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Pool Plastering: A Complete Guide on What to Expect When Plastering Your Pool

A pool can be a sacred oasis that offers hours of fun and refreshing relaxation on hot summer days. While you may put thought into the water that fills your pool – have you given much thought to the layer of pool plaster that keeps it all contained?

Pool plaster not only gives your pool a great aesthetic and style, but it offers a protective surface that will help increase the life and enjoyment of your pool. However, over time the plaster can begin to wear down and lose durability. This deterioration can lead to damage, chipping, and cracks that can reduce your pool’s structural strength and overall look.

When it comes to your pool, proper maintenance and routine care are two of your most essential investments. The last thing you want to deal with is wasted money on a lousy plastering job.

At Sublime Pools & Spa, we’ve put together the complete guide on pool plastering – so that you know exactly what to expect when it comes to pool plastering repair and replacement.

What Is The Cost Of Pool Plastering?

While not the only factor involved in owning and maintaining a pool, the cost is one of the top considerations for many owners. The cost of pool plastering can vary depending on many factors:

  • Size of Pool
  • Shape of Pool
  • Cost of Labor & Resources
  • Desired Plaster Style, Color, and Finish
  • Any Repairs Or Fixes To Pool’s Structure

An average sized pool around 15,000 gallons with a simple pool plastering finish can cost anywhere between $2,500 – $3500.

While the potential cost of pool plastering may scare away some pool owners, consider it an investment in the future of your pool and your home enjoyment and value. Fixing issues arising from poor quality or damaged pool plaster can be far more expensive than taking steps to protect your pool proactively.

If you would like to see how much pool plastering may cost you, check out our FREE Online Pool Plastering Cost Calculator by Sublime Pools & Spa or contact our team to set up a free consultation! We will help you create a potential pool plastering cost breakdown and timeline to help you make the right decision.

An average sized pool around 15,000 gallons with a simple pool plastering finish can cost anywhere between $2,500 – $3500.

The Pool Plastering Process

Wondering what a typical pool plastering process looks like? While every project is as unique as the client and their pool, there are some common aspects to every pool plastering job we complete. Here is a short rundown of the plastering process that our trained and experienced contractors offer to pool owners:

Step 1: Choosing Your Plastering Color

Every successful pool plastering job begins with clear and concise communication. We work closely with every client to build a project estimate and timeline that will explain all of the expected work that must be completed to replace pool plaster.

Our team will show you the pool plastering color options available for your swimming pool. We will guide you through what color best fits your pool, if waterline tiles should be added, how your choice of color looks at different water depths, and more! Our goal is to help you understand the process and feel comfortable with our expert team.

We are excited to offer fully digital plastering catalogs with color samples and more. You can review our online plastering color options here: Pool Plastering Colors

Step 2: Draining The Pool

Once we have landed on a path forward for your pool plastering project, our team will arrive at your property and set to work. The first step in a quality pool plastering job is to drain the pool entirely using our submersible pumps. This allows the water to be drained quickly and efficiently. The submersible pump is usually put in the shallow end and left running until water is mostly drained, then our team will come in and finish the draining the next day!

Step 3: Relieve Hydrostatic Pressure

Removing hydrostatic pressure from under your swimming pool is a critical part in the replastering process. This will allow the pool not to “pop up” during the pool plastering project. Since the water is no longer within the pool, there is nothing holding the pool down in its place, which can result in your entire pool popping up! This is why it is critical for the Hydrostatic pressure to be removed.

Step 4: Prepare The Drained Pool for Plastering

Once the hydrostatic pressure is removed from under the pool, the next step is to prepare the pool for plastering by undercutting all waterline tiles, and undercutting on any pool fittings and features such as lights, jets, returns, and main drain. Undercutting allows us to work in the plaster once we begin.

Step 5: Assess The Drained Pool for Hollows

Once the pool is fully drained and prepped, our next step is to fully inspect the swimming pool walls and to look for any cracks, hollows, and other things that may cause a problem with the longevity of the resurfacing job.

Hollows occur when calcium nodules mature. They create a hollow space beneath the pool’s plaster surface, usually causing deterioration, bubbles, or delamination overtime.

These “hollows” or voids can be caused by a number of things, and it is normal for all pools to have them. We cover up to 15 percent of these hollows, which is usually enough for most pools being replastered at the proper time.

Once hallows are knocked out, cracks are addressed, and the pool is fully inspected, we begin to wash the pool walls with muriatic acid (If needed).

Step 6: Wash Entire Interior of Pool with Muriatic Acid

Washing the pool walls with muriatic acid allows us to remove a thin layer of the surface and helps remove stubborn stains, calcium deposits, ect. that may be on the previous plastering finish done on your swimming pool. It also helps to roughen the surface and allows the bonding materials in step 7 to bond the old finish with the new finish better.

Step 7: Utilize a Bond Kote Material as a Bonding Agent

Next, it is important to add a bonding material to ensure proper adhesion between the old and new pool plastering finish. Bond Kote material is an acrylic modified cement and sand mixture made up of one-part resin and one-part bonding cement.

Once these two parts are mixed, they then are rolled or sprayed onto the pool wall and flooring, allowing for the bonding between the old and new to occur.

Step 8: Applying the New Plaster Finish

Finally, the pool is ready to receive the first layer of pool plaster. Pool plaster will be applied over a scratch coat and will have thickness of 3/8 to ½ an inch. Once the new plaster layer is applied, the finish will be smooth troweled. This plaster layer will fill all hollows that we hammered out to ensure a long lasting finish to your replastered swimming pool.

Once again, hiring a professional pool plastering team will help you avoid any potential issues that may happen as you drain, prep, and replaster your pool. Not only will Sublime Pools & Spa professionally renovate your pool, they will also guide you through the whole process so you stay in-the-know.

Step 9: Hand Wash Entire Surface to Prevent Over-exposure and Roughness

This simply removes any uneven surfaces that may have occurred during the application process. It also allows for the roughness to be smoothed out so new pool plaster is easy on your feet!

Step 10: Application Of New Tile Coping Waterline Tiles

If you are opting in for new waterline tiles or coping/deck, we will also be working on these items as we replaster your swimming pool. Each of these have their own process as well! Once these are applied along with the plaster, we move forward with the final inspection. Phew!

Step 11: Final Inspection

Before filling your pool with water, one final inspection will take place to ensure that the plastering has been appropriately applied. If any fixes or updates are needed, the team will take care of those prior to refilling. This measure-twice, cut-once approach limits the potential for any issues or mishaps.

Step 12: Refilling The Pool & Chemistry Balance

Once the final inspection of the pool plaster is complete, it is finally time to refill the pool with fresh water! However, before we simply refill the pool for fun in the sun, our team will add sequestering agents to the pool water to prevent any staining on the new plaster finish.

All of our resurfacing contracts also come with a free month of pool service. This is because the most important part after a pool is replastered is to ensure that the chemistry within the pool is maintained at the proper PH level. Not maintaining your swimming pool at the proper PH can result in a damaged finish, less life-time on your finish, and even stains that are hard to remove.

The cleaner and more maintained your pool’s water is, the longer you can expect your new pool plastering to last!

How Long Does Pool Plastering Take?

One question we often receive is, “How long will it take you to plaster my pool?” 

The answer depends on how big your pool is and how much work must be completed. If your pool has suffered extensive plastering damage or other cosmetic issues, the process may take longer to complete. However, many pool plastering jobs can be completed within a few days to a week. On average, it takes us anywhere between 4-7 days to replaster an average sized pool. It should be noted that because we do live in Florida, rain, thunderstorms, and hurricanes can affect the replastering timeline.

Our team will walk you through what to expect in the initial stages of consultation when it comes to a pool plastering timeline.

On average, it takes us anywhere between 4-7 days to replaster an average sized pool.

What Are The Top Types of Pool Plastering Finishes?

When it comes to pool plaster colors, the only limit is your own creativity! There are various colors available in today’s modern pools – ranging from bright white to heat-absorbing black. You may even find the occasional red!

Here is a breakdown of the top types of pool plastering finishes:

Quartz Plastering Finishes

Quartz is one of the world’s strongest minerals providing your swimming pool with unfading beauty that will last for years to come. The average lifetime of a quart plaster finish is anywhere between 9-15 years. Exposure of the quartz aggregate produces a safe, slip-resistant, and non-abrasive surface for your swimming pool finish.

There are a couple of brands that offer these quartz pool plaster finishes. We compiled the best for you to look through below!

 

Diamond Brite:

Diamond Brite finishes are commonly accepted as the best pool interior finish, giving you the lasting beauty and durability of a diamond! 

Diamond Brite is an exposed aggregate pool finish made from a blend of natural quartz aggregate, cement modified with polymers, and fade-resistant color-quartz, which is available in a large number of stunning varieties. 

You can choose from 37 brilliant color variations. The main lines from their aggregated quart plastering brand are Diamond Brite Brilliance, Diamond Brite, Diamond Brite Exposed Aggregate Finishes, and Diamond Brite Watercolors. 

Florida Stucco:

Florida Stucco offers various pool plastering finishes made of the highest quality selected colored quartz aggregates, white portland cement, and proprietary additives to enhance strength, density, bonding, and curing.

You can choose from 14 beautiful color variations.

Both brands above are exceptional, and when used by a professional pool plastering company like Sublime Pools & Spa, it is hard not to love your newly plastered pool!

Pebble Plastering Finishes

Pebble plastering is one of the newest and most luxurious plastering materials in the market today, and for a good reason! While it is much more expensive than your basic plaster & more costly than aggregate quartz plastering, it boasts the highest quality pool resurfacing material available in the industry! A Pebble surface can last over 20 years with the proper care and maintenance.

 

Pebble Tec®

Instead of using quartz, Pebble Tec® uses specially formulated cement blended with pebble aggregates to create its beautiful plastering material. Pebble tec® created a form of plastering that allows you to experience the feeling of looking at the bottom of a creek or a riverbed!

It is important to note that It’s a bit rough on your feet compared to plaster, and if that is a concern, you can opt-in for Pebble Sheen®. The smaller stones allow it to be more bearable for those with sensitive feet. You can choose from an outstanding 42 different color variations! Best of all, the combinations that you can make are endless!

Florida Stucco:

Florida Stucco also offers exposed river aggregate pool finishes, similar to Pebble Tec®. It uses robust machinery to blend high-quality pool finishes containing selected river aggregates, white portland cement, and additives to enhance strength, bonding, and curing.

Their Pearl finish will yield a hard, long-lasting, stain-resistant surface that is unique and versatile in appearance. Just like Pebble Tec®, they also offer a softer alternative if sensitive feet should be a concern. You can choose from 18 different color options and surface finishes.

StoneScapes:

StoneScapes uses a mixture of pebble, modified white Portland cement that is colored, natural quartz aggregate, and a specialty blend of glass bead aggregates! This helps Stonescape have the long-lasting benefit of using pebbles and adds shimmer and brilliance from using quartz and glass beads. This is a good option for those who want longevity and brilliance at the same time.

Glass Plastering Finishes

Glass finishes feature a reflective brilliance when the sun hits it directly. It is a common plastering material, but depending on the brand, it will vary by how much glass to quartz it contains. Glass finishes are perfect for achieving the brightest and shiniest pool finishes.

 

Florida Stucco:

Florida Stucco Reserve Finishes features a pre-blended accent of colored iridescent glass beads to an already appealing selection of quartz aggregate finishes while maintaining strength and durability.

Diamond Brite:

Diamond Brilliance features factory blends of quartz, fine pebble aggregates, and SGM proprietary polymer-modified Portland cement. This unique blend is ideal for spas, water features, shotcrete, concrete pools, and much more! Diamond Brilliance finishes are factory blended to provide the pool owner an exact match to what they are looking to achieve.

Basic Plastering Finishes

The final pool plastering finish available for pool owners to choose from is your basic cement pool plastering finish. These come in basic colors from blue, white, dark blue, and more.

All of the major brands offer the basic plastering finish for those with a very limited budget. The biggest downfalls to basic plastering are the limited lifetime and the dull and basic look it provides a swimming pool. We only recommend using this if you simply need a basic pool plastering job to be done, but otherwise, we do not recommend you invest in a basic plaster finish.

Additional Considerations

Above considering just colors in your new pool plaster, consider your desired outcome:

Water Temperature: If you want cooler water overall, a lighter color or white plasterer will reflect most heat-causing light waves. Darker colors or black will absorb more heat.

Energy Savings: Like temperature, you can save on potential energy costs by choosing a more reflective color that keeps your temperatures cool.

Aesthetic: Color is a big part of the aesthetic experience of your pool. What style or coloration are you looking for in your pool and outdoor space? Pick a color that will best suit your style and adapt well should you change your home’s look over the years.

What Are The Top Pool Plastering Colors?

It really depends on what you are trying to achieve aesthetically! We take into consideration your pool deck style and color, your garden and patio features, LED lighting, sun exposure, and more when choosing the best color for your swimming pool. From a popularity standpoint, Hawaiian Blue, Tahoe Blue, and Azure are three colors that are highly loved here in South Florida!

You can see Florida Stucco’s full plastering color list below:

NOTE: Tahoe Blue is part of Diamond Brite’s plastering color selection.

Florida Stucco Logo No Background

Gem Finishes

Aqua Clear

Azure

Catalina

Blue Gem

Bone

Capri

Emerald

Double SkyBlue

Lagoon

Sky Blue

White Gem

French Silver

Hawaiian

Aqua Gem

Florida Stucco Logo No Background

Reserve Finishes

Florida

Silver

Kahena

Island

Cayman

Nassau

Does Pool Plastering Fix Cracks & Leaks?

Whether or not pool plastering will treat cracks and leaks depends on the type of crack you have. If the damages are surface-level – only impacting the plaster – you may be able to fix and treat the cracks with a new plastering or plaster crack sealing. It is always highly recommended to run a leak detection test prior to your replaster job to ensure all leaks are handled properly.

If your cracks or leaks are structural, a new pool plastering may provide a short-term fix but will not offer long-term results. One of the best ways to fix and repair cracks or leaks in your pool is to handle them at the structural level. When you are replacing your pool plaster is the perfect time to inspect for any potential leaks, cracks, or other issues.

Always remember: Plastering over cracks or leaks is like adding a bandaid to a cut. They need stitches – it’s better to deal with the problem head-on.

    Need Professional Pool Plastering In Broward? Trust Sublime Pools & Spa

    As you can see, pool plastering is a job that should only be handled by a trained pool contractor. At Sublime Pools & Spa, our team of experienced and licensed pool service and repair contractors has years of experience helping homeowners keep their pools treated and maintained.

    Our locally-owned and operated pool service and repair team can help walk you through the entire pool plastering process. Whether you are in need of major repairs or have a question regarding a potential fix, we are here to help. Contact us today to learn more!

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