Our experience - we used to drain our pool every year due to hard water issues. We would refill the same day, which took 24 hours to fill. Always did it in the early spring here in Las Vegas. 6 years ago we drained it and left it empty for 5 days, then refilled it. Within a week we noticed delamination of the plain white plaster in many areas that got a lot of sun, not down to gunite, but rough areas where part of the plaster fell off. We lived with it for a year and resurfaced the pool with a mini pebble. Haven't drained it since, but due for this year and we will refill immediately. Barb

Try posting in the Pools and Spas forum for more specifically directed responses :-) Not really a landscape design issue.........

My white pool ( plaster finish ) in my previous home looked blue, the perimeter tile was cobalt. The Pebble tec in my present home is a very light blue, the water appears light aqua. I dislike garish unnatural looking blues in pools & im afraid the sample pictured is a “no go”.

The quartz based finishes will last longer compared to a traditional plaster finish. The term "pebble" finish covers a broad spectrum of finishes from companies. Companies such as Diamond Brite and Hydrazzo (CL Industries) make their products in batches, pre-mixed. The contractor essentially adds water and is good to go. This ensures color consistency from mix to mix. Sounds simple but..... All plaster finishes though are subjective to longevity based on proper prepping, the application, the startup and the after care. A proper, chemically treated pool with a finish like this, will yield 12+ years before re-surfacing is required. Most plaster failures and short life spans, are due to improper water chemical balance.