Owning and maintaining an apartment pool in Canada can be extremely costly due to damage caused by our climate and the harsh mix of chemicals needed to make the water safe for swimmers. Overtime, pool resurfacing is a reality all property managers and building owners must face.
Available options for problem pool surfaces range from paint and plaster to vinyl liners, all of which can be expensive, time-consuming and have significant performance limitations.
In the past, pools were coated with rubber-based paint, however government regulations in recent years have banned those (and other toxic paint ingredients) due to environmental implications, forcing pool owners to switch to more time-consuming repair techniques.
Typical surface repair techniques require a complicated start-up process and are prone to staining, shrinking and cracking. Most coatings involve at least several weeks cure time, and after the pool is filled, harsh chemicals are needed to balance the PH levels, resulting in more wait time to normalize the pool water.
Thermal spray systems
A recent innovation that first came onto the scene in the U.S. in the late 2000s, replaces traditional repair methods using a thermal spray system with acrylic resins. This technique provides a uniform coating that bonds securely to create a permanent, eco-friendly and maintenance-free liner for swimming pools. Today, thermal spray systems are gaining praise and popularity across Canada, too.
How these systems work
Thermoplastic finishes are applied using a patented process, which is much faster and less disruptive than traditional repair technologies. In fact, pool repair time is reduced from two or three weeks, to three or four days.
Thermoplastic spray finishes are designed for new surfaces as well as for the resurfacing of most pool finishes, including: concrete, plaster, fiberglass, steel and aluminum. The product is highly resistant to acid, chemicals, salt and scaling. In addition to being eco-friendly, energy-efficient and user-friendly, the surface will not fade, rust, corrode or crack, providing long-term strength, durability and maintenance ease that comes with a 10 year warranty when installed correctly by a trained and certified installer.
Thermoplastic pool finishes ensure a timely on-site renovation that costs less and is less disruptive to building operations and occupants. Best of all, this technique produces an attractive, durable, maintenance-free finish that helps raise and maintain property values.
The benefits of thermoplastic liners:
- Erosion resistant and offer long-term flexibility.
- Tough, adherent and attractive, with high UV stability
- Impact and abrasion resistant.
- Eco-friendly and unlike other coatings, thermoplastic liners minimize waste and eliminate maintenance and related costs.
Additional advantages:
- No curing time or unsightly seams, joints or wrinkles that break down over time and will not delaminate or scale.
- Can be used as a top coat to restore or protect an existing top coat.
- Restores pools in place; saving expense for removal and replacement.
- Non-slip surfaces can be easily installed on steps and ledges.
Brian Burton served on the Committee that prepared CSA’s new Certification Program for Fenestration Installation Technicians, which ensures the skills and abilities of individuals who install fenestration components in buildings. He is also involved with a firm that specializes in technical business writing; Award Bid Management Services. http://award-bid-management-services.com/
