When does a pool need replastering?
Plaster wears out slowly, so it’s easy to miss. Here are the signs, what causes them, and how to tell a repair from a replaster.
What plaster does
Plaster is the smooth, waterproof finish inside the pool. It sits between the water and the concrete shell. As it ages, it gets rougher, thinner and more porous, and eventually it stops doing its job well.
Signs it’s getting close
Rough texture. It snags swimsuits or scrapes feet. Etching. The surface looks pitted or sandy.
Stains that won’t come out with brushing or water balancing. Delamination. Areas that sound hollow when tapped, or flake off.
Spalling. Chips or pieces breaking away.
Shell showing through. Dark or gray spots where the plaster has worn thin. Algae that keeps coming back in rough areas where it can grip the surface.
What wears plaster out
Time is the biggest factor, but water chemistry matters a lot. Water that’s out of balance, especially low pH or low calcium hardness, slowly dissolves plaster. Water that’s too high in calcium can leave scale. Keeping the water balanced is one of the best ways to make a finish last, which is part of every weekly service visit.
How long does plaster last?
It depends on the finish, how it was applied and how the water has been kept. Standard white plaster is often said to last somewhere around 10 to 15 years, and other finishes can last longer. Your pool’s condition matters more than its age.
Repair or replaster?
A few small cracks or a single stained area don’t always mean the whole pool needs replastering. Widespread roughness, delamination or spots where the shell shows through usually do. If the tile or coping is also worn, doing them at the same time can make sense, since the pool is already drained.
Not sure?
Text us a few photos of the worst areas, close up and from a few feet back. We’ll tell you honestly whether it looks like a repair or a replaster.
Plaster looking rough?
Text us photos of the worst spots and we’ll give you a straight answer.
Plaster questions
Can I just paint my pool instead?
Painting is a different kind of finish with its own upkeep. If you’re weighing options, we’ll walk you through them when we see the pool.
Do stains mean I need to replaster?
Not always. Some stains come from metals or organic debris and can be treated. Stains combined with roughness or hollow spots are more likely to mean the plaster is worn.
How long does a replaster take?
A typical renovation takes about 2 weeks from start to swimming.