Patience and tenacity
The surface of a commercial swimming pool is the “sacrificial lamb“ of the pool structure. Commonly the interior surface, called plaster, is subject to cleaning chemicals and pressure washing every spring, specifically in regions that experience colder temperatures where the pools are winterized.
It is the process of cleaning with diluted muriatic acid and also the use of balancing chemicals in the water that can cause the interior surface to become more abrasive to the users of the swimming pool. Due to these factors, over time, the interior surface becomes rough and uncomfortable to the bathers at which point it is time to replaster the pool.
The process of applying the new plaster over the old plaster commonly occurs every 7 to 10 years. Throughout several generations, those plaster layers can build up to the point where it makes more sense to remove all of the layers and start over as if the pool was brand new. This is when we carefully use demolition equipment to remove all of the layers and reveal the original steel reinforced Gunite structure. This labor-intensive effort requires patience and tenacity from the crews on the job. It is also common during this effort to adjust the elevation of the filtered water return fittings so that they function as designed.
After numerous decades of use and enjoyment by the families of this community, this pool in Frederick, MD has been renovated to properly correct the leaks. The interior fittings have been adjusted to meet the new surface. The tiled racing lanes and expansion tile have been replaced and sealed to also meet the new elevation of the fresh plaster. And of course, the new interior surface is smooth to the touch.
A renovation of this magnitude requires a commitment from the homeowners and property management to want to make things right. We have partnered with this community for many years and we have done our job in making this swimming facility safe for the bathers, reduced maintenance for the pool operators and the facility has been preserved to make it budget friendly for future generations.
It is our commitment to the communities that we partner with to give them the best advice, the best service and the highest quality results that they deserve. We were thrilled to be able to work with this community and we stand by our commitment of integrity and the golden rule. The reward for work well done is more work. We have stood by this idea for over three decades. If you would like our advice about how you can restore your existing swimming facility please do not hesitate to contact us. We love talking about pools and we would love talking with you about yours.
– Nicholas J Lally, President, Continental Pools
