Is the interior of your swimming pool looking scary? Did you know there are 3 standard interior pool finishes (plaster, quartz, and exposed pebble aggregate finishes), 4 if you include "all tile" which is the least common of all interiors given their cost can be in upwards of four to five times the cost of the others. Many consumers often ask the question which interior finish is right for them. The correct answer varies based on that individual's needs and goals. The experts share tips to help educate you on the three most common types of pool finishes along and with the maintenance requirements to help protect the interior of your pool for many years of enjoyment.

Plaster

Plaster is comprised of pool sand and white cement. Almost 20 years ago asbestos was also a commonly used additive in ALL plaster mixes. However, the EPA ruled that asbestos should be removed from the plaster, because it was carcinogenic. It was exactly asbestos what gave plaster its durability and strength. Modern, asbestos-free plaster lasts only about 3 to 5 years.

• Plaster remains, however, the cheapest product on the market to resurface a concrete swimming pool with. We advise this option to clients that don't want to "break the bank" on re surfacing their swimming pool because they won't be in the home longer than a few years. quartz is a slightly more durable product than the standard plaster of today. However it gets its durability and strength from the addition of quartz (which by the way is a very hard and durable mineral).

Quartz

Quartz interior is recommended for the homeowner who believes he/she will be in the home longer than 5 years but not as long as 10 years.

• We often refer to quartz as a middle grade product.
• Although it is more durable than plaster, without the addition of asbestos it too is substandard in comparison to the plaster/quartz compounds of the past.
• A well maintained quartz finish can have a life expectancy of about 7 to 10 years.

Exposed Pebble Aggregate

• These finishes are largely made up of real stone and pebbles that have been refined to make them smoother so they may be installed in concrete swimming pool applications.
• The exposed aggregate series is the most popular pool resurfacing product. This pool finish is characterized by its durability and attractiveness. The aggregates are available in a variety of unique, eye-catching colors.
• The exposed aggregate pebble finishes are the strongest and last the longest.
• A well maintained exposed aggregate pebble finish can expect to last in upwards of 15 plus years. This is typically the choice homeowners will make if they are pretty set on not moving for a long time and or simply want to add the most value to their home.

Remember, regardless of what finish you decide we recommend that you check your water's chemistry once a week and brush swimming pool once a week as well. It is a good idea to take a sample of your water in to a local testing facility/pool supply store to test your water and gauge your efforts. Keep in mind now that asbestos is NOT incorporated into these interior compounds they are not as forgiving as they once were.

Some signs that might indicate you are due for a new interior re- surface include:

1) Excessive roughness in texture/finish that is NOT reversible by improving water chemistry or acid washing.

2) Multiple rust spots where re bar has exposed itself and is now highly visible through interior surface (Three or more is considered excessive).

3) Cracking, delamination, excessive calcium nodules or highly disfigured interior surface. Although these are all "tell tell" signs that might indicate a new interior surface please consult with a licensed expert to confirm.

Customers often believe that the winter time is the cheapest or most cost effective time of year to get their swimming pool worked on. In fact, it is usually more expensive and NOT cheaper due to supply and demand across the industry.

There are two main reasons:

• Arizona winter visitors all start returning home from back East or up North.
• Lots of people who want their pools and backyards looking good for the holidays. Keep in mind tax season is in January and people sometimes have to wait on a tax return before they can start a project.

Generally speaking the most cost effective time of year to initiate a swimming remodel would be in the hottest part of the year (June, July and August).

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