Plaster problem

[John B.]

Last season I renovated my pool and had it plastered by a professional pool company. This season, the walls (about 6-8 inches below the tile line) and the floor of the pool have developed a "sandpaper" type surface. It is so bad that the kids have sore feet and, while diving for pennys, one came up with a bloody knuckle. After plastering, I religiously brushed the surfaces as directed and before winterization the surfaces were fine. What went wrong and how can it be fixed? Thank you!

[Pool Help]

It is one of two possible problems.

1- The pool surfaces have built up scale
2- The plaster has been etched away

Testing of the pool water should indicate which one is causing your problem.

High total alk, high pH and/ or high hardness levels would indicate scaling.

Low total alk, low pH and/ or low hardness levels would indicate erosion/ etching.