You’ve just finished building or resurfacing your pool, and the new plaster looks perfect—until it doesn’t. Stains, discoloration, or rough spots can appear within days or weeks, leaving you wondering if something went wrong.
In this guide, we break down the most common new pool plaster problems, what causes them, and how to fix or prevent long-term damage so your investment stays beautiful and functional for years.
What to Expect With New Pool Plaster
It’s normal for new plaster to go through a “curing” period during the first 30 days. This is when the plaster hardens, interacts with water chemistry, and begins to develop its final color and texture.
What’s Considered Normal:
- Mild mottling or color variation
- Minor surface dusting or plaster residue
- Water cloudiness during the first week
Pro Tip: Always follow a strict startup process using a professional or manufacturer-recommended startup kit. Improper chemistry during the first week is the #1 cause of premature damage.
1. Plaster Discoloration or Blotchy Appearance
Quick Answer: Uneven color or blotchy areas often result from water chemistry imbalance, inconsistent brushing, or temperature fluctuations during curing.
Common Causes:
- pH or calcium hardness was too high or too low during startup
- Not brushing the surface twice daily for the first 7 days
- Using pool heaters during the curing period
Fix: Light discoloration may fade over time. For persistent blotchiness, use a Stain & Scale Remover like Jack’s Magic Blue Stuff to gently even out the finish without acid washing.
2. New Plaster is Rough or Sandpaper-Like
Quick Answer: A rough or gritty feel usually results from calcium scale buildup or improper water balance during curing.
Why It Happens:
- High pH or calcium levels cause scale to form
- Improper brushing allows dust to harden into the surface
- Low alkalinity can make plaster etch and degrade
Fix: Perform a no-drain acid wash treatment or use Bio-Dex Plaster White n Brite to gently remove roughness without damaging the surface.
3. Stains Appearing in the First 30 Days
Quick Answer: Most early stains are caused by metals in the fill water, improper chemical additions, or leaving tools in the pool during curing.
Watch for:
- Brown or orange stains = iron
- Black or purple spots = manganese or copper
- Greenish haze = algae or copper buildup
Fix: Use a metal sequestrant like Natural Chemistry Metal Free to bind metals before they settle. For spot treatments, apply Ascorbic Acid Powder directly to the stain.
4. Cracking or Crazing in the Plaster
Quick Answer: Fine surface cracks—called crazing—are typically cosmetic and caused by rapid drying, temperature swings, or over-troweling during application.
Is It Serious?
- Hairline surface cracks are usually not a structural issue
- Wider or deeper cracks may indicate substrate movement or improper mix
Fix: Minor crazing doesn’t require repair. Use a Calcium Hardness Increaser to stabilize the surface over time. For deep structural cracks, contact your contractor immediately.
5. White Streaks or Scale Deposits
Quick Answer: White deposits are almost always calcium scale caused by high calcium hardness or pH during the startup period.
Prevention Tips:
- Keep pH between 7.2–7.4 during the first 30 days
- Calcium hardness should be between 150–200 ppm initially
- Use a sequestrant weekly to prevent calcium fallout
Fix: Use ScaleTec Plus to soften and remove buildup over several days—safe for new plaster and doesn’t require draining.
6. Dusty or Cloudy Water Even After Brushing
Quick Answer: Plaster dust is normal for the first 1–2 weeks but should subside with proper brushing and filtration.
When It’s a Problem:
- Dust lasts more than 10–14 days
- Water remains cloudy even after multiple filter cycles
- Dust feels gritty or abrasive
Fix: Add a clarifier like ClearAid Pool Water Clarifier and increase your filtration run time. If using a sand filter, consider adding filter balls or Zeolite media for finer filtration.
7. Etching or Pitting on the Surface
Quick Answer: Etching (surface erosion) is a serious issue caused by aggressive water that pulls calcium from the plaster.
Signs of Etching:
- Visible pits or craters in the surface
- Discoloration or uneven texture
- Rough spots that weren’t there initially
Fix: Once etching occurs, the only long-term solution may be resurfacing. To prevent further damage, keep water properly balanced with a Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) of 0.0 to +0.3.
Maintenance Tip: Use Orenda SC-1000 Scale & Metal Control and monitor LSI weekly with a digital water testing kit.
8. Pool Plaster Delamination or Hollow Spots
Quick Answer: Delamination means the plaster is separating from the substrate. You’ll feel hollow spots or see bubbles form under the surface.
Causes:
- Improper surface prep before plastering
- Applying plaster during extreme weather
- Inadequate bonding agent or incorrect water curing
Fix: Unfortunately, this requires professional grinding and patching. If caught early and still under warranty, contact your pool builder for repair.
New Pool Plaster Maintenance Schedule
| Day | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Brush twice daily, balance pH and alkalinity, run filter continuously |
| Days 4–7 | Continue brushing daily, monitor calcium, do not heat pool |
| Week 2 | Begin reducing filter runtime, add metal sequestrant weekly |
| Week 3–4 | Resume normal chlorination, monitor LSI, continue brushing as needed |
When to Call a Professional
While most new plaster issues can be managed with routine maintenance and chemistry, you should call a pro if you notice:
- Widespread pitting or surface degradation
- Hollow-sounding areas under the plaster
- Stains that return after treatment
- Visible cracks larger than a hairline
Warranty Tip: New pool plaster often comes with a 1- to 3-year warranty. Keep documentation of startup procedures, water tests, and photos in case you need to make a claim.
Conclusion: Protect Your New Pool Plaster the Right Way
New plaster issues are frustrating—but most of them can be avoided with proper startup care and consistent water balancing. Brushing, monitoring, and treating the water in those first 30 days is absolutely critical for long-term durability and appearance.
Don’t let simple mistakes damage your investment. Use the fixes and tools recommended above to solve new plaster problems early and maintain a beautiful, long-lasting pool finish for years to come.