Third Season - Plaster geting rough

[papoolguy2]

Just started our third season with a gunite/plaster pool and this year the plaster has become a bit rough. I loved the smooth finish the first two years and yesterday after the kids swam all day we had a few toe blisters and complaints.

This roughness seems to have developed during the off season. It is not terrible and I have certainly been in pools that are worse. But annoying just the same.

I pay a lot of attention to the pH and use about a gallon of acid a week to keep it in range. We have a SWC...

Questions -

1. Could this be related to salt in the water?

2. Is this a normal condition that gets worse over time?

3. Any ideas on how to improve the surface?

Thanks .

Russ

[mas985]

I would not think it could be the salt but probably something else went wrong in the off season. What did/do you keep your other numbers at? Specifically:

PH
Alkalinity
Calcium hardness
Temp (off season)
TDS - this only matters if it gets way too high

All affect corrosion and scaling of plaster pools but to different degrees.

[PatL34]

Russ, welcome to the forum.

Need to ask some questions to help you with your problem.

What kind of plaster do you have, Pebbletec, Diamondbrite, Marcite etc.?

Did you carefully follow the plaster vendor instructions?

Are you getting any of the plaster in your waste line when you backwash?

Did the plasterer add any sand in the mix when applying it?

These questions will help us give you better answer to the roughness you mention.

Hope this helps.

Pat