How Long Does It Take For A Pool To Cure

Resurfacing your swimming pool? Check out how long to wait before swimming, and some expert tips for a long-lasting finish.

Pool resurfacing can revive an aging concrete or gunite pool. But the process of resurfacing and curing requires patience because this is one of the longest phases in the entire project. But how long, do you ask?

Keep reading this blog post to learn about pool curing time and how different elements, like the climate, affect the timeline.

Understanding Pool Resurfacing for Concrete & Gunite Pools

Over time, the plaster or finish on swimming pools can become stained, rough, or cracked due to years of use, chemicals, and South Florida’s intense sunshine. Resurfacing helps restore the pool’s interior, making it look and feel like new. So, pool resurfacing is totally worth it, and

Although every resurfacing project is unique, here’s a quick rundown of common steps involved:

Step 1: Drain and prepare

The pool is drained ax`nd cleaned completely. Any surface repair work is also performed in this step to ensure the new surface will bond properly.

Step 2: Apply the new surface

A bonding agent is applied before applying the new finish onto the pool’s floor and walls

Step 3: Refill the pool

The pool is refilled with water immediately to keep the new plaster wet. Most importantly, it allows for even curing.

Step 4: Curing

Once filled, the initial phase of pool curing takes 1-2 weeks for the plaster to harden under water.

But how long does the entire pool curing phase last? To answer that, we should explore the pool curing process in more detail.

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Impact of South Florida’s Climate on Pool Curing Timing

Florida is the Sunshine State. So, whichever part of the state you live in, you will enjoy a warm tropical climate almost year-round. So, Florida is every swimmer’s paradise.

But at the same time, this warm climate can produce heat and humidity, influencing how a new pool surface cures. Here’s how different climate conditions can affect the speed and quality of this process:

Warm temperatures can speed up the curing process. Water evaporates faster, which means the concrete dries and sets more quickly. But too fast drying does more harm than good. Plaster loses its moisture too quickly, creating tiny cracks or weakening the finish.
Rain and humidity: Higher humidity slows down the evaporation rate, helping the plaster stay moist longer. But afternoon thunderstorms are troublesome. You don’t want rain destroying your empty, freshly-plastered pool before it’s filled with water. Plus, downpours during the first week of curing can dilute and unbalance the water chemistry.

At Epic Watershapes, we seriously count on climate factors. We plan pool building and resurfacing as per the weather forecasts and may use temporary covers to deal with showers at the wrong time.

In short, our bright, sunny climate helps speed the curing of pools. Professionals will modify the procedure to ensure your new surface cures in the best possible conditions because they are well aware of these local conditions.

Let’s now discuss your most pressing question: how long will it take for a pool to cure?

How Long Does Pool Plaster Take to Cure?

Curing is a crucial phase in the resurfacing of concrete pools. This must be a gradual process for strengthening, and so, one should be patient for the pool finish to reach its full strength.

Let’s break down the timeline:

Initial cure (First 7-10 days): During this time period, almost half of the curing process is finished as the plaster starts hardening underwater. The pool isn’t yet ready for swimming, but you’ll see the water becoming cloudy from plaster dust, which is normal.

Ongoing cure ( 10–28 days): The plaster has hardened, but it’s not 100% set yet. Pool curing time is quoted around 28 days or about 4 weeks for plaster to settle and cure fully. You can say that by the end of this phase, 60% of curing is done. The remaining 40% will happen gradually over the next couple of months. Practically, your will is swimable at this moment, but we strongly recommend giving it a couple more weeks or using the new surface gently.

Full Strength (After 28+ days): The plaster has cured to full hardness. You can have fun swimming while performing your normal pool maintenance routines.

Important Note

Pool curing time varies slightly from project to project, depending on the type of finish and products used. Strictly follow your pool contractor’s guidelines as they provide instructions tailored to your pool’s finish and the current weather.

Tips for a Successful Resurfacing & Curing Experience

Now, it is time for our expert tips to ensure the pool resurfacing and curing process goes well, giving you peace of mind, and your pool—the durability and beauty you have already expected:

Be ready for a short downtime. Make up your mind to be away from the pool for a few weeks while the resurfacing and curing process occurs. We strongly suggest scheduling the project when you are too occupied with something else and may not have time to swim, or maybe during cooler periods.
Follow every single instruction of your pool resurfacing contractor. The contractor will give you some specific instructions for the pool curing time and maintenance, like running the filter for longer, brushing the walls of your pool, etc—all these to protect your new concrete surface. So, you must trust and follow these instructions.
Be attentive to maintenance: In the warm climate of South Florida, algae and minerals grow quickly in the absence of ideal water chemistry. Sadly, fresh plaster is highly sensitive to these issues. So, do not forget to test and maintain the pH and chlorine level of your pool’s water. Brush the pool surface gently at least once a day for 7-10 days to get rid of plaster dust and rough patches.
Enjoy the change. A pool makeover is always exciting. Just imagine the new look and feel! So, don’t get anxious and impatient. Rather, enjoy the process and the upcoming change. Meanwhile, collect before and after photographs of your pool, and plan a small pool re-opening party. Sounds interesting, no?

Ready for a Pool Refresh?

Pool resurfacing and during might seem daunting, but with the right team and a little patience, you can truly see the magic happening in your backyard.

At Epic Watershapes, we try to shorten the pool curing time in Florida as much as possible. But we never trade off quality for anything. So, talk to our experts and schedule a pool resurfacing. We are committed to helping Floridians own and maintain their pools in tip-top shape.