FAQs

Plaster/marcite is a combination of cement, sand, and calcium carbonate (crushed marble). When applied, it is troweled until the “cream” is brought to the surface. In that cream is calcium carbonate and cement. The cream hardens and becomes a protective layer. It is approximately the thickness of two to three sheets of paper. This is why an acid bath is damaging to plaster/marcite, because the protective layer is so thin.

A Pebble Tec® finish is cement and stone without calcium carbonate. There is no cream to be brought to the surface and the entire 3/8” to ½” coating is the same all the way through. Because 90-95% of the surface is pebbles, it is much more resistant to acid and poor water chemistry.

A Pebble Tec® finish is not rough; it is textured and has a “bumpy” feel. When applied properly, you can spend more time on a Pebble Tec® finish than in a pool with regular plaster/marcite. However, be aware that there is no surface in any pool that you can spend several hours playing volleyball and not get abrasions on your feet.