Re: ReSurface/ReModel
Epoxy paint usually lasts 3 to 5 years when properly applied. It may require sandblasting, priming and multiple coats. Expect less than a year's life when its not applied correctly and that happens more than you might expect. Getting the contractor back is often difficult at best. The finger pointing goes on forever. Reapplications requires use of the same paint type. If it's not available or the previous paint job was botched, even sandblasting the old paint off may not be enough. Epoxy paint is expensive, over $100 gallon!
If your pool only has a single coat of plaster, you can usually plaster over it. It may need a bond coat for better adhesion but that is pretty minor. If this has been done already, then a chip out is needed.
Properly cared for plaster costs less in the long run. The cost to repair/repaint 3-5 times will go up each time and cost more than the initially more costly but substantially longer lasting replastering job.
A big factor in deciding which route to go may be how long you plan to stay in the home, what others in your area have done and resale value.
If you are doing either, the pool needs to be empty.
Often, when tile repairs are called for, things are worse than the homeowner realizes. Often times water has penetrated from behind, creating a weakened and crumbly mortar base. More tiles will fall soon. The source of the water needs to be found and stopped and often, the best course is all new tile.
Often, if the tile is shot, so is the coping. Water penetration weakens the mortar. God forbid a coping stone lets go as someone is walking on it, falls, gets cut, etc... A single coping stone can be repaired but it's not unusual for the damage, once exposed, to be found to be worse than initially thought. Again, repairs are usually pretty visible.
Many commercial pool operators choose painting because of the lower initial cash outlay. They are running a business and cash is everything there.
Substantially fewer homeowners go with paint. They want to be done. At least, I've found that to be the case in my region.
I don't like painting pools. If thats what the customer wants then thats what the customer will get. I've painted and repainted my share. Haven't had to go back for any warranty calls, thank God. It costs the homeowner more each time though.
There are LOTS of color choices for both but more texture choices with a plaster finish.
Coping, tile and plaster don't all have to be done at once. They can be done individually but it will cost more as 3 separate jobs vs. one job.
Its a great opportunity to change the look of your pool.
I hope this helps.
Scott
I know that I would not attempt it myself, and I have been in the building industry for over 30 years, and I'm a stubborn German to boot! Properly done tile and coping will last many, many years, and is relatively inexpensive to have done. I personally would not want to learn on my pool and have to live with my work for the remainder of the time I left it (and before I paid to have it done right)!
