Articles

For pool builders, remodeling companies, and pool plasterers that want the best chance to obtain a quality and discoloration-free pool plaster finish (including white, color, and quartz aggregate pools), the link below is to an article in WaterShapes

Orenda Technologies has recently unveiled a new start-up program that prevents the formation of plaster dust by adding calcium (calcium chloride) to low calcium tap water while filling brand-new plaster pools. We have received communications asking u

Using the Langelier Saturation Index as a guide for maintaining proper pool water balance and to protect pool plaster has become a mainstay in our industry, and we believe, for good reason.

We at onBalance have conducted several LSI experiments and h

The Art of Good Pool Plaster Color

An attractive plaster color (other than white) is often preferred by pool owners. However, it is very difficult for plasterers to produce a uniform and consistent color. The reality is that there will always be some

There are two important issues involved when trying to achieve quality colored pool plaster that will remain durable, attractive, and the proper shade for many years.

The first issue is to utilize superior workmanship practices to achieve good color,

For 50 years, the pool industry has considered pool water within an LSI of -0.3 and +0.5 to be acceptable and balanced. But recently, and without providing any supporting science or research, the NPC is trying to convince the industry that any negati

All pool plaster finishes should last 20 years or more. However, some last only 5 to 7 years, and some less than a year before the plaster surface deteriorates, discolors, and looks terrible.

Why the difference? Very often, plaster quality. As we hav

The Journal of the Swimming Pool and Spa Industry is coming back! JSPSI, a peer-reviewed technical journal, began in 1995 as a subscription-supported print-based publication. It contained articles at a technical level, of interest especially to the m

Experienced service techs know that the pH in many of their pools generally rises above 7.8 within four to seven days following chemical treatments.  It is a chemistry reality that when water contains 80 ppm to 120 ppm of carbonate alkalinity, and is

One would think that when mixing white cement with white limestone aggregate, the final pool plaster product would always be white. But that is not always the case.

Unfortunately, white pool plaster sometimes turns gray (or grey) either immediately or

Both white pool plaster coupons below have been in water for one year. Sometimes the water was slightly aggressive (negative LSI), and sometimes the water was slightly scale forming (positive LSI).

The top coupon was formed with only one percent calci

Years ago, pool service techs learned that aggressive water etches quality plaster surfaces uniformly - that it does not pick and choose some areas of the surface to etch, while leaving other areas untouched.

The cement/concrete industry documented th

When a new white quartz pool in San Diego developed numerous shrinkage cracks and very rough and sharp calcium nodules everywhere, the plasterer drained the pool and sanded it, charging the pool owner one thousand dollars for the work. The crystallin

       I was just reading the latest article in Aqua titled "Fight For A "Cleaner" Sales Channel" by Scott Webb. It was well laid out and I have made some responses to the article.

Here is the body of the article:

When Internet retailing began over two

I'm preparing today to chair APSP in November. You may already know we are deeply involved in strategic planning, searching for our CEO's successor in 18 months, and trying to become more relevant to the swimming pool / recreational water industry as

On one hand, the National Plasterers Council (NPC) claims that alkaline (positive SI) water during start-up causes a blotchy and smooth gray discoloration you sometimes see in new white plaster pools,¹ and that an acid treatment (zero alkalinity) for

I have been targeted by a lot of contests lately, and I have to tell you, I find it quite exciting. When I have a chance to win something...and it can really be just about anything...I all of a sudden have a strong and fervent desire to WIN!

I don't t

Gray (or grey) mottling discoloration which occasionally occurs in plaster swimming pools may also occasionally occur on other cement flatwork, including things like driveways and sidewalks. According to the American Concrete Institute and the Portla

Gray mottling discolorations occasionally occur in new white plaster swimming pools, and cause of this plaster defect is being incorrectly assigned.

Gray (also spelled “grey”) or darkened blotchy discoloration of cement flatwork is known to be caused