• Chipping plaster • Surfaces feel like they are getting rough (like sandpaper)
Plaster will last longer in pools that are well maintained. Over time, pieces of plaster will delaminate from the shotcrete and metal substructure or show major rust spots from rebar leeching. Even extremely deep stains can occur. Plaster will wear thin over time without signs of pealing. Dirt collects in the cracks and the surface may become rough enough to cause skin abrasions and cuts. If you encounter any of these situations, your pool needs to be replastered.
When replastering a pool, the type of plaster selected has an impact on extending the life of a pool. There are three types of plaster approved for commercial pools in California: standard, quartz, and pebble finish. Standard pool plaster is a mix of Portland cement, water, and silica/sand dust; it contains the highest cement content. Quartz and pebble finish are aggregate finishes. Both increase plaster longevity by replacing some cement with stronger aggregate additives. According to Joey Chavez, Interior Surfaces Specialist for NPT Finishes at Poolcorp, “The aggregate in the plaster mixture dictates how soft the plaster is. The harder the aggregate in the finish, the better it can prevent staining and chemical corrosion and the longer it will last. Depending on the type of plaster selected, water chemistry, and maintenance, pool plaster can last from five to twelve years.”
Water quality and chemistry do matter. Especially when the fill water is very hard and/or mineral-rich (with copper and lead) or very soft. Either situation can create long-lasting problems for new plaster installations so testing water prior to filling is essential. According to Chavez, two additional tips to follow when you perform your replastering project that can help extend the useful life are: “Confirm your service provider follows a National Plasterers Council (NPC) style start-up. This will provide the most reliable startup. During startup you should also ensure that water is circulating constantly. Your pump should be running 24/7 for at least 3 days.” and “Test the fill water. Extremely soft water is low in Calcium. It tries to balance itself by leeching Calcium from the fresh cement within the new pool plaster and etching it away. This situation requires more aggressive chemical balancing by your maintenance team.”
—Leanne Harvey is the Director of Business Development at California Waters, a specialty contractor headquartered in YorbaLinda,specializinginthe design,engineering, construction, renovation, service, and repair of pools, spas, splashpads, and water features, since 1999. Email: lharvey@
californiawaters.com.
www.caioc.org
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