Signs your pool needs resurfacing
Your pool needs resurfacing when the surface turns rough, stained or patchy, or when plaster flakes and sheds. Florida sun, chemicals and years of water chemistry swings wear the finish down. Most of these signs show up slowly, so look for them over time.
- Rough texture: the floor and walls feel like sandpaper on bare feet.
- Stains that do not clean: brown, green or black marks that come back after brushing.
- Flaking or chipping: pieces of plaster or finish coming loose.
- Hollow spots: a tap on the wall sounds hollow where the finish has lifted.
- Cracks: surface cracks or etched areas, especially near steps and returns.
- Frequent algae: a porous finish gives algae more places to hold on.
How resurfacing works
Resurfacing starts with draining the pool. The old finish is chipped or ground away, cracks and hollow spots are repaired, and the surface is prepared so the new finish bonds. A new layer of finish is then applied and troweled in one continuous pass, so there are no seams or lines.
Once the finish is on, the pool is filled right away. Start-up follows a careful routine: the water is balanced, the surface is brushed and chemistry is watched closely for the first weeks. Skipping that step is the main reason new finishes go wrong, and it is the part we do ourselves.
Check the water table before draining
In Florida, never drain a pool without checking the water table first. High groundwater can push on an empty pool and lift or crack it, which is far worse than a rough surface. This is especially true during the rainy season and after storms.
We check conditions before draining, use the hydrostatic relief valve if your pool has one, and plan the timing around the weather. If groundwater is high, the work may need to wait or be done a different way. Our signs you need pool resurfacing article covers more on timing.
Choosing a finish for Florida
The right finish depends on how long you want it to last, how it feels underfoot and how it looks in sun. The comparison below covers the four main options. Our guide to choosing a pool finish in Florida goes into more detail.
Water chemistry matters just as much as the finish itself. Hard water, calcium scale and low pH all age finishes faster, so pairing a new surface with proper balancing and weekly pool cleaning protects your investment.
Combine resurfacing with tile and coping
Because the pool is empty, resurfacing is the best time to replace waterline tile, fix loose coping or repair the plumbing fittings. Doing it all at once saves a second drain and keeps the finish from being damaged later.
Ask about pool tile and coping and the wider pool renovation options if your pool is showing age beyond the surface. We list each item separately in the estimate so you pick what makes sense.
Options at a glance
Step by step: pool resurfacing with Prime
Free on-site estimate
We look at the surface, tile, coping and equipment, bring finish samples and talk about what you want.
Water table check and draining plan
We check ground conditions, plan the drain timing around weather and protect the shell with a relief valve if one exists.
Chip-out and prep
The old finish is removed, cracks and hollow spots are repaired, and fittings are readied for the new surface.
Apply the new finish
The new finish is applied and troweled in one continuous pass for a uniform surface.
Fill, start-up and brushing
The pool is filled right away, the water is balanced, and the surface is brushed on a schedule to cure properly.
Walk-through
We review the equipment, care instructions and what to expect as the finish settles.
Where we do this work
From our Orlando office we take on pool resurfacing across Central Florida and down the coast to Miami, including Orlando, Winter Park, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Lake Nona, Kissimmee, Winter Garden, Lake Mary, Clermont, Oviedo, Melbourne, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
