arizona are flowering, or dropping leaves this time of year which can litter the surrounding yards for weeks at a time. What you see in the basket would have been floating on the surface of the water had the weir gate not held it back. Not only did the weir gate keep the pool looking cleaner during a breezy week and shedding trees, but the amount of time netting the pool has been reduced by a lot. 


Jason the pool guy


Weir gates can break when they become old and brittle, or from a lot of splashing when kids are swimming. If the weir gate is broken, or missing, it should be replaced. You will have a cleaner pool and reduce the time required to net each week as long as the weir is functional. 


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FAQ's

9/6/2012

 
 What is Pool School?

  • I offer personal time, up to 1.5 hours, to teach you about your pool. I label the valves, mark the valves correct positions for isolating a spa and running a cleaner, provide you with a PDF document to help you keep track of your water chemistry and an E-Z Dosage chart to help you add the correct amount of chemicals to the water.
  • I will test your water and look over your cleaning system, making you aware of any issues that will keep you from being successful maintaining your pool. 


Why do you sometimes come at a different time, or the next day? 

  • I guarantee 1 visit each week and clean pools 4 days a week, leaving 1 open day. This open day gives me 8-10 hours a week to get supplies, do installs, repairs, or to complete any non pool cleaning tasks. I try to complete all cleaning services on the scheduled day, however if for any reason I fall behind, scheduled cleanings will be completed with-in 24 hours.



What is CPO? [Certified Pool Operator]

  • CPO certification courses are designed to provide individuals with the basic knowledge, techniques, and skills of pool/spa operations and is widely accepted by health departments. The instructors receive comprehensive training and certifications to teach the CPO certification program.
  • CPO instructors represent every segment in the aquatic industry. The training these instructors provide has helped protect millions of swimmers by reducing hazards at aquatic facilities and residential properties.

Why don't you include all chemicals with your fee? 

  • Since the algaecides and phosphate removal products are so expensive per ounce, I cannot include them in my monthly fee and distribute them liberally. Phosphates and algae outbreaks commonly happen randomly during the warmer, windy months of the year. 
  • Algaecides and phosphate removal products are only used in the amounts necessary for the size of the pool, per the instructions on the bottle as needed. 
  • Even with perfect water chemistry, an algae outbreak is possible. Chlorine is not always effective in killing some strains of algae and during the windy season, when contaminants can be easily blown into the pool, special interventions are sometimes required.


Why is there not a flat rate for weekly pool service?

  • Some pools are simply labor intensive to keep clean and/or require much larger chemical dosages to keep the water balanced. For these reasons, my prices start at $85.00 per month for smaller play pools and $100.00 per month for larger play pools and diving pools.

Do you offer temporary cleaning services?

  • I do not offer temporary cleaning services. 
  • There is no contract for my weekly cleaning service, however, I am a full service pool company. I am looking for individuals interested in yearly maintenance for their swimming pools and their pool equipment.


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