When homeowners talk about pool maintenance, resurfacing often comes up as a key but misunderstood service. Resurfacing a pool is not simply a cosmetic fix—it’s a significant investment in the functionality, longevity, and aesthetics of your swimming pool. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore what it truly means to resurface a pool, the different types of pool surfaces available, the resurfacing process, costs, and signs your pool might need resurfacing soon.
Whether you’re a pool owner deciding on upkeep options or a contractor explaining services to clients, understanding what pool resurfacing entails can help you make informed decisions about your pool’s future.
Understanding Pool Resurfacing
Pool resurfacing refers to the process of removing the existing interior finish of a swimming pool and applying a new surface. This process is performed to address wear and tear, improve water quality, and enhance the pool’s visual appeal. It is a necessary step in maintaining an in-ground or above-ground (though less common) pool’s integrity over time.
Pool surfaces can degrade due to various reasons:
- Chlorine and other chemicals
- Weather exposure
- General wear from use
- Ground movement or poor maintenance practices
Resurfacing helps restore the structural integrity of the pool and improves the efficiency of filtration and heating systems by offering a clean, even surface that reduces algae and calcium buildup.
Is Resurfacing the Same as Renovation?
While resurfacing is a part of a larger pool renovation, it specifically deals with the interior finish. Renovation can include updated pool plumbing, installing new lighting, tile work, decking enhancements, or even structural modifications. Resurfacing is focused entirely on the material that makes up the pool’s interior, often affecting both its performance and appeal.
Signs Your Pool Needs Resurfacing
Being able to identify signs that your pool needs resurfacing can help prevent costly structural problems or extensive damage. Here are the most common indicators:
Rough or Pitted Surfaces
If the interior surface becomes rough, gritty, or develops pits or divots, it’s likely time for a resurface. These changes can irritate skin, harbor bacteria, and are difficult to clean effectively.
Cracks and Leaks
While not all cracks mean you need to resurface, multiple areas showing significant cracking combined with water leakage issues usually point to degradation below the surface—a hint that a resurface, or in extreme cases, a structural fix, is in order.
Stains and Discoloration
Persistent stains that don’t respond to basic cleaning are often due to the breakdown of the surface materials. Discoloration is a clear visual sign that your pool’s finish is failing.
Increased Chemical Consumption
A healthy pool surface helps you maintain balanced water chemistry. A worn surface can increase chemical consumption and make it harder to achieve clarity. Experiencing cloudy water or difficulty maintaining chemical balance might be linked to the surface.
Algae Growth Issues
If algae keeps coming back even after using algaecides and sanitizers, a compromised or porous surface could be the root cause.
Types of Pool Surfaces: Which One is Best?
The type of surface used during resurfacing determines the pool’s performance and aesthetic appeal. When resurfacing your pool, you’ll typically choose from several distinct materials:
Plaster (Whitecoat or Marcite)
Plaster is the most traditional and widely used pool surface. It’s a mixture of white cement and marble dust, typically applied in a smooth finish.
- Pros: Cost-effective, smooth finish, versatile with dye for color options.
- Cons: More prone to etching and staining, may need resurfacing every 7–10 years.
Quartz Aggregate
This surface is a high-strength plaster blend mixed with quartz crystals, offering greater durability.
- Pros: More durable, scratch-resistant, longer lifespan (10–15 years).
- Cons: Slightly rougher texture, more expensive than traditional plaster.
Epoxy and Paint
Painting or epoxy coating is a quick, economical alternative to resurfacing but generally not used for long-term applications.
- Pros: Easy application, DIY-friendly, quick to redo.
- Cons: Shortest lifespan (5–7 years), can peel or blister if not applied properly.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass resurfacing involves applying a pre-molded fiberglass shell over the existing structure or into an empty shell. It’s typically used in new builds rather than resurfacing.
Tiled Surfaces
Porcelain or glass tiles offer a luxurious, long-lasting finish. Tile resurfacing or installation is technically possible but complex and costly.
- Pros: Long-lasting, stain-resistant, customizable.
- Cons: Expensive, grout requires maintenance, can be slippery.
The Pool Resurfacing Process Explained
Resurfacing is a multi-step process that typically takes a week or more to complete. Here’s a step-by-step overview:
1. Draining the Pool
To begin, the pool is drained completely. This allows full access to all interior surfaces. Depending on local codes and groundwater conditions, the pool may not be fully emptied in certain areas to prevent flotation risks.
2. Inspection and Repair
Once the pool is empty, technicians inspect and evaluate the existing structure. Any cracks, leaks, or deterioration beneath the surface must be addressed before applying the new finish.
3. Preparing the Surface
Next is prepping the old surface by chipping away the old finish, repairing with hydraulic cement as needed, and blasting with sand or water to ensure complete adhesion for the new material.
4. Installing New Coping and Tiling (Optional)
This is a good time to replace tiles or coping stones that border the pool. These elements can wear and chip over time, complementing the new surface.
5. Applying the New Surface
The chosen material—plaster, quartz, or another type—is carefully mixed and applied, starting at the deep end and working outwards. Experienced professionals use smooth trowelling techniques to ensure an even, flawless application.
6. Filling and Balancing the Water
Once the surface dries—usually within 7–14 days—the pool is filled, and the water is chemically balanced. A startup procedure is required to protect the new surface, often involving daily brushing and specific chemical additions over the first few weeks.
Care and Maintenance After Resurfacing
Proper post-resurfacing care helps extend the lifespan of your new pool surface and reduce the need for future repairs.
Immediate Start-Up Process
After the pool is filled, many pool professionals recommend a “startup procedure” that involves:
- Daily brushing for the first 30 days
- Using a phosphate-free clarifier
- Implementing a pH management schedule (keeping it between 7.2–7.6, depending on surface type)
This helps the surface cure correctly and remain stain-free.
Long-Term Maintenance Tips
Maintaining your resurfaced pool involves regular cleaning and consistent water chemistry management. Key steps include:
- Regularly testing water for chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness
- Brushing and vacuuming weekly to prevent buildup
- Checking and emptying skimmer baskets and pump strainers
Avoid using acidic cleaners or abrasive tools unless specifically recommended. These can damage the new surface prematurely.
How Much Does Resurfacing a Pool Cost?
The cost of pool resurfacing varies depending on the material used, the pool size, labor rates in the region, and any additional repairs needed.
Cost by Surface Type
| Surface Type | Price Range (per square foot) | Typical Total Cost (for 16×32 Pool) |
|---|---|---|
| Plaster (Whitecoat) | $4–$7 | $4,500–$7,000 |
| Quartz Aggregate | $6–$10 | $6,500–$10,000 |
| Fiberglass | $10–$20 | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Epoxy Paint | $3–$5 | $3,500–$5,500 |
These prices often include both labor and materials. However, pool owners should factor in additional costs for tile or coping replacements, structural repairs, and startup chemicals.
Regional Differences
Pools in areas with higher labor costs (such as California, Florida, and New York) tend to see higher overall budgets for resurfacing. Seasonality also affects pricing—scheduling resurfacing outside of peak times (spring and early summer) may save money.
Why Resurfacing Matters: Long-Term Value and Benefits
Resurfacing your pool may seem like an extensive process, but it can significantly improve both the safety and aesthetics of your backyard oasis. More importantly, it extends the life of the pool and prevents costlier repairs down the line.
Aesthetic and Functional Benefits
Resurfacing offers the chance to re-define your pool’s look. New surfaces can update your backyard style, adding visual appeal through texture, color, or luxurious finishes like glass tile. Functionally, a new surface improves water clarity, ease of cleaning, and overall comfort.
Improved Water Chemistry Management
A fresh, even surface absorbs chemicals more predictably and can help prevent pH imbalances or staining, reducing the amount of chemical adjustments you might otherwise need.
Increased Property Value
A resurfaced pool contributes to a more appealing and functional home, especially when preparing for resale. Well-maintained outdoor spaces with clean, modern features are known to increase property value and attractiveness to potential buyers.
When Is It Time to Consider Resurfacing?
Most pool surfaces last between 7 and 15 years depending on the material used and environmental factors. As a responsible pool owner, tracking maintenance routines and surface behavior helps decide when to act.
Visual Inspections
Set reminders every few years to inspect the condition of your pool’s surfaces, walls, and bottom. Look for:
- Cracks or flaking
- Unusual pH or chemical balance shifts
- Algae buildup that doesn’t respond quickly to cleaning
These can indicate that deterioration is occurring underneath the surface.
Professional Assessment
Schedule a professional evaluation every 5–7 years. Pool contractors are trained to spot signs of significant damage and recommend cost-efficient resurfacing timelines to avoid sudden failures.
Conclusion
Resurfacing your pool is more than just giving it a facelift. It’s a critical part of pool maintenance that ensures long-term safety, efficiency, and functionality. From understanding the various materials available to knowing the warning signs your pool is giving you, informed decisions can help homeowners and pool experts alike keep swimming environments clean, healthy, and enjoyable.
Whether you’re planning a backyard renovation, preparing your home for the market, or simply following through with essential maintenance, pool resurfacing is a task worth prioritizing. Consider working with a licensed and experienced pool contractor to ensure the job is done right the first time—and enjoy another decade or more of trouble-free swimming.