PLASTER IS LONG LASTING: The secret to long life of any pool surface is properly maintained water balance. Improper water balance will destroy any pool surface and in many cases, void the warranty of that surface. A plaster surface, in a properly maintained pool, can last 15 to 25 years.
When it comes to durability, both plaster and pool paint are built to hold up against the chemicals in your pool and natural conditions outside of it such as harmful UV rays; however, most pool plaster lasts 15-20 years, while epoxy pool paint – the longest-lasting type of pool paint on the market – needs to be ...
It varies depending on the type of pool, with plaster or cement pools needing to be resurfaced every 3-7 years while fiberglass pools can sometimes go as long as 15-30 years.
Standard white plaster will do what it is supposed to. It will be watertight and serve its function for that 10 to 15 years depending on maintenance. But pebble finishes, properly installed and maintained, will last 20 to 30 years or more. It is the most durable finish our industry has to offer.
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.
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.
Pebble Tec is extremely durable. Compared to plaster pools that only last between 6-8 years, Pebble Tec pool finishes can last from 10-15 years.
Small superficial cracks are called check cracks or crazing. This is normal due to the cement shrinking or flexing of the supporting structure, and should not be considered a deficiency. The most common cause for crazing is if the pool is finished on a hot, dry or windy day, or if it took too long to fill the pool.
It will not be properly replastered. If a pool that is going to be replastered has more than one layer of plaster, the outer layers must be completely removed. Anything less than this is a bad practice that can lead to failure in your investment. A replaster should only be performed on the original plaster layer.
On average, gunite swimming pools last 7 to 10 years before they need to be resurfaced. When that time comes, it's important to know what options are available so that you can pick the best choice for your backyard space.
Types of Plaster
Applied at a thickness of about one half an inch, white plaster was the standard in the pool industry.
Marcite is also the most affordable option for a new pool or replastering an existing one. With properly maintained pool water, it will last 8 to 12 years.
Tile Finishes
Though tile is the most expensive pool finish and takes longer to install than plaster and aggregate, it's the longest lasting pool surface. With proper application and minimal maintenance, tiles should never need to be replaced. Tile pool finishes come in ceramic, porcelain, glass and stone.
Plaster Flaking or Peeling
The pool industry refers to this as spalling. Aggressive pool water with sustained low PH or low calcium levels is the typical cause of spalling. It dissolves a soluble calcium compound called calcium hydroxide. Often, this occurs under a floating chlorinator on the top step of a pool or spa.
And brown stains concentrated on the bottom can likely be attributed to dirt stains, typically enhanced by calcium buildup. The first step to deal with organic materials is to shock your pool, and scrub it. This will take care of organic material present in the pool, and the scrubbing will take care of the stains.
“When we see a structurally cracked pool, it's usually pretty obvious. It's a crack running either down the side of a pool from the tile or through the bottom coping down the walls, across the floor, in corners, and very often, it's opened up enough that it can leak and bring water in.
Although rare, and affecting less than 1% of all pools, concrete pools can crack. If it happens at all, it usually happens within the first year, as a result of shrinkage, settlement and/or subsidence. Pools can also crack when they are simply not built correctly, as shown in the list above.
When expansive soils get wet, they expand, which generates a lot of pressure on the pools' coping and deck area, causing cracks and damage. Therefore it is a good maintenance practice to keep the coping maintained and sealed. Another concern is that the area around or even under the pool may have some loose fill dirt.
Pebble Tec is more durable than Diamond Brite and can continue to give you service for years without getting damaged. Pebble Tec is mainly used for new swimming pools, while Diamond Brite works best when resurfacing an old facility. The two products make a pool to be more attractive and make it more welcoming.
River rok is good alternative, stones are somewhat smaller and smoother than pebble tec. Can also custom the colors to your liking.
Pebble Tec is on the higher end of the cost spectrum. Pebble Tec is a mix of large pebbles, stone aggregate, and cement. This is the most durable of the plaster pool types as its surface last from 15 to 20 years +. Pebble Tec is the top choice for gunite pool buyers.
Pool Plaster Repair: Full Pool
Putty and plaster mix that set underwater will allow you to fix cracks and gouges without draining a drop of pool water.
It will chip and wear away more easily, and when it does, you will need to repair it. If there's a reason to use paint over plaster, it's that the application process really is a lot easier. While you could paint on your own, replastering is something that only the most industrious homeowners take on.
Durability: A Pebble Tec surface should last 20+ years with the proper care and maintenance. A plaster pool should be re-plastered approximately every 5 years.