Replastering an inground swimming pool is challenging.
Replastering an inground pool is no easy task (ask any swimming pool builder!), but if you are up to the hard work, you can save a lot of money by replastering it yourself. Generally, a gunite pool needs to be replastered every 7-12 years depending on how it is installed and maintained. However, if the weather and environmental elements have left your inground pool looking less than appealing (green or brown instead of blue), you might want to take on pool renovations sooner. Swimming pool resurfacing can be done in just a few days if you work full-time each day and have a lot of help. The result is rewarding: your inground swimming pool will be clear blue instead of green!
Instructions
1. Before starting any pool repairs, turn off the swimming pool equipment and drain the pool, then use a sump pump to drain any remaining water. You can rent a sump pump from a local home improvement store if you don't already have one.
2. Remove any dirt and debris from the swimming pool. This includes removing algae with a large sponge and an eco-friendly cleaning solution.
3. Inspect the pool surface to locate and mark any plaster areas that are flaking, peeling off or popping up. This is a key step to successful pool renovation. If you do not identify all the problem areas, you may have do the pool replaster again!
4. Remove the loose plaster with a chisel or putty knife. Be sure to remove any loose plaster around the swimming pool tiles, pumps, lights, drains and connectors. Clean up the debris and remove it from the pool. You can also use a chipping gun or a jack hammer to remove old plaster, but be careful not to crack the pool shell! You should hire a pool company to do this step if you aren't comfortable removing the old plaster by yourself.
5. Sand any sharp edges where you chipped away the pool plaster. This helps create a smooth surface for replastering. Sweep up all dust and debris and remove it from the swimming pool repair area.
6. Spray or pour an acid wash on the swimming pool surface. You can use an acid brush or push broom to spread the acid wash around as needed. The acid wash etches and pits the old plaster and creates a rougher surface for the new plaster to adhere to.
7. Thoroughly rinse off the acid wash with a garden hose and let the pool surface dry completely. Use the sump pump to remove excess water from the bottom of the swimming pool and be sure to dispose of the acid wash water properly (not down the city drain). Consider using a screen on the sump pump so plaster debris does not clog it up.
8. Using a paint roller, apply a bond coat to the pool surface to prepare it for replastering. Let the bond coat dry overnight.
9. Mix the pool plaster according to the manufacturer's directions, then use a stainless steel pool trowel to apply it to the pool surface in 4 foot square sections. Start at the deep end and make sure the applied plaster is 3/8 thick. Be sure to evenly cover the surface and fill in any cracks or damaged areas as well. Also make sure you don't apply wet plaster to an edge of set plaster. Applying pool plaster requires a lot of help, so be sure everyone is on site before you start.
10. Let the pool plaster dry according to the manufacturer's directions.
11. Mix the finish pool plaster and use a stainless steel pool trowel to apply plaster in 4 foot square sections with #188; thickness. Use a separate trowel to carefully smooth the finish plaster, then let it dry for 24 hours before completing any additional pool repairs.
12. Check the pool surface for cracks or uneven surfaces and apply plaster as necessary. Let the plaster dry completely before applying pool paint.
13. Paint the pool with pool paint and let it dry completely.
14. Fill the pool with water and chlorinate as necessary. With proper pool maintenance, you can enjoy the newly replastered pool for many years to come!
Tips Warnings
Recruit as many people as you can to help with this project, even if you have to hire a few swimming pool builders to get the job done. The more people you have to help, the faster the replastering will be completed.
Use soda ash to neutralize the acid wash water that collects at the bottom of the pool after rinsing.
When mixing the plaster, pour the plaster powder slowly into most of the water, then let the mixer mix it up slowly. Incrementally add the rest of the water to complete the plaster mixture. If you pour the water into the plaster powder, it will likely clump when you mix it.
If you hire a pool builder to plaster the pool for you, watch them to make sure they evenly trowel the pool surface. Ask them to show you the thickness of the pool plaster if you suspect they are not spreading it evenly. If the plaster application is not even, the thinner spots may wear out faster than the thicker ones, requiring a complete pool replaster sooner rather than later.
Pool companies often tell you that this is a job that you should not undertake on your own. It really comes down to a personal decision - do you have the time, energy and assistance to do it on your own? Or would you prefer to have someone else do the hard labor for you? Keep in mind you will be hauling large bags of plaster to and from the pool construction site and repeatedly bending and lifting. Over time, this is very exhausting, but if you are determined to replaster it yourself, it CAN be done!
Use proper protective gear when handling acid wash and chiseling, sanding and/or jack-hammering old pool plaster.
Tags: replaster, pool, swimming pool, acid wash, pool plaster, pool surface, sump pump, apply plaster, make sure, according manufacturer, according manufacturer directions, acid wash water, bond coat, debris remove