While you can plaster your pool at any time of the year, the ideal weather is when it is a little cold and humid. That's because high temperatures can cause early drying before the pool fills altogether leaving cracks in between the dry and wet plaster.
At 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) and below plaster will freeze on the wall and cause weakening of the plaster. Damage to the plaster can be so severe that you can rub it off the wall by using your hand.
Cold, dry air on the surface of the wall can absorb warm moisture from the wall rapidly and can lead to plaster shrinkage cracks. Low temperatures can cause cement plaster to take longer than normal to set and gain strength, which delays floating, troweling and production, which raises labor costs unnecessarily.
Curing plaster refers to a maturation process of the new plaster finish when it strengthens and seals. The pool finish will start to cure immediately after mixing. Sixty percent of the curing process occurs in the first 4 weeks and will continue over the next 8 to 10 months.
The best way is to use heaters. If you want your walls to dry faster then plant a few heaters around the worked area and let the plaster dry naturally.
How To Speed up the drying process. The drying out of the new plaster will be enhanced significantly by increasing ventilation to the area- by opening windows and doors, and the introduction of a dehumidifier will help to remove moisture in the atmosphere.
You can put the heating on, however, we recommend you keep this at a low temperature for a number of days after the plastering is completed. This will help with the drying process whilst avoiding the plaster cracking.
While the rain can harm the chlorination process, it can also create issues with the plastering process too. Rain will cause streaks, discoloration, and curing mistakes once the plastering has begun. Not only will it cause streaking, but it also causes something called hydrostatic holes in the granite and plaster.
Brush the pool twice a day for the first two weeks. This opens the pores of the plaster to allow proper curing as well as removes any loose plaster dust from the surface. You may notice plaster dusting when you brush and the water becomes cloudy. This is normal and will go away with proper treatment and brushing.
Chlorine/non-chlorine chemicals – When adding chlorine or non-chlorine chemicals to “shock” your pool after a fill-up, wait about 24 hours or until levels are approximately 5 ppm. If you'll only be adding liquid chlorine, it's generally safe to swim after about 4 hours or until levels are 5 ppm or lower.
Let the plaster dry
A week should be long enough to let it completely dry out and for all damp patches to disappear. Once the plaster is dry it should be light with no dark spots and a consistent colour and appearance throughout.
Do not swim in the pool until after the start-up procedure has been completed. Do not use any automatic pool cleaners for a minimum of three weeks after plastering.
On Average, Replastering is Every 10 Years
So how often do you need to replaster a pool? The short answer is about every 10 years. However, it's important to consider the factors mentioned above, as they are typical signs that your pool needs to be replastered.
Prior to plaster: 3 weeks
While the gunite is curing, the beginning of many other processes will begin. During the three-to-four-week curing process, you can expect to see tile and coping take place (plus any additional stonework that may include grills, fireplaces, and firepits).
In general, it's a good idea to vacuum your pool once a week. You should also vacuum your swimming pool any time you notice large amounts of debris, dirt, or leaves on the floor of the pool (for example, your pool may need vacuuming after a heavy storm).
The 40°F minimum is standard. If the water in the concrete freezes, the concrete can be damaged. In my opinion, it should not have been done at freezing temperatures.
The best thing to do is spray the gunite with a hose 2-3 times a day for a week or so after it is shot. Helps keep shrinkage cracks to a minimum... so a light rain a few hours after it is shot is actually good for it. The only thing I would be concerned about is a heavy rain while they are shooting it...
Pebble Tec®
While it is more expensive than plaster, it is the highest quality pool resurfacing material available due to its longevity and ability to hide chemical residue.
For a wall with two or three layers of plaster (often referred to as backing plaster), you should wait around 14-21 days. If the property is damp, has lots of moisture in the air, or the work is carried out in the winter, you should increase the drying time by around 50%.
You do not need to worry about the smell, its the condensation whilst drying can be a problem making everything feel damp. I would give each room at least 1 day to partially dry before moving back.
Plaster drying too fast
If the plaster is to be left for any period of time in a damp environment it is possible for the humidity to effect how quickly the plaster will set in the future - so ensure any unused partial bags of plaster are kept in a polythene bag.
Cracking and crazing are usually because it was too thick, too thin, or dried out too fast.
Depending , usually couple of days but sometimes the waiting time may be overa a week to dry properly. But If the walls have a smooth finish with filler , the painting can be done in 24-48 hours time.
Using fans
Fans are really useful in speeding up the drying process as they keep air circulating. Air can hold moisture but as it cools the moisture will evaporate so moving moisture away from a wet area will help it dry faster.
When you are swimming, you would get scratched or roughened when you step out of the pool. Also, you could get scratched or your swimsuit could get torn with the jagged plaster. If it's unpleasant to run your hand along the side of the pool or climb up the stairs then its because your plaster is wearing thin.