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—Renovation and tiling

Replastering a pool

Plaster pools age by roughening, staining and thinning. Replastering restores a smooth, watertight surface.

Pool plaster wears over time through water chemistry, cleaning and sun. Signs include roughness that scratches feet, stains that will not clean, blotchy colour, and thin or delaminating patches where plaster has detached. When these spread, replastering renews the interior.

Renovation guides cover work on a pool that already exists: its surface, its waterproofing and sometimes its structure.

The pool is drained and the old plaster is either removed or prepared so the new coat bonds to it. Repairs are made to the shell and fittings. New plaster is applied by hand and finished smooth, then the pool is filled promptly and the water is carefully balanced during the first weeks while the plaster cures.

01Summary

What matters most here

  • Wear is gradual

    Roughness and stains spread.

  • Preparation decides bond

    Old plaster removed or prepared.

  • Early care matters

    New plaster needs balanced water.

02Detail

The process

  • Draining

    With attention to groundwater.

  • Preparation

    Removing loose plaster and preparing the surface.

  • Repairs

    Shell defects and fittings addressed.

  • Application

    New plaster applied and trowelled smooth.

  • Filling and curing

    Prompt filling and careful water balance.

  • Waterline tiles

    The tile band at the waterline is often renewed at the same time, since the pool is already drained and the edge is exposed.

03Before you start

Before replastering

  • Consider alternatives

    Tile or pebble finishes.

  • Check waterline tiles

    Often renewed at the same time.

  • Plan the start-up

    Who will balance the water.

—In practice

How to use this

Ask whether the old plaster will be removed entirely or prepared and overcoated, and how the surface beneath will be checked for soundness. Agree the plaster type and colour, and the start-up procedure afterwards, since new plaster needs careful water balance and brushing in its first weeks. Plan the work for cooler weather where you have a choice.

Mistakes worth avoiding

Plastering over delaminating plaster
New plaster applied over a layer that is already detaching will come away with it. Unsound material must be removed.
Neglecting start-up care
The first weeks after replastering largely decide how the surface looks for years. Follow the start-up procedure closely.

04FAQ

Common questions about this

Why is new plaster sensitive?
It is still curing; unbalanced water can mark or etch it.
Can I switch to tiles instead?
Yes; the renovation is a natural point to change finish.
Is plaster rough at first?
It should be smooth when finished; early care keeps it so.
Why fill promptly?
Plaster cures more evenly under water than exposed to sun and air.
Can plaster be tinted?
Yes. Tinted plasters give soft blue, grey or other tones instead of white.

05Read next

More pool guides on this

Filed under pool renovation & tile replacement. Every pool guide is listed on the pool guides page.

—NEXT

Plaster looking worn?

Send photos of the surface. We will suggest replastering or alternatives.

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