Plaster Finishes For Premier Fiberglass Austin Texas
When to resurface
It is time to resurface if your pool is becoming hard to manage your chemical balance, rough to the touch, staining, chipping, flaking, spalding and showing signs of ware. As plaster ages and becomes more porous, pool chemicals migrate to the steel rebar used as structural support for the pool, which causes rust spots to often appear. Algae blooms become almost impossible to get rid of and your pool becomes a maintenance nightmare instead of an enjoyable asset.
Pools need replastering more often today because plaster materials have changed. Plaster mixes, prior to the mid 1970's, included asbestos fibers to improve the initial application and strength. Plaster of this type could look decent for up to 20 years before having to resurface.
Since today's plasters don't contain asbestos, they do not last as long. Manufactures have improved plaster products to allow for a typical warranty of 2-5 years, depending on the product. These reasons are why we recommend fiberglass resurfacing as an excellent choice for lower maintenance and longer warranties (Fiberglass Renovations).
Plaster
Most traditional plaster is composed of white cement mixed with limestone or marble sand. Plaster's porous surface is the most susceptible of pool materials to staining and bacterial growth. Since plaster reacts to water, plaster pools use more chemicals to maintain a balanced water chemistry. Although available in basic colors, plaster's color retention usually does not last as long as other surfaces. A new plaster surface will give you 5 to 8 years of good service, depending on chemical maintenance and is usually the least expensive resurfacing option.
Quartz
Quartz is a plaster surface mixed with quartz aggregate that adds reflections to the pool water.
Benefits
- A very hard, non-porous material
- Stain-resistant
- More durable and longer-lasting than plaster
- Available in a variety of colors
Quartz is priced slightly higher than traditional plaster. You can expect a new quartz surface to give you up to 10 years of good service.
Pebble
Pebble pool surfaces are plaster surfaces mixed with pebble aggregate. The pebbles comprise the majority of the pool surface, with obvious advantages. It is the most stain-resistant and durable surface available.
You can select from many appealing colors. The texture is reminiscent of a mountain stream or lake bed and produces a wide variety of water colors. Pebble surfaces are on the upper end of the price scale.
Note: When selecting any finish for your pool, pay close attention to the coarseness of the final product. Many aggregate finishes look beautiful, but can be rough on feet and bathing suits. The longevity of any pool resurfacing is determined by pool usage, environment, and proper maintenance (including chemical balance).
References
Plaster Products (endorsed by Premier)