Tag: Coping

There are many materials that go into building an in-ground pool.  Few materials get as much attention as the pools plaster surface.  Plaster is the exterior shell of the pool.  It is the part that everyone sees and feels.  It is also the first place that people usually notice when it starts to deteriorate, cracks become noticeable and discoloration is visible.  Over the years we have learned some important tips regarding the maintenance and care for the pool’s plaster to keep it in top condition.

Fresh Plaster Maintenance

Your swimming pool installer will add chemicals that are required to initially balance the pools water.  They will then brush the plaster with a nylon-bristle brush which improves the quality of the plaster as well.  This will also prevent the buildup of calcium and other minerals within the pools water.

If you notice that you have fine sand grains deposited on the bottom of the pool this is more likely “precipitation” which is common with a newly installed pool or fresh plaster.  Our recommendation is to continue brushing the pool twice a day for the first seven days.

Your pool water and pH levels affect plaster.  It is crucial to the longevity and health of your pools plaster.  Pool water below 7.0 tends to erode & remove the smooth plaster surface.  Water that is above 8.0 contributes to the formation of scale and stains.

Calcium is another one of the key elements found in both your pool water and in your plaster.  A proper calcium balance is 250 ppm.  Too much calcium will cause deposits on the plaster of your pool.  Not enough calcium in the water may weaken the plaster.

Other Water Related Concerns

Dissolved Metal: Stains that cannot be removed with bleach are generally stains caused by metal.  When the water becomes saturated with any metal, like copper or iron, it will generally “precipitate” or fall out of solution in the form of a metal stain.  Copper stains usually reveal themselves as blue or blue-green splotches or streaks.  Iron will usually appear brown to black.  Check with your local pool specialist to purchase chemicals to help prevent these types of stains.

Mottling: Mottling can occur naturally in pools.  It is more evident in pools with colored plaster but not more prevalent.  There are strategies that can be put into place to lessen mottling including sequestering, chelating, or pH and calcium reduction.

Organic Stains: Plants that are near the pool area can often cause your plaster to become stained with tannic acid, which are brown, and chlorophyll stains, which are green.  Organic stains will not remain long due to the Chlorine bleaching them out.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential Gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Much like nearly everything that’s used every day, swimming pool interiors age and wear out over time. They lose their grandeur and slowly, they begin to appear unattractive. And, while an ordinary individual will most probably resort to the standard pool plastering options, a smart, savvy fellow will not settle for less.

There are many varieties of pool and spa plaster options to choose from, thanks to the plastering companies’ pursuit to offer more attractive alternatives. From those with colored aggregates to those featuring polished aggregate surfaces; nearly all of them add visual interest while providing the durability it’s needed. So, if you are looking to plaster or re-plaster your swimming pool, carefully consider the following options.

Which swimming pool plaster?

A classic pool plaster regularly incorporates white cement, a marble aggregate or the same color and water. And, that’s why you will love the emanating brilliantly clean surface. This option is often revered as the most economical option for pool surfacing.

When various color pigments and dyes are added, the homeowner automatically gives the pool a brand-new, cool look. It could be from a classic light blue look to any other shade, including a midnight blue hue. Tahoe Blue is a term that describes the most economical choice for many and perhaps a preferred pool color, although it takes an effort to attain it.

Modern pool plaster additives

Silicone shield

Added to the mix, a Silicone shield not only gives the pool a million-dollar look, but also extends its service life. In fact, a great feature with this product is the ability to enhance the pool’s durability while ensuring that the crisp look is never lost.

Coloring

Pool plastering can take into consideration a host of dying options. The dye is added to the mix, of course, in varying quantities and then used in plastering. While there’s no problem using as many different colors as possible, attaining the uniformity needed isn’t a mere feat. And, it takes lots of skill and expertise to get dramatic results.

Colored Quartz

For a better flair and ultimate results, colored ceramic coated sand often comes into place. The colored quartz chips create visual interest while offering more color choices, and makes the pool last longer. The petite substances can withstand chemical deterioration too.

Pozzolans

As much as they dramatically improve the working of the plaster, Pozzolans don’t alter the way your pool’s plastering looks. However, it preserves the plaster, protecting it from etching and mottling. In the end, the pool’s surface will be smooth and durable.

Further options to check out

• Pebbled type surfaces – round polished colored aggregates, they are manufactured in diverse industries.
• Polished aggregate surfaces – crème of pool covers, this option blends longevity, color, uniformity, and variations to offer what every pool owner probably yearns for.

Painting and fiberglass aren’t the finest options and need lots of research and studying before they’re used. However, everything depends with how you loving the look of your pool.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

There are a number of options when it comes to surfacing the interior of an inground swimming pool however plaster remain at the top of the popularity poll.  Pools range in color from classic white to a multitude of colors that suit that compliment the landscape.  Plaster remains an affordable option in pool finishing.  It is typically applied over a concrete base, known as gunite.

Pricing for plaster pools varies a great deal depending on where you are located.  When you look into hiring a company to plaster your new pool or to re-plaster an older pool there are a number of things to consider.  It is important, like in any home improvement project, to check contractor’s references before hiring them.  Ask to talk with individuals that have recently worked with the company to get their opinion on the work that was done, the customer service, work ethic, and professionalism.

Be wary of taking the lowest bid.  Be sure that the bids are all on an equal playing field.  Make sure all bids include the cost of materials, services and extras.  You need to be comparing bids based on an equal basis.  Lower bids may be the result of a contractor using lower quality materials that in the long run will affect the quality and longevity of your pool.

The most basic option in pool plaster, as stated above is, white plaster which is a combination of white cement, white marble aggregate and water.  This choice is the standard option that is included in most inground pool installations.  The classic swimming pool look including white pool plaster is the most affordable option for homeowners.  Before the numerous options available now-a-days white plaster was the only choice.  White plaster is seen in most commercial swimming pools.

The advantages of white pool plaster include that it is abundant, affordable and easy to install.  This is why it is such an attractive option.  The one drawback is that it tends to be a soft finish that is easily compromised by the effects of improper water chemistry in comparison to newer options such as aggregates and glass tiles.  Usually white plaster has a life span of five to seven years before homeowners will begin to notice pits and divots caused by erosion.   To expand the lifespan of your white plaster pool it is important to maintain the waters chemistry.

In our next installment on pool surface finishes we will look into options including colored plaster, quartz additives and glass tiles.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Residential pool owners don’t have any hard pressed rules to follow when it comes to how often they should look into having their pools plaster redone.  In commercial pool settings the general consensus is that the plaster needs to be redone every ten years.  Residential gunite pool owners need to be more conscience of the signs that their pool is in need of new plaster as the plaster is what helps to ensure the structural soundness of the pool itself.  Below are some signs residential pool owners need to keep an eye out for when it comes to redoing the pools plaster.

Staining

One of the most common complaints that homeowners have when it comes to their pools is that the plaster has visible stains.  No matter how meticulous a homeowner is when it comes to keeping the chemicals in the pools water balanced over time the plaster will show some staining.  Stains ruin the overall aesthetics of the pool.  If it has been a while since the pool has been plastered staining could mean it is time to consider looking into new plaster.  However, if stains are appearing only a few years after fresh plaster was installed then it is time to address the issue of where the staining is coming from.

Gunite Peeking Through

The structural shape of many pools is created from gunite which is a strong concrete type substance that provides the basin of the pool.  Plaster is then installed over the gunite to provide a waterproof protective barrier and visual appeal.  If the pools owners start to visually see bits of the gunite peeking through the plaster that is a sure sign that the pool is ready to have its plaster redone.

Swimming Becomes Awkward

Sometimes the change in the pools plaster may not be visible.  If you notice that your feet are getting scratched or the surface feels rough to the touch it may be time to think about new plaster.  Another visual sign is when the pool surface starts to snag on bathing suits.  Rough plaster surfaces may be noticeable because of dirt deposits, cracking or patchy spotting.  If this is noticeable the pool should be freshly plastered.

Depending on the pool plastering company plastering a pool can cost anywhere between three and five dollars per foot.    With an average backyard pool being around one thousand eighty eight square feet it is safe to assume new plaster  will cost somewhere around four thousand five hundred dollars.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Winter pool care doesn’t end by just putting the cover on it.  Care must continue throughout the off-season to assure that when the pool is open in the late spring that everything comes together as it should.  In this installment on in-ground gunite pool care we will share the top tips in off-season pool care.

• Add an algae preventative to the pool water that will function throughout the winter. It is best to add the algaecide to the pool on the last day that the pool is being used for the season.  After the preventative is added to the water you should run the pools pump and filter for twenty four hours to allow for the chemical to fully circulate.  The goal in the end is to keep algae at bay during the off season.
• As pool owners close their pools it is crucial to drain all of the water from the pump, heater and filter. The pipes and motorized mechanical systems of the gunite swimming pool are crucial to the operation of the pool.  If water freezes within the pipes they are apt to break.  This can be super costly and time consuming for the pool owner.
• In order to keep your pool clean during the off season it is best that homeowners keep their pools covered. Not only will a pool cover keep out the dirt and debris that comes from leaves, snow and other off-season debris; it will also keep children and toddlers from entering the pool.
• To make sure that your pool is ready for opening day in the spring it is important to add chlorine to the pools water. Chlorine should be added in the fall and when the water thaws in the spring.  Don’t add to much chlorine though as it can and will eat at the pools plaster if not kept balanced.
• The responsibility of owning a pool doesn’t end when you stop swimming in it for the season. Life will be easier for you when you re-open the pool in late spring if when the pool is closed that you keep the cover protecting the pool clean.  Sticks, leaves, stones and such can easily accumulate on the pool cover if allowed.  It is important that pool owners take some time throughout the off season to remove the accumulated build up of debris in order to protect the pool surface.

It is important to keep up on preventative maintenance, as a pool owner, even when the pool is shut down for the season.  Keeping the pool in top shape is a lot less time consuming and costly if preventative maintenance is kept up on year round.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

It is believed that commercial pools should be plastered about every ten years however with residential pools the answer isn’t as clear.  In this installment on pool plastering we will look at several signs that are dead giveaways that the pool needs to be plastered.  The pools plaster protects both the look and structural elements.  Watch for the signs below to know when it is time to call in pool plaster professionals.

Over a period of time, no matter how balanced the chemicals in your pool are the minerals in the water will stain the plaster and change the look of the original plaster.  As this occurs it becomes more and more evident that the plaster needs to be replaced.

Most in-ground pools are constructed out of Gunite, a concrete substance that is used to create the base of the pool.  The plaster is used on top of the Gunite and acts as a waterproof protective barrier that offers an aesthetic appeal as well.  When the Gunite begins to show through the plaster this is another sure sign it is time to call in the pool plastering professionals.

If you notice that your feet are being torn up by the bottom of the pool and that swimming in the pool is becoming rougher and rougher to the touch it is a good sign the plaster needs updating.  Bathing suits will start to snag on jagged plaster edges when the plaster starts to wear down.  This may not be visible to the naked eye.  If you start to feel or see rough patches on the pools plaster it is time to plaster your pool.  Cracks, pits or patchy spots are all common when plaster has aged and is in need of replacement.

Plastering your residential Gunite swimming pools costs between three and five dollars depending on a number of factors including: the contractors, the size of the pool, the climate, and the area in which you reside.  An average pool runs between four and five thousand dollars to plaster.

If you decide that this is going to be the year you plaster your pool it is best to get a call into the pool plastering company early in the season.  Depending on where you live the season in which you can enjoy your pool can be short.  If this is your situation you will want to have the pool plastered before opening it for the season to avoid any usage downtime.  Contact a reputable pool plastering company to come out and quote your project.  After you have several quotes and have done substantial research on each of the local pool plastering companies it will be time to schedule an appointment to have your pool plastered.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

The initial period after pool plaster has been applied is the most critical time for the pools surface.  In the first twenty eight days the pools plaster surface cures approximately sixty percent.  The surface will take the next eight to ten months to finish the curing process.  During the curing process the pools water is known to increase the alkalinity, pH and calcium levels.  If this is left untreated the chemical imbalance could cause issues with the pools plaster including rough texturing, pitting and streaking.  In order to prevent this from occurring it is crucial to maintain the pools chemical balance.

Pool plaster that is in the process of curing will increase the pH balance of the water quickly.  Keeping the pool water in balance should be of the utmost important to prevent scaling and hydration problems.  If the waters chemical balance is properly handled the pH and alkalinity should stabilize in about thirty days.  Test and adjust the chemical balance of the water a few times per week for the first few weeks the new pool plaster is in place.  After that the pools water can be tested every week to be sure it is staying within the limits.

Pool Water Tips

• All pool chemicals should be pre-dissolved before being added to the pool water. The chemicals should always be added to water.  Don’t ever mix the chemicals and then add the water into it.
• Chlorine and other pool sanitizers should not be added to the pool water, after plastering, until the water has been tested and seventy two hours has past. The personnel at the pool store will give you instructions on any additional testing that should be done.
• Make sure that you get the pools alkalinity is in check and then adjust the pH. The alkalinity should be between eighty and one hundred and twenty PPM and the pH should be lowered to around seven point two.
• Replenish the sequestering agent that was added to the pool on start up that took metallic contaminates that are un-filterable and made them able to be filtered. This will help to prevent staining and scaling.
• Remember not to swim in the pool until the chlorine level drops below three ppm.

The pool should be gently brushed twice a day for the first two weeks after the plaster has been applied.  It is important that the pools pores are kept open to allow for proper curing and helps loosen any plaster dust from settling in on the plaster surface.  The water may become dusty after the brushing is done but will eventually go away.

With some simple maintenance and care you can extend the lifetime of your pools plaster.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

The options in pool plaster have long moved past the days of white plaster.  Company’s offer pool plastering services today still offer good old fashion white plaster, color additives and colored aggregates that add visual appeal, increased strength and increased client satisfaction. The combination of plaster options is endless; each offering a unique perspective and appeal that is as distinct as the landscape surrounding the pool.

A pools plaster can last for many years meaning that most homeowners will not have to concern themselves with plaster options too frequently.  Eventually the corrosive chemicals and water begin to deteriorate the pools plaster surface.  Thus making the surface rough and staining more difficult to remove.  This is when homeowners know it is time to upgrade the plaster on the pools surface.

The pools plaster is the waterproof coating that is added on top of the gunite shell.  The plaster is intended to slowly wear.  In most cases the plaster is not replaced to retain the pools structural integrity or retain waterproofing but instead to enhance the pools appearance.   Stained, rough, pitted plaster surfacing is the reason most residential and commercial pool owners choose to resurface a pools plaster.

There are many additives that can be used to enhance your pool.  Basic white pool plaster is a combination of cement and marble dust.  This combination is often referred to as marcite.  When mixed together with water and binding additives it is sprayed on a prepped surface and smoothed to perfection.

Color additives can be added to the plaster to produce different results.  Popular color choices are hues of grey and blue.  Colored quartzite chips can be added to plaster to create visual attraction and more durability.  These colored quartzite chips are used to hide imperfections and be more resistant to the deterioration from chemicals.  Pozzolans are added to plaster but go undetected visually.  This additive locks up calcium hydroxide and prevents its reaction to other chemicals.   This allows for the plaster to remain smoother and last longer.  One last additive we will talk about is silicone shielding.  This is used to reduce staining by basically waterproofing the plaster.

Exposed aggregates such as pebbletec and beadcrete are used to create a bumpy texture and slip resistance nature to the surface.  Both products add a visual appeal that cannot be reproduced with regular plaster.  Pool owners looking to enhance the landscape of the pool can do so using either of these products.

There are so many choices beyond white pool plaster.  Be sure to check with your local pool plastering company to find an option that works to enhance your pool environment.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

In-ground pool owners hit the jackpot this summer.  Temperatures have been some of the hottest we have had in years along with record high humidity levels and low amounts of rain.  This summer backyard pools have been put to good use.  Have you started to notice that condition of the pools surface starting to look a bit dull and lifeless?  Are you considering a facelift to the interior surface of your pool before the start of the next summer swimming season?

There are a number of options to consider in pool plastering options.  Some consider painting the pool in order to give the surface a fresh appearance.  Back in the day, painting the pools surface was an annual rite of passage in opening the pool.  Then pool plaster was introduced and pool owners came to appreciate the longevity and durability that comes along with this option.  What now?  Do you go old school and paint the interior surface of the pool or do you follow the modern trend of plastering when faced with preparations for the next swimming season?

Paint verse Plaster – Who Wins?

Endurance Factor

Painting a pools interior surface will only keep it looking updated and fresh looking for one season.  Plaster is definitely the better option when looking at the endurance factor.  Pool plaster, when professionally installed can last anywhere between fifteen to twenty years.  Where as a painted finish at best can make it through two full seasons before it needs to be done again.  Professional pool plastering when done properly is a far superior in endurance over painting.

Durability Factor

Paints that are specifically designed for use in spas, pools and outdoor fountains are durable given the beating taken from chemicals and climate changes.  The problem exists in durability when it comes to the thickness of the surface.  Painted surfaces are not nearly as thick as plaster surfaces, making them less durable overall.  A plaster pool is about a half an inch thick and therefore can handle more of the everyday beatings that an in-ground recreational pool takes.  If you are surfacing a fountain that will not be abused daily by cleaning equipment and tiny humans then painting it may be just fine.

Preparation

Both applications require some degree of preparation to be done before they can be applied.  The pool must be completely dried and prepped for the new surface to be applied.  Painting a pool requires far less prep than plaster however plaster is usually done professionally therefore requiring know amount of prep work to be completed by the homeowner.

Apply and Finish

Once a pool has been prepped for painting the process is fairly simple.  The pool paint is mixed and applied to the surface.  Two coats are required and can be done within four to six hours of one another.  The pool should not be refilled with water until the surface is completely dry which can take anywhere between two to five days depending on the weather.  Pool plaster on the other hand is quite difficult to apply and is best left to the professionals.  A professional plastering company will apply the plaster mixture using a thick hose.  It will then be smoothed out evenly.  This process usually can be done in one day and the water can start to be added to the pool.

It’s fairly easy to see why individuals choose plaster over painting when it comes to resurfacing their pools.  In the end it may cost a bit more but saves a whole lot of time given that plaster has a longer life span and will most likely not need to be done more than once over the time that you own the pool.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.