As the weather gets warmer, the quantity of enquiries we are receiving in regards painting swimming pools is increasing by the day.
Whether you have inherited a swimming pool from a previous owner, are thinking of having one installed or are a contractor, it is vital that the walls and base of any pool is prepared suitable for a long durable lifespan. Without the correct processes and products used, your swimming pool could potentially be an extremely expensive disaster that can be easily be avoided with the right prior knowledge and preparation.
Initial Preparation
Ensure to choose a dry warm day suitable to start repairing and painting your pool. Data sheets recommend temperatures to be within 5°C and 30°C.
If your pool isn’t already empty, it is important to fully remove all water and ensure the walls and floors are fully dry.
Once the pool is completely dry, mechanically abrade both the floor and walls. This is typically done with a blast tracker and an industrial sander with suitable dust extrusion. This will remove surface laitance (salts) and all other contaminations such as grease and oils. Thoroughly vacuum area to remove all dust and debris.
Following the removal of all loose and friable concrete as above, all remaining cracks should be repaired.
Crack Repair
Any cracks with widths less than 0.5mm should be widened with an angle grinder.
Prepare each crack by removing the dust and concrete particles by vacuum.
Once all hairline cracks are suitably widened, apply Mapei Eporip, a two-component solvent-free epoxy into each crack, then fill with kiln dry sand whilst still damp to enhance the bonding of following render to the crack repair material. Mapei Eporip polymerises without shrinkage and after curing is fully waterproof.
Waterproofing The Pool Walls & Floor
Now your swimming pool walls and floor are ready for coating. The next part of the recommended Mapei system is Mapelastic Smart.
Mapelastic Smart is a two-component, highly flexible cementitious waterproof membrane for waterproofing concrete swimming pools. Apply the render by trowel. This should be in two layers 1mm thick to provide a membrane a minimum of 2mm thick. Reinforce the membrane with Mapetex Sel for crack-bridging properties.
Where you have joints and edges, use Mapeband, an alkali-resistant rubber tape with textile backing/edges. You use Mapeband for the flexible waterproofing of angles / junctions and expansion joints. They should subsequently have a treatment of Mapelastic Smart.
It is important to wait a minimum of 20 days to ensure full curing of the membrane. During this time the pool protect the pool from rain and moisture. Simply use a suitable covering such as a marquee.
Applying The Swimming Pool Paint
After the swimming pool has properly cured, you can apply a protective waterproof coat. To provide a flexible, UV resistant finish in a suitable colour for your client.
Mapei Elastocolor Waterproof is recommended for this system and should be applied diluted by approximately 5 – 10% water by brush or roller onto the walls and floor of the swimming pool, in three relatively thin coats of around 0.2 – 0.3mm. We recommend to wait 24 hours between each coat under normal humidity.
Mapei Elastocolor Waterproof will take at least 20 days to dry under normal conditions. Once this has passed your pool is finally ready to fill!
Painting Swimming Pools: Cleaning and First Maintenance
This Mapei swimming pool system will last between 5 – 7 years under normal conditions if applied correctly. Generally, after a complete year cycle it may be necessary to apply another coat of the Mapei Elastocolor Waterproof. Please refer to the data sheets to see if this applies to your situation.
The topcoat Mapei Elastocolor Waterproof is not particularly resistant to high mechanical abrasion. You may damage it using standard cleaning equipment such as brushes or robotic tools.
Painting Swimming Pools: Other Swimming Pool Paint System Options
Polyurethane Swimming Pool Paint can last longer than the membrane type system discussed above. Chlorinated Rubber Paint has a quicker turnaround time. It will last around the same time but is less effective against UV.
Promain recommend installers to read each individual products data sheets thoroughly prior to purchase and application as the correct swimming pool paint system may be different for your individual circumstance.
Do you have any enquiries or questions when it comes to painting swimming pools and swimming pool repair? Contact our technical team to discuss any issues you may have – 01462 421333.
