Choosing Your Pool Plaster

Plaster is an important part of the pool build and design process. It serves as the interior finish of the pool, applied to the gunite shell. Plaster determines both the color of the water and the texture of the surface. The lifespan of plaster is typically 10 to 20 years, depending on how well the pool is cared for. When the pool is ready for re-surfacing, new plaster is applied after the pool has been drained and prepared.

We offer three different types of premium plaster finishes: PebbleTec® PebbleTec, PebbleTec® PebbleSheen, and PebbleTec® PebbleFina. These plasters vary in color, texture, and price. We no longer offer traditional marcite plaster, as the PebbleTec® line of plaster is much more durable and lasts longer.

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Pebble Technology International®

PebbleTec® finishes are an “aggregate plaster,” which are made up of a mixture of quartz and granite stones. It is stronger than a traditional plaster and available in a wide range of colors and textures.

PebbleTec®

PebbleTec® finishes have the largest aggregates, and therefore are coarse to the touch. This plaster delivers a uniform look throughout the pool. The uniformity typically lasts for the life of the plaster.
View PebbleTec Options

PebbleSheen®

PebbleSheen® finishes have medium aggregates, and are smoother than PebbleTec® yet still have defined texture. Like PebbleTec, this plaster delivers a uniform look throughout the pool.
View PebbleSheen Options

PebbleFina®

PebbleFina® finishes have the smallest of aggregates and is thus the smoothest of all the PebbleTec® finishes. This is our most popular plaster choice and is the less expensive of the three options.
View PebbleFina Options

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Choosing A Color

When choosing a plaster color, it’s important to consider both the texture and color of the plaster. To experience the varying textures, you will want to touch and feel a sample. When deciding on the color of the plaster, you must take into consideration the corresponding water color that the plaster yields. For example, a medium grey plaster color will yield a medium blue water color. It’s important to note that factors such as sunlight, surrounding landscaping, and the pool’s design can influence the perceived water color.

PebbleTec® has a “Choose Your Water Color” tool to help choose the best color for your pool, based on the water color you would like.

Choose Your Water Color Tool

Here are some of our favorite plaster colors:

PebbleTec: Midnight Blue, Emerald Bay, Tropical Breeze

PebbleSheen: Ocean Blue, Slate Blue, Turtle Bay, French Grey

PebbleFina: Steel Grey, Grigio

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Sources:

www.pebbletec.com

How to Keep My Pool Clean

Everyone is spending more time at home — and swimming in the pool. It is important to keep your pool clean and running smoothly between weekly servicing visits. Enjoy these helpful tips.

To help keep your pool clear and swimmable, we recommend doing the following:

• Check your skimmer baskets often and ensure that they are free of debris. This is the most effective way to keep your pool clean. Cleaning your skimmer baskets is best done with the filter pump OFF.

• Skim your pool often. The more you remove the surface debris, the cleaner your pool will stay. You should always have a skimmer pole and net near the pool.

• Keep the water level ½ way up the tile. This is the optimal level that your pool water should be. Many of our new builds have an automatic water-fill, so a simple adjustment may be needed. If you don’t have a water-fill, throw the hose in to raise the water level.

• Learn your pool programming Whether a simple time clock at the equipment or automated smartphone controls, learn how your pool is controlled. Instruction manuals are available on our Resources page to help guide you.

• Learn how to backwash your sand filter. When you notice your flow into the pool has decreased, your sand filter is likely in need of a 30-60 second backwash. Instructions on how to do this are provided on our Resources page.

• Order a FrogLog if worried about rodents and frogs in the pool. This will allow critters to exit the swimming pool and avoid ending up in the skimmer basket!

What else would you like to learn about? Comment below and we will add to our Resources page.

Happy swimming!

Pool Fencing: CT Rules and Requirements

*As of October 1, 2022, the state of Connecticut updated its pool safety barrier requirements. For more information, please read Automatic Pool Covers: New Connecticut Rules and Requirements.

In the state of Connecticut, it is required that your swimming pool have a surrounding fence per code. While the primary use of a fence is for safety, a fence aids in keeping animals out of the pool area and can serve to increase privacy.

In thinking about installing a swimming pool, it is important to integrate the installation of a fence into your planning and design. Here is a summary of the fencing requirements for your swimming pool in the state of Connecticut. Litchfield County Pools recommends you contact a professional fencing company for more details.

• The fence must be at-least 4 feet high.

• There must be no more than a 2’ gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground.

• The fencing can not have any protrusions and must be a solid barrier - a stone wall that is climbable does not serve as a fence.

• The gap between horizontal pieces should be less than 45”.

• Fences made of criss-cross or lattice nature should have openings no larger than 1.75”.

• For split rail or board and post fences, safety mesh must be attached with openings no larger than 2.25”.

• Access gates should have self-latching devices. When the latch is located less than 54” above the bottom of the gate, you must put the closing mechanism on the pool side of the fence.

• If the side of a home or structure is to serve as a barrier, the first floor doors and/or windows must have an audible alarm installed.