Diamond Brite Repair: Should I Repair My Damaged Diamond Brite and How?

Sublime Pools Blog
September 13, 2020

Pool Repair

Diamond Brite pool finishes are the most popular finish in the pool industry. Their durability and value provide homeowners with a peace of mind when resurfacing or building their new swimming pool. But what happens when a diamond brite pool finish gets old? Over time, diamond brite can crack, bubbles can surface, and their beautiful colored finish can become faded.

In this article, we will explore everything relating to Diamond Bright repairs and how to maximize the life of your diamond brite finish.

What is Diamond Bright?

Before we find out if we need to repair our diamond brite pool finish, we need to understand what diamond brite is.

Diamond Brite is a type of pool plaster finish which is known commonly as the best pool interior finish you can buy. A Diamond Brite pool finish provides a swimming pool with a super stunning and durable coating that comes in various colors and options. It is different from the stock pool plaster that some pools have.

Pool plaster is what is under your diamond brite pool finish and is usually white in color. Pool plaster is the final coating applied to the inside walls of your concrete in-ground pool should you opt-out of a diamond brite finish when building or resurfacing your pool. Diamond Brite is much more popular than pool plastering, and has become the go-to finish because of its durability, color options, and long-term value.

Traditional marble-based pool plaster is usually made of manufactured quartz, unlike the stunning Diamond Brite which is made from mined quartz which is one of the purest and hard-wearing minerals on earth.

Ok so now that we have a good understanding about this beautifully hard-wearing top quality finish, let’s delve a little deeper into some repair issues you might need to consider.

What Happens When I Don’t Repair the Diamond Brite Damage?

Making sure you maintain the Diamond Brite finish is essential in prolonging the life expectancy of your diamond brite finish. It also helps it to remain structurally intact and in top working order.

Cracks Can Turn Into Leaks

If you don’t repair your diamond bright finish, cracks may expand into the structural part of the pool. Cracks on diamond brite don’t necessarily mean you will have a leak, but when the cracks occur or expand to the structural part of your swimming pool, that’s when it will result in a swimming pool leak. Sometimes structural cracks as small as a hairline lead to inches of water loss everyday. Overtime, these cracks can expand and drive water bills and repair costs up.

Bubbles and Delamination Only Gets Bigger

Pool bubbles and delamination only gets bigger over time. These diamond brite damages are big problems because as time passes, you will begin to see your swimming pool delamination get worse and expand–especially if you use your swimming pool frequently…

If it gets too big, it will cost an entire diamond brite resurface instead of a quick patch that could have saved you years of use on your diamond brite. Yikes! Repairing diamond brite damage can save you a lot of money and time in the long run.

Aesthetics Are Bland

Failure to repair a Diamond Brite surface can result in a tired-looking pool, not to mention the other important aesthetics such as staining that occurs. It’s also crucial to understand repairing any damage is important for the safety of users as it could lose its slip resistance if left unrepaired.

So what are the different types of Diamond Brite Repairs? And which one do you need? Let’s find out.

Pool Delamination, Pool Bubbles, and Pool Plaster Repair. What’s the difference?

Pool Plaster Delamination

Pool plaster delamination is a bond failure that occurs between the gunite and plaster that covers it. Gunite is a construction technique that was first used way back in 1914. It’s a mix of concrete and mortar which is sprayed through a hose and pneumatically projected at high velocity and is used in the manufacture of pools. This bond between the gunite and plaster failure creates an air cavity that produces pinholes and hairline cracks. These cracks will then allow water to get behind the pool’s plaster and cause problems.

One of the main reasons this happens can be because the plaster may have been exposed to direct sun and may have got too hot. Before filling, the plaster should have been checked for delaminations. You can check for these yourself by tapping on the plaster with the plastic end of a screwdriver. A delaminated spot will sound hollow and not solid. Any delaminations have to be cut out and patched with plaster. Hopefully, you may only be looking at a few spots, but it could be that you will have to have all of the plaster removed and replaced.

“Pool plaster delamination is a bond failure that occurs between the gunite and plaster that covers it.”

Pool Bubbles

These are a type of ‘blister’ that forms on the surface of the swimming pool. These blisters or bubbles are calcium nodules or small buildups of calcium carbonate on the pool surface. You can recognize them fairly easily because of their strong resemblance to bird droppings.

Pool Plaster Repair

If your pool is in need of pool plaster repair, it may become necessary to replace the whitecoat. It’s usually done to improve the overall look or aesthetics of the pool and give it a new lease of life. A plaster repair will add a new roughly ⅜ inch thick soft coat of plaster right on top of the old plaster and will:

Reduce plaster roughness
Improve appearance
Hide cracks and chips
Cover stained plaster

“A plaster repair will add a new roughly ⅜ inch thick soft coat of plaster right on top of the old plaster”

Ok, so above we’ve discovered a few of the issues you may be likely to find with your Diamond Brite pools, and now we’ve found out that a diamond Brite pool CAN be repaired. But how much does it cost to repair diamond brite damage?

Cost of A Pool Patch and When You Should Just Resurface Instead of Patching

Depending on the level of damage, it may be possible to simply patch the damaged areas. If you buy a cheap pool plaster patch, the patch will be visible. If you hire a company like Sublime Pools & Spa, we can match your patch to the current finish of your pool and make it look as if the damage never existed.

Patching diamond brite does not require draining your swimming pool.

If the damage is more extensive, it may be necessary to resurface the entire pool. Pool patches are specifically good for extending the life of a diamond brite finish that may still have a couple years of life. Should the diamond brite be older than the expected lifetime of 8-12 years, it may be a perfect time to resurface your entire pool instead of patching. This will revive the beauty of your pool and repair any delamination, bubbles, holes, and more!

Check with your pool service company for their recommendations or feel free to contact us to learn more.

How much does it cost to patch a swimming pool?

A patch will cost anywhere from $250 at the lower end of repair requirements and up to $800 for much larger and more extensive patch work. The color of your diamond brite pool also can influence the cost of your patch slightly.

The most important thing to remember is that if you care for the aesthetics of your swimming pool, it is best to hire a professional pool repair company that is experienced in Diamond Brite finishes to patch your diamond brite. That way it’ll look like the damage never existed!

Do pool patches repair the leaks in my diamond brite?

It’s important to understand that leak detections and pool plaster repair are two different services.

A patch is a plaster mix specifically designed for underwater surface repair, but you will need to consult with your expert pool service company for advice and more information on leak detection. Leaks will require different equipment and products to repair.

Can I just patch my own diamond brite?

Absolutely! You can find diamond brite patches online for an affordable price. But it’s recommended to get a specialist who will be able to color match your Diamond Brite more closely. You don’t want your patch to stand out from the rest of your pool finish.

There is also the cost of pool equipment to consider if you attempt a DIY repair. The savings of buying your own patch and repair equipment would be a small difference. It may be more cost-effective to hire an expert with years of experience.

I have leaks, cracks, bubbles, and more. Should I just resurface my whole pool?

As mentioned previously, although you might only need a pool plaster patch, it may be the right time to get a diamond brite resurface. There will be a point where patching your pool will cost you more long-term than just resurfacing your pool.

If your pool is suffering from other damage such as cracks and bubbles, it could be a good time to completely resurface your pool. Not only for the structural maintenance of the pool but also for the aesthetics.

The goal is to make your diamond brite last as long as it can, and once it reaches 8-12 years of age, then you should simply resurface your pool.