Why Do Pool Gate Hinges Rust So Fast?

If your pool area gate looks spotless but the hinge is covered in orange rust, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common maintenance headaches for hotels, gyms, and residential facilities with indoor pools.

Let’s break down why this happens, what it really means, and how you can fix it for good.

Chlorine Air = Corrosion Accelerator

Even if your pool is indoors, the air around it is humid, warm, and slightly chlorinated. These three factors create the perfect storm for corrosion.

The moment regular steel hinges are exposed to this environment, tiny rust spots begin to form — especially around the pin joint and bottom knuckle where water vapor collects.

Once rust starts, it doesn’t stop. It spreads internally, seizing up the hinge, staining the gate frame, and eventually making the gate difficult to close.

Not All “Stainless Steel” Is Equal

Here’s a secret most people don’t know:

“Stainless” doesn’t mean “rust-proof.”

Common stainless grades like 201 or 304 can handle light moisture, but they fail quickly near pools or coastal areas because of chlorine and salt exposure.
Only marine-grade 316 stainless steel has the molybdenum content needed to resist pitting corrosion — the type of deep, stubborn rust you see on pool hardware.

A Smarter Upgrade: Self-Closing Marine-Grade Hinges

If your current hinges are rusting, replacing them with another basic hinge won’t solve the problem.
You need hinges that are:

• 316 stainless steel (marine-grade, corrosion resistant)
• Self-closing (to ensure safety and compliance in wet areas)
• Low-maintenance (sealed design to block moisture)

High-quality stainless steel 316 has a chromium content of approximately 18.0%. The higher the chromium content in addition to other alloys like nickel and molybdenum, the greater the corrosion resistance.

With those demands in mind, the hinge can’t just be “commercial grade” — it has to be engineered specifically for interior counter swing door use.

How 316 Self Closing Gate Hinges Work Best in Pool Areas

If your pool hinges are rusting now, they will rust again — unless you switch to 316 self-closing hinges designed for chlorine. Waterson gives you that solution: corrosion-proof, code-compliant, and built to last.

Key Features for Pool Gate Hinges:

• 316 Stainless Steel: Prevents rust and pitting in chlorinated, coastal, or high-humidity air.
• Self Closing: No bulky arms or cylinders that corrode or leak — ideal for tight pool areas.
• ADA Compliant: Less than 5 lbs opening force and 5 secs closing keeps gates accessible for all users.
• Adjustable Closing Speed & Tension: Fine-tune close speed even as environmental conditions change.
• Weight Capacity: Handles commercial pool gates and high-traffic gates up to 260+ lbs.
• 5-Year Warranty: Backed by reliable coverage and service support.

Waterson Marine Grade SS316 Pool Gate Hinges

Waterson 316 marine grade pool gate hinges combine the function of an overhead closer and a hinge into a single, sleek component—complete with optional hold-open and door-stop features. Designed for commercial openings, gates, and glass doors, these hinges are easy to install and adjust to meet ADA and ICC A117.1 standards for opening force, while ensuring quiet and secure closure. Crafted from durable stainless steel, they are NFPA 80 compliant, UL 3-hour fire-rated, and built to perform reliably in both interior and all-weather exterior environments. See all our features.

In addition to these performance advantages, Waterson offers custom hinge services. As a direct manufacturer, we can tailor hinge sizes, finishes, and especially hinge leaf designs to meet the specific structural needs of your doors. This makes our hinges an ideal solution for door manufacturers seeking custom options that integrate seamlessly with their existing frames.

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Please note that Waterson Closer Hinges start from a size of 4″x4″. If you’re in need of smaller self-closing hinges, we’d recommend checking out some other resources! Also, we only provide single acting closer hinges. Thank you.

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