Let’s talk about when it’s time to move on from your current pool surface. There are ways to fix certain issues quickly and cheaply, biding your time until the pool season ends or until you can save up for a full resurfacing. However, if the wear and tear is bad enough, sometimes the only option is to resurface. So let’s look at some possible scenarios!
Rough Surface
Are your kids getting out of the pool with scraped up feet? If so, you’re probably dealing with a rough surface caused by aging, chemical erosion or aggressive acid washing. Unless you’re a glutton for punishment, this is probably something you’ll want to fix before you swim.
Quick fixes for a rough surface include surface sanding and paint. However, surface sanding can open pores in the surface, allowing algae to take hold. Paint will only last for a short amount of time and has to be sandblasted off before resurfacing, upping the price of a renovation.
How does a new surface solve the above problems?
- Plaster: New surface will be smooth, with a dense top layer (result of troweling material – troweling compacts the aggregate in the top layer of material). The dense top layer helps resist staining, so harsh chemistry and acid washes are not necessary.
- INTER-GLASS: New surface will be non-abrasive. INTER-GLASS is inert, is very difficult to stain, and is not effected by harsh chemicals or acid washing.
Stains
Does the interior of your pool look like a badly tie-dyed t-shirt your kid brought home from camp? If so, then you guessed it…it might be time for a new interior. These types of stains are typically caused by metal deposits (copper heat exchangers, metal fences in close proximity, mineral content in water) organic deposits (leaves and seeds sitting on the surface), or metal within the structure of the pool.
Quick fix options for stains include acid washing and using chemical treatments for water (ex: Metal-Out, Super Stain Out). Keep in mind, that acid washing a pool makes the surface rougher and chemical treatments can be costly and must be repeated regularly. They also often act as a band-aid for your pool and do not address the root cause of problem.
How does a new surface solve the above problems?
- Plaster: New surface will be free of stains, and will be more resistant to new stains than an old plaster surface. However, staining will continue to occur if the root cause it is not addressed.
- INTER-GLASS: New surface will be free of stains, and will be very resistant to any new stains. Even rust stains direct on the surface will be easily removed.
Cracks
Cracks are caused by the surface being allowed to dry out, pool shell movement, and aging. Depending on how large the cracks are, this could be something you need to fix before you swim.
Quick fixes for cracks include patches and epoxy injections. Both options do not look very appealing. Similar to the chemical treatments mentioned above, patches act as a band-aid and do not address the root cause of the problem. Epoxy injections can only be used for structural cracks and do not stop movement.
How does a new surface solve the above problems?
- Plaster: New surface will be free of cracks. However, plaster alone will not remedy structural issues with the pool and will require structural repairs prior to plaster installation. New plaster must be cared for diligently in order to keep its pristine appearance.
- INTER-GLASS: New surface will be free of cracks, and reinforcing with structural fabrics such as Kevlar can stop structural movement and will prevent cracks from reappearing.
Why Don’t People Resurface More Often?
- Often, people are simply happy with what they have. Tolerance for a rough/stained surface tends to vary widely. Some people want it redone as soon as any imperfection arises, others will wait until it is worn out completely. Unlike a broken pump or pipe that keeps the pool from being used, a surface can be really bad but the pool will still hold water and be useable, so resurfacing it is not seen as essential.
- Many people do not know what else is out there. They do not know about all of the options for new surfaces, and think it has to be plain white or plain blue.
- The biggest factor is cost. This is also the main reason people go with paint as it is a cheap, immediate fix, even if it will cause a proper fix to cost more in the long run. Sometimes people just want to swim!
- Lastly, some people are nervous and/or uneducated about the process and this prevents them from taking the leap.