Patent Publication Number: US-2007113517-A1

Title: Acrylic pool sealer and method for using the same

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to an acrylic composition and related method for sealing pools and spas. More specifically, it relates to an acrylic composition which is used to seal pool surfaces which is resistant to aggressive environments found in swimming pools, spas and man-made water features.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The current method for resurfacing pools which have become degraded, chipped and spotted is a time intensive and expensive method of re-plastering the surface. In order to re-plaster the existing surface of a pool, the pool needs to be drained and the existing degraded coat of plaster needs to be blasted off and chipped away. This process is time consuming, expensive and creates environmentally unfriendly by-products. Further, recoating with a new coat of plaster has an additional drawback in that it usually only lasts for an additional three to five years and will continue to chip, flake off, erode away and spot over time. The eroding of the plaster moves faster if the pool is chemically imbalanced.  
      Another method for surfacing pools is that commonly referred to in the industry as the pebbletec method which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,373 to Garrett. This method still entails blasting off the existing plaster coat of the pool and resurfacing the entire pool with an expensive pozzolan composition. This resurfacing method is time consuming, costly and still elicits environmentally unfriendly by-products.  
      There remains a need, for an improved compound and method for re-sealing existing pool surfaces which is effective, economical, time efficient and does not produce environmentally unfriendly bi-products. The only currently available products and processes yield expensive, time consuming products and methods which result in production of environmentally hazardous waste which must be disposed of.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      To solve these problems and others, the instant invention provides an acrylic product and method for applying the same to existing pool services. This product and process do not involve the removal of the existing plaster, but rather just a quick acid cleaning of the same prior to application. There are no environmentally hazard waste products elicited by the process as no plaster needs to be removed. This product and process allow for a two-day resealing of an existing pool surface and provide a pool surface which is much more durable than the common plaster finish known in the prior art.  
      The method and compound to resurface pool surfaces which is much more effective, cost conscious, time efficient, durable and does not produce the environmentally unfriendly by-products of the existing resurfacing methods and products. The method does not yield waste products including chipped away plaster and concrete. The method does not result in dust which can be noxious. The compound of the present invention has superior coverage to the common plaster. The compound of the present invention is suitable for both smooth and potted pool or water feature surfaces. Furthermore, the compound is water based and does not yield any environmentally insensitive products into the water of the existing pool. Once applied to the pool the acrylic surface compound reduces the amount of chemicals which must be used in the pool to stabilize the water. The surface creates an impermeable barrier to the chemicals so that they are unable to further degrade the plaster and cement which lie below the acrylic surface.  
      An exemplar method of the present invention includes preparing the plaster surface of the pool or other water feature by applying a mixture of hydrochloric acid and water to the existing plaster surface of the pool. This composition is left on for one to five minutes and is then rinsed off with a spray of water. More than one application of hydrochloric acid and water can be made if the pool surface is extremely discolored or pockmarked. Once the hydrochloric acid and water mixture is rinsed off the pool surface is allowed to dry for 0.5 to 1 hours. Once the pool surface is dry the acrylic compound is applied to the plaster surface of the pool. The acrylic compound is brushed on with a soft bristle wand brush. The acrylic compound is applied to the plaster surface of the pool and results in a smooth even surface. The acrylic compound is applied and completely covers all of the plaster surfaces of the pool or water feature with a thickness ranging from 0.05 mm to 2 mm.  
      One embodiment of the acrylic surface compound generally includes about 60% to 70% liquid acrylic, 20% to 30% paint and 10% to 15% pigment. The acrylic compound in this composition can be mixed in a white, black or grey color. The white pigment includes titanium dioxide and the black pigment contains amorphous carbon. In another embodiment the acrylic compound can be made with a grey pigment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1 —is a flow chart of an exmplary method of sealing a pool or spa surface. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a flow chart showing an exemplary method of preparing and applying a smooth, watertight acrylic surface, desirable in in-ground pool surfaces or other manmade water features. Although the present invention can be utilized for the preparation of virtually any concrete surface where the desire is to achieve a smooth, watertight surface, the foregoing description will describe a method of resurfacing an in-ground swimming pool surface which was originally made of plaster and has become degraded and marked. This method can be used on pool remodels or on any cured plaster.  
      First, at step  102 , a solution of hydrochloric acid and water is poured on the concrete surface  FIG. 1 . The composition of hydrochloric acid and water depends on the degree of staining which has occurred on the plaster surfaces. This mixture can vary from thirty to fifty percent hydrochloric acid and seventy to fifty percent water. The more stained the pool surface the higher the concentration of hydrochloric acid which needs to be used. At step  104 , the solution is left on the pool for five to ten minutes. At step  106 , a pure solution of water is then sprayed onto the concrete surface to wash off the hydrochloric acid and water mixture.  
      Next, at step  200  a determination is made as to whether the desired smooth concrete is exposed. Multiple applications of the hydrochloric acid water mixture can be made until the desired smooth concrete below is exposed. At step  300 , the surface of the pool is then thoroughly washed with water and left to dry for about one hour. At step  400 , once the surface of the pool is completely dry, the acrylic compound of the present invention is mixed. At step  500 , the acrylic compound is then brushed on with a soft bristle brush, preferably a wand brush. One coat of acrylic compound is applied to the plaster surface. The acrylic compound is applied with a thickness of 0.05 mm to 2 mm. At step  600 , the acrylic compound is allowed to dry for a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 5 hours, and the pool is refilled with water for use.  
      One preferred composition of the acrylic compound is two and one-half gallons of acrylic, one gallon of paint, and one-half pint of pigments. The pigment to create a white pool surface is titanium dioxide. The pigment used to create a black pool surface is amorphous carbon. In another embodiment the pigment to create black contains ethylene glycol, talc, magnesium, silicate hydrate, water, kaolin, carbon black, diethylene glycol and silica crystalline. Titanium Dioxide can be used as the pigment to create a grey bottom pool. The acrylic compound is then applied to the concrete surface with a soft bristle brush, preferably a wand brush.  
      The described exemplary embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It should also be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular exemplary embodiments described herein, but is capable of many rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention.