tile-concepts

When to Replaster Your Pool

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 22:28:09 GMT

Unlike other masonry or hardscape surface products, pool plaster finishes are constantly subjected to varying water chemistry conditions, especially if the pool or spa is maintained improperly.

The constant exposure creates an environment where mineral content of the surface and water will cause the plaster surface appearance to change over time. Some changes are cosmetic, while others are a result of product deterioration. A swimming pool is an investment that provides years of enjoyment and a lifetime of memories. Most people understand the importance of pool maintenance and weekly chemical checks. But what about large pool repairs? Resurfacing your swimming pool is very important to increasing the longevity or your pool. Understanding when to resurface your pool is critical to avoiding further damaging your investment.

Structural Reasons

The pool’s plaster provides a waterproof layer between the water and the shell (usually gunite) of your swimming pool. Older pools were made with poured concrete walls or cinder block, which means that they are porous materials. Although the resurface is a waterproofing layer, it protects the reinforced beams, avoiding rusting. The resurface also serves to fill tile lines, and around the skimmer area.

Pool Aesthetics

Minerals such as copper and iron can stain the plaster. The variations in temperature can also affect the appearance of your pool’s plaster.

Mineral Stains

There are some minerals in the water like iron and copper that may stain the plaster. When this occurs, replace the plaster immediately. Usually, the stains appear years after the initial resurface application.

Gunite Exposure

Many swimming pools are built with Gunite to support the basin of the swimming pool. If you see an exposure, then it is time to resurface.

Plaster (Delamination)

If your plaster has started to flake or fall of your pool’s surface it may be time to resurface your pool.

When choosing plaster finishes, Tile Concepts will guide you in the decision-making process to ensure that you understand the pros and cons of each product. A guide is provided to clients that details each of the products that Tile Concepts uses.

What Type of Pool Finishes Are Available?

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 22:28:09 GMT

There are so many plaster finish options available that the task of choosing one can be daunting. Unlike other masonry or hardscape surface products, pool plaster is constantly subjected to varying water chemistry conditions, especially if the pool is not properly maintained. The constant exposure creates an environment where mineral content of the surface and water will cause the plaster surface appearance to change over time.

Most Popular Finishes

White Plaster
White Plaster with Blue Quartz added- Color Quartz
Quartz Finishes
Pebble Finishes - Polished Pebble / Hand polished

White Plaster

Price: $
Longevity: 10 Years

Resurfacing with plaster is the most economical, but generally does not last as long as aggregate or quartz surfaces. Standard white plaster is the tried and true pool and spa surface finish. White plaster has been around as long as people have been building swimming pools and it remains a popular choice in spite of the myriad of choices that have come into the market in recent years. Its simple combination of white cement, white marble aggregate and water make for an economical choice.

Color Quartz

Price: $$
Longevity: 10 - 12 Years

Color quartz is a white plaster alternative where a high percentage of blue quartz is added to the white plaster to produce a beautiful blue hue. It is very smooth to the touch and one of the most affordable pool finish products available.

Quartz

Price: $$$
Longevity: 15 Years

Highly innovative addition to the palette of surface options has been the use of special colored ceramic aggregate products with or without dyes. These aggregates are basically a very specialized form of ceramic-coated sand that comes in a variety of pre-mixed plaster products. The finishes come in a broad range of colors, from vivid light to dark blues, grays to more subtle hues such as beige or soft greens as well.

Pebble

Price: $$$$
Longevity: 20 Years

Pebble is the ultimate answer to all pool surface concerns. Pebble surfaces consist of small, smooth river pebbles embedded throughout the product. Pebble surfaces come in a broad range of color combinations, are beautiful and have an extremely natural appearance. Pebble surface is also the most durable surface available.

What is Pool Plaster Delamination & What Causes it?

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 22:28:09 GMT

Most pool owners know that pools require servicing, cleaning, and maintenance. But even the best maintenance program cannot prevent delamination. Delamination shows up in the form of blisters or bubbles that can appear on the surface of the swimming pool. These bubbles are actually calcium nodules or small calcium carbonate buildups.

Delamination, excessive craze cracking, or other similar defects allow water to get either behind or into the interior of the plaster mass. It can occur in small areas or it can form in wide expanses. While they are usually white, they can become grey over time.

Delamination also occurs in the form of pop-offs when the volcano-like blisters and bubbles on the pool surface increase in size. Everyday pool use can cause these prominent blisters to break off from the plaster surrounding it. You may not notice delamination happening until pop-offs occur. The damage becomes much more visible once a pop-off forms

What Causes Delamination?

Pool plaster delamination occurs when there is a bond failure between the gunite and plaster of a pool. This failure creates an air cavity. Plaster naturally suffers from delamination over time, however, imperfections during construction can cause fine cracks in weak areas.

Newly replastered pools done with home-grown mixed bond coats often have trouble bonding with gunite or concrete pool walls. These pools generally show signs of delamination much sooner than pools done with manufacturers’ bond coat.

Concrete or plaster-based pools are especially susceptible to delamination if they are completely drained and allowed to dry out for prolonged periods. In addition, without proper maintenance, unbalanced pool water can create a corrosive and dissolving effect causing cracks to widen, allowing water, chemicals and algae to work into the underlying layers.

To ensure that the plaster manufacturers warranty is not voided, Tile Concepts does not mix their own bond coat. Our team uses SGM Bond Kote™ which is a specially formulated coating, designed to be used as an ideal substrate to mechanically bond pool plaster over existing plaster finishes.