Pool resurfacing and replastering
A new interior finish makes an old pool smooth, clean and watertight again. Here's what's involved.
Pool resurfacing means removing or preparing the old interior finish and applying a new one, usually plaster, quartz or pebble. It's the biggest maintenance job a pool owner faces, and it's usually done when the old finish has become rough, stained, etched or has started coming loose.
What happens during a pool resurfacing?
- Draining. The pool is pumped out. Ask your contractor where the water will go and how they'll handle groundwater pressure under the shell.
- Surface prep. Loose and hollow plaster is chipped out. The rest is roughened by sandblasting, hydroblasting, grinding or chipping so the new finish bonds. Some jobs use a bond coat.
- Tile and fittings. Waterline tile, return fittings, lights and main drain covers are protected or replaced as needed.
- Application. The new finish is troweled or sprayed on, then finished by hand.
- Fill and startup. The pool is filled right away, and a startup process follows: brushing and careful chemistry to cure the new surface properly.
Why does startup matter so much?
New plaster keeps curing for weeks after the pool is filled. During that time it releases plaster dust and is especially sensitive to water chemistry. Poor startup can cause scaling, streaking, discoloration or a rough surface that never goes away. Ask the contractor what startup method they use, who handles the first weeks of brushing and chemistry, and what your responsibilities are.
When is the best time to resurface in Havasu?
Many contractors prefer the cooler months. In peak summer heat, an empty pool shell sits in direct sun, plaster sets faster than it can be finished well, and filling and startup chemistry are harder to control. Some companies work year-round with early starts and special precautions. Ask how they handle the heat if your job falls in summer, and book ahead for fall and spring, which tend to fill up.
How long does a new finish last?
It depends heavily on the finish type, how well it was applied and started up, and how well the water is balanced afterward. Plaster generally has the shortest life, quartz lasts longer, and pebble finishes usually last the longest. In Havasu's heat and with constant top-offs, keeping calcium hardness, pH and alkalinity in range makes a big difference.
What should the estimate include?
- The exact finish product and color
- How the old surface will be prepped (chip-out, blasting, bond coat)
- Tile, fittings, lights and drain covers included or excluded
- Startup method and who does it
- The written warranty on materials and workmanship
- The contractor's ROC license number and classification
What affects the cost?
- Finish type. Plaster costs least, pebble and glass bead the most.
- Pool size and shape. Steps, benches and spas add area and labor.
- Prep. A full chip-out costs more than blasting.
- Extras. New tile, coping, lights or drain covers.
Prices come from the pool contractor after they've looked at the pool and talked through finish options. We don't quote prices ourselves, and a phone estimate is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How long does pool resurfacing take?
Often around a week from drain to fill for a standard job, longer if tile, coping or repairs are included. Weather and scheduling vary.
Can I swim right after resurfacing?
Follow your contractor's startup instructions. Many allow swimming once the water is balanced and brushing is under way, but the first weeks are critical for the finish.
Can you put a new finish over the old one?
Sometimes, if the old surface is sound and properly prepped. Hollow or flaking areas have to be removed first.
Related services
- Pebble and quartz finishes
- Pool tile and calcium removal
- Pool deck resurfacing
- Pool leak detection and repair
More background: Lake Havasu pool owner's guide.
Rough, stained or chalky pool finish?
Call now and a local pool contractor will come look and quote a new surface.