If you are the owner or property manager of an apartment pool, you are already dealing with the day to day cleaning and routing maintenance required to keep the pool looking good and functioning for your tenants.
While you may think about the water that fills the pool, have you considered the layer of pool plastering that keeps everything contained?
Pool plaster not only enhances the aesthetics and design of the pool, but it also provides a protective covering that extends the life and enjoyment of the pool. However, with time, the plaster may begin to deteriorate and lose its tensile strength. This deterioration can result in corrosion, chipping, and cracks, reducing the structural strength and overall appearance of the pool
While proper maintenance and frequent care are important, all pools require replastering from time to time. Often when considering a replaster it is wise to think about a remodel as well to bring the look and feel of the pool up to todays standards. As you know, tenants will judge your property based on a number of factors including the amenities!
The Procedure for Plastering a Pool
Do you want to see how a regular pool plastering job is done? While each project is as unique as the customer and their pool, there are some common threads that run through all of our pool plastering and pool replastering projects. Here’s a quick breakdown of the plastering procedure that our skilled and professional pool contractors provide:
Step 1: Select a Plastering Color
Clear and unambiguous communication is the foundation of any successful pool plastering operation. We work closely with each client to develop a project cost and timeline that outlines all of the work that needs to be done to replace pool plaster.
Our Houston pool plastering crew will demonstrate the several pool plastering color options available for the pool. Most apartments choose either white plaster or for a nice upgrade consider an aggregate finish (pebble). We can guide you through the options and determine what may be best based on your CAPEX budget and expected hold of your investment. In addition we can discuss waterline tile and coping and if they should be replaced at the time of replaster.
We’re thrilled to now be able to provide fully digital plastering catalogs complete with color swatches and more during the first meeting with our sales representative.
Step 2: Draining the Pool
After selecting the necessary materials, our staff will arrive at the property to begin prepping the pool. The first stage in a professional pool plastering job is to completely drain the pool with our submersible pumps. This makes it possible to drain the water fast and effectively. The submersible pump is normally placed in the shallow end and left running until the water is mostly drained, after which our team will come in the next day to finish the draining!
Step 3: Relieve Hydrostatic Pressure
The removal of hydrostatic pressure from beneath the pool is an important aspect of the replastering process. This will prevent the pool from “popping up” during the plastering process. There is nothing holding the pool down in place with the water removed, which could result in the entire pool springing up if not handled properly. This is why removing the hydrostatic pressure is so important.
Step 4: Plaster Prep
After the hydrostatic pressure under the pool has been relieved, the pool must be prepared for plastering by undercutting all waterline tiles as well as any pool fixtures and features such as lighting, jets, returns, and the main drain. Undercutting allows us to start working on the plaster right away.
Step 5: Examine For Cracks & Hollows
After the pool has been completely drained and prepared, we will thoroughly inspect the swimming pool walls for any cracks, hollows, or other issues that could compromise the resurfacing job’s longevity.
When calcium nodules mature, they form hollows. They produce a hollow space beneath the plaster surface of the pool, which eventually causes degradation, bubbles, and delamination.
These “hollows” or voids can be generated by a variety of factors, and they are common in all pools. We normally cover up to 15% of these hollows, which is usually adequate to get most pools replastered on schedule.
We start washing the pool walls with muriatic acid once the hallows have been pounded out, cracks have been handled, and the pool has been thoroughly inspected (if needed).
Step 6: Acid Wash
Washing the pool walls with muriatic acid removes a thin layer of the surface and aids in the removal of tenacious stains, calcium deposits, and other debris that may have accumulated on the previous plastering finish applied to the pool. It also aids in roughening the surface, allowing the bonding elements in step 7 to better bind the old and new finishes.
Step 7: Bond Kote
After that, a bonding material should be applied to ensure good adhesion between the existing and new pool plastering finishes. Bond Kote is a one-part resin, one-part bonding cement acrylic modified cement and sand mixture.
Following the mixing of these two parts, they are rolled or sprayed onto the pool wall and flooring, allowing the old and new to connect.
Step 8: Applying The Plaster
The pool is now ready for the first layer of pool plaster to be applied. The pool plaster will be put over a scratch coat and will be 3/8 to 12 inches thick. The finish will be smooth troweled when the fresh plaster layer is put. This plaster layer will fill in all of the hollows that we pounded out to give the replastered swimming pool a long-lasting gloss.
Again, employing a competent pool plastering service can help prevent any problems that may arise while draining, preparing, and replastering the pool. Beyond Blue Pools will not only expertly renovate the pool, but they will also keep you informed throughout the process.
Step 9: Scrub The Entire Surface
This only smooths out any uneven areas that may have developed during the application process. It also allows the roughness to be smoothed away, making new pool plaster more comfortable to walk on!
Step 10: Installing New Tile & Coping
If you choose to have new waterline tiles or coping/deck installed, we will work on these items while replastering the pool. Each of these has its own set of procedures! We’ll go on to the final inspection once these, as well as the plaster, have been placed. Phew!
Step 11: Final Inspection
A final inspection will be performed before filling the pool with water to confirm that the plastering has been properly applied. Prior to refilling, the staff will take care of any necessary fixes or upgrades. This method of measuring twice and cutting once eliminates the possibility of any problems or errors.
Step 12: Refill & Pool Startup
The next step is to replenish the pool with fresh water after the final examination of the pool plaster has been completed! However, before we refill the pool for summer pleasure, our crew will add sequestering chemicals to the water to prevent discoloration on the new plaster finish.
All of our pool resurfacing contracts include a month of complimentary pool service. The most critical component of replastering a pool is ensuring that the pool’s chemistry is kept at the right PH level. Maintaining the right PH in the swimming pool might result in a damaged finish, shorter finish life, and even difficult-to-remove stains.
The cleaner and better kept the water in the pool, the longer the new pool plastering will endure!
How Much Does Pool Plastering Cost?
While cost isn’t the only consideration when it comes to owning and maintaining a pool, it is one of the most important for many owners. Pool plastering prices can vary based on the following factors:
- Pool Dimensions and Shape
- Labor and Resource Costs
- Any Pool Structure Repairs or Fixes Desired Plaster Style, Color, and Finish
A pool of 50,000 gallons in size with a simple pool plastering finish might cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000.
While the cost of pool plastering may deter some pool owners, think of it as an investment in the future of the pool as well as the enjoyment and value of the property. Repairing problems caused by poor quality or broken pool plaster can be significantly more expensive than taking proactive measures to safeguard the pool.
To find out how much pool plastering will cost you, schedule a free consultation with Beyond Blue Pools. We’ll work with you to generate a cost breakdown and timeline for pool plastering so you can make the best selection possible.
How long does it take to plaster a pool?
“How long will it take you to plaster my pool?” is a common question we get.
The answer is contingent on the size of the pool and the amount of labor required. It may take longer to complete the operation if the pool has substantial plastering damage or other cosmetic difficulties. We complete the majority of pool plastering jobs within a few days to a week. Replastering an average-sized pool takes us between 4 and 7 days on average. Rain, thunderstorms, and hurricanes can all have an impact on the replastering timetable because we reside in Florida.
When it comes to a pool plastering schedule, our experts will walk you through what to expect during the earliest phases of consultation.
Replastering an average-sized pool takes us between 4 and 7 days on average.
