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PLASTER INTERIORS
Concrete pools (gunite, poured or shotcrete) can have a
variety of plaster finishes. Traditional white
Plaster,
also
referred to as
Marcite®,
is a mixture of an aggregate of
white marble sand or dust, white portland cement and water
that is troweled over the concrete surface to seal and provide
a hard, smooth finish. There are a few things you should
know about the care and use of your plaster pool interior.
Follow your installer’s specific recommendations for filling
your pool, caring for and maintaining your pool’s interior surface as these can vary from one
region to another and one applicator to another. Today unique additives and aggregates are
available to produce a wide range of colors and finishes. These specialty finishes are
discussed in greater detail on the following pages and have their own initial fill, start-up and
care guidelines. The general recommendations below are for White Plaster or Marcite® pool
finishes.
Please Note
: No two plaster finishes are the same and slight imperfections are normal.
Plaster is a product of natural materials and mined minerals that will vary in appearance and
characteristics. These variations may cause slight mottling (a grayish appearance),
discolorations or mild crazing (hairline cracks) all of which are normal occurrences in the curing
of cementitious materials. How closely you follow the initial fill, start-up and care procedures are
imperative to the look and long-term performance of your plaster finish.
Pay special attention & care to the plaster surface on initial fill and for the first 30 days.
Your plaster finish will harden and cure underwater but this process takes time. More than
50% of the curing takes place within the first 30 days and the majority within 90 days but it can
take up to a year for the finish to be completely cured.
Your plaster surface is it’s most
susceptible before being filled with water- so fill quickly and take special care to avoid anything
from entering the pool prior to it being filled with water. This includes footprints- DO NOT
walk
on fresh plaster (this includes pets)! You should have the source water that will be used to fill
your pool tested prior to completion of the plaster finish. If testing finds a high mineral or metal
content in the water you will want to follow your pool professional’s recommendations for
treatment and have the proper sequestering chemicals on hand while filling your pool to
prevent staining or discoloration to the new plaster surface.
This should be added as water is
being introduced so that it is well circulated before you add any balancing chemicals.
Initial Fill
- Water should be introduced immediately upon completion of plastering and filled
as quickly as possible to reduce crazing or checks (tiny cracks) and discoloration in the plaster.
Two key things to remember are to
Test First then Fill Quickly and Carefully.
DO NOT
allow water to forcefully enter the pool- cushion the flow in a puddle of water.
When filling with a garden hose:
As mentioned above, have source water tested before you begin filling.
DO NOT
fill with water through a water softener, if you have a softener bypass it.
Use as many hose bibs or sources as available to speed the filling process.
Be sure to diffuse the water and take care that the hose itself does not mark the floor.
Tie a clean sock or cloth around the end of the hose to help to protect the surface.
Once you begin filling, DO NOT STOP
until the pool is full or 2/3 up onto the skimmer
opening. If you stop filling and re-start you will notice a visible waterline at that point.
If
the pool fills too slowly variations in shades of the plaster finish may appear as the
curing process may have varied underwater and above.
If you have hauled water brought in to fill the pool it too should be added carefully and
diffused into the deep end of pool, preferably after several inches of water have already
been introduced through a garden hose to buffer the fill.