Mike the Poolman

Broken Plaster/ Plaster Delamination/ Pop Offs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pop offs occur when cavities or voids form beneath a pool's plaster surface, despite the best efforts of the plasterer. Although this process is not completely understood, voids can be caused by a number of things, including plaster shrinkage, cracks, bad bond coats, and hollow spots between pool fixtures and the plaster. When the void fills with water, a process is set in motion as the water mixes with calcium hydroxide in the plaster. This results in volcano-like bumps or mounds on the floors and walls of your pool, This is a classic indicator of delamination. These "bumps" are referred to as Calcium Nodules. Calcium nodules are the first sign of delamination.

The plaster beneath these calcium nodules is delaminating. Eventually, the delamination breaks (or "pops"), leaving holes in the plaster with very sharp edges. Many people describe them looking like moon craters.

I find that most pop offs occur in replastered pools. Most of these pools are plaster over plaster. If the plaster company has not prepared the pool properly before replaster, pop offs are more likely! 
For this reason I prefer "chipping out" all existing plaster down to the gunite before resurfacing. There are companies in our area that will chip out and there are companies that will not. If you are replastering, be sure and ask me!

 

Don't Drain your Pool !
Mike the Poolman can repair pop offs without draining your pool. I will cut out pop offs down to the gunite and patch to match your existing plaster. All work is done underwater without draining your pool.

Please send us an email (above) to contact us.

 

The following are photos of Calcium Nodules. As the nodules grow they fill with calcium hydroxide and separate from the gunite (or more likely, the previous plaster). They form small cracks and rise into up into volcano-like mounds. When someone steps on the hollow void or the pool cleaner runs over it, it "pops off".

We sand off the nodules to slow the process and make them less unsightly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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