10 FAQ’s About Pool Plastering
Your pool’s surface may develop stains, etching, cracks, or other issues over time. And that is entirely normal.
With wear and tear of pool plastering, the beauty of your pool reduces along with its durability. That means it requires a fresh coat finish before the conditions worsen.
Plaster is the most visible element of your poolscape. It creates a protective layer between the pool surface and pool water to avoid water leakages that may damage the structural shell. The interior plaster finish is also crucial to its integrity. Hence, make sure you maintain it properly ensure the longevity of your pool.
Let’s look at the top 10 frequently asked questions about pool plastering:
1. What is Pool Plastering?
Pool Plastering is the final layer of polish or interior pool finish that makes a pool’s interior visually appealing. Along with its aesthetic purpose, the coating smoothens and balances out the roughness of the concrete below it.
2. Can I Paint or Acid Wash My Pool Instead of Re-plastering?
If you paint your pool’s inner surface, think of it as a short-term solution only. With time, the paint will start chipping, and it will leave your pool vulnerable to natural elements. Also, when you think of it, plastering a painted pool takes much longer due to the inherent difficulties of removing the layers of paint.
Similarly, if you consider an acid wash, the pool basin may look bright initially. But, it becomes rough due to high porosity in the plaster resulting from the acid. Re-plastering is a sustainable solution that also elongates the life of your pool.
3. What is the Duration of Pool Plaster?
Depending on a variety of factors and how well you maintain your pool, your plaster can last from 7 to 10 years. The average life expectancy of a plastered pool is affected by regular pool maintenance and cleaning. If you take excellent care of pool plaster, such as marcite plaster can last up to 7-10 years while you’ll get an additional five years on the life of your pool is you use quartz aggregate blend for pool plastering.
4. When is the Best Time to Replaster a Pool?
While you can plaster your pool at any time of the year, the ideal weather is when it is a little cold and humid. That’s because high temperatures can cause early drying before the pool fills altogether leaving cracks in between the dry and wet plaster.
5. What are the Best Materials for Pool Plastering?
Choosing the materials for your pool plaster project depends on your budget, the durability, and the look you’re going.
One of the most common materials is white plaster. This type of plaster gives your pool an even and smooth finish. You can also go for colored plasters such as blue, beige, and even red.
The pebble finish plaster is an attractive and durable finish. A mix of pebbles inside the plaster concoction is an excellent choice if you need terrific visual aesthetics. For example, it can give a riverbed like look to your pool, and you can choose the types of pebbles you want as well. The only drawback to this is the discomfort some people might face due to sensitive feet.
Another classy option is tiling. This option is the most expensive of all due to the use of tiles and the way this finish is applied. Tiles are applied by hand to ensure no spot is left. Differently sized tiles are available, and you can use them to create a mosaic right at the bottom of your pool. You can choose from big tiles for a pop of color or smaller ones using which you can create an array of colorful, high-resolution art pieces to ogle at while enjoying a good swim.
6. How Long Should I Wait Before Using the Pool After Plastering?
Unlike ordinary plaster which needs to dry completely first, pool plaster works differently. One the plaster dries out; you need to fill the pool with water. The plaster material cures under water in about 7-10 days. But this doesn’t mean you have to wait that long. Once the pool is filled and clean, you can go in for a swim.
7. How Do I Elongate the Life of My Plaster?
The life of your pool plaster usually depends on the materials used and how well kept your pool is. First, make sure to maintain the chemical balance of your pool. The recommended pool pH level is between 7.4 and 7.6. If it is lower than this, your plaster may start cracking. Second, do not ignore any cracks you find. Get a pooling expert to check it immediately. Quick maintenance will keep significant problems at bay, and can you save you from excessive costs.
8. How Do You Take Care of a Newly Plastered Pool?
Firstly, check the source of water where you can fill your pool. Different sources may have different types of water which can hamper your plaster. So before you begin filling your pool, it is best to take a test sample to ensure the safety of your plaster.
Secondly, fill your pool with water as soon as you can. Unless the pool is full, do not turn off the water supply; otherwise, you’ll notice bathtub ring around your pool. Maintain the water surface up to the mid-tile level.
Third, maintain cleanliness by brushing off the plaster dust that you may find at the bottom.
9. How Long Does A Pool Plaster Project Last?
Depending on the finish you go for a pool plaster project can last from a couple of hours to a few days.
10. Why Are You Spotting Color Discoloration on Your Plaster?
Your plaster might get discolored due to several reasons. They may be due to organic or mineral deposits, excess of Calcium Chloride, and even variation in the water content of the plaster mix. So, keep a check on these little things to avoid discoloration of plaster for as long as possible.
With all these questions answered, look for pool companies near you and have a happy summer!