Replastering Your Swimming Pool
Gunite and shotcrete pools are very low maintenance, but eventually you’ll need to replaster your swimming pool. Pool plaster is the inside finish on a gunite pool. It is made from portland cement and fine aggregate, usually marble. The plasters not only nice looking, but is also used to make the inside of the pool smooth and watertight.
Plaster, is exposed to a harsh environment. It is constantly exposed to chemicals and a wide range of temperatures. Eventually the chemicals cause the plaster to wear out. Poor pool maintenance can destroy the plaster. It is very important to keep your pH balanced and to control the chlorine levels in the pool. Salt pools also contain chlorine, so the levels in salt pools are also important to check.
Is it time to replaster?
When time or poor maintenance has taken it’s toll on the plaster, it is time for replastering. This is a rather quick and simple process. The pool is drained, the shell is then prepped around the tile and all of the shell penetrations. The prepping is done by cutting around these areas and chipping out the old plaster. The shell is acid washed and then neutralized to ensure the surface is clean and rough enough to bond to the new plaster.
Some pools that need replastering have rough plaster, and some have smooth and discolored plaster. When your shell is ready for replastering, you simply reapply the plaster to the walls and the floor. The plaster is then troweled smooth until it is hard. It is important to stay with it until it is hard because it is a rich mix and can develop small shrinkage cracks if you quit too early or don’t fill it up quick enough.
After replastering, it is important to fill the pool as quickly as possible. Once it is full the chemicals need to be maintained very carefully especially for the first two weeks. It takes 28 days to fully cure, but the majority of the curing process occurs in the first two weeks. The replaster is more easily damaged in this first two weeks. As a result, it is also essential that the plaster is swept during this time period.
Why sweep the plaster?
We recommend that the plaster be swept twice a day for 10 days. It is pretty easy to do, but it is important. The plaster releases lime and other chemicals that look like dust. They are easily swept off of the walls and floor if it is done frequently. Neglecting to do this will result in streaks or a cloudy color on the plaster. This is caused by this dust solidifying on the surface of the plaster. It can be fixed, but is easily avoided by simply sweeping the pool.
Put new life back into an old pool and get it replastered! Furthermore, a replaster will increase the life of your pool and help prevent leaking and potential structural problems as well. Replastering with a different color is probably the most noteworthy thing you can do to transform the look of your pool to something different and more modern looking.
