My name is Mickey, found you online. I have a house on an island in one of the Great Rift Valley lakes in Kenya, Lake Baringo to be exact.
About 12 years ago I built a pool. After the cement plaster was done, I added a coat of white cement plaster and soon after that painted it with chlorinated rubber paint. It obviously chipped and never bothered with it but years later it just looked horrible. The chipped bits went passed the paint layer and eventually went through the white cement layer. Note, all cement work was done with waterproofing additives.
Two months ago I renovated the pool. That was a pain as I had to grind off all the white cement layer and go down to the concrete bed. Thereafter I did a simple grey cement plaster let it dry and went out in with a layer of alkaline paint then chlorinated rubber paint.
It’s been a month and I am already noticing chipping is starting to occur.
Rather then empty out this 90,000 liter pool and go through the whole process of repainting the entire pool, can I not just empty it, and repair the chipped out parts and paint those parts only? I am pulling my hair out with this pool.
I thought I would ask someone out there for some advice as local advice is mainly stemmed at draining more cash from me.
I have attached some before and after and during the renovation pictures and what is doing now. Where did I go wrong sir?
I am humbly asking for your advice on this sir.
Kind regards
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HI, Sounds like you have quite the project on your hands. From what you describe I am thinking the plaster should have cured completely (did you use a mix or DIY? – check manufacturer directions?) before attempting to paint, as they need time before any type of surface is added, and the addition of the paint could be trapping moisture in the plaster itself, resulting in chipping from an incomplete cure. Unfortunately there’s likely no solution other than live with it until you want to tackle another renovation similar to what you just did with a longer cure before adding anything additional to the surface of plaster.
You may want to visit this website and go to the technical library – there are resources regarding pools and the various finishes that you may find useful https://www.npconline.
Best regards, Ask the Pool Guy
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I appreciate your response. I had used some additives in the plaster that was for waterproofing and a harderner. Waited a week for it to dry thereafter sanded it to smooth the surface. I did not note any dark wet patches prior to starting with the first application of the alkaline paint thereafter did the rubber paint.
Sadly your right I might have to wait for a bone dry season for me to re do the whole thing again. So frustrating.
Thank you for the link. I’ll check it out and get ready for the next renovation.
Here’s a link to my island (I know it’s quite weird reading ‘my island’. When I am not home I Airbnb the island out. Initially TBI (teddy bear island) was an arid land but with climate change it’s become a tiny tropical island with over 400 bird species. The torrential rains hammered down during the renovations and though I built a roof contraption to keep it dry maybe, just maybe some water got in and hence the problems were currently facing.
Maybe the solution would be to tile it but that beats the whole theme of the place.
Maybe I’ll make a solar powered waterfall off one of my short cliffs with a natural dipping pool at the bottom of it whose overflow can assist with creating footpaths for the hippos who have currently made the island their home.
Thank you again for your response and advice. I will update you when I plan my next renovation. I might be in a different country but will seek advice from you when I start it. Hopefully it works out eventually. Once done, in return, I would not mind you adding us to your portfolio of success stories. Islands apparently carry some weight when it comes to marketing.
P.s. It’s called TBI because it looks like a teddy bear laying in the water. Attached a picture of it.
Thank you once again and have a great day.
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