9 Signs Your Florida Pool Needs Resurfacing

A Florida pool usually needs resurfacing when the surface turns rough, stains that will not brush out, shows etching, sounds hollow in spots, develops checking cracks, makes the water chalky, or starts using more chemicals than before. One sign alone may be fixable. Several together mean the finish is wearing out.

What is resurfacing, and why do Florida pools need it?

Resurfacing replaces the thin finish layer over the concrete shell, usually plaster, quartz or pebble. The shell itself stays. Sun, warm water, hard water and constant use wear that layer down over time. Chemistry that drifts out of balance speeds it up.

The signs below are what we look for on a visit. If you spot any of them, you can text photos to (689) 225-1200 for a first look before we come out.

1. Does the surface feel rough?

A new finish feels smooth under your hand. When it starts to feel like sandpaper, the top layer is wearing away and exposing the aggregate or rough cement underneath. Run your palm along the steps and the walls near the waterline. Rough patches on feet and swimsuits are an early sign.

Some roughness is scale, which is calcium that has built up on the surface and can sometimes be removed. Roughness that stays after cleaning is wear.

2. Are there stains that will not brush out?

Leaves, metals and organic matter can stain a finish. Many stains lift with brushing or a chemical treatment. Stains that keep returning, or that sit deeper in the surface, often mean the finish has become porous, so it holds on to what touches it.

• Brown or tea-colored marks often come from leaves or tannins.
• Green, blue or rust-colored marks can come from metals in the water.
• Dark spots may be algae growing in the surface rather than on it.

A stain that clears after treatment is a chemistry job. A stain that comes back is a surface problem.

3. Is the finish etched?

Etching is the surface being dissolved by water that is too acidic or too soft. The finish looks pitted, uneven or faintly sandy, often with exposed bits of aggregate. It is common on plaster when the pH or calcium level has stayed low for too long.

Etching does not heal. Once the surface is gone, balanced water will not bring it back. We can show you the pattern on your own walls during the visit.

4. Do any spots sound hollow?

Delamination happens when the finish loses its bond with the shell underneath. Tap lightly on the wall or floor with a hard, rounded object, like the handle of a screwdriver. A solid sound is good. A dull or hollow sound means the finish is lifting.

You may also see raised patches or edges that flake away in pieces. Hollow spots rarely fix themselves, and water can get behind the finish and make them worse. This one is worth calling about soon.

5. Do you see checking cracks?

Checking cracks are fine, shallow lines that form in a web or map pattern across the surface. They come from the finish itself, not the shell, and are often cosmetic early on. Over time, they can hold dirt and stain.

Do not confuse them with structural cracks. A long, straight crack that runs deeper, or one that you can feel with a fingernail, is a different matter and may involve the shell or the plumbing. See pool repair and pool leak detection if you suspect water is escaping.

6. Is the water chalky or cloudy for no clear reason?

When a cement-based finish breaks down, it releases fine particles into the water. The water can look dull, milky or chalky even though the chemistry tests fine. A filter that clogs more often than usual is another clue.

If you clean the filter and balance the water and the haze keeps coming back, the surface may be the source.

7. Are you using more chemicals than before?

A worn, porous surface soaks up chemicals and gives food to algae. If you add chlorine, acid or balancers more often to hold the same readings, the surface may be the reason. This is easy to miss, because it creeps up on you month by month.

Your pool service will often notice before you do. If your water takes more effort than it used to, mention it. Our weekly pool cleaning visits include testing and balancing, so a trend shows up in the notes.

8. Does algae keep coming back?

Algae holds on to rough or pitted surfaces. If you keep seeing it in the same spots, even after treatment, the finish may be giving it a home. Steps, corners and shaded walls are typical places.

9. Is the finish fading or patchy?

Color changes by itself are cosmetic. Uneven patches, however, can point to thin finish, scale or wear showing through. Look at shallow areas and the top of the walls, where sun is strongest.

Can you wait and see?

Sometimes. Roughness, light fading and a few hairline checking cracks can wait while you plan and budget. Hollow spots, spreading etching and a steady rise in chemical use are different, because the damage grows. The longer a failing finish stays in service, the more likely it is that moisture works behind it. A short visit lets us tell you which category you are in.

How long should a finish last?

It varies. The material, the install, the water care and the sun all matter, so we do not give one number. A finish kept in balanced water, brushed and maintained will usually outlast one that was neglected. Read choosing a pool finish for Florida to see how each material ages.

What happens when you decide to resurface?

We visit, look at the surface and the tile and coping, and write an itemized estimate that lists what is included and what is not. The pool is drained, the old finish is prepared, and the new finish goes on. Then we handle start-up, water balancing and brushing, and walk you through your equipment. It is also the best time to repair tile or coping, or update equipment, since the pool is already empty.

If you are in Orlando, Windermere or any town we serve, explore pool resurfacing and then call or text (689) 225-1200. We reply within 1 business day.