Free Pool Plastering Estimate (on phone) (978) 710-8667
We rebuild and plaster inground pools, bringing them back from beyond the grave. Our company specializes in plastering, coping, tile, and decking. We offer the most competitive rates, and are offering special pricing for those comfortable enough to commit before May.
In this article we offer an overview of the process and discuss some design options for your pool work. We service Massachusetts, New Hampshire, ans Rhode Island.
Testing Pool Plumbing
Most pool plumbing systems are pretty simple. You find in most pools: One or two skimmers, two or three return jets, with a main drain at the bottom.
While it is important that your new plaster seal well around each of these elements. It is equally important that the water that travels in those pipes does not leak. For this reason we pressure test all plumbing, whether we are doing a complete renovation, replastering, or upon request when pressure washing.
Pool Tile & Coping
Nothing can bring back the look of your pool better than restoring your tile and coping. After all, it is what you see the most when looking at a pool.
It is easy to see where tile needs repairing, if the tile is missing. But tile may look good when it is in fact not attached to the pool wall very well. It is important to find these loose tiles and replace them. This is why we do a thorough inspection first.
Swimming Pool Coping Repair
If the beam that supports the coping is in good shape, repairing a few coping, or even updating all the stone or cement coping is a simple job. Again it is the first thing that people see when looking at your pool.
If you are replacing your in ground pool deck, you may decide to remove the coping all together, and run the deck right to the edge of the pool (Cantilever). You see a lot of people doing that nowadays.
Pool Plastering Prep
Day one we drain the pool and start; cutting, chipping, and pulling things apart. Day two we check for hollows / loose or de-laminated plaster. Its important to give some time for water behind the plaster to drain. Otherwise you may miss some necessary repairs. Then we do repairs as needed to walls, floor, beam, swim-outs, and stairs.
Pool Plastering
After all the prep work and repairs are done, it’s time to plaster. This is done in a couple stages. You can’t just through on a thick coat of plaster or it will fall off, so it goes on in layers.
The first layer is called a scratch coat. We shoot the plaster onto the wall and knock it down. While it is setting up we prepare the next batch by mixing it up on the truck. Once the first layer is set up we put on a thick finish coat.
Diamond Brite Plaster
Most people go with standard white plaster which is simply a mixture of White Portland Cement and Crushed marble. But a nice upgrade is using Diamond Brite Plaster. It has a colored quartz mix that tints the pool a specific color.
Applying this plaster requires an additional step. After the finish coat is put on and allowed to set up a bit, we go back over it with a wet sponge and expose the quartz aggregate. This makes the color pop a bit more.
River Roc / Pebble Tec
This is also an exposed aggregate finish, and is the most expensive. All the prep is the same but this plaster has large pebbles in it. River Roc comes in a variety of colors to choose from.
This plaster installation is more expensive because of the cost of product, and the extra steps required to expose the aggregate.
Conclusion
Well, these are the elements of rehabbing your in ground gunite pool. If you would like a free phone estimate or some help with your pool makeover, please give us a call (978) 710-8667.
