skip to main content

Plastering or Fiberglass Resurfacing ??

17 years ago

I have a 25'X50' leaking inground concrete pool and thinking of renovating it. I wonder what is the pros and cons of the plastering and Fiberglass resurfacing. I heard nightmare of plaster crack after 3-5 years? Is it true? Any comment is appreciated.

Comments (4)

poolguynj
17 years ago
Depends on your climate. Here in south central NJ, the pools I have seen with the fiberglass resurface have cracked and blistered due to the temp changes and the freeze/thaw cycles we experience. Replastering works better here IMHO.

WRT the leaks, have the causes been determined? Finding them and deciding on the best practical course may impact what gets renovated if that is what you want to do.
khanlee
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for your input. The reason I raised this question is I saw a firm in Delaware claimed they will warranty the fiberglass coating for 35 years, while most of plastering cover for 5 years.
I could not determine the source of the leak, about 6"/day and am tired of keep yearly patching and repainting my pool.
If you can recommend any reputable firm in South Jersey, I would appreciate.
Related Discussions
Diamond Brite vs PebbleFina vs 3M ColorQuartz for Re-surface
Q
Comments (0)
I'm getting bids to resurface my 20+ year old pool and am having a tough time selecting a finish. It's a dated 80's pool/spa combo with tan safety brick coping. I'm hoping to go from "dated" to "classic". I'm planning to swithch the coping out to a used brick bullnose and I'd like to upgrade from standard plaster while retaining the light color.(not necessarily white but, the pool is in the hot sun all day dark pools in my neighborhood get really warm) My kids and their tender feet don't like our neighbors' pebble tec/river rok/gemstone pools. So, I'm honing in on DiamondBrite, 3M Colorquartz and PebbleFina. Honestly though, I'm not clear on the difference. It all sounds like marketing fluff... maybe it is. Can someone help me compare/contrast these materials? In particular, abrasiveness, durability, colorfastness, etc. I'm also curious how it stacks up agains plain old plaster.
...See More
Resurfacing and landscaping
Q
Comments (0)
We've been in our new ( to us) home now about 7 weeks and am proud to say that, never being pool owners, we've done pretty well getting the hang of the chemistry care ( and it was pretty messed up when we moved in). Now, we are getting ready to start getting bids to re plaster ( knew this going into it). Got a few questions.1) I've got 2 good referrals for companies that re plaster, how many bids should I be looking at getting? 2) Is it necessary to replace tiles when re plastering and should I consider it if it's not? The plaster and tile are both original( early 90's), tiles seem to be in decent shape although I was noticing when cleaning them that there are some some holes in the grout in several places 3) I am wanting to start doing some landscaping around the pool and one of the areas I have targeted for this fall is an area about 6ft back from the decking on the far side of the pool. Should I wait or is it safe to do this before getting the work done on the pool? We are planning on starting to get bids in the next few weeks and hoping to knock it out before Thanksgiving. We are in the the Denton area and one of the companies we are planning on getting a bid from is Classic Pools in Grapevine, anyone have any input on them? and we are open to other recommendations.Thanks a bunch! LBF
...See More
3M Color Quartz Pool resurface
Q
Comments (3)
The only luck I've ever had with these finishes was to smack it with acid and dropping the PH bigtime. Then brush brush brush, in a little it'll time come around. Then keep your PH on the low side of mid 7's and ALK at 100 (+-20) and don't let CH go over 300. Schmackmaster is correct, don't trust the samples to gauge your pool finish by. Don't give up on your finish and don't expect anything more from your builder than the drain, acid wash, and diamond buff. Most importantly, you can't determine your pool finish with the pool lights at night. See ya, Kelly
...See More
Resurface gunite pool with fiberglass. Need help
Q
Comments (3)
I strongly agree with golfgeek on this. F/G needs periodic painting, will blister, and never has the shiny, glossy look of a real F/G pool. I have seen many a fly by night F/G company. The main reason for the Fly By Night characterization is the poor, mid and long term durability issues and promises of a life time warranty are pure hogwash. Proper plastering, regardless of what finish you use is a far better choice. There are different cost for different plastering products. On the low end of the scale is plain white plaster and on the high end are the high aggregates such as PT. There are many in between products also. Scott
...See More
poolguynj
17 years ago
If you're losing 6" a day, get the lines pressure tested.
Properly cared for, a freshly plastered pool's finish should be good for about 15 to 20 years. No Painting!

If you have freeze thaw cycles in your area, you will get cracks or blisters in fiberglass coatings. I know of not "new" technology that will prevent it. You will also get delamination (separation) of the coating. The pool's wall will expand and contract at a different rate from the coating causing the coating to come unglued from the wall. This may take some years but I doubt it'll last 35 years. Read the warrenty's terms. Maybe it makes sense for you.
charocfl
16 years ago
Hi, I found a link on Beadcrete that list some spec(s) on their product. You may want to check into it as it did sound promising: http://www.beadcrete.com/pools.html

http://www.beadcrete.com/technical.html
Beadcrete Â® Specifications Technical Specifications and Test Results

Anyone else use this product?

Thanks:
CharOcfl

Here is a link that might be useful: Beadcrete home page.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

GREEN BUILDING Ecofriendly Cool: Insulate With Wool, Cork, Old Denim and More

By Julia Pockett

Learn about the pros and cons of healthier alternatives to fiberglass and foam, and when to consider an insulation switch

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Replaster (or Remodel) Your Pool

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Have an old pool? It could be time to update the plaster, landscaping and more for a pool that works swimmingly with your current style

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Peeling Back Layers in a 1908 Home

By Corynne Pless

Hidden fireplaces, buried hardwood and covered beadboard resurface thanks to a Mississippi couple's DIY efforts

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Pools Overflow With Finish Options

By Katherine Caviness

Move over, plaster: Pebbles, colors and glow-in-the-dark glass are making waves on the pool finish scene

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Natural and Recycled Materials

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Consider sheep’s wool, denim, cork, cellulose and more for an ecofriendly insulation choice

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: From Strictly Traditional to ‘Surf’s Up’

By Jennifer Blaise Kramer

A family of avid surfers transform a shingled Cape Cod–style house into a home inspired by views of enticing waves

BATHROOM DESIGN Water Damage Spawns a Space-Saving Bathroom Remodel

By Mitchell Parker

A game of inches saved this small New York City bathroom from becoming too cramped and limited

REMODELING GUIDES Cool Your House (and Costs) With the Right Insulation

By Buckminster Green LLC

Insulation offers one of the best paybacks on your investment in your house. Here are some types to discuss with your contractor

REMODELING GUIDES Bathroom Workbook: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?

By Mitchell Parker

Learn what features to expect for $3,000 to $100,000-plus, to help you plan your bathroom remodel

MATERIALS Insulation Basics: What to Know About Spray Foam

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn what exactly spray foam is, the pros and cons of using it and why you shouldn’t mess around with installation

Sponsored

12 Reviews

Pittsburgh's Custom Kitchen & Bath Designs for Everyday Living

More Discussions

GLI Sandstone Tan Vinyl Pool Liner

1

where should top soil stop around coping of inground pool?

0

Decking and stairs to pool

1

Weighing the pros and cons of adding a swimming pool.

19

Small Pool Patio Furnishing Ideas

0