Your Pool Plaster – Is it Time for a “Facelift”?

pool plaster kids on floatsEven if you take great care of your swimming pool and you’ve stuck to a strict schedule with pool maintenance, your pool plaster will eventually start to show its age due to constant use, wear and tear, and climate changes.

On average, pool plaster lasts 10-12 years, but this can vary depending on how well it was installed and how diligent you’ve been with maintaining your pool’s chemistry.

It’s best to resurface your swimming pool before cracks appear or filtration problems or other issues occur, making replaster an immediate necessity rather than a choice.

Why is Plaster So Important?

Swimming pool plaster is the waterproofing layer that ensures the integrity of an inground pool structure. Most plastered pools are made of gunite. This material is porous and can “weep” water.

Plaster coating is utilized to keep the cement and any reinforcement steel (rebar) protected from the effects of water.

Reasons to Resurface Your Pool

  1. Dingy Appearance – If you have bare spots where the gunite is visible, this is of concern. Pool plaster has a translucent quality, so if you see dark areas in your plaster, this could be an indication that it’s time to resurface.Even the most stunning pool can begin to look run down, especially if it hasn’t been maintained properly. As your pool plaster ages, the cement begins to erode, and rough surfaces are exposed. Dirt becomes trapped on the rough surface and causes the pool to look old and unkempt.
  1. Uncomfortable – Owning a pool is a luxury, but there is nothing luxurious about scratching your skin against an abrasive surface. Scraped and skinned feet, or injuries to hands and knees, can ruin what would have been a fun game of swimming pool volleyball.
  2. Unhealthy- If the pool plaster needs replacing, it can begin to wear away from steps and walls and will likely collect at the bottom of the pool. The rough surface remaining is the ideal location for algae to hide.
  3. Expensive repairs- Pieces of pool plaster that come off can collect in your filter, creating the need for more frequent filter cleaning, and potentially tearing through the grids or cartridges, which are costly to replace.

pool plaster - gorgeous, clean poolIf the plaster continues to deteriorate, cracks can appear in the pool’s structure, and repairing this will cost far more than resurfacing. A crack can often reach the gunite and pool structure beneath.

Is your beautiful backyard pool showing signs of aging? It might be time for a swimming pool facelift. Or perhaps it’s time to build a brand-new pool, in the shape or style of your dreams. Connect with a local Premier Pools & Spas builder today and we’d be glad to help you solve your swimming pool problems or work with you to create a  stunning backyard oasis.