Rust on Pool Wall

by cindy kane
(island lake illinois)

I had a 24 foot round pool installed 4 years ago. We did back fill half the pool about 2 1/2 feet under ground. We got a leek in the bottom of the liner. The pool wall started caving in because we had little water. The pool wall then started coming out of the top of the pool. We tried saving the pool wall by ripping more of the liner to relieve the pressure. When we did this we noticed large areas of rust on the inner wall. Would the inner wall rust have anything to do with backfilling the pool or improperly installing the pool? The rust was also located near a top cap that we had to keep getting replaced.



Hi Cindy. Rust like your photo is showing normally comes from moisture in between the wall and the liner. This can be caused by a small hole in the liner or leakage through the skimmer or return gaskets. It might be possible for moisture from the backfill to work its way up the inner wall but I have not know this to be the case.

Rust caused by backfill usually stays on the outside of the wall. If this is a problem coating the wall with roofing tar prevents it. On the inside, I would sand the area and repaint it. This should stop the rust that has started. It does not appear the wall has been damaged.

Any creases from dirt caving in or the wall pulling down can be easily knocked back into place. A wall is very easy to straighten once the dirt is removed from around the outside and the liner cut out from the inside of the pool.