There is one question we are asked more than any other. Can you guess what it is? If you guessed, “When will I know it is time to re-plaster my pool?” you were right!
Unfortunately there isn’t one simple answer we can give you except that trust us, you will know when it’s time. There is a great deal of difference between when a commercial pools plaster needs to be re-done verse a residential pool. Most often commercial pools can expect to be re-plastered once every ten years. However, when evaluating if a residential pool needs to be re-plastered a number of factors, not just time go into determining if a pool needs to be re-plastered.
When determining when a residential pool is ready to have its plaster replaced comes down to the aesthetics and structural integrity.
Aesthetics
Most often phone calls from residential pool owners start out with a long explanation on how the pool doesn’t look or feel right. If a homeowner’s plaster has light staining it is possible that instead of fresh plastering that the stains can be removed through acid washing. Since pool plaster is a natural product it is impossible to prevent staining from occurring. If the pool is white and the noticeable stains bother homeowners, we will most often recommend a colored plaster be used when the plaster needs to be refinished.
Some stains are from the minerals that are found in your water. If this is the case homeowners will want to take care of the mineral problem in the water before re-plastering the pool. Remember that minerals not only affect the homes water but can also leave build up in pipes and plumbing. The issue must be addressed throughout the source of the water to prevent staining issues in the future.
Some stains on a pools plaster aren’t stains at all and are in fact from the combination of plaster and application of white coating. There are variations that occur from a combination of things: variation in the mixture, the temperature at which it is applied, and the method of application. Slight variations in the plaster should be considered normal.
The Touch of Plaster
The feel of the plaster is just as important as the look. The pools plaster is supposed to be soft and smooth. Pits and pockets can occur from improper water chemistry or from acid washing too frequently. If etching occurs on your pools plaster the surface can feel rough, snag swimsuits and can give algae and dirt a place to hold onto. Another common reason for etching is a poor plastering technique or plaster that is too hot or includes too much calcium in cold water. If rough plaster occurs in a small, localized area, it can be sanded smooth, however if it is wide spread it is recommended to re-plaster the pool.
Structural Issues
Structural issues are another reason that residential pool owners need to consider re-plastering their pools. “Structural” may be an improper term because as you know the structure of a pool is created from steel webbing and sprayed in concrete and the plaster is the outer, waterproof coating on top. If a pool was left without the addition of a plaster shell the water would slowly seep through to the ground. If homeowners start to see bare spots coming through the concrete it is time to have the plaster evaluated. Large cracks in pools plaster can also be an issue structurally and should be addressed as soon as they are spotted. Waiting gives the crack time to expand and larger issues to occur.
Pound Pool Plastering offers several options when it comes to servicing your pool including plaster, caulk, tiling, cement decks, plumbing, and coping in both commercial and residential settings. More information can be found at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.