Nothing beats taking a dip in a pool to cool down when the weather heats up. While the water often grabs the spotlight, paying attention to the plaster lining the pool is essential.
Pool plaster serves both an aesthetic and practical function. It protects your pool from damage and wear over time. The plaster can crack, chip, and weaken without proper maintenance, leading to significant structural issues.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about pool plastering. Whether you’re repairing or replacing plaster, understanding the steps involved can help you make informed decisions about maintaining your pool’s longevity.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Pool plaster is essential for a pool’s aesthetics and durability. It protects the structure from water damage and wear. However, due to chemical exposure and weather, plaster deteriorates over time and requires maintenance or replacement.
Proper preparation, including cleaning, acid washing, and repairing cracks, ensures a strong bond for new plaster. Choosing the right plaster type and colour impacts durability and visual appeal.
Regular maintenance, such as brushing and balancing water chemistry, prevents staining and extends plaster lifespan. Additional upgrades like tile replacement can enhance the pool’s look. With proper care, quality plaster ensures a long-lasting, well-maintained pool.
Why Pool Plaster Matters?
Pool plaster is more than just a finishing touch—it’s a vital protective layer. Without it, water would seep into the concrete, leading to cracks and weakening the pool’s structure.
Quality plaster enhances the overall aesthetic of your pool and can extend its lifespan. However, it deteriorates over time due to exposure to chemicals, weather, and wear.
If you notice cracks, stains, or other damage to your pool plaster, consider repairing or replacing it. Regular maintenance is one of the best investments for your pool.
Steps For Plastering A Pool
1. Preparation Is Key
Proper preparation ensures a successful plastering job. First, the pool’s concrete surface needs to be thoroughly cleaned.
Old plaster, algae, and stains must be removed to create a smooth, even surface. This step involves:
- Scraping away old plaster and removing waterline tiles.
- Grinding and trowelling the surface to eliminate any rough patches.
- Acid washing to remove stains and algae buildup.
Plaster won’t adhere properly without a will smooth surface, leading to future issues.
2. Choosing The Right Plaster Colour
Selecting the right plaster colour is an important decision that can impact your pool’s look and feel. Plaster colours range from classic white to shades of blue, grey, and black.
The colour of the plaster will influence how the water looks in different lighting and depths.
When working with a contractor, consider factors like:
- Water depth and how it affects colour perception.
- Waterline tiles and how they complement your plaster choice.
- Pool design and overall aesthetic.
Choosing the right colour enhances the overall appeal and can make your pool stand out in your backyard.
3. Understanding Pool Plaster Mixes
Pool plaster is typically made from a mix of hydraulic cement, sand, and water, with additives like pigments and quarts for added strength and aesthetic appeal.
These additives enhance durability, making the plaster resistant to cracking and staining.
In particular, quarts can add durability and a luxurious texture to the plaster.
There are several types of pool plaster to choose from, including:
- Traditional white plaster is cost-effective but may stain more easily.
- Coloured plaster – offers a range of tones for a unique look.
- Quarts-enhanced plaster – for durability and a touch of luxury.
4. Checking For Cracks And Damage
Before applying new plaster, the pool must be thoroughly inspected for cracks, hollow spots, or other damage. Any issues need to be repaired before moving forward. Common problems include:
- Calcified nodules create cavities beneath the plaster.
- Bubbles and delamination due to water penetration.
- Hollows that can appear due to structural shifts or improper previous plastering.
If more than 15% of the pool’s surface shows signs of damage, a full replaster is likely warranted.
5. Applying Muriatic Acid For Cleaning
Muriatic acid is often used to clean and roughen the pool surface before applying new plaster. This process removes the top layer of old plaster, stains, and calcium deposits, creating a fresh surface on which the new plaster can bond.
Using muriatic acid requires care. If handled properly, it can protect the pool surface. Professionals usually handle this step to ensure the correct acid concentration is applied without harming the structure.
6. Applying The Plaster
Once the surface is prepared, plastering can begin. This involves applying a scratch coat about 3/8 to 1/2 inches thick.
After the initial coat, the plaster is trowelled smooth to ensure an even finish. A final coat is applied for a glossy, long-lasting surface.
Hiring experienced professionals for this step is essential to applying the plaster evenly and smoothly. Proper application prevents future problems such as cracks and uneven surfaces.
Maintaining Your Pool After Plastering
7. Brushing The Pool Regularly
Once the pool is plastered, brushing it regularly is key to maintaining the new surface. Brushing helps remove stains, dirt, and algae that can settle into the plaster’s porous surface.
To clean the pool’s walls, steps, and floor, use a nylon-bristle pool brush and a telescoping pole.
Brush gently to avoid stirring debris into the water, which could take hours to settle.
Regular brushing will keep your pool looking clean and prevent staining.
8. Monitoring The Pool’s Water Chemistry
Keeping your pool’s water chemistry balanced is crucial for maintaining the plaster. Unbalanced water can cause the plaster to deteriorate, leading to staining, scale buildup, and cloudy water.
To prevent this, regularly test the water using test kits or strips to check for the following:
- pH levels – ideally between 7.2 and 7.6.
- Calcium hardness can cause scaling; too little can damage the plaster.
- Alkalinity – helps stabilise pH levels.
Proper water chemistry protects your plaster and extends its lifespan, saving you money on repairs.
Optional Upgrades: Tile And Coping Replacement
If you’re replastering your pool, now is a great time to consider replacing the waterline tiles and coping. These elements add the finishing touches to your pool’s design.
Choose materials that complement the plaster colour and overall design for a cohesive look.
9. Sealing With Bond Kote Materials
Bond Kote materials can be used before applying the new plaster to ensure the new layer bonds properly with the old surface.
This mix of sand, acrylic-modified cement, and bonding cement helps create a strong foundation for the plaster.
Bond Kote can be applied using a roller or sprayer. The plaster must be applied securely to the pool walls and floor.
Handling Stains And Metal Contamination
If your pool’s plaster has been stained due to metal contamination, sequestering agents can help. Metals like copper, iron, and magnesium can cause unsightly stains, especially if they enter the pool water through pipes or valves.
These stains often require special treatments, like sequestering agents, to prevent further discolouration.
Well water, in particular, can contain high levels of minerals that contribute to metal stains. Regularly testing and treating your pool water can prevent these issues.
Final Inspection And Refilling The Pool
Before filling the pool with water, perform a final inspection to ensure the plastering job has been completed correctly. The surface should be smooth, even, and free of cracks or damage.
This step is essential to catch any problems before refilling the pool.
10. Maintaining The Pool Post-Plastering
Once your pool has been refilled, maintaining proper water chemistry is essential to prevent damage to the new plaster. Pool water that is too acidic or alkaline can stain, scale, or damage the pool’s finish.
Regular water testing and maintenance will help extend the plaster’s life. Sequestering agents can also be added during this phase to prevent staining from metals in the water.
Conclusion
Pool plaster is integral to maintaining your pool’s appearance and functionality. While it may not last forever, high-quality plaster can protect your pool’s structure for years.
Regular maintenance—brushing, water testing, and acid washing—will help preserve the plaster and extend its lifespan.
Choosing the right plaster, maintaining water chemistry, and ensuring the surface is clean and smooth are key steps in keeping your pool in top condition. With proper care, your pool will continue to be a refreshing oasis for years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Plaster
How Long Does It Take Plaster a Pool?
The answer is contingent on the size of your pool and the amount of labour required. If your pool has substantial plastering damage or other cosmetic difficulties, it may take longer to complete the operation. The majority of pool plastering Replastering an average-sized pool takes between 4 and 7 days on average.
What Type of Plaster Is Used for Pools?
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 despite the myriad of choices that have come into the market in recent years.
How Soon Can You Swim After Plastering?
Disruption in the water flow can create rings in the plaster at the point at which the water rests. NOTE: At no time should any person or pets be allowed in the pool during the filling process. Typically, swimming can resume 48 hours after the pool has been filled with water.
Are Cracks in Pool Plaster Normal?
Check cracks and crazing are quite normal and very rarely, if ever, leak. However, consult the plaster company if the crazing is unacceptable or seems to be more than normal. They can create a plaster slurry and fill in these cracks. Major cracks or structural cracks are caused by soil movement.
What Happens if You Don’t Replaster a Pool?
When swimming, you would get scratched or roughened when you step out of the pool. Also, you could get scratched, or your swimsuit could get torn with the rough plaster. If it’s unpleasant to run your hand along the side of the pool or climb up the stairs, then it’s because your plaster is wearing thin.
