When it comes to swimming pool maintenance, you’ll have plenty of work to keep you busy. Keeping the water fresh and clean will require near-constant management. You need to keep your water chemistry balanced so that contaminants and bacteria are eliminated. You’ll need to scrub the walls, vacuum the floor and skim the surface to get rid of the dirt and debris that make it into the water. You’ll want to keep an eye on your water filter system to ensure its properly doing its job. And you’ll want to regularly inspect the pool’s structure to make sure it remains stable and sound. Do above ground pools rust? They can, and this is why it’s important to watch over any metal components and catch any rust before it really begins to take hold.
What Causes Rust?
It’s pretty basic knowledge that water and moisture will eventually cause the metal to rust. Of course, in a swimming pool with several metal components and a huge tank full of water, rust is always a threat. And although most metal parts on a swimming pool are coated in zinc or some other material to help prevent rust, you can never assume that your pool is free from the threat of rust. That said, if your pool shows no signs of rust, just leave it as it is. It may be old, but that’s no reason to start sanding down metal parts and repainting them. If it’s rust-free, let it be!
Pool Leaks
Pool leaks are probably the biggest reason for rust to occur. And although rust won’t happen overnight, if you do notice a leak, fix it as soon as possible. This will reduce the chances of rust getting a start. And once rust starts, it’s hard to stop. So, keep an eye open for leaks and get them fixed up immediately.
Pool Skimmers and Returns
The pool skimmer and return are very common places for rust to begin. This is because the holes are typically cut after the pool is installed to ensure they’re in the right place. And although the pool walls are coated in a rust-proof material, that protective coating is compromised once the metal is cut. Any leaks around these areas will eventually start to rust. Keep a close eye on them and keep them well maintained.
The Outer Walls
The outer walls of your pool are often under just as much, if not more, threat of rust than the inner walls. At least the inner walls are covered with a vinyl liner. If you have grass around your pool that needs mowing, be extra careful about throwing up any rocks or hard clumps of dirt while running your lawnmower. Although a rock may not pierce the pool wall, even a good ding could create a spot for rust to begin. You’ll also want to make sure that the outer edges of the pool wall are able to drain away any water. It’s best to surround the edges of your pool with pebbles or rocks that allow for good drainage. Keep plants, grass and other moisture-retaining organics away from the outer edges of the pool.
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