Owning
a pool is a big investment not only for your money but your time and energy to
properly maintain its beauty for many years to come. Over time, even with
excellent care, you will notice the bottom of the pool will become rough,
bumpy, and also sharp in certain areas. It will become time to replace the pool plaster finish not only
for the appearance but to keep it safe to use for yourself and your pool
guests.
What and When to Plaster
Plastering
a pool means adding a new layer of plaster on the walls and bottom of the pool.
Pools are created from either concrete or gunite to form the outside “shell.”
The reason for replastering is to make the pool waterproof since it was first
originally installed. The two biggest problems of these materials are that they
are porous and will not hold water. As a result, the pool will need to be
continuously filled as it will slowly leak water over time. A solution to this
is for an installer to add a half-inch thick layer of plaster. It will not only
form a better barrier, but it will also give the water a beautiful blue hue
appearance and a smooth surface. No plaster is designed to last forever, but
depending on the correct maintenance and use, the pool plaster will remain
intact anywhere between seven and twenty years.
Risks That Increase with Neglect
So,
what happens if the pool is not cleaned or taken care of regularly? If a pool
is not properly maintained during its life, there are many factors that the
plaster will affect that can be very costly down the road. First, you may
notice new stains appearing on the surface due to certain minerals that may be
contained in the pool water, such as iron or copper, that can often give a
greenish-brown tint. Although this issue is only aesthetic, it can be quite
frustrating to deal with after spending so much time and money to keep it
looking clean and fresh. The next issue that may occur is the surface will form
lumps, bumps, and scratching spots, which will cause concern for swimmers not
to get scraped when jumping and swimming around. The bumps may not be too
uncomfortable, but in the long term, they will make the pool harder to clean
and be a place that algae will find and grow on. Lastly, the most significant
danger is it can affect the integrity of the pool
structure. As discussed earlier, the plaster is a protective layer
that keeps the pool waterproof; if the plaster wears away, water will seep into
the concrete or gunite, causing even larger problems.
Alternatives for Replastering a Pool
If replastering your pool is not something
you have the time or budget for, there are several temporary options available,
but these could end up costing you more money in the long run. One option is to
do a patching job. If areas of the plaster are beginning to feel rough, a
plaster patch could help the issue, but aesthetically it would not match the
original plaster installed. Another solution for removing pool stains is to
perform an acid wash. It’s a quick fix for the stain, but it does not help in
any way with preserving the plaster. In fact, the acid wash will damage the
plaster further, so its best to only use this method if the aesthetics are a
necessity for you. If money is no object, installing tile can be a great
decision since the material is incredibly strong and beautiful to look at.
However, a full pool tile job is not cheap and will set you back anywhere
between $75-$100 per square foot.
Pound
Pool Plastering offers several options when it comes to servicing your pool,
including plaster, caulk, tiling, cement decks, plumbing for both commercial and residential services. More information
can be found at https://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.
