There are proper steps to follow for the making of durable pool plaster. There are also improper practices that can lead to early deterioration or discoloration. Following is a ten-point checklist that will help achieve a lasting and aesthetically pleasing pool plaster. Pool owners should insist that plasterers adhere to the following guidelines.
1. The best cement/aggregate ratio is about one part cement to 1.5-1.75 parts aggregate (marble sand). If the plaster is too rich (cement-heavy), it tends to shrink and crack. If it’s too lean (more sand), it will be less durable and potentially unworkable.
Note: Always select high-quality and appropriate-grade cement and aggregate.
2. When mixing plaster, a thick mix is best. Shoot for a water/cement ratio of .48 or less. Both the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA) maintain that lower water/cement ratios produce better-quality cement that can withstand occasional exposure to mild acids.
Lower water/cement ratios boost density while reducing permeability, porosity, shrinkage (craze cracking) and water movement within the cement product. Higher water/cement ratios, by contrast, cause excess shrinkage and cracking, and fail to offer adequate protection or long-term durability against the effects of water and the environment.
3. A plaster mix should be mixed thoroughly, but also not too long. It is recommended that if the plaster has been mixed for more than 90 minutes, the plaster mix should be discarded.
4. Plaster should contain as little calcium chloride set-accelerant as possible – and never more than 2 percent to the amount of white cement. (Colored plaster, of course, should not contain any calcium chloride.) According to the PCA and other testing facilities, too much calcium chloride increases gray mottling discoloration and cement shrinkage. Several alternatives to calcium chloride that do not exhibit these characteristics are now available.
5. Never add water to plaster surfaces while troweling. Both the ACI and PCA have found that this may increase porosity, shrinkage, and variable discoloration. A little water to lubricate the trowel, however, likely won’t harm the plaster surface.
Still, you never want to “work,†or force, additional water into the plaster surface when troweling. Doing so can weaken the surface and may accelerate deterioration and caused spotting or streaking discoloration. Color plaster is even more susceptible than white plaster to white spotting discoloration from too much water troweling.
6. Well-timed hard troweling can help produce a nice, dense plaster finish. But if the plaster becomes too hard before you have a smooth surface, the result is often dark gray discoloration and spotting, especially when calcium chloride is also used.
7. Plastering in extreme weather conditions can lead to quality and durability problems. Industry groups specifically warn against using cement-based products in temperatures considered too hot or cold. One solution is “tenting†the pool, which protects the plaster surface (and the plasterers!) from the elements. In extreme dry heat, tenting the pool, and perhaps even directing air from an evaporative cooler beneath the tent, will help the plaster retain its moisture, and properly cure and harden.
8. Don’t fill the pool with water too soon. Though conditions vary, water usually should not be added for at least six hours after the pool has been plastered and finished. This should be enough time for the plaster to harden properly before being submerged in water. Even balanced tap water can dissolve certain plaster components if the surface has not adequately hardened. The end result is often greater porosity and early deterioration. And it may only take a few months to show up.
9. Soft or aggressive fill water can also deteriorate new plaster surfaces; and the effect is uniform. Other new plaster problems such as drips, splotches, spotting, trowel marks, and hand- and footprints are the result of localized finishing errors.
Surfaces may be further damaged by aggressive (acidic) startup techniques, which can cause additional uniform surface loss. By contrast, baking soda startups can neutralize aggressive fill water while promoting a superior plaster surface.
10. Once the pool is filled, balance the water (and keep it balanced). Balanced water helps help preserve the plaster. Aggressive water causes uniform etching, while over-saturated water scales plaster. The Saturation Index is a good guide – to prevent scaling or etching, water should have a saturation index value in the range of -0.3 to +0.5.
With reasonably consistent maintenance, standard plaster has a life span of approximately 20 years. It’s an inherently strong surface, and should be able to withstand “real world†chemistry and/or maintenance challenges.
Though pozzolans, blended cements and other materials are generating good results, there’s still no substitute for solid workmanship. The above guidelines will benefit pool plasterers in the pursuit of a quality, long-lasting pool finish.
When a pool is being plastered, the pool owner should obtain two plaster samples (in paper or plastic cups), especially one from the last plaster batch. An analysis of the plaster can help determine the cause of various plaster defects that may show up later.
