Galvanic Corrosion

In these cases, the addition of a simple zinc anode such as this can help.

In nineteen eighty one, the Statue of Liberty was in a severe state of degradation. The outside copper skin of the statue was so corroded that some spots were as thin as a sheet of paper.

What caused this severe breakdown of Lady Liberty was a phenomenon known as galvanic corrosion. And it can also be a threat to your swimming pool, especially salt water generator pools. What causes this corrosion in swimming pools? And what can you do to fix and prevent it?

Galvanic corrosion can occur in standard swimming pools when levels of dissolved solids known as TDS build up to a very high level. As dissolved solids build up, the electrical conductivity of the water increases. The occurrence of a high mineral solution coupled with the increase of electrical capacity is known as electrolysis. Swimming pools with high TDS that are near any strong electrical potential, such as transformers or high tension wires can have metals within the pool that begin to corrode and turn black.

The simple solution to solving corrosion in these pools is to drain and dilute the high mineral content from the pool. However, this may not always be an option, especially in times of drought. In these cases, zinc anode such as this can help. Also, using a good metal sequestrian product like HASA's Super Stain Out will help to prevent staining from the metals.

In pools utilizing a saltwater chlorine generator, galvanic corrosion can be a very real threat. Salt pools incorporate a good level of salt in the water. Usually, thirty five hundred to forty five hundred parts per million. This causes a very high dissolved solvents level.

Also, a salt water generator has titanium coated cells with an electrical charge sent to convert the salt into chlorine. Most pools have lights, and the light ring is usually brass or copper. If there's a heater, the heat exchanger is often copper. So what you have is a very high mineral solution with two differing metals and a low current of electricity.

This is the perfect storm for galvanic corrosion. In this scenario, because the titanium is a very noble metal, the copper in the pool becomes what is known as a sacrificial anode. Basically, that means it will corrode first. This will lead to metal stains and debris in the pool.

Eventually, it will lead to the destruction of any solid copper parts. So what can be done to stop the destruction from galvanic corrosion in a salt pool?

Again, the use of a simple zinc anode like this inserted into the skimmer or installed into the plumbing. The zinc anode will save the pool because zinc becomes the sacrificial anode, and it corrodes without causing any staining or detriment to the pool. Using a good metal sequestrant like HASSA Super Stain Out is ideal for salt pools as well, to keep all the metals from staining the pool. This is Terry with If you have any questions about galvanic corrosion, metal stains, or any other metal chemistry, please feel free to contact us at w w w dot haasapool dot com, or check out some of our other videos on YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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