Summer is in full swing and your family enjoys your backyard swimming pool nearly every day. It’s also the place where friends gather for BBQ cookouts and parties. Maintaining a pool takes work, but you’ve never been sorry your family decided to have one at home.

Most maintenance tasks for a pool are routine and frequent and will keep your pool clean and available daily. There are some tasks, though, that must be addressed after several years, and one of those is resurfacing the pool.

Each kind of pool has its own requirements for a new surface, so check out our previous blog that breaks down the different pool surfaces and finishes before doing anything. You will have a better understanding of the difference between the surface and the finish and the differences between the various types after reading that blog.

In this article, we will discuss how to know if your pool needs to be resurfaced and then focus on options for refinishing pools’ surfaces.

What Does Pool Resurfacing Mean? 

Let’s make sure we’re all talking about the same thing: Resurfacing means replacing the top layer of your pool. Sometimes it’s confused with replastering, which is a much bigger job. Replastering replaces the entire bottom layer of the pool, not just the surface, and it’s often the most expensive repair a pool owner faces. The best advice we can give is to keep up with the less expensive repairs and you may never need the biggest one!

This also explains the wide range of years usually given for resurfacing: Five to 20 years. Take care of your pool and the surface may last up to 20 years, longer than most people will live in a house. Neglect, however, leads to a new surface much faster, closer to the “every five years” range. The everyday, small pool cleaning and maintenance tasks may seem annoying at the time but they all pay off in the long run.

Where your pool will fall within that wide range also depends on what surface your pool has. With fiberglass pools, the existing layer is prepped and then gelcoat is sprayed onto the surface. Vinyl pools are much more complicated because the pool has to be disassembled, the old vinyl removed, and the new vinyl installed. 

Read on for tips to help you know when to resurface your pool.

Signs That Your Pool’s Surface Needs Attention

As you carry out your routine pool maintenance, look for these signs that pool resurfacing might be needed soon:

– The pool surface shows wear: Peeling, flaking, or cracking. 

– The texture of the surface is rough or uneven.

– The surface is discolored or appears faded.

– There are cracks in the surface structure.

– Aside from discoloration, you also see large areas stained by rust.

– The surface paint is peeling.

When you see signs like this on your car’s surface paint job, you know what it means: Trouble ahead! Rust (or more rust, if it’s already started) will eat away at the car’s outer shell until the damage is extensive. And more costly. It’s the same concept with the surface of your pool. If you see any of these signs in your pool, it’s important to repair those areas already damaged and then act quickly to prevent further damage to the pool and keep everyone safe who uses it.

Let’s look next at the options for pool surfaces available to you.

Pool Resurfacing Options

There are several options available and which you use for resurfacing will depend on your budget, the type of pool you have, and the aesthetic look you prefer:

Acrylic Paint

This is a water-based option and is applied directly to concrete pools. It’s budget-friendly but its lifespan is only two to three years. 

Epoxy Paint

Epoxy paint works well on fiberglass pools and resists chemicals and stains for seven to 10 years. It’s more expensive, though, so you must balance your budget and the longevity of the paint.

Plaster

One of the most expensive options, plaster is a common option for concrete pools. It consists of cement, water, and sand, remains smooth, and is durable with normal care. 

Quartz

Quartz surfaces are popular in kitchens, bathrooms, and pools. The durable surface is stain-resistant, particularly those from the brand Diamond Brite. Various colors are available and the finished product is luxurious, especially compared to traditional plaster. The cost lies in the middle ground between the others listed, making this surface very popular.

Pebble Tec®

Pebble Tec® is an aggregate pool finish that blends smooth pebbles with cement for a natural, non-slip finish. It’s known for its durability, reasonable price, and resistance to stains and chemicals, lasting 15 to 20 years. It comes in a variety of color options and textures but tends to be expensive.

Glass Tile

Glass tiles provide a beautiful appearance to any surface, plus it’s easy to clean. Concrete or fiberglass pool surfaces are perfect for glass tile. One downside to using glass is its cost. It is more expensive than other materials and most pool contractors regard it as a luxury material. On the other hand, glass tile lasts 25 years or more.

Choosing the Best Resurfacing Options For Your Swimming Pool

Resurfacing a swimming pool is one of the biggest maintenance jobs you will face. Costs, durability, and aesthetics must all be considered so your pool will stay safe, functional, and beautiful into the future. 

Dive into crystal-clear confidence! Become a pool care pro with Pool School Videos. Discover efficient, budget-friendly maintenance routines and expert inspection tips to keep your pool pristine all summer long. 

We provide in-depth, understandable information on both common and not-so-common pool maintenance problems, including the need to resurface swimming pools.

When you purchase the Pool School Videos series, you will get the benefit of “The Pool Doctor” Mike Steele, who has over 30 years of experience in the pool maintenance industry. 

Our 20 self-paced DIY pool maintenance videos provide in-depth, easy-to-follow instructions on how to take care of your pool properly. You won’t find this kind of information anywhere else. Once purchased, you own the videos, so you can watch them as many times as necessary, whenever you want!

Plus, with your Pool School Videos purchase, you also become a member of our private Facebook group. Through this group, you can request customized guidance by posting specific questions and you will receive a personal response within 24 hours!

Let us teach you how to properly maintain your pool’s surface and much more! Get started today!