DIY pool plastering (main works, types of mixtures)

Plastering is an essential step in creating that flawless finish when transforming your pool into a gorgeous haven—a rewarding do-it-yourself project. Gaining a basic understanding of pool plastering can help you complete the task correctly, regardless of whether you’re building a new pool or remodeling an existing one. This tutorial will walk you through the major tasks and introduce you to the various plaster mixture options for your swimming pool.

Let’s start by discussing the preparation. Applying the new plaster is crucial before you begin plastering.

Plaster mixtures come in a variety of forms, each with unique advantages. The most popular kind is classic white plaster, which has a smooth, timeless appearance. Quartz plaster is a great option for those looking for something more durable, as it offers a sparkling finish along with enhanced strength. Made from tiny pebbles, pebble plaster has a textured, organic appearance and is very resistant to stains and chemicals.

To ensure a smooth and even coat, you must apply the plaster quickly and efficiently. Since the plaster must be applied and troweled before it sets, this typically requires teamwork. It is imperative to use appropriate technique and timing to prevent any flaws or weak areas in the newly installed pool surface.

You can take on this do-it-yourself project with confidence and produce results that look professional if you grasp these essential pool plastering concepts. A well-plastered pool can bring years of enjoyment and add a substantial amount of value to your home, regardless of whether you go for classic white plaster, robust quartz, or natural pebble finishes.

Main Works Types of Mixtures
Surface Preparation Standard Plaster Mix
Mixing Plaster Waterproof Plaster Mix
Applying Base Coat High-Strength Plaster Mix
Applying Finish Coat Fiber-Reinforced Plaster Mix
Curing the Plaster Quick-Dry Plaster Mix

Main works on finishing the pool with your own hands

In order to give the base its waterproof qualities, leveling the walls and bottom is required after installing the pool bowl. Decorative finishing is also required.

  • cleaning the base from dust, grease stains;
  • sealing cracks, inter-tile joints;
  • priming surfaces;
  • plastering;
  • creation of an additional waterproofing layer in the bowl;
  • decorative finishing of the tank (polyvinyl chloride tint film, ceramics, etc.). d.);
  • installation of special equipment.

How to provide protection of the pool from moisture

When a concrete or brick bowl is exposed to moisture without being protected from it, rust develops on the metal reinforcement, diminishing the structure’s ability to support weight. The pool’s service life will shorten. Use special putties, plasters, and other materials with water-resistant qualities to protect the floor, the structure’s walls, and the room’s panels.

The base’s operational characteristics are taken into consideration when choosing the coating. Waterproofing mixtures with a wet mode of use are advised for wall panels and ceilings, but not for bowls.

Purpose of the plaster layer for pools

  • creation of a monolithic, smooth base with a uniform texture;
  • preparation of the bowl for finishing;
  • creation of additional protection of structures located on the site from freezing and defrosting;
  • isolating the base material of the bowl from moisture penetration and corrosion of reinforcement elements in reinforced concrete.

Types of used water-resistant plasters

Choose the plaster for the pool based on factors such as the intended use, ease of installation, bowl material characteristics, local climate, and others. Separate plaster compositions are chosen for the room’s walls and the swimming pool tank. The bases (binding elements), fillers, and modifying additives used in plasters vary.

  • mineral (cement, lime, etc. d.);
  • acrylic (the binding component is acrylic resins);
  • silicate (based on liquid glass);
  • silicone (based on organosilicon polymer components);
  • polymer-cement;
  • asphalt.
  • facade;
  • frost-resistant;
  • weather-resistant;
  • increased strength;
  • for internal processing;
  • universal use.

  • for preparing the base (rough or standard);
  • for decorative work at the finishing stage;
  • for special functions.

Waterproofing plasters for the pool

  • hydrophobic;
  • waterproof.

Increased density is a characteristic of waterproofing compounds that prevents moisture seepage. Aluminum oxide, sodium aluminate, and ceresite—components that rectify surface deformations—are added to the composition to provide density. Another component of the plaster composition is liquid glass.

Compounds that are hydrophobic exhibit moisture-repellent properties; Cemmix CemAqua is one such product. For swimming pools, experts recommend using bulk hydrophobic plaster compositions because surface action mixtures wear down quickly and need to be repaired frequently.

It is advised to employ both surface and volumetric action hydrophobization techniques for the best possible base protection.

  • Barallastik;
  • Bauta;
  • Consolit 540;
  • Gidrolast;
  • Ceresit;
  • Koverkol.

Moisture-resistant plaster for pool walls

Plaster mixtures that allow air to pass through and have water-repellent qualities are used to finish the surface of the room where the pool is installed. Water-resistant plaster keeps the room’s microclimate steady by preventing moisture damage to the walls and allowing air to flow through.

Cement plaster mortars, either homemade or purchased from manufacturers, are used for leveling.

  • for concrete – Azolit VS;
  • for bases made of stone blocks or bricks — EC mixture;
  • for different types of bases, universal Ceresit CR 65 is used.

For decorative finishing or base leveling, moisture-resistant plaster mixtures with additional polymer components are utilized. Dufa Kratzputz with acrylic and resins is advised to remove unevenness.

Cement powder, polymers, and microcement are ingredients in Stuc granito plaster mixtures, which are used as decorative coatings. These compositions, which are created with an enhanced process, stand out for their excellent resistance to wear and moisture, durability, and even suitability for ceramic tiles. When applied in a layer of three millimeters or more, microcement finishing takes on properties that make it resistant to moisture.

Self-made solution

  1. A ceresit composition is prepared from settled water and ceresit in a ratio of 10:1.
  2. The resulting emulsion is mixed with a composition of cement and sand in a ratio of about 1:1 – 1:3.
  3. The solution is mixed and used for 30 minutes.
  4. The total thickness of the plaster is from 20 mm.

  1. Liquid glass (1 part) is dissolved in water (10 parts).
  2. The mixture is added to the prepared cement-sand mortar.
  3. The composition hardens quickly, so it is prepared in small portions.
  4. With a solution with liquid glass, you can correct cracks and crevices from the inside, make the plastered base waterproof.

Tools and devices

  • trowel;
  • trowel;
  • a set of spatulas of different sizes and shapes;
  • grater;
  • brushes;
  • ladle;
  • rule;
  • building level;
  • rollers;
  • measuring tape;
  • plumb line;
  • construction mixer;
  • beacons and planks;
  • rags;
  • containers.

Protective gear against construction dust is needed when plastering (special glasses, respirator, gloves).

Preparing a plaster mix for a concrete pool

Before the work is completed, the solution is prepared. Large tubs are required for mixing. Water is preheated and then filled with powdered materials. A construction mixer is used to combine the composition. The composition instructions specify the water-to-mixture ratio and the final stages.

To a solution that is too thick, you can add water. Following mixing, the mixture is allowed to settle for one to fifteen minutes before the process is repeated. Prior to plastering the pool, ready-made compositions are combined to disperse the particles uniformly throughout the final mass.

Making your own pool plaster by hand can be a satisfying project that turns your backyard into a private haven. The plaster mixture must be applied, surface preparation must be done, and a smooth, even finish must be achieved. Plaster mixtures come in various varieties, each with their own durability and aesthetic appeal. Traditional white plaster, quartz, and pebble finishes are a few examples. You can improve your outdoor space with a pool surface that looks professional with the correct supplies, equipment, and patience.

How to plaster a pool, walls and floor of the bowl using technology

Establishing a solid bond between the waterproof layer and the concrete base is crucial when plastering.

  • manual application of plaster with preliminary reinforcement;
  • Purrender by fragmentation.

Manual application with reinforcement

The technology enables the reinforcing net to be initially fixed, improving the adhesion properties. One advantage of the approach is its straightforward technology for applying plaster and finishing work. Nonetheless, the requirement to stop rust from developing on the reinforcing grid is taken into consideration when the pool’s base is specially processed.

With extended use, the plaster layer can be removed, allowing water to enter the reinforcement and repairing the basin’s base in the process.

  1. Preparation of the walls and bottom of the pool bowl, cleaning of dust, fat pollution.
  2. If necessary, the old decorative decoration, paint, mold, etc. D.
  3. In brick bases, the seams deepen by 1 cm.
  4. Concrete bowls of the pool are covered with notes to increase adhesion. Cracks are corrected with putty, protrusions are cleaned off
  5. After washing and drying the pool bowl, a primer layer is applied.
  6. After the soil dries, a reinforcing mesh is attached to the pool walls and bottom using dowels or other fasteners. Fasteners are placed along the perimeter of the mesh with a gap of up to 50 cm.
  7. Beacons are installed.
  8. The plaster solution is mixed.
  9. The plaster mixture is applied using the splash and single-layer coating methods.
  10. The plaster layer is leveled along the beacons using a rule.
  11. After the mixture dries, the beacons are removed, the openings are covered with mortar.
  12. The surfaces are leveled with a spatula.
  13. The plaster coating dries within 24 hours. After this, the surface is primed, dried, rubbed.
  14. The plaster coating dries within 1-2 days.

Plastering the pool bowl with mortar using the gunning method

The surface of the pool bowl is coated with an adhesive plaster coating that has improved adhesion when using gunite technology. The solution is delivered mechanically, under pressure, from a cement cannon. The coating gets stronger over time. The technology’s benefit is that there are no metal components to cause corrosion. This kind of pool cover is stronger and more dependable. The intricate execution technology is a drawback. Plastering the walls comes first, followed by the pool’s bottom.

The components of the solution are mixed in a container designed specifically for that purpose. By adding mineral components (ceresite, etc.), you can make the plaster mortar more water resistant. d.).

The pool surfaces are wetted prior to the plaster layer being applied. Spraying is done at a distance of between 70 and 90 centimeters. The thickness of the first layer should be 15 mm, and the next 8 to 10 mm. After a day of resistance, the first coating is moistened and then the second is applied on top. It takes ten days to regularly wet the plaster coating to stop shrinkage cracks from forming. There is a film or tarpaulin covering the moistened layer.

Putting in your own pool plastering can be a satisfying project that gives you a sense of accomplishment and improves the backyard’s aesthetic appeal. Preparing the pool surface, combining the plaster, and evenly applying it are the main tasks in the process. To guarantee a smooth application and durable finish, it’s critical to make sure the surface is clean and clear of debris.

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to selecting the proper plaster mixture. Because of its timeless appearance and reasonable price, traditional white plaster is a popular option. But there are also more contemporary options, such as finishes made of pebbles, quartz, and colored plaster. It is crucial to select the type that best fits your needs in terms of both price and aesthetics, as each has special advantages.

Plastering is a skillful and patient process, but with the right tools and a little practice, many do-it-yourselfers can complete the job successfully. Always remember to take all necessary safety precautions, such as working in an area with adequate ventilation and wearing protective gear. Applying the plaster evenly and taking your time will produce a stunning, long-lasting finish that will improve your pool for many years to come.

In the end, DIY pool plastering is a craft that blends artistry and ingenuity. You can turn your pool into a gorgeous haven by choosing the appropriate plaster type and being aware of the major tasks involved. When you see the final result of plastering your pool, the effort you put in will be well worth it, regardless of whether you go for a more intricate design or a plain white finish.

Video on the topic

Plastering the Pool Bowl – Do It Yourself. Plastering the Pool Walls – Technology, Materials

Plastering the Pool Bowl. Pool Plus

Plastering the Pool With Your Own Hands. Plastering the Walls of a Concrete Pool Bowl – Technology and Materials

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Andrey Ivanov

Experienced civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience. Specializing in the construction of industrial and civil facilities. Author of many publications in professional journals.

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