Q. Why choose Arturo’s?

Arturo’s has been in business since 1993. Accordingly, Arturo’s has the resources and the expertise to provide the latest in materials and construction techniques for the upgrade of your pool. Our company is a leader in the ongoing development of pool renovation technology. Arturo’s has a full service department to meet all of your remodeling needs. We fulfill all licensing and insurance requirements for a construction business, contractor’s bond, general liability insurance, and automobile insurance.

Q. What sets Arturo’s Pool Plastering, Inc. apart from other pool plastering companies?

Arturo’s Pool Plastering, Inc. is a family-owned business that has been in the pool restoration business for more than ten years (since 1993). We take great pride in every project we engage in. We receive many comments from clients regarding our professionalism, beginning with the initial meeting, right on through to the day when your pool has been refilled with water and the chemicals brought in balance.

Q. Why You Should Use Plaster?

PLASTER IS A TIME TESTED PRODUCT: Plaster has been used as a swimming pool surface coating for the past 50 years. This experience has shown that plaster is a durable surface that can stand up to the environment of proper pool water chemistry. There is no other pool surface on the market with this time tested history.

PLASTER IS ECONOMICAL: Plaster is the most economical pool surface. Its initial cost is well below more expensive options. In addition, the average plaster surface can easily last 15 to 25 years, which makes Plaster one of the most economical components of a swimming pool. That's value for your investment.

REPAIRABLE AND FORGIVING: Taking care of your pool takes time and attention. As time goes on and mistakes are made, a pool surface can become stained, discolored, and/or damaged. Stains on a plastered pool can be chemically removed or sanded off. A plaster surface can tolerated several of these procedures in its lifetime.

PLASTER IS LONG LASTING: The secret to long life of any pool surface is properly maintained water balance. Improper water balance will destroy any pool surface and in many cases, void the warranty of that surface. A plaster surface, in a properly maintained pool, can last 15 to 25 years.

PLASTER IS NON-TOXIC AND ECOLOGICALLY SOUND: There is a lot of concern today about toxic products. Pool plaster is made from some of Mother Nature's finest materials. Plaster, being a cement product, is part of the largest segment of the construction industry. The backbone of construction and the world, is cement.

PLASTER IS AVAILABLE IN A VARIETY OF COLORS: Pool Plaster is available world-wide. You need not worry that your pool surface will become obsolete. Plaster can be done in a wide variety of colors to create any appearance desired. The color is not just surface coating but continuous through the entire material. In addition, options are available for different finish techniques including Diamond Britetm and exposed aggregate, that allow for great variety in obtaining a desired pool appearance.

Q. How long does it take to receive a quote from Arturo’s Pool Plastering, Inc. for pool or spa resurfacing?

Generally, we are able meet with you to discuss your pool restoration within 1 day after you contact us. We will provide a written quote within 24 hours after meeting with you.

Q. How long after we accept your quote will the project begin?

This will depend on the time of the year, but as a rule we are able to begin most restorations approximately 2 ~ 4 days after you make a commitment.

Q. Is there a certain time of the year that is best for pool remodeling?

Your swimming pool may be resurfaced at any time of the year. However, it is sometimes easier for us to schedule your project during the winter months.

Q. Approximately how long will it take to resurface our pool?

Pool projects that require just tile and plaster (or a stone aggregate surface) can be completed in 3 ~ 4 days. Pool projects that require more extensive work, with the coordination of additional contractors (deck resurfacing for example) will take more time.

Q. My old plaster looks terrible. Would I be able to paint or acid wash my pool to make it look better instead of incurring the expense of a resurfacing?

Painting the inner surface of a swimming pool is, at best, a short-term solution to improve the appearance of a pool. Arturo’s is frequently asked to remodel pools that were painted only a short time previously. Additional charges are often necessary when resurfacing painted pools due to the difficulty in removing multiple layers of paint. Older pools that are acid washed will initially appear bright, but often become very rough to the touch due to the increased porosity in the plaster caused by the acid.

Q. How long will it take to remodel my pool?
The length of time a pool will be under construction for renovation is directly related to the extent of the work we are performing. Pools that are being refinished with plaster or Diamond Brite can be operational in three days or less. Pools that require tile and coping or are being extensively remodeled require additional construction time. Be assured that when a project commences Arturo’s will make every effort to consistently move the job along and complete your project in a timely manner.

Q. May I remodel my pool during the winter?
Remodeling a swimming pool during the winter has a number of advantages. Obviously, pools are generally not used in the winter and your family will not be without the use of the pool during the swim season. Since the pool renovation business is somewhat cyclical, it is also easier to obtain desired scheduling when we are not in the busy season.

Q. Why is Diamond Brite more expensive than plaster?

DIAMOND BRITE (Exposed Aggregate Finish) are blends of selected quartz aggregates and fortified white Portland cement ideal for new or re-finished swimming pools. Available in a variety of colors and textures, Diamond Brite finishes are factory blended to provide the pool owner with an extremely durable and attractive alternative to traditional pool coatings.

Q. Can Arturo’s handle my entire pool renovation project?

Arturo’s has the capability to manage, both by the utilization of its employees and by the selective use of other contractors, just about every facet of the pool renovation process. We specialize in specific aspects of pool construction and when other areas of expertise are needed we rely on relationships built up over the last ten years to supply the necessary services. Arturo’s goal is to establish efficient integration of these services to provide you with a swift and professional pool remodel experience.

Q. What else should I consider doing to the pool at the same time as it is being resurfaced?

THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

Q. Our project has started, but crews do not always arrive first thing in the morning and some days they do not come to the job site at all. Is this normal?

Our crews are trained to perform specific pool remodel functions and it is therefore not unusual for a crew to be scheduled on more than one job per day. Depending on where your pool is relative to the schedule, it is quite normal to see people arrive at mid-day or even in the late afternoon.

Generally, off days are planned to allow material to fully cure before the next phase of construction or to provide schedule spacing in the event more time is needed.

Q. Are there any phases of construction, which are particularly messy?

While our crews make every attempt to minimize the impact upon the area surrounding your pool, a remodel site can be dusty. We therefore recommend that pool furniture and potted plants be moved away from the pool area while construction is in progress. It is also suggested that windows be kept shut near the pool for the duration of the pool remodel.

Q. Our pool was just prepared for resurfacing. Why is the surface very uneven with large holes and streaks?

It is important that our crew remove all of the old delaminating plaster prior to resurfacing. A rough surface is expected in most pools since not all areas are delaminating. Once the new plaster or Diamond Brite has been installed you are not able to see the previously cratered areas.

Q. Should we use the local water supply to refill our newly remodeled pool?

The only alternative to your local water supply is the purchase of water by truck. Water fill by truck is generally cost-prohibitive and as a result most people utilize either water supplied by their local water district or by a well on site. Special precautions should be taken when using well water or water that is soft. We strongly urge you to consult with your pool service professional or contact our office in this situation.

POST CONSTRUCTION POOL CARE

Q. The crew put a hose into the pool and started filling it with water—now what?

Filling the swimming pool
When the application of plaster or Diamond Brite has been completed, the crew will begin filling the pool with water. Note that the application of Diamond Brite is a two-day process. The average pool takes 24 to 36 hours to fill. Until the pool is completely filled with water it is vulnerable and extra care should be taken as detailed below.

It is important that your swimming pool be filled with water as soon as possible. Do not turn the water off for any reason until the pool is full. If you have a spa, it should be filled with water after the pool has been filled completely. If the water is shut off prematurely, you may have a “bath tub ring” around your pool. Monitor your pool as it is filling so that you can predict at about what time the water should be turned off. It may be necessary to set your alarm. Watch it closely!

Use the pool fill line only after the initial water fill process is complete. Additional hoses may be added once the water depth is three to four feet, but be sure water from the additional hoses does not run across the pool surface. Hoses should be placed into the pool in such a way that they do not touch the pool surface. The outlet of the hose should discharge into the pool of water above the main drain. The water surface will typically be maintained at the mid-tile level. The water level for a Diamond Brite pool without tile should be maintained in the middle of the skimmer throat.

Do not walk or allow pets inside the pool. Make sure that gardeners, landscapers, and other maintenance people stay away from the pool area until it is full. Fertilizer and other yard debris in the pool can be very damaging and must be avoided.

If mastic is installed, make sure that pets and people do not touch this flexible joint between the coping and deck for 48 hours. Mastic is very sticky until cured and is difficult to remove from places where it does not belong. There will be sand residue remaining after installation, which can be broomed or hosed off after the 48-hour curing period.

Pool start-up
Once your pool is full of water, it will require extra attention. A pool start-up includes brushing, filtration, and chemical balancing. If you are not comfortable with these procedures, we suggest that you consult with a pool service professional.

The following are additional guidelines to be followed during the start-up period:

As plaster cures, especially during the first 30 days, it is important to remove plaster dust in a timely manner by brushing and to stabilize water chemistry in the pool. Since chemicals can have a significant impact upon the life of your plaster it is suggested that only persons trained in this area introduce chemicals to the pool. A Diamond Brite pool is generally easier to achieve a balance in water chemistry than a pool that has been replastered. A replastered pool must be brushed at least twice per day until there is no longer visible plaster dust churned up by the brushing. Inadequate brushing may result in the plaster dust becoming permanently affixed to the surface of the pool. Pebble Tec/Sheen pools require limited brushing.

Start the pool equipment once the pool has been filled. Run the filter 18 hours per day for at least a week subsequent to plaster. Make sure that there is main drain suction to filter the dust from suspension in the water. Monitor filter pressure as the filter may need cleaning during this period due to the accumulation of plaster dust. The filter can be set for normal operation with a Diamond Brite pool.

Do not swim in the pool until there is no longer evidence of plaster dust in the water and chemicals have been balanced.

Do not use the pool sweep cleaner for at least ten days subsequent to the application of plaster or Diamond Brite.

Do not turn on the heater for at least ten days and longer if the pool is not in chemical balance.

On-going maintenance

Once your newly remodeled pool has been chemically balanced and all plaster dust has been filtered out, you will want to establish a routine maintenance schedule to thoroughly enjoy your pool and protect your investment.

Since Arturo’s does not provide pool maintenance services, once the pool remodel is complete and the pool has started to be filled with water, you can either maintain the pool yourself or contract with a pool service professional. It is very important that the pool chemicals be closely monitored to maintain the proper chlorine, acid, and pH levels. Your heater, solar water heating system, cleaner, and filtering system should also be checked and maintained throughout the year.

Q. HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF A PLASTER POOL?

The water chemistry should be maintained according to the "Saturation Index." The saturation index measures the various factors in the pool water, such as pH, alkalinity, hardness, etc. and adjusts them according to a specific formula depending on the levels of each factor. There is not a standard level at which each factor is always kept. Based upon the results of the computerized testing, recommendations will be made as to what needs to be added to, or deleted from your pool water.

If your pool builder does not provide this service, this type of balancing can be done at a local pool store that offers computerized water testing.

CLEANING THE "RING" AROUND THE POOL.

If you have a pool or spa without waterline tile and need advice on removing the "ring" around the waterline of the Pebble Tec, the following instructions are basic guidelines.

This ring is commonly referred to as a "calcium ring" or "mineral buildup." Usually any type of cleaner designed to clean calcium off of waterline tile . When using these cleaners/chemicals follow the directions on the container.
It is a good idea to spot test a small area first. Lower the water level to expose the waterline and apply the cleaner to an area of about 8-10". Next, scrub the area with a nylon brush and start rinsing with a hose while scrubbing. The cleaners can be rinsed into the pool, but remember to use caution while working with these chemicals as they may contain acids. Repeat as necessary. Always follow the instructions on the container.

Do not attempt to use Muriatic acid on the waterline ring as it will not work to remove this type of buildup.