Swimming Pool Plastering is the process of refinishing a concrete swimming pool with fresh plaster. This is a relatively expensive but very worthwhile project that extends the life of your pool and also makes it look like new.
Swimming pool Swimming Pool Plastering plaster is a finishing material that coats the gunite or shotcrete, creating a watertight seal and providing the durability of a cement surface. It can last twenty years or more under ideal conditions, but the reality is that it wears off much faster than this in our harsh environment. In a typical residential pool the plaster surface will need to be replastered every five or six years.
If you notice your swimming pool has a rough, bumpy or scratchy texture, the plaster is wearing thin and it is time to consider replastering. You can patch these areas with a repair kit but this is only a temporary solution and will not match your existing plaster.
Another reason to replaster is to address any cracks in the plaster. These are called crazing cracks and they are caused by temperature changes during the curing period. These are not structurally threatening but you will want to address them as they occur. Light acid washing and a flexible sealer can help.
In some cases you will need to replaster because of organic stains in your pool. These can be caused by a variety of things including leaves, twigs and other plant materials that are close to the pool. They will stain the plaster with a green or brown hue depending on the component in the plant material. Generally, these stains are not a problem because they will be bleached out by chlorine in the water.
The first step in replastering is to pressure wash the pool to remove any dirt, debris and algae that has settled on the surface of the pool. This is followed by a acid wash that is done with one part muriatic acid to seven parts water in a plastic watering can and applied over the entire pool surface. The pool is then rinsed and left to dry before proceeding with replastering.
While it is possible to replaster a pool yourself, it is a complex and difficult job that requires the use of tools you are likely not familiar with. This is why it is usually best to have a professional do the job. A replastering project that is not done correctly can result in etching, crazing, shading or even a complete bond failure that will require redoing the entire job.
A professional will have a large toolbox filled with various tools to do the work, and they have experience in working on swimming pools and other types of commercial construction. If you do decide to replaster your own pool, there are several YouTube videos that can show you the techniques and tools involved. You can also learn more by talking with professionals and reading articles about the topic.