Closing a Pool for the Fall Season

It’s October and the summer has officially left us. The weather is cooler, the leaves are changing, and the idea of spending outside in a pool has become an idea most would not advise. For pool owners, maintenance and overall care is not new, nor is it exactly fun to go through, but it is absolutely necessary if you plan on opening that pool again next summer. The process for closing a pool for the winter is rather straightforward but done improperly can cause noticeable damage. Outlined here are some elements to the process to make sure that the pool is looking clean and sparkly to jump into next summer.

Winterizing

One of the first things to be done is making sure the chemicals are balanced properly. This involves making sure the proper assets are tested, such as pH, hardness, and alkalinity. Making sure this is done first can avoid issues when opening the pool next summer. Doing so also protects the pool from any surface damage that may occur during the winter. According to The Home Depot, the proper window for each asset is between 80 – 150ppm alkalinity, 7.2 – 7.6 pH, and 175 – 275ppm hardness.

Chlorine

Shocking is a process of literally shocking the pool full of an excessive amount of chlorine. Doing so can give the pool enough chlorine to keep the algae away during the off-season. This is important for looking ahead to the next summer so you don’t open your pool and have to spend more time making sure the pool is properly balanced all over again. It’s best to shock your pool a few days before planning on closing the pool for the winter to get the best results.

Equipment

A natural step in the closing down of a pool is to make sure all equipment is properly taken care of, including tools within the pool and outside of it. It is not advised to leave anything in the pool itself (aside from the water), so make sure any toys or cleaning tools have been removed. Lowering the water level helps with this process and is advised below the skimmer. Pool pumps, heaters, and other equipment should all be drained completely to avoid being frozen over during the winter months. Lastly, drain the chemical feeder completely and add the winter cover to the pool. You’re then ready to reverse all of these steps next spring!
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 https://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

What Is the Cost Of Resurfacing A Pool?

Owning a pool can be very luxurious during the hot summer months and is a great way to relax and cool off. It is not however enjoyable to get in and out of the pool and get scraped by the rough sides of the pool or when the water begins to turn an unpleasant or strange in the least color because of the reflection from the damaged pool floor. If these situations sound familiar, it may be time to begin looking at options for resurfacing the pool. To begin, we will discuss just how much to budget for when its time to resurface your swimming pool.

What Causes Pool Surface to Get Damaged?

When pools are first constructed, they are beautiful structures that bring beauty to your back yard however over time, chemicals and sun exposure will take a toll on it. Proper chemical balancing is key to extending the life of your pool plaster. Having low calcium levels and hard water stabilizers will damage the pool’s finish and create worn spots. It is also important to be conscious of the pools water levels since the water helps hold the pool together and creates a layer of protection.

Pool Resurfacing Pricing

There are many of factors that with influence the cost range for resurfacing a pool with items such as location, size of pool, and the amount of damage that needs to be repaired. Location is a large aspect in pricing considerations since areas that are warmer climate often have a larger quantity of people who have them. This allows for many more pool contractors to be in the area with supplies nearby so shipping costs will be less. With more contractors also in the area, the competition will also drive pricing down. The size and condition of course will fluctuate and the larger or more repair that needs to be done, the more hours a professional pool plaster company will have to spend more hours in labor to seal the cracks and remove damaged plaster from. If deciding to do a DIY plaster resurface this could potentially also change the amount of money that will need to be spent on the project. On a average, plaster resurfacing will range $5 to %7 per square foot for materials and labor cost typically is between $400 to $565 for about 6 hours’ worth of work.

Hire A Professional or DIY?

A question to ask yourself is if the savings of a DIY project outweigh the advantages of hiring a professional pool plaster company to do the resurfacing of your swimming pool. The resurfacing process entails an extensive amount of time, specializes tools, and qualified product materials that many suppliers will only sell to other professionals. Many DIY pool owners will not be able to find these materials from a local hardware store which is why many choose to hire pool plaster companies to complete the pool repairs. Regardless if choosing to take on the pool plaster yourself or leave to a professional, it is wise to know the basic steps in the resurfacing procedure.
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 https://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

What Goes into a Pool?

Having your own pool on your property is a wonderful luxury. Having full access to it anytime you want without having to worry about screaming strangers and lifeguards can be liberating, if you don’t mind being responsible for your own maintenance. There’s little doubt that any owner of a private in-ground pool is fully aware of all the elements that go into a pool, but those who may not own one but one day will may not fully be aware of what exactly makes a pool a pool. This article can be used as a brief overview of some important elements and the overall makeup of the plastering process used on every pool installed.

Plastering

                Plastering is at the tail end of pool installation. It is that final layer installed on the in-ground pool that smooths out the surface for users to touch without injury. This can also be installed using different material, such as vinyl and fiberglass. Fiberglass especially is much stronger than the typical plaster and is much more resistant to the typical wear and tear of the conventional plaster, such as mold, etc. Vinyl has the benefit of being much easier and quicker to install and is cheaper to install overall. It’s important to take any factors of your pool to heart before deciding on which liner to use, taking into consider the costs and general upkeep requirements.

Tiles

                The tile used in your pool may seem like a trivial element but when looked at visually the importance comes more into view. Using tile on a pool gives the owner an incredible diversity of options and looks to have your pool stand out in the neighborhood. Not only are colors an option but creating a design or pattern unique to your own personality will give you an edge and give your entire pool area its own personality that guests can recognize and enjoy. Aside from being a visual blank slate on which to craft your design, tiles can also be incredibly long-lasting if kept in good condition. Being an outdoor element, tile is designed and manufactured to withstand the harsh outside conditions and can last for years when handled correctly. Your pool can be the highlight of your property for years if you understand the maintenance and upkeep required.

Chemicals

                The pool makeup itself is important but equally crucial is the water inside of it. The water is where your friends and family will spend the time, so you need to be aware of how to balance it chemically to keep those people safe. The Pool Products website recommends the following chemicals:

·         Stain & Scale Preventer

·         Granular Shock Chlorine

·         Chlorine Tablets

·         pH Increaser and/or pH Decreaser

·         Alkalinity and/or Calcium Increaser

·         Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer)

·         Algaecide and Clarifiers if needed

·         Complete Test Kit or Test Strips.

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 https://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Starting Up Your Pool After New or Refinished Plaster Is Done

The start up procedure for a pool that has new plaster or had the plaster resurfaced is very important to guarantee that the plaster cures properly. Having a professional plaster company or builder to handle this process is the best option but understanding the process and being involved with the maintenance of your pool with benefit your pool’s over all life. Before making any start up tasks on your own, be sure to ask your plaster company for recommendations and be sure that anything done on your part will not void the warranty provided by them.

Steps to Follow During Set Up

1. Fill up the pool as fast as possible without stopping at any time. The use of additional hoses to speed the process can be beneficial. If the pool is only partially filled and process is stopped, a line will be left from the water level and be very difficult to be removed without doing an acid bath. The water from the hose should not spray directly onto the fresh plaster as well.
2. Once pool is full, add a dose of sequestrant for startup. The use of sequestrant is to act as an aid when locating Iron and other metals that are hard to detect otherwise. These metals can cause staining on new plaster that are difficult to remove so by using this product it acts as a precaution for this.
3. Do not operate the heater for a 2-week period after filling the pool. It is typical for new plastered pool to create a lot of plaster dust that can cause clogs in tubing of the heater. By passing the heater will avoid the risk of damage to it during the 2 weeks start up.
4. Refrain from swimming in the pool until the water is properly balanced. After the pool is fully filled with water, run tests using test kits to verify the water is clean and non-acidic.
5. It is best to not use any automatic cleaning system during the first 2 weeks. Proper cleaning by brushing the entire pool twice a day during the first week. After the first week switching to a once a day routine for the remainder of one month should be done on the whole plaster surface. Starting at the top of the walls and working towards the bottom starting from shallow end to the deeper. This process will help with removing any loose plaster dusts left behind from the install.

The above directions for new plaster or resurfaced plaster start up are basic and generic instructions given for any type of pool however there are 3 specific start up methods a builder may use that has separate rules to follow. These methods include; acid, traditional, or biocarbonite. Be sure to ask your builder or pool plaster company for guidance since variations of steps can be done and the professionals are always the best advice to follow for your own specific pool and conditions.
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 https://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Planning A Gunite Plaster Pool

The HEAT is here, it is FINALLY summer in Michigan!  This is when homeowners start to envy the neighbors who are sipping fruity beverages while lounging in their resort like back yard swimming pools.  Of course, mid-July is not exactly perfect timing to start planning for a swimming pool installation to enjoy this season.  It is, however, the right time to start researching, planning, and interview pool plaster professionals for your dream to be a reality next summer!  It is important to make sure you know exactly what you are getting into when you decide to have a plaster swimming pool installed.  This article from the CantonRep online, “Do Swimming Pools Add Value to Homes?” provides some very valuable information to homeowners just starting the research process and deciding if a Gunite pool is right for them.  If you are interested in a consultation to discuss your inground swimming pool dreams call us today 248.476.4544. A Pound Pool Plastering team member will gladly assist in answering any questions you may have!

Signs Your Pool Needs Resurfacing

Is your pool in need of some extra love and extreme maintenance? Do you know the signs that your swimming pool is giving you that it may be time for resurfacing?  Some our obvious, some not so much.  All in all, your Gunite swimming pool is very helpful in telling you it needs some attention.  Below are five signs that your pool could stand some help from a resurfacing service like the professionals at Pound Pool Plastering. 

Flaking, Peeling Layers of Plaster

Have you started noticing the plaster of your pool or spas starting to peel on the steps or floor?  This is known as spalling in the pool industry.  Pool water with a low PH or low calcium causes spalling.   When this occurs, there is no way to properly repair the issue.  When spalling is noticed the pool or spa needs to be resurfaced or re-plastered.

Surface Stains

There are a number of culprits for surface stains including copper, calcium and salt.  These issues cause a grayish blue discoloration.  The pool industry calls this phenomenon topical stains.  These topical stains stick to the surface of the plaster.  Stains can be cleaned with an acid wash however this needs to be performed with extreme caution.  If stains are severe re-surfacing may be the only way to get rid of the stains. 

Roughness

When your pools plaster is no longer smooth it is a sure sign that it is time to call us.  Chemicals eat away at the pool surface causing roughness as well as extra calcium deposits.  When the surface starts to feel more like sandpaper than silk it is time to have the plaster resurfaced.  No one wants bloody feet after swimming. 

Check Cracks

It is hard to see check cracks but if you look closely you will notice cracks that appear to look like a spider web.  Some people say check cracks look like what an egg looks like when it cracks.  These cracks are a natural part of hydrating cement but are more noticeable when the pool is drained, and the sun is shining on it.  With the pools plaster expands and contracts with chanced in temperature changes small cracks in the plaster grow.  The only way to get rid of these cracks is to re-plaster the pools surface.

Discoloration

When you first had your pool installed it was a beautiful white, blue, or gray finish but today when you looked out you noticed it was no longer the lovely shade you originally loved.  Instead it is streaked with white streaks and spots, the plaster is being bleached out.  It usually starts on the steps of the pool and slowly moves to other areas of the pool plaster.  If this is an issue for your pools plaster when having the plaster redone it is important to choose a more durable plaster finish such as pebble as it doesn’t discolor as easily as plaster alone.
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 https://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Don’t Jump Into The Deep End Of Pool Ownership Before You Do Some Research

We don’t always have an option when it comes to the installation of a swimming pool because sometimes the homes of our dreams come with them.  It is one of those situations where you find the perfect home and although you never thought you would own a pool there it sits.  Of course, visions of family and friends and blue water swarm your head but soon sets in the reality that the pool has to be brought up to date.  If you “inherit” a pool that has not been opened for the season you may find it is in much need of repair and maintenance before it can be.  In this installment from Realtor.com, “I Bought a House With a Pool, and Wow, Was I in Over My Head!” homeowners can learn 5 valuable lessons from a homeowners who learned these lessons the hard way.

It is crucial to remember that it is not an inexpensive venture.  Pool ownership can be quite costly and requires a great deal of consideration before “jumping in the deep end”.  We specialize in new pool plaster and re-plastering swimming pools of all shapes and sizes, commercial and residential.  If you find your plaster pool could use some special attention, we have you covered.