Bradford BALBOA M3, Installation & Operation Manual

Page: 36 / 50

Residential Spa
pg. 36
File: RES_Hottub_manual_021116
Safe Operation Instructions / Rules
Rust - Ferric Oxide
Over the years of creating small and very large stainless steel spas and pools, Bradford has received a
small number of communications reporting “…my spa (pool) is rusting!”
Virtually every single communication of this nature is directly traceable to a lack of clean, IRON FREE
feed and make up water, poor water management or carbon steel debris such as fasteners. Potable
water with above average IRON concentration is so common in the United States of America that
little mention is ever made by public and private water utilities.
IRON and other minerals in water can precipitate onto any pool surface including the stainless steel,
ceramics and grout and cause undesirable surface discoloration, commonly known and seen as RUST.
More localized staining could be caused by debris left behind by contractors or other items that fall
into the pool, such as fasteners and tools made of carbon steel.
IRON in water is taken for granted as just another mineral. Responsibility for removal of IRON from
the water becomes the province of the user or utility subscriber. U.S. water suppliers must provide
information on the water chemistry and dissolved solids levels. This information can be obtained by
calling the utility or possibly through their website.
HEATING spa or pool water can increase the rate and density of the IRON deposits many times more
than the cold water rate. In many cases, the problem persists only at temperatures above 70°F.
RUST deposits ACCUMULATE because there is IRON in the water. For a number of rather technical
reasons, these accumulations tend to gather in certain areas, or coalesce. As water is added and
evaporates, the concentration of IRON increases. They are left behind to settle out of the water
and onto the stainless steel, tile, plastic or any other surface which can provide an acceptable
environment for the reddish brown deposits to form. When IRON is exposed to oxygen and moisture
it becomes FERRIC OXIDE, commonly known and seen as RUST.
Your stainless steel spa or pool is not rusting, moreover it is the accumulated IRON deposits in the
water turning to RUST (Ferric Oxide).
SOLUTION:
1. Prior to filling with water make sure all metal debris is removed from the vessel, such as left
behind screws, nails, (even bobby-pins) from the interior of the spa, skimmer basket, plumbing
lines, pump basket(s) and filters.
2. Initial filling of spa or pool should be from an IRON-FREE source. If this is not possible then
repeated cleaning and care of the filters should be performed any time the filter or sand surface
turns a reddish brown color. Filling a spa from a clear pool on site is quite helpful for start-up.
3. A new spa or pool filling, depending on the condition of the local water, may require the filters
to be cleaned and back flushed hourly. Some potable waters appear clear in a drink glass but are
saturated with dissolved and suspended solids.
4. Additional or makeup water should always be settled out and FREE OF IRON.
Get additional filtering or water treatment for the spa if need be.
CONCLUSION - A correctly installed and bonded stainless steel spa or pool should be filled with clean
and IRON FREE water. Failure to provide the correctly balanced water, as indicated herein, is not in the
best interest of any spa/pool’s service life or the owner’s quest for a clean bathing environment.