Is this normal or should I be worried?

[howcanidiythis]

New construction colored plaster is 7 days young. Since day 1 of fill plaster has had lighter colored areas. I just want to know if everything is going to even out or are these areas of light and dark here to stay? Of course I signed a colored plaster waiver but it said may have “some” discoloration and might become mottled “eventually”. It didnt say “extensive” and “immediately”. Is the difference in coloring part of the curing process or is this what im gonna have to look at forever.View attachment 379788View attachment 379789View attachment 379788View attachment 379789

 

[ajw22]

It is unlikely to change much as the plaster cures...

Being Blamed for Plaster Discolorations? Don't Get Hoodwinked

Some newly plastered pools (including quartz and pebble finishes) may develop either color fading, white soft spotting (also incorrectly called "spot etching" by some plasterers), white streaking (in colored plaster), calcium nodules, gray mottling discoloration (of white plaster), spalling...

www.troublefreepool.com

White Spotting of New Plaster Pools

The problem of plaster spotting has been an ongoing puzzle and controversy in the swimming pool industry for over three decades. The generally round, smooth-yet-unsightly white soft spots in new plaster pools have long been a source of contention among pool plasterers, and pool chemical service...

www.troublefreepool.com

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Jimrahbe]

H,

I agree with Allen.. I doubt it will change much at all.

Jim R.

 

[howcanidiythis]

I was assuming as much…. When does the poor quality of a plaster job become significant enough for action to be taken? I have already emailed the PB And will continue to do so until they come and look at it. But at what point is it reasonable to insist on a complete re plaster? or resolve the case in a courtroom? Its hard to think that the PB can just put up some plaster that does its job at keeping the water in the pool and gets to disregard the overall look of it because its a “hand applied technique”. My complete unsatifcation with the job should matter shouldnt it? The last question I have is; is this normal? Should the plaster already look like this? Should it be covered in small cracks from the bottom of the tile to the bowel? Im sure that it isnt but having a professional offer his or her opinion would do me some good.

 

[Jimrahbe]

H,

Let's see what @onBalance has to say about it...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[onBalance]

On another thread that you posted, you mentioned that you performed a Bicarb start-up and that the alkalinity ended up being 700 ppm. Sounds like a mistake was made and the alkalinity was/is much too high. If that is what actually happened, then it may be that calcium scale (which is white) has formed on the plaster surface. I suggest hand sanding using 80-100 grit wet&dry sandpaper on a small area to see if the white discoloration is easily removed. If the problem is calcium scale, then I suggest adjusting the pool water into a slightly aggressive condition and brush heavily to see if the dark plaster color can be exposed.

 

[howcanidiythis]

day 6 of fill.
I took a sanding sponge to a light area. It didnt do anything noticeable. CSI has ben within range since day 2. CA 100. Another post stated not to add calcium until TA is in range. Bringing it down slowly today it was 325. CSI 0.23. Im going to stick with the startup plan and continue to brush, test, and balance. Maybe the entire pool will mottle that wouldnt be so bad, at least it would be even … if anyone has anyone suggestions it would be appreciated.

 

[onBalance]

If you are willing, take a small plastic squeeze bottle and put acid in it and squirt some acid directly on a very white area (under water) and see if it removes the white. Just use a few ounces of acid on about a 2 inch by 2 inch area for a few seconds. Then swish the acid away to neutralize that area and see the results.

 

[6XSBChamps]

Ugggg, I come in these threads myself hoping someone posts a magic formula to bring back my beautiful midnight blue plaster color. My own experience is similar, although not as soon. I started noticing fading spots after about a month and now almost 5 months later it has spread throughout for the most part. My guess with yours is that it would take over evenly but I'm learning as I go here myself. My tanning ledge has gone completely light blue and its going from shallow end to deep end. Not sure if it happens fast in shallow areas where the sun impact it fast or not. If I sand with 80 grit hard I can see some of my dark blue under there but its not realistic for me to do the entire pool. I've accepted the fact I'll be replacing with something better in a few years

 

[howcanidiythis]

If you are willing, take a small plastic squeeze bottle and put acid in it and squirt some acid directly on a very white area (under water) and see if it removes the white. Just use a few ounces of acid on about a 2 inch by 2 inch area for a few seconds. Then swish the acid away to neutralize that area and see the results.

I will try it. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Charlie Bezzina]

Hi h.c.i.diy.t, I honestly think the variations in colour look amazing (yes, I mean in a good way) I would describe it as a marbled finish.

If the patina is consistent over the entire pool, Is sanding and acid washing really necessary?

 

[howcanidiythis]

If it was consistent I wouldnt mind. But sadly it is not. There are no shadows on the stairs. The only shadow is of the tree on the top of the pic. All the light and dark are exactly how they look in person. And if you zoom in to the bottom of the pool you can see trowel marks. It makes me sad.

 

[Charlie Bezzina]

Isn't that strange the way they got an almost consistent colour on the stairs and then that marbled finish inside the pool.

 

[6XSBChamps]

View attachment 380277

If it was consistent I wouldnt mind. But sadly it is not. There are no shadows on the stairs. The only shadow is of the tree on the top of the pic. All the light and dark are exactly how they look in person. And if you zoom in to the bottom of the pool you can see trowel marks. It makes me sad.

One thing to keep in mind is the deep blue will certainly fade over time, sooner than later. So the difference in shades will be less pronounced. I would definitely battle all you can with the builder just to have as much documented as possible.