Most plaster pool surfaces are designed to last for about 10 years. After that, the floor and walls of your pool are likely to show signs of wear, even if you diligently follow your routine maintenance schedule.
To restore your pool to its pristine condition, you need to have it resurfaced to undo the damage to the plaster. Weber Pools, a trusted pool remodeling service in Dallas, shares five signs that tell you when it’s time to resurface your pool.
1. Stains that won’t clean off
Most types of pool stains can be removed using the right cleaning agent. So, if you find stains that don’t scrub off, those are likely signs that you need to have your pool resurfaced.
Stubborn pool stains are caused by calcium, copper, and salt deposits that meld with the plaster, making them almost impossible to clean off. The most noticeable consequence of these stains is discoloration on the pool walls and floor, but it can also make the water look cloudy and blueish.
Consult a pool operator immediately when you notice stubborn stains on your pool. They’ll perform an acid wash if the stain isn’t severe yet. If the stain’s affecting a large area of the pool, though, the operator will tell you that it’s time for a replaster.
2. Flaking or peeling plaster
Flaking plaster, also called spalling, happens when the surface of your pool gets overexposed to low pH water. Pool water becomes acidic when its pH level is too low, which dissolves the calcium compound found in plaster called calcium hydroxide. As a result, a thin layer of plaster starts flaking and peeling off.
Spalling happens much faster if your pool was troweled incorrectly, meaning the plaster wasn’t smoothed and flattened properly during the construction of your pool. This makes the plaster more susceptible to damage caused by low pH water, which makes spalling more likely.
There’s no other solution to plaster spalling other than pool resurfacing. Be sure to have your pool replastered as soon as possible to keep the flaking from worsening and affecting a much bigger area.
3. Structural or check cracks
Web-like cracks, known as check cracks, typically appear on drained pools because the cement in the plaster expands and contracts due to temperature changes. These types of cracks aren’t a big cause of concern since they reseal themselves once you refill the pool.
However, if you can still see the check cracks 24 hours after refilling the pool, then you need to call a pool professional right away. They’ll examine the cracks, identify the cause, and come up with a solution.
Structural cracks, compared to check cracks, are much bigger problems. The fracture penetrates all the way through the plaster, which causes the pool water to leak. You need to have structural cracks fixed immediately because they can drastically increase your water bills.
If you spot any problems with your pool that you can’t remedy yourself, such as surface roughness or rust, it’s best to have a pool operator check it as soon as possible. These may be signs of bigger problems that affect the safety of your pool or increase your water consumption.
Pool Remodeling Services in Dallas
Weber Pools is a certified pool operator servicing commercial and residential pools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We offer a wide range of maintenance and repair services, from chemical cleaning to complete remodels, to keep your pool safe and efficient all year.
Call us at 214-693-7005 or fill out our online form for an estimate on your pool resurfacing project.