Plastering for the Future

As the pool plastering industry evolves, one idea is still top of mind for professionals: how to provide a high-quality, long-lasting product while managing costs. The solution often comes down to spending time and money upfront to avoid costly mistakes, callbacks and inefficiencies. From better materials to improved workforce education, smart investments early in the process can prevent expensive issues later, helping plasterers not only save money but also deliver superior products that improve customer satisfaction and company reputation.

Investing in better materials

One of the most significant areas for pool plasterers to consider is their choice of materials. Traditional cement-based finishes, though standard for decades, have inherent weaknesses that can lead to discoloration, etching, spalling and calcium nodules. These issues typically come from the breakdown of calcium hydroxide, which makes up about 25% of the cement paste in pool finishes. Alan Smith, founder of Alan Smith Pools in Southern California, and MicroGlass chairman of the board, says these weaknesses are exacerbated by water chemistry, resulting in costly repairs and unhappy customers.

“[Customers] want [the finish] almost flawless, which is very difficult to achieve,” Smith says. The advent of new products, however, is providing solutions. Innovative compounds and additives that create “a ceramiclike finish” are more resistant to wear and tear and can withstand the harsh conditions that often lead to discoloration and breakdown in traditional plaster, lengthening the lifespan.

Smith stresses that while these premium products may cost more initially, the long-term savings in reduced repairs, fewer warranty claims and higher customer satisfaction outweigh the expense. “You can put out smooth finished plaster jobs that look almost like paint jobs now,” he says.

A particularly promising product for enhancing pool finishes is MicroGlass, a spray-applied solution designed to protect plaster, quartz and pebble finishes, says Patrick Brindle, director of business development at MicroGlass, LLC. The solution converts soft calcium in the plaster into a glasslike compound, significantly improving the surface’s durability.

“Plaster, quartz and pebble finishes all have cement, and cement has a weak link in it called calcium hydroxide,” Brindle says, explaining that when water is unbalanced, it targets this soft calcium and leads to issues like etching, causing roughness and color irregularities. A pool owner’s unhappiness with this may lead to negative reviews, costly go-backs or even plaster-related warranty claims against the pool company. 

“There’s a dollar amount correlated with that,” Brindle says. “It’s loss of revenue and loss of reputation if you have to do a replaster or if you have to send a crew back to do mitigation work on that pool. That’s money out of your pocket.”

It’s loss of revenue and loss of reputation if you have to do a replaster or if you have to send a crew back to do mitigation work on that pool. That’s money out of your pocket.” Patrick Brindle, Microglass

MicroGlass addresses this issue by protecting soft calcium from aggressive water chemistry. Brindle likens the product to ceramic coatings for cars, saying it allows the plaster to cure properly while protecting the color and making the finish more chemically resistant. 

In addition to MicroGlass, the company also offers SetNCure, a liquid admixture that goes directly into the plaster mix. It streamlines plaster protection, offering chemical defense without the need of a spray before fill. SetNCure offers this convenience while also serving as a pump and trowel aid, making the plaster easier to apply and enhancing pigment distribution. 

“SetNCure adds a level of predictability to how your pigment will mix and cement will hydrate,” Brindle says. “You still have to think about things like humidity and shell temperature, but it helps make finishes a lot more resilient and predictable.”

Data and education 

For Jon Temple, owner of Tempool in Jacksonville, Florida, a relentless focus on data and details has proven to be a powerful tool for driving down costs and improving long-term outcomes. 

“I keep track of every warranty — I have about 11,000 pools every three years that I’ve done a 100% warranty check on to review the cause of the claim, how we fixed the problem, what it cost and how much it saved,” Temple says. “I’ve saved millions of dollars because I spent the money upfront to understand and correct any issues so we don’t have to go back in the future. So by using the products that help me mix better, pump better, trowel better, expose better, stand up to harsher chemicals and be easier to apply, I saved about 92% of my warranty, which on a yearly basis equals out to around $420,000 a year savings by spending that money upfront.”

Temple’s approach isn’t limited to better materials and data collection; he also emphasizes the role of education. 

“We educate our guys and help educate our industry, and it’s caused us to move forward even more with our own education,” he says. “Spending a few dollars for education has helped us save countless dollars in the end, but it’s not just financial; you have to spend more of your time, too.”

Smith agrees that investing in workforce education is critical to long-term success. He says that the industry is facing a growing challenge in maintaining a skilled labor force, noting that without proper training, laborers are more likely to make costly mistakes.

Smith advocates for increased education through organizations like the National Plasterers Council and direct training from manufacturers, and Temple suggests Watershape University, where he’s an instructor, and GENESIS. These programs help workers not only understand the technical aspects of various products and methods but also improve their business skills. Smith says this is important because despite knowing how to perform the work, many in the industry lack a deeper understanding of the business side, which can lead to challenges and a race to the bottom when it comes to pricing. Builders often choose the cheapest bid but as Smith warns, “The cheaper you go, the cheaper you get.” 

At Alan Smith Pools, they take a different approach. “We’re probably the most expensive in Southern California, but we’re busy year-round. We know what we’re doing, and customers are getting a superior product.”

While some in the industry are resistant to change, Smith is encouraged by the impact of social media and information-sharing platforms. Pros who may have been stuck in their old ways are beginning to pay attention to new techniques and products.

Reliable, efficient project management

At Gardner Outdoor and Pool Remodeling in El Cajon, California, Scott Mckenna has implemented a structure focused on strong management and employee training. 

“Employees start as helpers and then we train them to install tile or coping,” he says. “They work for several years at it, then they graduate and become the foreman and have their own crew. Lots of our crews are people who worked their way up through the ranks.”

This progression ensures that the company maintains high quality standards.

Field supervision is also a top priority. 

“We are pretty serious about having somebody in the supervisory role on every job, every day, making sure we’re doing what we say we’re going to do, we’re on schedule and are communicating information to the customer,” Mckenna says.

To keep communication clear and consistent, the company sends nightly messages to customers about the next day’s schedule, which has significantly improved customer relations. “Once we start a job, we don’t want to leave until we’re done,” he says. This approach helps prevent jobs from being unnecessarily delayed, something Mckenna has seen too often with other contractors.

Manufacturer support 

Manufacturers play a critical role in helping plasterers make the most of the products they use. Smith emphasizes that it’s not enough for manufacturers to sell a product — they must also provide hands-on education and support to ensure contractors use the materials correctly.

Temple believes that manufacturers should be held accountable for the promises they make. 

“You should demand that the person selling you that product be in the pool with you [proving it],” he says. “If you’re going to invest more money in your company and new products to save, you should hold that manufacturer’s feet to the fire.”

This level of accountability helps ensure plasterers get the value they expect from their investments.

Temple and Smith believe hands-on education from manufacturers can make a significant difference in reducing callbacks and warranty claims. Whether it’s learning how to properly apply a new product or tweaking start-up procedures to preserve color and surface integrity, the guidance provided by manufacturers is invaluable in helping plasterers improve their efficiency and avoid costly mistakes.

The payoff 

For industry leaders like Smith, Temple and Mckenna, the message is clear: Investing wisely at the start of a project pays dividends over time. Whether it’s avoiding the pitfalls of cutting corners or embracing the latest advancements in materials and education, plasterers who spend upfront will save big in the long run — delivering better results for both their customers and bottom line.

Spending time, talent and treasure in the beginning leads to a better quality of our life in the end.” Jon Temple, Tempool, Inc.

“This is the best we’ve ever been,” Temple says. “I’ve surpassed my expectations on how happy I [can make] my customers. Spending time, talent and treasure in the beginning leads to a better quality of life in the end.”