Heat Exchanger Dissolving #swimmingpool #swimmingpoolvlog #swimmingtips #hendersonnevada #lasvegas - Video

Rust coming out of a pool heater usually means internal corrosion. The cause is almost always water chemistry or metal incompatibility. Below is a structured breakdown.


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1️⃣ Low pH (Most Common Cause)

When pH drops below 7.2:

Water becomes acidic

Copper heat exchanger begins dissolving

Iron components start oxidizing

Rust particles can enter return lines


Check immediately:

pH (ideal: 7.4–7.6)

Total Alkalinity (80–120 ppm)



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2️⃣ Low Alkalinity

Low TA (less than 70 ppm):

Causes unstable pH

Allows rapid pH swings

Accelerates metal corrosion


If pH keeps drifting down, heater damage is likely ongoing.


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3️⃣ High Chlorine or Chemical Feed Near Heater

If chlorine tablets or acid are installed:

Before the heater

Without a check valve

With improper plumbing


Highly concentrated sanitizer can backflow into the heater.

This causes:

Rapid exchanger corrosion

Internal rust flakes

Premature heater failure


Rule:
All chemical feeders must be installed after the heater with a check valve.


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4️⃣ Salt System + Bonding Issues

Salt pools are not the problem by themselves.

The issue is:

Poor bonding

Stray voltage

Improper sacrificial anode


This can cause electrolysis → metal deterioration → rust discharge.


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5️⃣ Old Heat Exchanger Failure

If heater is older (5–10+ years depending on care):

Heat exchanger may be thinning

Internal rust scale breaks loose

Brown flakes appear in spa or returns


At that point, repair vs replacement must be evaluated.


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6️⃣ Iron in Source Water (Less Common)

If rust appears only when heater runs, it’s internal.

If rust appears even when heater is off, check:

Fill water iron content

Metal staining patterns

Filter debris color



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???? Quick Diagnostic Checklist

1. Is rust only visible when heater runs?


2. What is your current pH and TA?


3. Is there a tablet feeder before the heater?


4. Do you have a salt system?


5. How old is the heater?




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⚠️ Important

Do NOT continue running heater if:

Water chemistry is acidic

You see continuous rust discharge

Heater pressure changes abnormally


Further use can destroy the exchanger completely.


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If you tell me:

Heater brand/model

Pool chemistry readings

Salt or non-salt

Approx heater age


I can narrow it down to the most probable cause and tell you whether this is reversible or heater replacement territory.