Blue Escapes Pool & Spa Blog

Which Swimming Pool Plaster Type To Choose Standard, Quartz, Pebble

  

  

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The type of swimming pool plaster you choose should be based on your long term goals & budget. The following describes each type of plaster along with its advantages & disadvantages.

1. Standard white or colored plaster.White portland cement & crushed marble. May be dyed or use black sand in place of marble. May add 60% quartz or Meta Max acrylic add mix to increase durability.

Basic White Plaster Below

60% Blue Quartz Below

Advantages:

• Low cost
• Easy to install
• Smooth finish

Disadvantages:

• Short life span, 5-7 years average. 7-10 with Meta Max
• Stains easily
• Colored plaster mottles easily (Streaks)
• 3 year warranty, 5 years with Meta Max

2. 100% Quartz plaster. premixed bagged plaster of cement, powdered dye, colored quartz. Common names are DiamondBrite, Sunstone, Designer Series, Quartz Scapes.

Quartz Scapes - Aruba Sky Below

Sunstone Midnight Blue Below

Advantages:

• Extremely durable, minimum 10-15 years
• 10 year warranty in most cases
• Variety of styles & colors
• Stain & fade resistant
• Customizable colors

Disadvantages:

• 60%-100% higher cost
• Semi-rough finish like sandpaper
• Difficult to start up to get even color

3. Pebble plaster finish. Premixed plaster of cement, powdered dye, various colored stones Common names Stonescapes, River Rok, Pebble Tec.

Stones Scapes Regular Pebble Carribean Blue

Stone Scapes Mini-Pebble Midnight Blue below.

Advantages:

• Extremely durable, minimum 15-25 years
• 10 year warranty in most cases
• Variety of styles & colors
• Stain & fade resistant

Disadvantages:

• 80%-140% higher cost
• Rough finish like aggregate deck but 50% smaller stones

Please be aware there are many knock-offs of the name brand plaster upgrades. The plaster companies are mixing their own materials to reduce costs. We have found in most cases these knock-offs are inferior to the name brand products even though the warranty may be the same. The main issue we have found is that the colors tend to fade more easily.

WINTERIZING PROCEDURE - POWER OUTAGE / FROZEN POOL

  

  

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NOTE:  The main goal is to reduce the possibility of freeze damage by draining all the water out of your pool equipment. The water will equalize back to ground level where the underground pipes are more insulated.

1. Turn “OFF” the pool equipment at cut off switch or circuit breaker.

2. Open the air bleed valve on top of the filter as well as the drain plug at the bottom of the filter tank.

3. Remove winterizing drain plug(s) on heater header(s). Be sure to remove plugs on both ends of heater if applicable. Note there is usually an inspection plate that must be removed for rear headers.

4. Remove drain plugs on bottom of every auxiliary pump in your system to drain water from basket and impeller cavity. Most pumps have 2 drain plugs.
   

5. Open all suction and return valves – unless your equipment is below pool water level (in that case, keep them closed).

6. Loosen lid on automatic chlorinator.This will allow water to siphon from the cylinder.
   

7. Place a plastic container (such as an empty gallon milk container) in each skimmer – this can be weighted down with pea gravel or 1/3 full of water. If ice forms in the skimmer, the container will allow for expansion, helping to prevent freeze damage to simmer can.

8. Remove drain plug on pool cleaner pump.

9. BACKWASH VALVE:  If you have a push/pull type, place the handle in the backwash position.  If you have a multi-port type, depress the handle and rotate it so the pointer on handle is between any two of the marked settings.

10. Cover equipment (or build a “tent” around the system) to protect it from cold and add a heat source. You may use a tarp or drop cloth found at any Home Improvement Store

All About Salt Water Pools

  

  

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It can be complicated deciding which pool is best for your family. Many questions revolve around salt-water pools or chlorine free pools. Salt-water pools are NOT chlorine free pools. A salt-water pool is simply one that utilizes a chlorine generator. Chlorine generators have been around for decades. As technology and materials continue to evolve, chlorine generators continue to improve in performance.

Why Salt-Water?

Ocean water has a salt content of around 35,000 parts per million ("ppm"). Humans have a salt taste threshold of around 3,500 ppm. Most chlorine generators require a salt content of 2500 - 6000 ppm in the pool. A unit that needs less than 3500 ppm to operate effectively is optimal. If the salt content is higher, that warm, salty water will be pretty distasteful!

Swimming in a mild saline solution is much like taking a shower in soft water. Generally, when people swim in a non-chlorine generator pool (a pool with no salt water in it) they feel like their skin dries quicker upon exiting the pool. They may feel and/or see a whitish residual, chlorine flaking, on the skin. In a salt-water pool (one with a chlorine generator) the water feels smooth, your skin feels smooth and many people feel more refreshed.

What Does a Chlorine Generator Do?

A chlorine generator's main function is to produce chlorine for the pool so you do not have to buy it, store it or handle it. These are big advantages for many pool owners. Chlorine generators, when functioning correctly, produce chlorine constantly (when the pump is running) with most units. This keeps a residual of chlorine in the pool that prevents algae from growing. The secret is keeping the cell free of calcium and mineral deposits--the cell itself is made up of precious metals-it must be maintained so it can continue to make chlorine.

Through the process of electrolysis, water passing over the chlorine generator cell produces chlorine that is instantaneously transformed into Hypochlorous acid. When any type of chlorine is added to water it ALL makes the SAME thing: Hypochlorous acid. It does not matter if it is Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid chlorine), Tri-chlor and Di-chlor or Lithium based, Cal-hypo or even gas chlorine--it all makes Hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid is the active sanitizer; this is what kills algae and other harmful stuff in the water. Its effectiveness is totally predicated on balanced water conditions and, more importantly, proper pH. So, with a salt water system or chlorine generator, you still must maintain your water balance (pool chemistry) properly. As long as you do this, a chlorine generator is a good choice.

SPECIAL WINTERIZING PROCEDURES FOR FREEZING WEATHER

  

  

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When the air temperature drops below 32F and ice forms on the tile and surface of the pool, freezing water conditions exist. During these conditions, additional steps are necessary.

Run pump and filter continuously. The freeze guard unit will automatically activate the pool pump and keep it running until the temperature rises above freezing. NOTE: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR YOUR FREEZE GUARD TO CUT OFF THE POOL EVEN WHEN IT IS STILL BELOW FREEZING. This occurs when the sun is shining directly on the freeze guard. If this happens, activate the pump manually and remove the trippers so the pump will not turn off.

1. Place plastic containers in the pool to keep the surface from freezing. Break up ice on the pool and spa surface continuously to prevent ice expansion damage. Be careful not to damage pool components while breaking ice. NOTE: Filter pressure gauge will sometimes freeze giving a false reading that the pool needs to be backwashed. Never backwash filter during freezing conditions.
2. Keep skimmers free of ice. The weirs (skimmer doors) also should be kept clear of ice. SUGGESTION: Lower door by hand and place a clean brick on top of the door to allow for free flow of water to pump or carefully remove skimmer doors.
3. Maintain your water at normal levels. Evaporation of water is normal during cold weather. If water gets so low in the pool that the pump is allowed to draw air, it will greatly increase the chances of your equipment freezing and being damaged by ice. SUGGESTION: If outdoor faucets are frozen, connect a garden hose to the water supply in the utility room and fill pool from that source.
4. Maintain valves in normal filtration position for suction and return water to pool and spa.
5. If you run your heater during low freezing conditions, this may cause damage to the heater. Always run your heater with discretion in the winter.
6. Open spigot on backwash line if necessary, or remove sight glass.
7. Turn eyeball fitting in the return jets up towards surface so that it ripples from flow line.