Recent content by onBalance

Most likely the pool needs to be drained to rectify. Sorry, I don't know what will work on removing that stuff.

Power sand, replaster, or leave as is are your options.

No, I don't see anything but old plaster with typical old plaster discolorations.

I don't think it is gunite showing through and I don't see any evidence from the photos that the gunite is showing through. IMO, the plaster surface looks okay for being 19 years old. I suggest you don't worry too much about the discoloration. The best way to make the plaster surface white and...

How old Is this plaster pool ? The pool guy is probably correct. The discolorations or stains appear to be in the plaster itself and aren't likely to be removed by adding stain removal products. At this point, keep the water balanced. Did you raise the calcium hardness to 250 ppm as instructed?

Thank you James. Very important point!

Crosby, Newly plastered pools (less than 30 days) have completely different needs than when the plaster has been under water for at least one month. Keep that in mind as I offer suggestions for you to follow for the first month of your new pool. Since your plaster is less than 30 days old...

Good. Joyfulnoise had a good suggestion about using a power sander for large areas, and that sanding will produce a much smoother surface afterwards.

It appears that the cement portion (not the aggregate) is typical white plaster. While the quartz aggregate is mostly blue. Am I correct or not? Do you know if a blue color pigment was added to the plaster mix? In any event, I see what you are concerned about. The quartz aggregate exposure is...

What plaster finish is this - standard white plaster, colored, quartz aggregate?

I do not see anything that resembles calcium nodules. I do see very rough areas. It appears that the plaster is blue in color, and if the rough areas are the same color as the rest of the pool, then it is not typical calcium "scaling" which would be white. If this problem is simply rough...

Your current water balance is very good. I wouldn't change a thing.

If the builder performs a very light (diluted) acid wash, that wouldn't cause too much harm. Each year that passes means that it is less likely that this problem will occur during the next winter. I dislike having some plaster chipped out and removed unless it will achieve a desired and...

Unfortunately, I believe the only remedy to deal with this problem is to somehow brush the pool and probably with a stainless steel brush instead of nylon. And unfortunately, the only way to determine or prove that the plaster itself is defective is by taking a "core sample" of the plaster and...

Yes, I see the white crystal bumps in the left photo (1_5_ 2025) in post #33. What about the photo on the right side (1_5_Precipitate), which does not look like sharp crystals. I believe "calcium sulfate" should be ruled out because of the result of your fizz test. I think it is time to...