Over time, the surface of your pool gets exposed to various chemicals and weather elements, which can eat away at it. This can result in costly repairs or the need to resurface an inground pool. Resurfacing is a major project. You can either hire a professional to do it for you or take it on yourself – but only with a lot of planning and preparation. The following are the steps you need to take to resurface your inground pool.
Prepare The Pool Area
Determine your budget
The average cost for surfacing an inground pool is about $6 per square foot. To get a rough estimate of how much your resurfacing project is going to cost take the total square footage of the pool and then multiply it by 6. Some longer-lasting surface materials such as tile or fiberglass might cost more. Also, this estimate is only for the cost of your basic materials.
Clear off the surrounding area
Remove patio furniture, accessories and other items from the pool area. A lot of debris and dust tends to be spread during a pool resurfacing project, so you should clear away anything from the immediate pool area. Also, tape down drop cloths or tarps around the pool’s perimeter.
Drain and Strip the Pool
Drain your pool
Switch the central pump system of your pool over to either the “backwash” or “drain” setting. Or a submersible pump can be used to cycle water out of your pool. A submersible pumps is a pump that is placed in the water and stays submerged. This type of pump is usually used in ponds and other bodies of water. The water from the pond is pulled into the pump and is then pumped out to the desired location. The pump is usually controlled by a timer or a controller.
Direct the water to runoff someplace where it won’t cause a flood.
You cannot begin the resurfacing process until your pool is completely empty. Depending on how large your pool is, draining it might take several hours.
Repair or patch serious damage
Examine the inside part of your pool, and look for signs of deterioration such as blisters, crumbling, and cracks. Those kinds of marks might indicate that there are problems with the inground foundation or plumbing of the pool. General wear is something you don’t need to worry about too much since surfacing your pool will fix minor cosmetic imperfections.
For example, a slow leak might be due to the bottom of your pool having a deep crack in it.
If your pool looks like it has any major damage call a pool contractor to have them assess the damage and condition of your pool.
Clean the surface of the pool
Remove larger pieces of debris by hand such as stones, leaves, and twigs. Then use a pressure washer to clean the inside of your pool in order to remove mineral and chemical deposits, stubborn stains, and algae. Even if you plan to resurface your entire pool, cleaning it thoroughly first is an absolute must. Even small traces of debris or dirt can potential ruin the ability of the new surface material to properly set up.
Strip away the existing material
Composite, fiberglass, and plaster finishes either need to be sandblasted or chiseled away down to the underlying concrete to provide the new material with a better hold. Focus on a small area of the surface of the pool at a time. The nozzle on the sandblaster should be moved up and down in order to eat away at the lining. It will usually take 1-3 days for the striping process. Make sure to wear the correct safety equipment.
Dispose of stripped material
Take a wet/dry vacuum and use it to suction up the debris and dust around and inside the pool. Remove the drop cloths or tarps to spray them off.
Select And Apply Your Surfacing Material
These days, there are many different options that are available for pool owners to choose from.
Apply a Basic Surface Material
For a majority of standard or small inground pool, a basic fiberglass or plaster finish will be the most practical option, since they aren’t too hard to install and are readily available. Also, they have a tendency to be the most affordable.
Plaster doesn’t have a tendency to last as long as composite or synthetic materials, so most likely will have to be replaced more often.
Apply a long-lasting finish
For a high-end pool, you can use a long-lasting finish such as ceramic tile, quartz, or pebble concrete for an impressive appearance. Those kinds of materials provide your pool with a durable lining that is also resistant to chemical-related damage, stains, and algae.
Apply epoxy paint
Roll on an epoxy primer that is pool specific from one end of your pool to the other. After the primer has dried, roll on 3 to 4 coats of a topcoat epoxy. A brush should be used to touch up the spots that are difficult to reach. Between coats, lightly sand the epoxy to make sure the next coat sticks. An increasing number of pool owners are choosing epoxy finishes since they are durable, inexpensive, provide a strong seal, and can easily be reapplied in the future.
Apply plaster
Mix water and dry plaster together into a large tub or drum until it has a smooth, thick consistency. Use a trowel to spread the plaster across the pool’s entire surface. Make sure you don’t have inconsistencies in thickness or leave any gaps.
Apply multiple coats of fiberglass
Use a sprayer or paint roller to apply a thin seal coat to the floor and walls of the pool. Spray a resin coat over the top. Next roll and said the fiberglass layers to smooth them out and leave to cure.
Let Your New Surface Dry
No matter which material you used to resurface your inground pool with, it will take time for it to set up. Usually, basic epoxy paint dries overnight or in a few hours. Fiberglass and plaster can take several days to completely cure.
Thoroughly Inspect Your Pool
Both the inside and outside of the pool should be inspect. Double check to ensure that all of the lighting elements and plumbing fixtures are sealed properly before adding water. It is the last chance you have to handle things like touching bare spots up or sanding that might have been initially missed, to prevent leaks, which can be quite expensive to repair and require you to re-drain your pool.
Refill Your Pool
After the new surface material has dried thoroughly and you have completed your inspection, fill you pool with water. Then add the proper proportions of salt or chlorine to balance the pH level of the water. You can then start enjoying your resurfaced pool!
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