Replastering

Pool Surfaces

 "Resurfacing pools is the heart of what we do. It's what we know best. However, we don't know what is best for you. So we explain the different surfaces to our customers so they can select what is just right for them.

There are actually many interior pool surfaces used throughout the world. The three most common, and the three we recommend you consider, are “plaster”, "quartz" and “pebble”. Quartz and pebble surfaces were developed as solutions to the shortcomings of plaster. . . . however neither is perfect and, like most improvements, they cost slightly more than plaster. Here's how they compare …

Plaster

When you think of pool plaster, you normally think of the smooth, white plaster surface that turns a sparkling blue when filled with water, but there are actually many choices that can be made. We offer many different colors that can be applied with the plaster to your swimming pool surface.

Plaster, although not the best, has been, until recently, the most common pool surface. People are familiar with it and it's the least expensive of pool surfaces.

Most traditional plaster is white cement mixed with limestone or marble sand. By its nature, plaster has certain limitations. Its porous surface is the most susceptible to staining and bacteria growth. Because plaster constantly reacts to water, plaster pools "use" more chemicals to maintain a balanced water chemistry and plaster typically does not last as long as other surfaces. A new plaster surface will give 5 to 10 years of good service.

Quartz

A quartz interior pool surface is actually a plaster surface with quartz aggregate mixed in. There are two benefits with quartz.

First, quartz is a very hard material. And because a percentage of your pool interior surface is now covered with a hard, non-porous, stain-resistant material - quartz - you have a more stain-resistant, more durable and longer-lasting surface than plaster alone.

Second, people like quartz because you can introduce a variety of colors into your pool interior with it. Quartz is priced slightly higher than traditional plaster. You can expect a new quartz surface to give you 10 to 15 years of good service.
 

Pebble

A pebble pool surface is also a plaster surface with pebble aggregate mixed in. The pebbles actually comprise the majority of the surface of the pool, with the obvious advantages.

It is the most stain-resistant and most durable surface available. And you can select from many different interesting colors which will produce a myriad of water colors.  The pebbled finish is reminiscent of a mountain stream or lake bed.

We offer the family of PebbleTec® pebble finishes … the original PebbleTec® as well as PebbleSheen® and PebbleFina®.  They have proven to be the finest the industry has to offer.  A variety of colors are offered which create unique finishes and water colors in your pool.  Gardner Pool Plastering is the only licensed applicator of PebbleTec® finishes in San Diego County.

Pebble surfaces are more costly than traditional plaster. However, in the long run they tend to be more economical to maintain. You can expect a new pebble surface to give you 12 to 20 years of good service.

Please feel free to contact us for a presentation in greater detail of the different surfaces and a free no obligation price quote.

Tile

Gardner is proud to offer and install a variety of tile finishes and colors from the leading tile resources in the industry.

International Tile and Stone:

International Pool Tile Group has been a supplier of pool tile for over 20 years in the United States offering their popular Portobello line which includes a variety ranging from glass mosaics to exotic stone offerings.  There is something for every discriminating taste in this collection.

www.portobelloamerica.com

National Pool Tile Group:

Presenting the largest selection  pool and spa tile and decking available … literally hundreds of tiles and stones, from the rich hues and textures of natural desert vista to the shimmering jeweled tones of the South Pacific. 

www.nptgonline.com

Pacific Clay:

A stunning variety of exquisite tile, coping and decking materials featuring rich, earthy colors, patterns and textures in carefully designed various patterns, shapes and sizes. A striking addition to any “poolscape”.  

www.pacificclay.com                    

Fujiwa:

Fujiwa produces beautiful high quality tile in unique finishes allowing for unlimited design possibilities which will provide years of durability and enjoyment.  Suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, Fujiwa stands for quality and beauty. 

www.fujiwatiles.com

The Replaster Process

First a saw cut with a diamond masonry blade is made to undercut the tile line to preserve the existing swimming pool tile, unless new tile is being installed, then the old tile is removed. The pool is checked for loose plaster, which determines if we need to remove the plaster down to gunite, or bond coat the surface of the pool. While bond coat is the preferable way to prep your pool for plaster, sometimes the old surface is in such poor condition that all the old plaster has to be chipped off down to the gunite.  All plaster chips and waste material will be cleaned up and hauled away. 

If the pool cannot be bond coated we use air driven hand held chipping tools to remove the existing plaster down to the original gunite in a narrow band under the tile and around all penetrations of the plaster shell.  The purpose of this is to give a nice smooth even transition where the new plaster meets the tile and other penetrations.

Any other work to be done on the pool, including tile or equipment that is listed on your contract, will be done prior to the pool being plastered.  Usually the pool will be plastered within 48 hours of the completion of the pre plaster inspection. 

When plastering is complete, our plaster crew will start filling the pool with water.  It is important that a hose is available to fill the pool.  A protective cloth will be placed on the end of the hose.  Additional hoses can be added, as long as they are protected on the end to prevent channeling the plaster. Hoses should not be allowed to whip or flail around in the pool.  All hoses should be placed in the deep end.  The pool “fill lines” should not be used until the water is within 6 inches of where the water comes into the pool.  Water must not be turned off while the pool is filling.

The water should be shut off when it is about halfway up the tile line.  If a spa is to be filled at the same time, it is important to turn the water off before it begins to flow over the dam wall into the pool (making sure water cannot leak through spa plumbing back into the pool) if there is any possibility of that happening, the spa should not be filled until pool is full.  It is important that all irrigation sprinklers that may spray on exposed plaster are turned off during the pool filling sequence.  Nothing should be added to the pool until it is finished filling.  Nothing should be dragged across the pool surface nor should anyone be allowed to walk on the new plaster while it is filling with water.  Your pool should fill in 24 hours.   

If this creates a problem our office should be contacted at (619) 593-8880 for instructions. 

The pool is now ready for start up.

Pools plastered and filled following the above procedure carry a five-year bonding warranty, which guarantees that plaster will be watertight and will not peel, blister or delaminate provided that the pool structure remains sound, that start-up procedures recommended by the builder or service company are followed and the water chemistry after start-up is properly maintained.