Swimming Pool Today

Swimming pools are generally painted when they are constructed. Over time, the chemicals used to keep the pool clean and sunlight will combine to fade and crack this paint. When the time comes to redo your swimming pool paint job, you will need special paint that has been designed to be constantly submerged in water.

Throwing ordinary latex or oil paints on your pool floor would be senseless. Not only will it fail to provide a smooth coat, but it will also wear down very quickly. As this occurs, swimmers may be exposed to toxic chemicals.

Swimming Pool Paint Varieties

The original swimming pool paint in most cases is an epoxy paint. This type of paint gives the pool a very attractive look. It generally lasts at least seven years. Epoxy paints are effective pool surface protectants as well. This type of paint lasts a long time because it is UV resistant.

More than being UV resistant, pool paints must be able to resist the harsh effects of cleaning chemicals. Epoxy paint is very effective resisting such pool cleaning chemicals as bromine and chlorine. In fact, epoxy paint is even relatively resistant to harsh scrubbing, whether done manually or by one of the popular automated pool cleaning systems.

When people need to repaint their pools, they are usually looking to save some money, especially if they might be selling their homes in the near future. Rubber paints are much less expensive than epoxy paints. However, they will typically last no more than five years. Rubber pool paint does a good job of protecting your pool surface from scrubbing, chemicals, and UV rays, but you can expect to repaint your pool in a few years.

Acrylic, water-based swimming pool paints are very affordable. They can be used on a large variety of pool bottoms. As you might suspect, acrylic pool paints don’t last long. Typically the pool will need repainted within three years. Though the paint may be inexpensive, you face a variety of other costs such as labor and refilling the pool whenever you have to repaint. This might be a viable option if your house is on the market or you have a temporary cash shortage, but otherwise you should avoid using acrylic paint.

Getting a Little Extra Time Out of Swimming Pool Paint

There are some swimming pool supplies available to help you get a little extra time out of swimming pool paint. A diluted wash that includes muriatic acid can remove excess debris on the surface and slow down oxidation. You can recognize the need to use this wash when the pool starts looking chalky.

Using a simple test kit to make sure your swimming pool water maintains a pH of 7.2 to 7.6 will also help your swimming pool paint last longer. Using your cleaning chemicals properly will also help you maintain your pool’s pH. As a nice side benefit to a pH in this range, your eyes will burn less when you swim. Your natural eye pH is approximately 7.3.