Re-Plastering a Swimming Pool (with Adam's Pool Solutions)

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Shows the steps to properly re-plaster a swimming pool plus the chemicals to use with new plaster, using Adams Pool Solutions as the plaster company

[@normamoreira2897]

Lucy I really like your videos I have learned a lot watching them. Working myself on my swimming pool trying to revive it, it has been dried for many years and in really bad condition. Wish me luck.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Hi friends, Sometimes I cannot respond to you through KZbin directly. I'm trying to figure out why. So if a question is helpful to others, I copy and paste the answer. I wish I was more tech savvy...I know pools, not computers and social media. I hope you all know I'm doing the best I can. If I don't respond to your question, please contact me at [e-mail] Thank you, Lucy

[@vegasbigg]

Lucy, In your video you mentioned that a chip out allows for thicker plaster which is better. I believe a traditional pool plaster is recommended to be no more than 1/2 an inch. thick, secondly a uniform thickness of plaster is recommended. A pool that has been chipped out has greater variation in thickness, which can cause shade variation. While you may feel a chip out is better, research by the NPC and Pool and Spa News has shown that both methods can produce a beautifully finished product. The key is that each method is done properly, by skilled workers. Most companies in the valley will chip out because it is cheaper and allows for faster turn around. I believe that each pool should be inspected and the preparation method decided at that point. Some pools may need chip out due to delamination, some should not be chipped out to due structural issues and rebar issues. There are multiple way to properly replaster a swimming pool. Lastly, Arizona Falls does exceptional work, ask for Mike.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Well, you are entitled to your beliefs. I prefer to make my decisions based on my thirty years experience working with pool plastering companies both in L.A. and here in Vegas. (Plus my brother used to build pools). I've had one situation when I tried to explain to the client (actually a friend of my client) that a chip out is better. She went with a company that sandblasted, because they were CHEAPER. Within one week, there were hairline cracks throughout the pool. It was a disaster! I'll stick to what I know works. You got your plug in for Arizona Falls, but I won't be using them if they sandblast...maybe they are great at building waterfalls...so you never know... if I need a company that repairs or builds falls, I'll be sure to ask for Mike. Thanks for writing in. All the best, Lucy

[@davidcallahan5157]

Thanks for the reply ,love videos keep up the good work Lucy !

[@kentchan4867]

Hi Lucy, Really great video on maintaining new plaster. You talked about keeping the ph balanced to keep the plaster from corroding. Is it important to maintain the ph around 7.4 year round even during the winter when the pool isn't swam in? I know this may be a is a silly question but our HOA community pool is covered during the winter so I know they aren't balancing the water when it's covered. Also, what are the pop ups in your video used for?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Kent Chan Hi Kent, Yes it is important to keep the pH at 7.2-7.4 all year round. If the pH is higher, then calcium/scale will build up. If there is a heater, the calcium will build up so much it will eventually block the heat exchanger, resulting in a costly repair. If the pH is lower (more acidic) then it will cause corrosion in the heater, plus make the plaster porous and crumbly. Pop-up heads are installed when a pool is built. They are connected to an above ground unit in which water is directed to 'stations'. Water flows through the pop-up heads to clean the bottom of the pool and direct the dirt to the main drain, which goes to the filter. I have a video all about repairing a Caretaker system. That will give you a clearer understanding of how they work. Thank you for the intelligent questions. Lucy

[@davidcallahan5157]

Hi Lucy I have a very similar pool. What average cost for a break out and plaster job .I no it's going to be different for all areas . I have floor pop ups to.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

+David Callahan Pop ups usually don't factor in to the price. A spa and the size of the pool do. In this situation, think they paid $5000.00 Ballpark

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Message Body: Hi Lucy, I also commented on your You Tube plastering video. Our "new" "72 home has a "74 Anthony Pools pool/spa combo that is in terrible shape and our money was spent remodeling this fixer house and right now there is very little left. Pool currently blue and swimmable. Wife and I care for it ourselves. I work in finish construction (mainly painting). Lets start at the mechanics: Pool heater was missing when we bought house. We didn't know (how naïve we were!). Gas line capped-off and cemented over.?? Pool motor replaced with a free, efficient unit that is too small for the large old Sta-Rite system 3 filter. We bought new cartridges for it but get virtually no pressure (max. 5 lbs.) on the new pressure gauge. The coping is cracked and grout missing in places. the tile is missing on about 5 linear ft. with a huge crevice where it used to be. The plaster has been painted at least twice and is chalking and peeling and flaking, and there are cracks everywhere with a large, dark divot in deep end near drain. Lucy, what are your thoughts? We plan to baby the pool through next summer but a builder friend saw pool and said it needs serious work, soon. I have a good carpenter who can tile. I have watched numerous videos about diy refinishing and have learned a lot. I think pool is beyond even patching and oil-based epoxying. It appears that pool needs new heater, gas lline, bigger motor, new coping, tile, and replastering. That sounds huge! I love this house and the pool holds so much promise. We intentionally bought a home with a pool. I think we picked the wrong pool. Thank you for listening to me. -- This e-mail was sent from a contact form on Lucys Pools (lucyspools.com) Reply Forward Lucy Innuso Dec 11 (5 days ago) to William Hi William, For some reason, I could not pull up your message off of KZbin. So I'm glad you chose this way to message me. 1- Many heaters are cut out or stolen while the property is vacant...scoundrels remove the heat exchange to get a measly $80.00. It's a rampant problem here in Vegas. Many realtors do not advertise that there is a pool because of this. 2- A System 3 filter is a good filter. However, if the pump is 1 or 11/2 hp, the pressure is not going to be significant. It's not really a problem...better to have low pressure reading with a larger filter, than high pressure with a small filter. 3- Once a pool has begun chalking and peeling, either you have to high-pressure wash it or sandblast the surface. I kind of agree with your builder friend that the pool needs re-plastering, etc. If you contact a few plaster companies now, during the off season, you may get some great deals. On my website I have a number for Adams Plaster Company. I like them because during the recession, they lowered their prices in order to keep their guys employed. Other companies laid off a bunch of workers. Loyalty means a lot to me. Plus, they do great work. 4- As far as the cracks...you have to look around to see if there are trees or palms that are causing the cracks. Even a neighbor's pine tree roots will reach to your pool. If you don't take care of the source of the problem, it will come back to haunt you. 5-Bottom line...I'd go ahead and get some estimates and get the job done right. Be sure you check the companies with the Contractor's Board in your area. (The BBB is not really the best resource). You will be saving yourselves future headaches and problems. At the minimum, most plaster companies have a five year warranty on their least expensive plaster. If you divide that up compared to the money and time you would spend over the next five years, it seems worth the price to have the pro's come in and do the job. 6-Just be sure they CHIP OUT the old plaster...do not go with a company that sandblasts. They may save you a few hundred dollars, but it is not worth it in the long run. Good luck. If you feel like it, please let me know how things work out. All the best, Lucy -- This e-mail was sent from a contact form on Lucys Pools (lucyspools.com) Reply Forward Click here to Reply or Forward

[@russellwinters1803]

Thanks for the video Lucy one question.. What if the pool you are showing was a salt water pool ?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Hey Russell- Good question. I would probably wait a couple of weeks to get all the other chemicals balanced, and to allow the plaster to cure. In the meantime, you can use granular chlorine. It won't effect the salt system and will burn off eventually. Be sure to use the salt crystals and not the pellets. And always disconnect the cell's power when adding the salt. Re-connect it when the salt has reached manufacturer's suggested reading. I will be posting a video very soon explaining salt cell systems. Thanks for watching, Lucy

[@skiboyscuba]

How to you go about finding some one to do the start up since if plaster company doesn't do it ??

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

skiboyscuba If you don't feel confident doing the start up yourself (or don't have the time), I'd suggest asking the plaster company who they would recommend. The benefit of that is the plaster company would be more likely to warranty any mishaps, since they recommended the company. But get everything in writing! Starting up a newly plastered pool is not difficult, just time consuming. I believe I have a PDF on starting up a newly plastered pool...if not, I will get to that asap. Too much to explain here, but seriously, it would save you a couple hundred dollars. I'll look through my website to see if I have the PDF. Lucy P.S. Click on the description box...I recommend products I use in start ups. Main thing...NEVER use liquid chlorine until about six months after a newly plastered pool.

[@mmered8299]

Some plastering companies chip out the old plaster and some companies don't. They "bond coat" the old plaster and then put new plaster on top of old. Which is better? And why the difference?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Another great question. In my opinion, and my experience out in the field, the chip-out is far superior. I have done start-ups on both so I am familiar with the finished result. I went to one pool that the home owner chose to go with the sandblast and 'bond coat'. Within one week small cracks were visible on the steps and benches. The company tried to blame the home owner, me, the neighbor's dog...anyone within shouting distance. They claimed if the pool was brushed enough the new plaster would fill the cracks. Bottom line, and I know I'm going to piss off the companies that don't chip-out, you get a thicker layer of new plaster with a chip-out. Again, it's based on my experience (my brother had a pool building company so I've been around this a lot). Thanks for watching, Lucy

[@skiboyscuba]

I'm looking for plaster mix ratios on white plaster.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

+skiboyscuba 50% marble plaster/50% Portland White Plaster

[@edwardgardner381]

Lucy, what do you do in the area of rust/ re-bar coming through. Do you have to grind the rust off, bring it back to bare metal?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Hi Edward, There are a couple of ways to deal with re-bar. You can chip around and underneath it so that there is about 1 inch space, then pound it down with a hammer. But you still have to use a primer before you patch. The other way is to chip around the re-bar, then cut it out using a grinder with a cutting wheel. You still have to either use a primer on the exposed re-bar, or what I prefer, there is a product called E-Z PATCH 7. It is specifically created for sealing rebar before patching. There are very clear instructions on the back explaining how to use it. Either way, if you don't use some kind of sealer, the rust will find its way through the plaster. Hope this helps, Lucy

[@mmered8299]

Lucy, who fixes your waterfalls in town? Repairs and repaints.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

It depends on a couple factors...is the waterfall real rock or the fake material? Is the problem in the plumbing or structural? Repaint sounds like it's the fake rock material. Let me know and I will scrounge around for the company I've used. Some will re-stain and some will paint. Depends on your original surface. And can be expensive. It will help if you can take a picture. My email address is [e-mail] if that's easier. Lucy (In "My town"? Do you live in Las Vegas?)

[@MrDboydeluxe]

after how any days can you start using small doses of liquid chlorine?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Sorry. I was having a hip replacement four months ago. I don't add liquid chlorine for at least a few months. But absolutely be sure that Protect-All Supreme and the Stain Off are in the water to prevent stains. Again, so very sorry.

[@crystalboucher2742]

Lucy, we bought a place that has an empty pool and it has crusty hard scale over the entire surface on top of the plaster and we are getting ready to re-plaster it how do I get that scale off, it chips off like really thin pieces of cement. I'm thinking it's calcium.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

+Crystal Boucher Hi Crystal, If you're going to get the pool re-plastered then you shouldn't have to do anything to remove the calcium deposits. The Plaster company should chip out the plaster.

[@agartifex]

Amazing video Lucy, thank you!

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write. Glad you enjoyed it, Lucy

[@nramos137]

lucy, I live in dallas ft worth, i have a inground play pool it's only 5' deep and holds 10,000 gallons. what is a fair estimate to replaster the pool? Also, mine has white plaster. my buddy has a pool and is a real pretty blue, is it paint or is it mixed in with the plaster? finally, do you recommend painting the pool or just keep it white? Thank you,

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

It's impossible to say what the price in your area would be. I do know that most plaster companies set a minimum, e.g. they would not start a job for less than $2,500.00. Also, access to the pool will contribute to the final price calculations. In a situation like yours, average cost could range from $3,500 to 6,000...again depending on many variables. Re your friend: sometimes pools are blue because of copper being pulled from the heater exchange corrosion (not a good thing). You'd have to ask him if there is a colored aggregate in the plaster. If color is a result of copper, he may have to drain and acid wash the pool. I have 2 videos. I think the "How to Acid Wash a Colored Plaster Pool" is the better one for that situation. Finally, I really don't recommend painting a pool. Most new plaster jobs come with a 5-10 year warranty depending on the type of plaster. Paint is touch and go because the chemicals and hard water can eat at the paint. I prefer either white plaster or white with a soft blue aggregate. But that's just me. Hope this helps. Lucy

[@newsaboutyou5252]

how do you repair the rust coming through?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

+news aboutyou There are two ways to deal with rebar coming through. You can chip the plaster away then cut it out with a metal cutting blade; or you can chip the plaster away, chip out about one inch behind the rebar, then use a hammer to pound down the rebar so it's about 3/4 from surface of plaster. THEN, and this is very important, you need to add a primer before you patch the area. There is a product called Plaster Patch #7. You can buy this from a pool store, or I'll see if I can find it on Amazon (I have a link to Amazon on my website www.lucyspools.com) The other thing you can use is a spray primer (like from Rust-O-Leum) (sp?). If you don't use a primer the rust will seep through the patched area and will be visible in a short period. If you do cut the rebar out though, be careful to cover the surrounding area with plastic because the metal specks will get all over the place and create rust specks. If that happens, doing a light acid wash will remove the specks. (Plaster Patch #1 can be used as the patch, if the area isn't too big. Or you can buy Portland Cement and marble powder 1/2 & 1/2 then mix with acrylic to harden it up if the area is very large). I know this is a lot of information. I hope to do a video on this subject one day. Good luck! Lucy

[@DCruzful]

Hi. I like to patch up my swimming pool. what kind of product do I purchase to plaster it?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

+David Cruz It really depends on the patch. If the area is small, there are patch products ready made at any pool store, or I'll see if I can find something on Amazon (which at this point I have a link from my website www.lucyspools.com) If the area is larger, I use 50% Portland White Cement and 50% white marble powder. I mix it with an acrylic which helps it bond to existing plaster and makes it stronger than using plain water. But it sets up quickly, so mix small portions at a time. If the area is shallow it may not be deep enough to patch. I've found that lightly sanding the area to smooth it out is sufficient and will last longer. I hope this helps, Lucy

[@newsaboutyou5252]

so what do you do if there is rust coming through in several areas?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

+news aboutyou I know this was awhile back but I may be releasing a video about how to patch with rebar coming through. If you are a subscriber (it's free) then you'll be informed when the video is uploaded. Thanks, Lucy

[@MRSALINAS1979]

mexicans doing the Hard work

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Si, los mexicanos se trabajan mejor y son buenas personas. Gracias por tus comentarios. ATT, Lucy

[@crystalboucher2742]

your video is really fuzzy, can't hardly see the pool surface.

[@crystalboucher2742]

+Crystal Boucher oh I saw it better as the video went on, great demonstration.

[@elpecador6630]

and my raza gets paid shit while Lucy makes the feria cuz she's the contractor .......

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

You obviously don't know merda. The clients hired the company directly. Because I appreciate and respect people of your "raza" and the guys that work at Adams, they were happy to allow me to video them. Don't jump to conclusions about all white people. I'm obviously in the trenches and under the sun with "your people", Humberto. I appreciate your anger, but don't direct it at me. Paz, Lucy