So you're going to drain the pool at the end of every summer? Don't you have any concerns about it being damaged by being empty all winter? What about the possibility of it popping up?

Yeah it'll get damaged for sure. Just trying to minimize it...
No chance of it popping up around here, we're in West Texas... I'm meeting with the PB this monday & am lookin for the strongest, smoothest plaster to have him quote...

Anyone?? Any suggestion will be helpful...

What does being in Texas have to do with it not having a chance about popping up?

We're in "West Texas" & the water Table/ ground water
is DEEP in the earth... I've skated around 100 empty pools
over the past 25 yrs in Midland & Odessa many of which have sat empty for 10+ years & have never seen a pool that has been popped up... Houston, different story I've seen around 10 just last year... Dallas & San Antonio I've seen several as well... we just don't have that problem around here because we're in the desert...
Now if oil seeps up from the hole & pops it up that'd be a different story & more likely as well...haha
I'm just trying to find out as much as possible before
the plaster is applied...

West Texas - sorry.

It's my understanding that a pool is most likely at risk after or as it is being drained. The loss in pressure from the water leaving it can affect the shell. That has nothing to do with where the pool is built or the water table. I'm in a similar climate as you and it is still a concern. With you draining the pool so often I'd definitely look into this when you discuss engineering. You also might want to consider buying pool-popup insurance.

Where I live we have skate parks where they build empty pools (but they are not really pools, but meant for skating). They do not use traditional plaster at all. They use something else. If I were you I'd contact a skate park builder for advice, not just a pool builder. Otherwise you might wind up replastering the thing every year to get it ready for water.

I have a friend who builds pools and skate parks. He is in Florida. Maybe you could ask them a few questions.

B

Here is a link that might be useful: Pools by Libhart

Hardness has nothing to do with it. It's a drying factor on plaster. It drys out and it surface checks, or cracks. Add water and the water permeates the crack and your plaster blisters. Most pools I've seen used as skate parks have no intention of ever being filled again so they function fine but not as pools.

Thanks Bobyoe I'll give him a call...
On the Diamond Brite info it says that it can be drained
without damage unlike regular plaster... Lookin into that..

Diamond Brite is pretty much regular plaster that has had some colored quartz crystals added in place of some of the other aggregate (usually crushed white marble) that would normally be used. I really don't see how this would make it "more drainable" than regular plaster...

It says right here that it is not an additive to regular plaster???

Diamond Brite Exposed Aggregate Pool Finishes...

All you add is the perfect setting. There's more to a great pool finish than meets the eye. A great pool finish is durable, comfortable, easily maintained, and pleasing to the eye. Diamond Brite from SGM is all that and more. Diamond Brite combines natural quartz aggregates. polymer-modified cement and non-fading Diamond quartz in a stunning variety of colors. The result is a unique finish that stands up to the harshest pool environments while providing years of enjoyment.

The lasting beauty and durability of a diamond. Unlike traditional marble-based pool plasters, Diamond Brite is made with natural quartz, one of nature's hardest and purest minerals. Marble aggregates are easily dissolved by pool chemicals causing unsightly etching and rapid deterioration. Diamond Brite's insoluble quartz aggregate is unaffected by the harshest pool chemicals and resists permanent staining. Also, the Diamond Quartz accent colors won't rust, rub off or fade like other colored aggregates because our coating technology produces a tough, permanently bonded colored aggregate. Finally, state-of-the-art polymer modification of Diamond Brite's cement increases hardness, improves bonding and reduces water penetration. All this adds up to a beautiful yet durable pool finish.

Comfort, safety, security.

You'll have an added sense of security knowing that your pool is comfortable and slip resistant. Because SGM selects quartz aggregates that are smaller than pebble surfaces, the surface is comfortable to bather's feet. And in this age of safety consciousness, Diamond Brite is the ideal surface where wet, slippery conditions are a concern.

Relax and enjoy.

In developing Diamond Brite, SGM made ease of maintenance a top priority. The impervious quartz used in Diamond Brite resists stains and etching caused by harsh pool chemicals. And, unlike existing pool plasters, Diamond Brite pools can be drained and cleaned without being damaged. Additionally, the accent colors in Diamond Brite give the surface a variegated appearance, masking the slight imperfections that are readily apparent in traditional finishes.

Versatility

Diamond Brite offers a selection of tranquil colors that are factory blended to perfection. And if you're so inclined, we can even custom blend our premium finish to express a unique poolscape. Diamond Brite can help you achieve an environment of tranquility and beauty, sensible practicality and superior longevity.

Advantages

Diamond Brite quartz aggregate has millions of brilliantly colored quartz granules equaling more durability and lasting color. Diamond Brite invokes the richest quartz color showing all the way through to the bottom of the pool, spa, or fountain. Diamond Brite's colored quartz appearance is enhanced with time.

http://www.guniterepair.com/diamondbrite.html

http://www.reedsconstructionspecialties.com/sgmpf.htm

Why don't you call Diamond Brite and ask them if it can withstand draining and exposure for months at a time and if it can withstand being skated on.

Then call the skate park builder and find out what he uses.

I didn't say that Diamond Brite is an additive to regular plaster.

I said that if you take regular pool plaster, and replace some of the crushed marble with colored quartz crystals, you get Diamond Brite.

You can get a 3M Colorquartz finish, which is where you have to rely on the plaster crew to use the exact same "formula" for each batch of plaster that they mix for your pool.

Or, you can get Diamond Brite, which is a premix of the stuff.

In another thread, I made the comment that a 3M Colorquartz finish is like making a cake "from scratch" using a recipe; and a Diamond Brite finish is like using a boxed cake mix in which one of the ingredients is the 3M quartz crystals.

From what you've copied from the Diamond Brite web site, it appears that they also claim to have added some polymer to the cement to make it stronger than traditional plaster.

I just personally don't think they mean it's strong enough to skateboard on.