Swimming Pool and Spa, - Cautions
Swimming pools and spas are demanding environments, especially those at elevated temperatures and with mineral waters. Successful coating with Epotec requires care. Surface cleaning is critical for good adhesion.
Below we highlight some important factors, however do contact us if you have any concerns.
Expansion Joints and Stress Cracks
There are a range of sealants for use with Epotec High Build Epoxy. It is important to seek advice from the manufacturer on the use of specific sealants for underwater or above water situations.
Cautions
Epotec High Build Epoxy is a membrane coating. When painting pools with this type of coating, two types of blistering may sometimes occur; Osmotic Blistering: This form of blistering is most serious and is caused by salts present in the surface of the substrate. It can occur in both concrete and fibreglass substrates and has little to do with the type of membrane coating used. Osmotic, or chemical blisters usually occur after 4 - 6 months in varying degrees of severity. Proper acid etching will minimise this problem but if it occurs consult us for advice. Osmotic blisters are characterised by being full of water with a pH greater than 12.
General Blistering: This form of blistering is generally due to insufficient preparation of the surface, or contaminants present on the surface prior to painting.
Should these types of blistering occur, it is necessary to grind back the affected area using a course disc machine grinder or sander, touch-up with Epotec High Build Epoxy and re-coat the entire area to even out the surface colour.
Unsuitable Pool Types
Epotec High Build Epoxy is NOT SUITABLE for use on fibreglass reinforced cement spa pools, polyethylene, acrylic and some white marble plaster surfaces.
Seek Advice
Seek advice prior to painting if your pool is: More than 10 years old Shows visible cracks and/or rust staining Has a marble plaster surface Surface shows visible algae contamination If you are uncertain about any step of the way.
Colour Selection When selecting a colour for your pool, there is quite a range. However some guidelines may assist you in gaining the right colour: You may like it to blend in or contrast with colours around your pool, such as a tile line, pavers, vegetation. See the Project Gallery to give you some ideas. A considerable amount of “colour” comes from the sky....so white becomes blue, pale jade becomes a tropical blue etc. Darker colours mean warmer water, and so can extend swimming season in the south, yet may prove too hot to cool you down when you need it most. Epotec is a functional coating meaning it’s mainly designed to protect your pool shell from chemicals, water, fats etc. It does come in range of colours however as with all epoxies they will chalk slowly over time and may take on a slight yellow tinge. Lighter colour is best. Salt water pools (and some chlorine pools) will leave a white residue on the surface. This is mainly dissolved “salts” in the water, much like after you have been swimming is the sea and have a white crust on your skin. It’s not detrimental to Epotec, however will show up more on darker colours. You can wipe pool surfaces to remove, however in a splash zone can be quite noticeable and thus a lighter colour should be selected.
For further safety directions, advice and information, please contact Hitchins Technologies Pty Ltd, on 02 9029 4780or facsimile 04 1517 1315 or use the Contact Us form |
