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Pebble finishes perform the best!

 pebble acid test

 Pebble finishes are armed to stand up to water chemistry imbalances as well as or better than any finish in the pool industry. It is especially better than standard plaster or 50% quartz finishes.  If that pebble is combined with a high performance patented cement it will be the best. In an acid test where the pebble is submerged in acid, the pebble is completely unaffected. There is no reaction. The acid test is meant to simulate aggressive water in your pool. From that test you can see that a pebble finish is going to perform very well in a pool environment.

Pools with pebble derive their great looks from the differently colored combinations of rounded rock colors and pigments. Abalone and quartz accents can be added to give the finish and even more dramatic look. These finishes are generally the best looking finishes.

Tigers Eye Sandstone Pebble

Pebble finishes do not have surface deterioration issues that standard plaster pools do. They are very durable finishes. When we pass over a pebble finish with our 40,000 psi hydro demo process we do not see the same amount of material wilting under the test we put on it compared to all other finishes.

G&B offers several different types of pebble finishes. We feature what we believe is the best pebble finish on the market. The Micro Fusion combines micro pebbles with a high performance cement for a finish that is among the most durable available. It is the smoothest pebble finish on the market. It has the durability of a pebble without the texture concern some have with pebble finishes.

G&B offers finishes that deserve to be put in our customer’s pools that haven chose us because of our hydro demo prep process. We will only install good quality finishes so that they have nothing but enjoyment with their pool.

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100% Quartz Finish Good Investment

100% quartz, Sparkle Quartz,

100% Quartz Finishes Are Good Investments. Quartz aggregate finishes are armed to stand up to water chemistry imbalances far better than standard plaster or 50% quartz finishes. Especially if the aggregate is 100% quartz. In an acid test where the quartz is submerged in acid, the quartz is completely unaffected. There is no reaction. The acid test is meant to simulate aggressive water in your pool. From that test you can see that a 100% quartz finish is going to perform very well in a pool environment.

100% Quartz, Sparkle Quartz,

G&B has proven the best finishes in the pool industry are either a 100% quartz aggregate or a pebble finish. We have proven that with the use of our 40,000 PSI Water Jetting machine. This is not your typical scientific test. Over the last 5 years we have replastered over 1500 pools with our Hydro Demo Replaster process. We pass over every square inch of the pool surface with up to 40,000 psi. The pool finishes that wilted/gave up the most under our 40,000 PSI test were standard plaster and finishes that did not have 100% Quartz or pebble as the aggregate. Pools that had more than 50% quartz or pebble did much better in our 40,000 psi test.

G&B chooses to offer the best bang for your buck finish on the market for our 100% quartz finish option. Sparkle Quartz is our quartz aggregate finish of choice. We are able to pump and trowel the Sparkle Quartz without adding any additives. That is not the case with the other options on the market for quartz aggregates. A finish that can be pumped through a hose, regardless of the hose length, and troweled without adding additives will outperform those that cannot.

We have been offering Sparkle Quartz since 2008 and have had nothing but satisfied customers who have chosen it. In addition to having 100% quartz it also features a high performance patented cement.  G&B prefers to install the best finishes on top of our hydro demo replaster prep for our customers and Sparkle Quartz meets that requirement easily.

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What Are Pozzolans?

 

 Pozzolans make plaster better

What Are Pozzolans?

Pozzolans are siliceous or siliceous and aluminous materials found in geologic deposits and are an effective method used to improve the quality of cement.

Pozzolans additions to the cement in plaster finishes were tested at the National Pool Industry Research Center (NPIRC). The testing was done to see if the addition of pozzolans improved the performance of the finish, if at all.   Pozzolans were also evaluated to determine if they improved the performance of standard plaster.

The Pozzolan additions to plaster were shown to reduce surface deterioration by up to 30% when compared to standard plaster without pozzalons.  This is very important information as the cement in a plaster mix is generally the weakest link as measured by the Mohs Scale of hardness.

Cement manufactures were charged with making their manufacturing process of cement “greener” to the environment. This created a challenge in the pool plaster industry. Manufactures were allowed to use “filler” material in the production of cement to achieve this goal. This does not have much effect on the cement used for sidewalks and driveways, but pool plaster is all together a different animal.  Pool plaster has to stand up to the most powerful element in the world, water. Chemically treated water to boot.

Adding pozzolans to these “greener” cements many not give you the results those tests proved at Cal Poly, but your plaster investment will benefit from using them.

Most plaster companies utilize the least expensive cement to reduce their expenses. They do not utilize the valuable information the NPIRC produced during the extensive testing done at Cal Poly. The testing done at Cal Poly is invaluable to a plaster company that intends to improve their services they provide to their customer base.

G&B uses the best cement on the market for pool plaster. It is a high performance patented pozzolans enhanced cement. Our standard finish is not standard at all. We offer the Finest Finish Series as our standard plaster. 

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50% Quartz is better than white plaster.

 50% Quartz

50% Quartz is better than white plaster.

In one of the tests performed at the National Pool Industry Research Center, 50% Quartz finishes were evaluated to determine if they perform better than standard plaster. The testing was done to see at what ratio the quartz addition improved the performance of the finish, if at all.

The testing reported a 30% reduction in surface deterioration in quartz mixes of at least 50% when compared to standard plaster with no quartz additions. This means that less surface deterioration occurs in plaster finishes that have 50% of the aggregate weight as quartz. Quartz is inert and will not react with water chemistry. 50% Quartz will perform better than standard plaster.

Quartz finishes of at least 50% will improve the performance of your plaster investment as compared to standard plaster. You can chose from a variety of colors, however most choose blue quartz. The 50% quartz will not only improve the performance (as long as it is at least 50%) of that finish but will also give the water a hint of color.

The addition of quartz at a lesser concentration than 50% quartz will not offer any quality benefit. Just like adding dye to standard plaster, it will only add to the cost of the plaster investment. You need at least 50% quartz to improve the performance of the plaster finish.

In order to receive the best benefit of a quartz additive to your plaster investment a 100% quartz finish is the right decision. Though a 50% Quartz will improve your finish as compared to a standard plaster, a 100% quartz finish will be as good as any finish you could invest in for your pool.

It is ultimately up to you how long a plaster finish lasts in your pool. It cannot be over stated how important balanced water chemistry is relative to the long term success of your plaster finish

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White plaster is not a good finish.

Marble Dust acid test
White plaster is not good. It is too easily damaged by unbalanced pool water.

 

Marble Dust acid reaction
White plaster is not a good investment.

 

Standard white plaster is not a good finish to invest in for your pool replaster.

White plaster used to be the most common type of finish installed. This changed after testing showed the standard plaster was too easily damaged by out of balance water.  Standard plaster is a combination of white marble dust and white Portland cement. The marble dust registers less than a 3.0 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. It is a very soft material. Portland cement registers around a 2.0 on the same scale. Standard plaster can be colored by adding pigment to achieve a desired color. It must be mentioned that doing this will result in an upgraded standard finish in expense, but you will not receive an upgrade in quality equal to the expense.  Standard plaster is the weakest plaster finish on the market.  It cannot stand up to water chemistry imbalances and generally will last 5 years with proper balanced water chemistry. Far less in unbalanced water chemistry.  How long a finish will last is a relative term. I refer to that as how long it will be enjoyable relative to how rough it has become or how easily it is stained.

Many homeowners and pool service companies will acid wash their white plaster pools in an attempt to remove stains.  This is the worst thing you can do to a standard plaster! When standard pool plaster is acid washed, the acid oxidizes the marble dust and the cement, effectively removing the outer finish coat of the plaster. Leaving behind the rough inner matrix of the finish. Initially stains are removed and the plaster is bright white.  But due to the roughness left behind stains return very quickly.  The finish becomes so rough you will no longer enjoy the pool.

Marble dust aggregate, used in standard plaster, placed in a glass beaker will oxidize completely to a liquid when combined with acid in a very short time, about 30 seconds. The acid is used to simulate aggressive water. When the same test is done with quartz and pebble, there is zero reaction at all.

My Hydro Demo Prep Process has allowed me to see how strong different types of plaster finishes are relative to how they respond to our 40,000 PSI test. I see consistent evidence from insight I have gained over the last 5 years water jetting pools on surfaces of all types, that white plaster should not be used in swimming pools.

If you want your pool plaster finish to last for a long time, do not use standard plaster. Choose a quartz finish or a pebble finish. Make sure it is installed by a National Plasterers Council member. Choosing one of those finishes and allowing someone who is not a NPC member to install it for you, will not provide you the results I expect you to receive, especially if they use a homebrew bond coat.  I will expand on the different quartz finishes options in my post next week.

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How to choose a good pool plaster finish

 

 oklahoma-flagstone-and-micro-fusion

Why are some pool plaster finishes more durable than others? A good plaster finish is one that is durable and also looks good. To be able to understand why some pool finishes are more durable than others, you must have some understanding of pool finish materials.

This post will primarily focus on the aggregate portion of the plaster mixes. The most common aggregates used in pool finishes are marble dust, quartz, and pebble.  It is the aggregate that is the variable and the major factor in every finish that helps determine if it is more durable or not.  Cement is more or less Calcium.

The Mohs Scale is used to measure the relative hardness of a mineral by its resistance to scratching. From softest to hardest, the ten minerals of the Mohs scale are talc (measuring 1 on the scale), gypsum, calcite, fluorite, apatite, orthoclase, quartz, topaz, corundum, and diamond (measuring 10 on the scale).  

Consider the difference between numbers in the Mohs Scale similar to the differences between and 2.0 and 6.0 earthquakes. The difference between the relative numbers on the Mohs scale are similar in distances apart as the earthquake numbers are different in relation to the damage that results from a 2.0 compared to a 6.0 earthquake.

Marble Dust registers at a number 3 on the Mohs Scale.  It is a very soft material. When a simple acid test (submerged in acid) is performed on marble dust, it completely oxidizes with nothing left.  When this same test is performed on both quartz and pebble, nothing happens. Quartz and pebble register at a number 7.0 on the Mohs Scale. The quartz and pebble are unaffected by the acid test.

The acid test is done to simulate aggressive pool water chemistry. If you have white plaster, it has marble dust in it as the aggregate. If your pool water is out of balance at any time the plaster will be damaged. White plaster is too weak to last for a long time even if the water chemistry is perfectly balanced.

Quartz and pebble finishes installed by National Plasterers Council members will outlast white plaster. White plaster should not be used in swimming pools. 

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Pool plaster finish type differences

IMG_00000025

Over the last 20 years a great deal has been determined about pool plaster finishes and how to make it last longer. In July of 2004, the National Plasterers Council Research Foundation INC. began construction of the research center at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. Over the next few weeks I will go into detail on what has been learned over the years and what types of finishes that resulted from that research center.

Pool plaster finishes are made up of an aggregate and white portland cement. Examples of the types of aggregate used are marble dust, quartz, pebbles, and glass beads.  I will explain the type of plaster finishes available with the different aggregates.  There are also different types of cements and additives that are designed to improve cement performance within these plaster finishes.

Standard Pool Plaster

Standard white pool plaster is a time tested surface for the interior finish of a swimming pool.  It has been around for as long as pools have been being built.  Color plaster is achieved by adding pigment to standard white plaster.

Pre-blended Plaster

Manufactures have developed some plaster finishes with pozzalons, polymers, or other additions to make the cement stronger in its ability to withstand water chemistry imbalances. Pigments are commonly added to these finishes.

50% Color Quartz Plaster

This finish replaces 50% of the marble weight in the mix with quartz. Effectively making the aggregate portion of the mix ½ quartz and ½ marble dust. The quartz can be colored for a speckled finish appearance or white. Pigment can also be added to this finish.

Aggregate Finishes                                                                           

Aggregate surfaces are pre blended products composed of quartz aggregates and fortified cement.  There are many different colors available.  These are an upgrade alternative to traditional plaster and more durable than traditional plaster.

Pebble Surfaces 

Pebble surfaces are the commonly thought to be the most durable plaster type.  They derive the unique look from the differently colored natural pebbles.  The pebbles are not affected by water in color or strength.

 Polished Aggregate Finishes

Aggregate surfaces are pre blended products composed of quartz aggregates and fortified cement.  There are many different colors available.  These are an upgrade alternative to most other plaster finishes. They are generally the most consistent looking finish due to the polishing.

 Glass Bead Finshes

Glass beads are combined with cement. The beads are not affected by water. The glass beads are an eye catching finish. The bead are generally smooth.

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North Texas Tile, Stonework & Plaster Installation, G&B Tile and Plaster, New Web Presence

Welcome to our blog
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Thank you for visiting our new web presence! G&B Tile and Plaster is a professional swimming pool sub-contractor specializing in pool replastering and more, serving Ft. Worth, Arlington, Carrollton, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco and Plano, who would love the opportunity to earn your business. Please feel free to browse our website and learn more about our tile and coping installations, custom stonework and plaster finishes for swimming pools for both new construction projects and backyard renovations. For more information, please browse our website, like us on Facebook, subscribe to our blog, visit us on Google+ & YouTube.