My pool was 14 going on 15 years old, and the plaster had lasted all the way for 15 years. I do my own chemicals, and everyone tells me that I must have done my chemicals well because the plaster lasted as long as it did. It was just plain white plaster, the cheapest you could get back then.
Replaster Quotes from Pool Companies
I had some pool companies come out and price the replaster job. The quotes I received ranged from $5,000 to $7,500. One common question I asked all the pool companies was: “When you come out to do the job, will you be with the people actually doing the plastering?” They all said no—they would send a crew, which made me think they were hiring subcontractors to do the work.
Finding a Subcontractor
I decided to bypass the pool builders and was able to locate an actual subcontractor. He was Hispanic, and it was him and four other guys—only one of them spoke English. They came to my house, and as you can see, they installed new diamond pattern tiles.
Choosing the Plaster Finish
I chose a plaster finish they call “Estes.” The sample they gave me had small granules, which help hide stains and add color to the pool. It’s easier to maintain, but it has a bit of texture, so it’s not as smooth as the plain white plaster. It’s fine, but after being in the water, your skin can get a little sensitive.
The Replaster Process
The subcontractors came out and chiseled away the old plaster around the tiles. They also knocked a few holes in the bottom of the pool. Apparently, when you drain all the water, the pool can float up, so they knock holes to prevent that, and then they fill them back in.
Completion Time
The entire job was completed within 48 hours. They applied a primer, let it dry overnight, and then came back the next morning to apply the plaster. I did the startup myself, which wasn’t too hard. You have to brush the pool twice a day (I did it four or five times) until the dust is gone. I added a couple of gallons of muriatic acid to help dissolve the dust while sweeping.
After Three Weeks
It’s been three weeks now. I’ve got the pool equipment running, and the chemicals are perfectly balanced. The pool looks great.
Upgrading to LED Lights
I also upgraded to LED lights, replacing the old halogen light. The LED lights have built-in light shows and are much more brilliant at night. They can even light up my entire backyard, and they switch colors, which is pretty cool. It was also easy to install.
Cost Savings
By going directly to the subcontractor, I was able to get the job done for $3,400. I thought that was a great deal, and even if something goes wrong and I need to have it replastered again, I would still have spent less than what the pool builders were quoting.
Finding Subcontractors on Facebook
I found this subcontractor on Facebook by going to community garage sale pages. If you want to save money, skip the pool builders and go straight to the subcontractor.
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