Extending the Life of Your Pool Plaster
Leanne Harvey, California Waters
As a community property manager in Orange County, many of you will have a pool or spa at one of your properties. Often, the pool is a major focal point for both potential and current homeowners, showcasing both the attractiveness and upkeep of the property. Unfortunately, time takes its toll on even the most highly maintained properties, and pools and spas are no exception. Replastering a pool and spa is expensive; however, proper preventative maintenance may extend the life of your plaster.
The best way to do this is to contract with a professionally trainedservice technician whowill provide regularand ongoing pool maintenance,
focused on consistent proper
waterchemistry.Inadditiontobrushingand vacuuming, professional pool service should incorporate regular and complete water chemistry testing. Proper water balance and chemistry is essential to extending the life of all components, including the plaster, handrails, anchors, and equipment.
Additionally, if your property hasn’t already switched to an automated chemical control system for the pool/spa, making the switch should be an immediate consideration. This type of system automatically maintains a pool’s pH and other types of levels, and thus impacts water clarity. It measures the chemical levels in the water and then automatically adds the necessary chemicals to achieve proper balance. Proper
20 May | June 2024
pool chemistry minimizes chemical imbalance and damage that breaks down pool plaster.
In addition to proper service and automating chemical distribution to extend the life of your plaster, another option to consider is performing an acid wash. An acid wash removes or lessens the appearance of surface stains and minor discolorations. Light stains can often be scrubbed out, but deeper stains will usually require a professional acid wash. This process strips a thin layer of plaster off the surface of the pool or spa, improving the appearance by exposing a clean layer of plaster underneath. While acid washing can dramatically reduce stains or spots from the surface, it can also make the surface rougher and shorten the lifespan of plaster finishes, so acid washing is only recommended to be performed every four to five years. Similar to an acid wash, a chlorine bath is another potential solution for minor discoloration that can be explored with your professional pool maintenance provider.
However, even with quality pool maintenance, replastering will eventually become necessary. Some typical indicators that your pool might be showing its age include:
• Stains and discoloration • Rust spots on the stairs, the bottom or near the lights
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