Pool plastering is both an art and a science. It requires the right combination of materials, techniques, and pool start-up procedures to ensure a beautiful, durable finish. There are many pool builders and pool renovation contractors in South Florida, but they don’t all work to the same standards. Some are unlicensed, some are licensed to do service, repairs and simple renovations only. Here are some important questions you should ask any company you’re considering for your pool resurfacing job.
As quartz plaster with polymer-modified cement has evolved over the years, its application has become more complex, requiring more special skills and factory training to prevent future plaster quality issues. AQUAVIX Pools is a fully licensed and insured pool design and construction company for both residential and commercial pools and spas — and we are a factory-trained and certified applicator of Diamond Brite and other plaster products.
Quartz plaster products are not all the same. There are different levels of quality offered at different price levels. The most prominent quartz plaster product in Florida is SGM’s “Diamond Brite“. It’s truly a superior quartz plaster based on polymer-modified cement and proprietary quartz technology that offers unparalleled fade resistance.
Some pool builders in South Florida avoid Diamond Brite because it costs more and its application is not trivial — it requires special skills, techniques and training. AQUAVIX Pools is a factory-trained and certified applicator of Diamond Brite.
This is a standard procedure for AQUAVIX Pools. Each plaster bag has a bar code and information pertaining to the place and date of manufacturing. We check the information of every bag for warranty registration purposes. We reject any bags that are more than one year old, and return any left over bags to our distributor. There are some pool builders, and many pool renovation companies, who adopt the questionable practice of accumulating bags of similar color from different jobs and different manufacturing batches to be mixed and used on future jobs.
Pool builders and pool renovation companies in general do not offer any warranty against discoloration or stains, which can appear over time as a result of improper pool water chemistry. Hollow spots and delamination can also be caused as the result of imbalanced water chemistry, but typically not in the first few years. When they do occur prematurely, it’s usually because of faulty application.
AQUAVIX Pools provides a 3-year warranty against hollow spots and delamination — something very few pool builders in South Florida will provide. Our 3-year warranty on plaster resurfacing also covers superficial plaster cracking, as long as it is not the result of structural issues.
Especially in flood zones in South Florida, where groundwater is found at shallow depths, it is extremely important to exercise caution when draining a pool to prevent it from shifting. “Pool popping” is a real thing that happens more often than people think. Older pools generally don’t have hydrostatic relief valves installed in the main drain, so it’s important to unplug the main drain before completely draining the pool. In some cases, it is necessary to drill holes at the bottom of the pool (and later plug them) to prevent the pool from shifting. Make sure your pool contractor is used to these procedures and carrier insurance specifically against pool popping. Most pool renovation companies do not.
Some companies will include 10%, others 15%. Beyond that, extra charges will apply. AQUAVIX Pools includes up to 20% to avoid unpleasant extra charges.
It’s crucial to apply a bond coat to the old plaster surface to be covered by the new plaster. The bond coat acts as a primer that enhances the adhesion between the existing surface and the new plaster. Not all bonding products work the same way. AQUAVIX Pools uses only SGM’s “Bond Kote”, a premium-quality bonding product designed specifically for swimming pools. Many pool resurfacing companies use cheaper products that do not have the same bonding performance, increasing the risk of future delamination.
Incidentally, when Diamond Brite is applied on a resurfacing job, the manufacturer’s warranty is voided if Bond Kote is not used.
AQUAVIX Pools washes the newly plastered surface using a proprietary combination of three different methods, depending on the color of the plaster being applied: light pressure washing, hand washing with a light brush, and acid washing. Most pool builders only do acid washing. The difference can be clearly noticed in the quality of the finished plaster, particularly with dyed plasters.
On every pool resurfacing jobs, AQUAVIX Pools replaces all wall fittings with new ones. This is included in our proposal. Some pool renovation companies re-use the same old fittings. Whenever possible, we also replace the main drain cover, free of charge.
Ask if they will actually cover your patio with carton or plastic sheets to ensure plaster mix doesn’t stick where it shouldn’t. Take with caution a promise to simply “clean everything when the job is done”. It’s not the same thing. AQUAVIX Pools will always protect your existing patio.
Water from the public water supply in South Florida contains a potentially high level of metals and minerals that can cause stains in a freshly applied plaster. For this reason, AQUAVIX Pools uses industrial carbon filters to remove these elements from the water as the pool is being filled up. This is included in our proposal. Few pool builders in South Florida take this level of precaution. If you ask, some will it’s not important. It is, given that there’s no warranty against stains and you’re making a substantial investment in a new pool plaster.
Pool plaster is a cementitious material that takes 28 to adequately cure, and requires very special care during this period. During the curing process, the interaction of the new plaster with the pool water produces some “plaster dust” that needs to be frequently brushed away from the pools walls and floor. Also, the pool chemistry needs to be monitored and adjusted every day during the first 3 days and at least every 3 days until the plaster is cured. This process takes 4 full weeks and requires a minimum of 10 service visits. No swimming during the first 3 weeks.
The pool start-up process is extremely important for the long-term health or durability of the plaster, and it cannot be shortened. It takes four full weeks. Be suspicious of pool renovation companies that tell you the pool will be ready for swimming in a week or two, after only a handful of service visits. They’re either not taking proper care of the plaster curing process or not taking proper care of their customers.
AQUAVIX Pools is a fully licensed and insured pool design and construction company for both residential and commercial pools and spas. We are a company founded and run by seasoned engineers and we take pride in the quality of our work, our processes, and our communications with customers.
When we do renovations, even on the simplest re-surfacing jobs, we apply the same rigorous technical standards we apply to new swimming pool construction.
Pool resurfacing is a substantial investment. To learn more about pool plastering and the crucial importance of proper surface preparation, plaster application and pool start-up, read our blog article Pool Plastering: What Swimming Pool Owners Need to Know.