Are you noticing issues with your pool plaster?
Don't These 5 common issues Ruin your Summer fun!
The seasons here! Are you a board member, living the community life? Or a homebuyer, creating your dream home that insists on bringing the family together in the backyard for a swim? Either way, nothing should hold you back from a great, safe, and fun swim season. As a pool owner, eventually, the decision to remodel your pool will arise. Remodeling your pool is an affordable option that every pool owner should be aware of. Whether it be for your HOA community, backyard, or an aquatic facility, you manage being informed on the basics of pool plastering is critical, but also how to prevent the common issues such as etching, spalling, delamination, fading, and stains to maximize the lifespan.
WHAT IS PLASTER?
Pool plaster is a cement coat added to the base of concrete pools, usually in a white coat and 1/4 to 1/2 inch in thickness. Note; plaster can be tinted any color for buyer approval with a pigmented aggregate. However, color additives added to white plaster is not recommended due to the high likelihood of fading color. Plaster gives the pool surface a smooth finish to touch for swimmers rather than the rough, first layer concrete base. If well maintained, white plaster can last for up to 8 to 10 years before re-plastering is required. Plaster comes in many different mixtures of cement along with pebble aggregate or quartz(diamond-brite) finish; these materials are different from the standard white plaster we are discussing in this article; for more information on these types of click the link.
Top 5 COMMON PLASTERING PROBLEMS:
1. Etching and Scaling
Etching is caused when your pool becomes almost too rough to touch. This is from lines, dents, and divots forming into your pool plaster over time. Causes are from poorly balanced pools, low pH, and alkalinity.Scaling is caused by buildups of calcium and harmful minerals that form in your pool. This can also be caused by high pH and alkalinity
TIP: Here is how we avoid etching and scaling. Brush your pool walls regularly, dilate your acids before adding them to the water to eliminate too much chemical intake. Refrain from adding or letting salt sit in your pools soon after plastering; this may increase the pH levels.
2. Spalling
When plastering a pool, it is troweled, meaning that is smoothed and flattened before finishing. When troweled incorrectly, it can cause flakes to fall from the plaster over time. This can cause peeling, leaving patches and residue of plaster within your pool, which shortens your pool plaster's lifespan. Spalling often occurs when contractors are rushing and have a lack of experience. This can set you and your pool budget back due to repairs and patching needed during the early stages of your plaster lifespan.
TIP: To fix this issue, if only in small areas, contact your contractor to; sand down the area to give a smoother underlayer finish. Any form of sandpaper should suffice. Other than that, time to re-plaster!
3. Delamination
Delamination is just what it sounds like; this is when fresh plaster separates from the concrete base. This happens from poor plaster mixture, forming a weak bond in the plaster to hold to the concrete. You want to make sure your plaster contractor is educated on their mixture ratios to avoid delamination. Other causes can come from environmental factors like heat and low humidity.
TIP: If delamination is condensed to a small area, patching or smoothing out the surface can be a temporary fix, but lasting results are not guaranteed.
4. Fading
You may be familiar with fading as all pool fade over time with persistent environmental exposure like heat, ice and chlorine. This usually starts to change the base color of your pool overtime. Fading can also be caused by a lack of improper chemical balance such as a deficiency in calcium.
TIP: If choosing a solid white base coat of plaster, you may want to use sanitizing system with bleach every so often for an efficient cleaning. If you chose to tint your plaster, sanitizing chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or chemicals without bleach will be better utilized for your needs.
5. Staining
Staining is a common issue with pools surrounded by organic matter such as trees, leaves, and pine straw; this can be damageable to your pool surface. It's inevitable; that pools develop constant stains over time of use. Stains are caused by environmental factors like leaves and dirt and materials like metals that tend to rust in water and leave chemical stains on your pool surface.
TIP: Ways to keep your pool clean and stain-free can be by weekly brushing and vacuuming your pool as well as light chlorine treatments. Acid washing is another way to remove chemical stains, but each acid wash completed stripes away a small plaster layer. Acid washing can only be so many times before the plaster finish is permanently affected.
Final Thoughts:
Yes, pool plastering can seem like several issues waiting to arise, but if prepped and installed correctly, your plaster will have a lasting and gorgeous appeal. Make sure to hire a professional pool remolding company that does not cut any corners and performs quality work with integrity behind every project. At Suave Pools, our mission; we stand behind; each project; we deliver quality craftsmanship and attention to detail while communicating honestly throughout the process. As you go through your plaster remodeling company search be cautious of companies that advertise extensive years in the industry, but with a lack of hands on experience with pool plastering. For a free quote of pool remodeling, white plaster, or any other pool remolding needs. Reach out to us, or click the get quote now button below:
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