Pool resurfacing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pool resurfacing is

Pool resurfacing removes or repairs the old finish on a pool and applies new plaster, pebble or another surface, then refills and balances the water so the finish cures properly. People hire it when the old surface is rough, stained, flaking or hiding a problem in the shell.

Signs you need it

  • The plaster is rough, flaking, chalky or peeling in patches
  • Stains or rust marks will not clear with brushing or cleaning
  • Pebbles are loose, or there are exposed aggregate patches on the floor or walls
  • Cracks in the surface keep coming back after patching
  • The tile line or coping is failing, and the surface beneath it is failing too

What the pro does

  • Check the hydrostatic relief valve and groundwater level, then drain the pool to the level the crew needs
  • Remove or chip out the failing finish and prepare the shell by grinding or acid washing as the surface requires
  • Patch cracks and damaged areas with a repair material matched to the shell
  • Apply the new finish, such as plaster, quartz or pebble, in the thickness the material requires
  • Keep the new surface wet and protected through the cure, and brush or trowel it when the material calls for it
  • Refill the pool slowly, balance the water, and walk the owner through the cure and first-week care

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Finish chosen, such as standard plaster, quartz, pebble or another product line
  • Size, depth and shape of the pool, including steps, benches and any attached spa
  • Amount of old finish to remove, and the condition of the shell underneath
  • Repairs needed in the shell, tile, coping or light niches before the new finish goes on
  • Whether the pool must be drained, and how the water is handled and refilled
  • Access for the crew, equipment and disposal of the old material
  • Groundwater conditions, which affect the drain plan and the timing of the work

What a written quote should spell out

  • The finish type, color and product line
  • Old surface removal, shell prep and any patching as separate lines
  • Whether the pool is drained, and how the water is handled
  • The cure schedule, water chemistry steps and when you can swim
  • Tile, coping or light niche work, with a note on whether it is included or excluded and why
  • Warranty on the finish, the workmanship and the labor, and how claims are handled

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What finish do you recommend for my pool and climate, and why?
  • How long is the cure, and when can we swim?
  • Will the pool need to be drained, and how is the water handled?
  • How do you check the hydrostatic relief valve before draining?
  • What happens if you find cracks or damage in the shell during removal?
  • What does the warranty cover for the finish and for the work?
  • Who checks the cure and the first refill, and how do you handle stains that show up later?

Red flags

  • They skip the hydrostatic relief valve check before draining in a high groundwater area
  • They fill the pool right after the finish goes on, with no cure plan
  • They will not show you sample finishes or the product line they plan to use
  • They quote a resurfacing without first inspecting the shell for cracks
  • They will not put the cure schedule and water chemistry steps in writing

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can clear the pool deck, move furniture and equipment away, and take photos of the surface to share with the pro. Do not drain the pool yourself, grind or acid wash the surface, or lower the water below what the pro sets, because a wrong drain can float or crack the shell. Call a pro for every step from draining through cure.

Licenses and permits

Resurfacing is often done by licensed pool contractors, and draining, plumbing or electrical changes may require a licensed trade or a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency about the licenses that apply, and with your local building office about any permit for work around the shell.

Pool resurfacing questions

Can a pool be resurfaced without draining it?

Some small repairs can be done with the water in place, but a full resurfacing usually requires draining. Ask the pro to explain how the water will be handled and why.

Why does the new plaster stain or look rough?

Staining and roughness often come from water chemistry that was out of balance during the cure, metals in the water, or the surface being brushed or troweled at the wrong time. Ask the pro for the cure log and the chemistry log.

How long does the new finish last?

It depends on the finish type, the water care, the chemistry and how well the shell was prepared. Ask the pro to explain the expected life of the finish you choose and the care it needs.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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