Materials Involved In Pool Plastering

There are many materials that go into building an in-ground pool.  Few materials get as much attention as the pools plaster surface.  Plaster is the exterior shell of the pool.  It is the part that everyone sees and feels.  It is also the first place that people usually notice when it starts to deteriorate, cracks become noticeable and discoloration is visible.  Over the years we have learned some important tips regarding the maintenance and care for the pool’s plaster to keep it in top condition.

Fresh Plaster Maintenance

Your swimming pool installer will add chemicals that are required to initially balance the pools water.  They will then brush the plaster with a nylon-bristle brush which improves the quality of the plaster as well.  This will also prevent the buildup of calcium and other minerals within the pools water.

If you notice that you have fine sand grains deposited on the bottom of the pool this is more likely “precipitation” which is common with a newly installed pool or fresh plaster.  Our recommendation is to continue brushing the pool twice a day for the first seven days.

Your pool water and pH levels affect plaster.  It is crucial to the longevity and health of your pools plaster.  Pool water below 7.0 tends to erode & remove the smooth plaster surface.  Water that is above 8.0 contributes to the formation of scale and stains.

Calcium is another one of the key elements found in both your pool water and in your plaster.  A proper calcium balance is 250 ppm.  Too much calcium will cause deposits on the plaster of your pool.  Not enough calcium in the water may weaken the plaster.

Other Water Related Concerns

Dissolved Metal: Stains that cannot be removed with bleach are generally stains caused by metal.  When the water becomes saturated with any metal, like copper or iron, it will generally “precipitate” or fall out of solution in the form of a metal stain.  Copper stains usually reveal themselves as blue or blue-green splotches or streaks.  Iron will usually appear brown to black.  Check with your local pool specialist to purchase chemicals to help prevent these types of stains.

Mottling: Mottling can occur naturally in pools.  It is more evident in pools with colored plaster but not more prevalent.  There are strategies that can be put into place to lessen mottling including sequestering, chelating, or pH and calcium reduction.

Organic Stains: Plants that are near the pool area can often cause your plaster to become stained with tannic acid, which are brown, and chlorophyll stains, which are green.  Organic stains will not remain long due to the Chlorine bleaching them out.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential Gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

What to Know About Remodeling or Replastering a Pool

To be successful amid the outdoor living boom, it's critical for retailers and builders to stay abreast of rapidly changing consumer tastes in backyard products. To help keep your product lines up to date, AQUA has partnered with design megasite Houzz to bring you more content about outdoor living, from pools and spas to outdoor kitchens and patio furniture. This time, a Houzz expert explores what it takes to update an older pool design. If you’ve got a swimming pool that’s 20, 30 or even 40 years old, chances are it might be due for an update. Many of these pools were built of gunite, a mixture of cement, sand and water that was sprayed over a web of reinforcing metal bars, then topped with plaster. The water line was typically lined with tile and topped with coping. Concrete, stone or occasionally wood usually forms the decking that surrounds the pool. Project: Replaster or remodel a pool and update the surrounding landscaping. Why: The expected life span of the plaster applied to gunite pools ranges from 10 to 15 years — although good pool chemistry and maintenance may earn you a few years beyond that. When left white, the plaster allows the sky to reflect in the water, giving the water that aqua blue hue that many fondly associate with backyard swimming pools. You can refinish your pool with plaster again, but other choices are available now — and you might want to update the rest of the yard while you’re at it. In remodeling their swimming pool, a Dallas-area couple wanted to retain the bright aqua color they’d always associated with the water. This pool started out with brick coping and an exposed aggregate deck, popular when the pool was built. It also had a step-out defined by slotted steps in the side of the pool, and two metal handrails visible on the far side, which are not considered as desirable today. AFTER: The plaster was replaced with a fine aggregate mixture that has more tooth than typical plaster, but is not so rough as to be irritating on bare feet. The new concrete decking doubles as the coping and was broken into geometric sections divided by black pebbles. The new raised planter bed forms a backdrop and provides a spot for the fountain that spills a gentle ribbon of water into the pool. “The exposed aggregate of the original decking was hard on your feet,” says Chris Polito of Pool Environments. “And there are other products with larger aggregate that replace the plaster and are also hard on your feet, so we used a much smaller aggregate product called Wet Edge to replace the plaster.” This 1980s pool had the same materials as the previous example. AFTER: The coping was replaced by Oklahoma flagstone, and a new concrete deck was poured, creating a much more inviting appearance. The concrete was given a coordinating stone texture and was scored to make it look like pavers. “The lighter color of this stone and decking sheds heat well,” says Polito. The plaster was replaced by a darker aggregate, which also helps to highlight the stone. While the shape of this pool is different from the previous example, its features and finishes are the same. Replastering or remodeling your pool is a good project for you if you own a house with an aging pool and are able to invest in updates. Cost: If you are simply draining out the water and replacing plaster with plaster, you should be able to get it done for $5,000 to $10,000. But pool remodels can run into tens of thousands of dollars, and it’s not uncommon to spend more than $100,000 on an upscale remodel comparable to the ones shown here. Who to hire: If you want something special, consider starting with a landscape architect. Swimming pool contractors who specialize in pool remodels are your next step. Just be sure they have a significant portfolio of work and references. RELATED: Find the Best Landscape Architecture Firms Near You Typical project length: Depending on the complexity of your project, the process will likely take several weeks to complete. To guarantee completion by pool season, be sure to start your planning well in advance. Permit: It is highly likely that you will need permits for this work. You will quickly discover that your project will involve replacing at least one other component of your pool system, such as filters, heaters, lighting and more. Original Source: http://aquamagazine.com/features/what-to-know-about-remodeling-or-replastering-a-pool.html Original Author: Steven Randel, Houzz Original Date: June 2017