Having a pool in your own backyard is one of the greatest perks of owning a house. There’s nothing better than taking a dip in fresh water after a long day at work, or throwing a fabulous pool party on a warm summer night. However, maintaining a pool properly might be pricey but there are some things you can do yourself. For example, if you have a concrete pool with the damaged interior surface, or you simply don’t like the colour of it, you can easily repaint it and make it look new. Here’s what you should do.
Estimate the condition of your pool
Repainting your pools is an inexpensive way to refresh it but there are several problems which can’t be resolved by simply applying a coat of paint. Are the tiles in your pool falling off, or do they need repairing? Does your pool have structural cracks or leaks? Is the surface delaminated or crumbling? If the answer to any of these question is ‘yes’, then you must deal with it first. Fix the pool structure and plumbing fixtures and only then you’ll be ready for a final step – the interior surface of the pool.
Know your finish
Pools have different kinds of interior surfaces and the first step to painting is to identify which one you have. Plaster is very common yet most expensive, smooth mortar finish that increases water retentive abilities of the pool. Epoxy paint is the second most popular choice and the chlorinated rubber follows. They’re of the similar quality and durability. The shortest lifespan among surfaces has acrylic paint but it’s the easiest one to apply while pebbles interior surface is not recommendable for painting.
Prepare the surface
Properly prepared surface will result in a better finish, so don’t take this step for granted. Drain your pool, remove debris and hydrostatic plugs. If there are any cracks, you must fill them with hydraulic cement but be aware that it takes about 10 days to cure. Next, sand your surface with abrasive paper or grinding discs and clean your pool with TSP rinse to remove any excess oil and grease. Finally, acid wash your pool to be sure it’s completely clean and you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Choose the right pool paint
Pool paint choice depends on the type of finish you have. Make sure you find appropriate pool paint – you can choose among epoxy, rubber, or acrylic paint, so find the one that matches your pool’s interior surface. Acrylic paint can last for 1-3 seasons, but it’s the simplest solution and you can definitely do it yourself, so have that in mind when choosing. Acrylic paint needs no moisture control and it can be painted over rubber, epoxy, and other acrylic finishes.
Dry off your pool
Acrylic paint is water based meaning it can be applied even to damp pool shell, so if this is your choice then you don’t have to get your pool completely dry after cleaning it. On the other hand, if you chose to paint with rubber or epoxy paint, then you mustn’t have any moisture in the pool at the moment of painting. If you’re doing the repainting project during winter months, consider hiring an industrial dryer or blower to speed up the process.
Paint it carefully
Cover the edges of your pool with masking tape to prevent any paint getting on the tiles, treads, or pool fittings and then apply your first coat. Avoid direct sunlight, so apply your first coat in the morning and the second one when the sun starts to set down. Epoxy and rubber paint need 24 hours in between two coats, while acrylic paint also needs 2 coats, but it takes only 2-3 hours to dry. Wait at least 4-7 days before refilling your pool and don’t add any chemicals to the water for at least 5 days.
Final step – get your swimming suit, make a fine drink, and get ready to get some tan. As you can see, your concrete pool can look as good as new in just a few simple steps, so don’t hesitate to start this wonderful project right now!