Best Pool Plaster Service
Pool plaster is a coating applied at the surface of an in-ground concrete swimming pool. Most swimming pool plasters are about a quarter of an inch to about half an inch thick and acts as the protective water-tight layer between the water sitting in the pool and the concrete lying underneath. Swimming pool plasters are smooth and often come in white although tint can be applied to the plaster using pigmented aggregate to give the swimming pool floor the character and the protection it deserves.
Pool plasters are important, not only because they provide additional aesthetic value but also because they are instrumental in providing your backyard swimming pool with the structural integrity it needs to hold the water you swim in. Without the swimming pool plaster, water will make its way into the concrete and into the soil beneath.
Pool Plaster Central is a company dedicated to giving the best pool service and helping pool owners get the best pool plaster on their pool remodeling for their private pool. Here’s why we’re the best.
Nothing Beats Experience
As the saying goes, experience is the best teacher. Nothing beats having to work on hundreds of hours on projects and knowing the best means and methodology of applying pool plaster on various swimming pools. You can watch thousands of YouTube videos and read heaps of books and blogs about pool plaster, but nothing can compare to the actual time you spend plastering swimming pools out in the field.
We know what we do and we’re good at it
Pool Plaster Central is backed by industry experts and field veterans who know the ins and outs of pool plaster like the back of their hands. You can trust in our experience and the skill we developed through the years as pool plaster experts. Constant learning and thorough application of the theories we’ve hypothesized led us to the work ethics, techniques, and systems we use to remove old plaster and apply new plaster finish to your swimming pool. We believe that in this industry, experience is the key. That’s why our finished projects show the craftsmanship you’d find in handmade products. Paying close attention to small specifics and fine details led us to where we are now.
We’re a Holistic Company
We, at Pool Plaster Central, provide the best pool plaster service your money can get. In fact, our services encompass pool plastering.
We take a holistic approach to swimming pool service and offer various services including pool pebble application, pool tile decoration, pool coping installation, and pool decking renovations. As long as it concerns your pool, we’re the guys that get the job done. We’re passionate about beautiful and inviting swimming pools, and we believe that a good pool plaster can make all the difference. We’ll help you achieve the aesthetic appeal you want in your private swimming pool through some of the best swimming pool plaster designs available. We’ll also help you fulfill custom designs with the help of our experienced swimming pool connoisseurs whose taste and preference in swimming pools are impeccable.
We’re known for providing the best service – bar none.
We Value your Property
We’re here to show you we’re professionals. We take care of your property the moment we step in on it. As soon as we start chipping out the old swimming pool plaster, we’ll do our best to cover and shelter your backyard.
Why?
That’s because we work it like it’s ours.
Who would want people trampling around their personal property and leaving dirt and debris behind after the project is done? Not us, certainly not you. Pool furniture and patio fixtures that may get damage during the plaster process are requested to be moved to a safe space. We understand that like your swimming pool, these amenities are your investment. Plus, they’ll help accentuate what beautiful piscina you have after our work is done.
We’ll even haul all the remains and remnants of the old plaster away from your property.
How long does pool plastering take?
Pool plaster projects take about an average of one to two weeks. That said, this does not mean that the whole undertaking of installing the new plaster requires two weeks of work. It includes various types of jobs like ordering your materials, coordinating with other jobs, applying the new plaster, and letting it set, these jobs are spread over two weeks to accomplish the best results.
What type of pool plaster do you recommend?
Different types of pool plaster offer various kinds of advantages. As an example, white pool plaster offers a simple design accentuating the brilliance and the beauty of your swimming pool. On the other hand, colored pool plaster offers more resistance to stains making it easier to maintain. Both white and colored plaster is an affordable option making it more appealing to many pool owners. Quartz plaster is a type of pool plaster that uses small quartz stones as aggregates. This allows it to last longer and hold up well against the chemicals in your pool water while maintaining its aesthetic appeal.
How long does pool plaster last?
On average, properly maintained pool plaster lasts for about 7 years. Nevertheless, pool owners must be careful in spotting tell-tale signs of pool plaster damage as signs of damage and dilapidation may call for an early pool replastering undertaking.
How do I know my pool needs replaster?
Pool plaster damage is easy to spot, especially on pools that use white plaster. Some of the minor issues include visible marks and stains that cannot be removed using conventional means. There are also peeling of plaster, scaling of the surface, as well as the buildup of minerals like calcium on the pool wall. Then there are major issues like hairline cracks and obvious structural damage to the pool plaster. Should any of these be perceptible, it’s best to contact your pool contractor and seek their advice.
Do you offer warranty for replaster projects?
Yes, we at Pool Plaster Central, stand by our projects and offer warranty for our replaster projects. Please visit our warranty page for more information about our warranty policy.
Pool Service Areas
White Plaster
A tried and tested plaster finish, white plaster is a common fixture in many swimming pools in California.
Many pool owners, especially those living with children and elderlies in their family, often prefer a white pool plaster. Many of our clients who sign up for our Tustin pool plaster services opt to use white plaster because of its benefits.
Here are a few.
White plaster is affordable.
Let’s face it, pool resurfacing and pool replaster isn’t cheap. A typical family of four living in a house with a backyard pool would be wise to do their best to save money. And we can’t blame them. White pool plaster is made up of white hydraulic cement, sand, special additives, and water. You can’t get any basic than that. Nevertheless, white plaster is dependable, reliable, and when applied properly will last you 10 or more years.
White plaster makes it easy to see pool debris.
When it comes to maintaining your swimming pool, seeing what floats above it and what sinks underneath it is important. A white swimming pool plaster lets you see the water and past the water easily. This makes skimming through the surface of the water a breeze. Dead foliage and other debris can easily be detected as well as those that sunk below the pool wall. Leaves, branches, and dead bugs can decompose in the water affecting the quality of your pool. Spotting them is the first step to make swimming pool maintenance as easy as 1,2,3.
Apart from debris, white plaster also allows you to spot stains and blemishes on the pool wall. This allows you to detect minor signs of wear and tear as your swimming pool age so swimming pool experts providing pool services can address them immediately. Our clients who take up our Santa Ana pool plaster services benefit from highly visible pool water with white pool plaster as it allows them to check the walls of any noticeable marks and report it back to us during our weekly pool services.
White plaster makes your swimming pool safe.
Adding white pool plaster can make your private swimming pool safer.
How?
Because white pool plaster lets you see the pool all the way down at the bottom, anyone jumping into the pool can gauge how deep the pool is before they take the plunge. This is ideal especially if you have kids and elderly in your household. Furthermore, anyone who might need help while in the pool can easily be seen with a white swimming pool plaster.
In Garden Grove, with a growing number of senior residents, a white swimming pool plaster is an ideal solution when applying new plaster. The customers we’ve serviced through our Garden Grove pool plaster programs are just some of the clients we’ve helped with applying white pool plaster.
White plaster accentuates your pool water.
No other pool plaster highlights your pool water like a white swimming pool plaster. A swimming pool finished with a white plaster will emphasize the clarity and the serenity of the pool water in it. A white plaster makes for an ideal backdrop for the refreshing water your swimming pool has to offer.
Colored Plaster
If you want to spice things up, a colored swimming pool plaster can help add aesthetic value to your aquatic haven. Colored plasters are perfect for swimming pools that are going for an upscale interior pool design and allows to pool owners to match colors for a more cohesive approach to remodeling and renovating their small piece of paradise.
Like white pool plaster, colored pool plaster is durable and reliable when done the right way. We at Central Pool Plaster can help you achieve the best results should you choose a colored plaster applied to your private pool. Different shades of grey are just some of the most common options when it comes to colored plaster, but other colors can be achieved through the use of colored pigments added into the plaster mix before it is applied.
Here are just some of the advantages of using a colored plaster in your pool.
Colored plaster can help personalize your swimming pool.
One way of customizing your swimming pool is adding color to it, and no, we’re not talking figuratively. A colored pool interior allows you to express yourself in many ways. It adds personality and character to an otherwise bland and boring pool. Colored plasters can be a great option especially if you like exhibiting the creative and imaginative side of you.
Colored plaster makes for an ideal choice for our clients living in the City of the Arts. Many of our Costa Mesa pool plaster clients choose colored pool plaster because it allows them to play around with their swimming pool in terms of design allowing them to imbue a part of themselves in their swimming pool making it truly their own.
Colored plaster can liven up your swimming pool.
Considering of hosting parties at your pool? One way to liven up your swimming pool is to apply colored plaster to it; this makes your swimming pool unique and special – the perfect setting for a memorable event. A colored interior can make all the difference when sprucing up a party pool. That’s why pool owners who sign for our Anaheim pool plaster services have the best swimming pools for hosting small pool events for gathering friends and families after they’ve spent the day touring the world-famous Disneyland Resort. That’d be one heck of a way to end the day.
Colored plaster can age with grace.
Colored plasters fade as they age, there’s no denying that. However, with the help of knowledgeable plaster professionals, you can select color tones and sign up for proper pool maintenance services that can make an aging colored plaster look like a work of art.
One of the common issues about colored plaster is how much visible wear can be seen through the pool water. However, with proper swimming pool maintenance and chemical water balance, the pigmentation, mottling, and uneven discoloration of the pool plaster can be minimized and reduced to an acceptable and tolerable level.
Quartz Plaster
Quartz plaster can be considered as a modern pool finish that combines beauty and strength.
Major Quartz pool plasters are made using the same ingredients as white and colored plaster. However, instead of sand, they use crushed quartz stone making it more durable and reliable. While different companies who manufacture quartz plasters claim to be the better plaster, they will only be as good as the person applying it. No one applies quartz plasters as we do so make sure to have Pool Plaster Central your choice when you’re planning for a major plaster project.
Here are some of the advantages of using quartz pool plaster in your swimming pool.
Quartz plaster is durable.
Compared to other plasters, quartz plaster can handle pool water with high amounts of chemical in it. Our Fountain Valley pool plaster projects are testaments of just how well quartz hold up against weathering from pool water chemicals where pools are often chlorinated to help maintain balance during Fountain Valley’s long, cool, and partly cloudy winters.
When you want a pool plaster that can keep up with you and your family, a quartz plaster is a great option.
Quartz plaster is low maintenance.
Because of its durability, maintaining a swimming pool with quartz plaster finish is easy. It does not require a lot of work and resources to keep it in its best state.
Quartz plaster adds color to your pool.
Quartz plaster also adds a bit of color to your swimming pool.
You can opt to add colored quartz stones into the plaster mix to give it a pebble-like appearance. This way you can give your swimming pool both strength and beauty that you can enjoy for years to come. That’s because quartz plaster allows for better color consistency and reduces risks of immediate discoloration.
Although there are tons of do-it-yourself articles about plastering a pool on your own, the actual undertaking of chipping out the old plaster, sanding the edges, spraying acid wash, prepping the plaster, and applying the solution is no easy feat. We’re here to talk about the step-by-step process involved in plastering your swimming pool and why you should trust a project this fastidious to professionals who understand the science and practice the art of applying underwater pool plaster on the daily.
We at Pool Plaster Central have worked on various pool plaster projects in different locations around Los Angeles making us the best choice when you need professionals to help you with applying new plaster to your private pool. We have made a mark in the pool industry through our Tustin pool plaster, Santa Ana pool plaster, Costa Mesa pool plaster, Anaheim pool plaster, Garden Grove pool plaster, and Fountain Valley pool plaster where we continue to service our clients through our weekly maintenance solutions.
Before we start with the ins and outs of pool plaster, let’s talk about why and when to consider a pool replaster project.
Why Should I Replaster My Swimming Pool?
Your swimming pool plaster acts as the waterproof shell that separates the concrete beneath and the pool water sitting atop it. Without the plaster, water will leak and before you know it, the soil underneath will start to diminish and deplete leaving you with a weakened structure that puts you and your property at risk.
Apart from structural damage, applying new plaster to an old pool will maintain and restore its cosmetic and aesthetic value. Pool plaster, especially white plaster, can easily catch stains. White pool walls can turn green or brown from various minerals saturating the swimming pool water. While this may not pose imminent danger like that of a leaking pool, looking at a stained pool can be frustrating, especially if you’ve spent big bucks to keep it pristine.
Other reasons why many pool owners consider applying a new plaster include roughening of the pool surface and manifestation of hairline fissures that may harbor bacteria and microorganisms, like algae. Algae not only makes your swimming pool less inviting but also makes the steps, the tiles, and the pool floor slippery – all while promoting harmful bacteria growth.
Here are some tell-tale signs you need to consider a new plaster.
- Plaster Discoloration
- Plaster Flaking
- Plaster Scaling
- Craze Cracks
- Rough Areas
- Water Discoloration
- Unexplained Water Loss
When Should I Replaster My Swimming Pool?
While the aforementioned reasons do not call for the immediate application of new plaster, planning ahead of time once you’ve detected these signs and symptoms will save you tons of money on repair and renovation.
Many pool owners start plaster projects outside of pool season, particularly if the damage to the plaster is not significant. Doing so gives you, or the contractor you hired, to work on the pool and finish it just in time for your pool to open in season. Smaller swimming pool companies will also be packed with scheduled projects before the season starts and you don’t want them rushing your plaster. Done poorly, a new plaster will start to show signs of deterioration as early as five years when a properly installed plaster should last for at least ten years.
Now that you have the answer to the whys and the whens, it’s time we talk about the hows.
Let’s start by prepping the pool.
How to Prepare A Pool for Plaster
The idea of prepping your pool is to facilitate the ideal environment for the plaster and the surface that will create a lasting bond. That said, the surface should be clean, sound, and coarse. Just like applying adhesive to a surface with dirt and oil, the bond between the plaster and the concrete will be poor affecting its longevity. Good adhesion is key to a good plaster.
1. Draining the Pool
During the start of the project, the first thing a contractor will do is to drain the pool. Depending on how your pool is set up, water can be drained using the filter pump installed in your swimming pool or through the use of a sump pump. Your contractor will set up the pump by attaching a backwash hose and will position it preferably away from the pool as water can rest underneath the pool creating a high water table which will cause an in-ground pool to “pop up.” Depending on the length of the sump pump power cord, the contractor might drop the pump straight to the deep end of the pool or slowly work their way from the shallow end till they reach the bottom part of the pool floor. Remaining water in the pool can be removed using sponges and buckets.
It will also be the best time for you or your contractor to open the hydrostatic relief valves found at the bottom of your swimming pool. These valves are designed to mitigate water pressure that will otherwise “pop” your pool. Hydrostatic valves are often placed around the pool with the main valve located just right at the bottom. Don’t worry, your contractor will know where to find them.
Once the pool is drained, you can remove any loose debris, like leaves and twigs, and clean the pool in preparation for the next step.
2. Removing Pool Fixtures
Many of today’s private swimming pools are outfitted with fixtures like LED lights and swimming pool wall fittings. The bezel that protects the lights can be removed so your contractor can easily chip the old plaster and apply the new plasterwork. To prevent dirt and debris from getting into the open holes, your contractor might tape over the open slot.
Patio furniture and other fixtures in the pool deck will have to be moved to prevent damage when you start chipping away the old plaster. Some delicate parts of your property might be required to be covered so as to not let propelled debris damage it when your contractor begins using power tools.
Now that the easy work is done, it’s time to get dirty.
3. Chipping the Old Plaster
During this stage other swimming pool fixtures will have to be cut and chipped away including threaded plugs for the pool hydrostatic relief valves, pool drains, pool returns, rope hooks, pool light niches, as well as other accessory fittings and plumbing fixtures in the swimming pool wall and pool floor. Don’t worry, they will have to be replaced. Cutting them several inches away from the fitting allows the new plasterwork a perfect fit. You and your contractor can also check for delaminated plaster by tapping around the pool floor and pool walls checking for hollow sounds. Detecting delaminated surfaces will prevent the new plasterwork from breaking away from the wall. To even out the delamination, the hollow trenches must be filled with hydraulic cement before the new plasterwork is applied.
At this point, the old plaster can now be chipped and removed with the use of power and pneumatic tools. Jackhammers are often the tool of choice when removing pool floor plaster while the pool wall plaster could be removed using a grinder. You can either have the entirety of the pool finish removed but if you want to keep the tile, you or your contractor can start chipping away from the perimeter line of the tile working towards the pool floor.
After which, sharp edges can be sanded-down to make way for new tilework or to simply smoothen them out. At the end of this procedure, debris should be carried away from the site clearing your property of any trash or garbage that was left from the operation to make way for the next course of action.
4. Applying Acid Wash
After the old plaster has been removed, acid can now be applied to the concrete which will create a favorable environment for bonding the raw concrete and the new plaster. This can be done by pouring acid all over the raw concrete and letting it perfuse the raw surface.
Finally, you can use a pressure washer to remove loose grit sticking on the surface. You can use the aforementioned procedure to drain the pool again, let the pool dry and apply a bond coat. A bond coat will help improve the bond between the concrete and the new plasterwork increasing the structural integrity of the new plaster.
Applying the New Plaster
Preparing the pool is one thing, applying the plaster is another.
First, mix the plaster following the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’ve commissioned a contractor, you need not worry about this part. Your contractor might use pre-mixed plaster compounds allow for less job-site waste which means that you and your contractor would have to deal with less garbage at the end of the project. Depending on your preference, you can either use plain white plaster or ask your contractor to include additives in the plaster mix to add a variety of colors or strengthen the plaster through the use of accent stones or colored pigments.
After the plaster has been mixed, your contractor can apply the plaster on the in-ground pool. Application may vary from contractor to contractor but oftentimes your contractor could employ various tools like buckets, trowels, rakes, and even a concrete spraying machine to make sure the plaster is evenly applied on the walls and the floor of the pool. For detailing steps, your contractors may use square trowels and a rounded one to smoothen out and perfecting the walls and the floors. For settling materials into the surface voids, rakes will do the job just as fine. A good contractor will also apply pressure rolling and compacting the aggregate for better adhesion to the raw concrete.
Finally, the applied plaster must be left to cure overnight to ensure that the plasterwork bonds and settles to the concrete. If you’re applying the plaster yourself, make sure not to leave the plaster to dry for too long as it will cause the new plaster to crack. When applying new plaster, timing is everything. If you’ve hired pool professionals then you don’t need to worry about the specifics of applying the plaster.
Starting Up Your Newly Plastered Pool
Just when you’ve thought the job is done comes the most crucial part of the plastering process.
Starting up your swimming pool involves filling it up with water and adjusting its chemical balance to protect the plaster and maintain a clean and healthy pool water. The first 28 days is called the curing process which plays an integral role in strengthening the new plasterwork. The curing process can create changes in the chemical balance of the pool and keeping it in check will help you maintain the pool finish. Some of the chemicals to be tested and checked include the pH level, alkalinity level, and calcium level of the pool water. Without the proper chemical balance, your new plaster will be susceptible to minor manifestations of wear and tear like flaking, discoloration, scaling, and craze cracks.
During the first 28 days, it’s also ideal to brush the pool to oust plaster dust that might remain deposited into the plaster. Different contractors might use different means of brushing the walls and the floor of your swimming pool but a good contractor will slowly brush in one direction avoiding large ripples of water that may create backdrafts that will throw the dust back into the shallow end of the pool instead of having them sit at the deep end of the pool to be vacuumed later.
We at Pool Plaster Central provide the best pool plaster service in the industry. We make sure to use tried and tested techniques in preparing your swimming pool for the new plaster and display more attention to detail during the application of the new plasterwork. Apart from applying plaster we can also install other swimming pool amenities and pool services like pool pebble, pool tile, pool coping, and pool decking.
