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!
