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How often does a pool need to be resurfaced?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 24, 2026

It varies depending on the type of pool, with plaster or cement pools needing to be resurfaced every 3-7 years while fiberglass pools can sometimes go as long as 15-30 years.

How do you know when your pool needs to be resurfaced?

Top 10 Signs You Have To Refinish Your Pool

  1. Plaster Flaking or Peeling. Maybe you've noticed the plaster is peeling along the steps or floor of your pool or spa. ...
  2. Surface Stains. ...
  3. Roughness. ...
  4. Check Cracks. ...
  5. Plaster Discolorations. ...
  6. Structural Cracks. ...
  7. Rust Stains. ...
  8. Loss of Pebbles.

Why does a pool need to be resurfaced?

Resurfacing can repair problems like cracks and wearing, while also enhancing and updating your pool's appearance. While not needed as often as other services, resurfacing should still be on your list of pool maintenance tasks.

How do you know if your pool needs to be replastered?

If there are several bare or thin spots, be sure to plaster the entire pool for a uniform result. Plaster is normally translucent in thin layers so if the plaster appears darker in certain areas, that's due to gunite showing through, that's an indication that the pool needs to be replastered or patched.

How long will pool paint last?

When it comes to durability, both plaster and pool paint are built to hold up against the chemicals in your pool and natural conditions outside of it such as harmful UV rays; however, most pool plaster lasts 15-20 years, while epoxy pool paint – the longest-lasting type of pool paint on the market – needs to be ...

25 related questions found

What happens if you don't Replaster a pool?

When you are swimming, you would get scratched or roughened when you step out of the pool. Also, you could get scratched or your swimsuit could get torn with the jagged plaster. If it's unpleasant to run your hand along the side of the pool or climb up the stairs then its because your plaster is wearing thin.

How often should a concrete pool be painted?

Generally, you will get no warranty on pool paint. Once painted, the pool will have to be re-painted every 2-4 years. Over time, paint can chalk and leave a cloudy residue in the water.

What is Replastering a pool?

In a nutshell, replastering a pool means putting a new layer of plaster on the walls and bottom. What does plaster do? First, it serves to make your pool waterproof. Kind of important, right? When you had your pool installed, the people who did it likely used either concrete or gunite to form the “shell” of the pool.

What is the longest lasting pool finish?

Tile Finishes

Though tile is the most expensive pool finish and takes longer to install than plaster and aggregate, it's the longest lasting pool surface. With proper application and minimal maintenance, tiles should never need to be replaced. Tile pool finishes come in ceramic, porcelain, glass and stone.

What is plastering a pool?

Pool plaster is the skin that separates the water and the concrete pool. It offers various advantages including its aesthetic appeal and a smooth surface but what it's better known for is its ability to create a watertight seal between the pool water and the rough underlying surface.

How long does gunite last in a pool?

But a properly built Gunite pool can and should last for 100 years or more, with no risk of cracking whatsoever. We've been building Gunite pools for more than 40 years (more than 4000 swimming pools), and we've never had one crack yet.

What is Diamond Brite?

Diamond Brite® finishes are blends of selected quartz aggregates and fortified white Portland cement ideal for new or re-finished swimming pools. Diamond Brite® finishes are factory blended to provide the pool owner with an extremely durable and attractive alternative to traditional pool coatings.

When should I resurface my concrete pool?

A concrete (gunite) pool lasts 10–15 years before it needs to be resurfaced. In addition to redoing the interior finish, you'll usually need to replace the waterline tile at the same time.

How often should you resurface a gunite pool?

On average, gunite swimming pools last 7 to 10 years before they need to be resurfaced. When that time comes, it's important to know what options are available so that you can pick the best choice for your backyard space.

Why is my pool plaster peeling?

Pool Plaster Spalling

For example, if your plaster is over troweled or if the troweling is improperly timed, a thin layer of plaster (about one-eighth of an inch) can begin to flake and peel off, which can set your project back another month. This can also occur as a result of adding too much water while troweling.

What is pool mottling?

They are usually blotchy Gray or black areas on the surface of the pool. Hydration Problem is commonly known as Mottling / Trapped Moisture. It can appear as soon as the first day of the job or can take as long as 4-5 months to appear. Unbalanced water during start-up.

Is Pebble Tec better than plaster?

Pebble Tec®

While it is more expensive than plaster, it is the highest quality pool resurfacing material available due to its longevity and ability to hide chemical residue.

Do gunite pools hurt your feet?

Many swimmers and children find the rough bottom in a gunite pool to be very abrasive and uncomfortable. It is not uncommon to scrape and or irritate your feet if the swimmer is in the pool for long periods of time and sitting on the pools steps or benches will certainly snag a swim suit.

How long does a quartz pool finish last?

Quartz pool finishes are a combination of a quartz aggregate and polymer-modified cement – technically making it a kind of plaster surface. Quartz surfaces are in ways the best of plaster and pebble finishes. SwimmingPool.com said quartz finishes typically last between seven and 12 years.

How soon after pool resurfacing Can you swim?

The plaster material cures under water in about 7-10 days. But this doesn't mean you have to wait that long. Once the pool is filled and clean, you can go in for a swim.

How soon can you swim after plastering a pool?

Do not swim in the pool until after the start-up procedure has been completed. Do not use any automatic pool cleaners for a minimum of three weeks after plastering.

What is pool resurfacing?

Concrete Pools Resurfacing

Firstly the pool is completely drained. The pool surface is then cleaned and rubbed back, and necessary repairs are made to chipped or cracked gel coat. The pool surface is inspected and as a result, repairs are made to any drummy (hollow) patches that are found.

How much does it cost to repaint a swimming pool?

Swimming pool resurfacing costs vary between $1,000 and $30,000. DIYing your swimming pool repainting project can cost as little as $1,500. Expect to pay about $6,500 per 1,000 square feet for high-end options.

Is it bad to paint your pool?

As part of your maintenance routine, pool owners use chemicals. Those chemicals can break down the paint resulting in chalky, cloud water and a residue that can stain your skin and swimsuits. As if that weren't bad enough, paint can often flake off, clogging your pool's filter, leading to even more damage.

How much does it cost to epoxy a pool?

If you get it done professionally (which you should if you want maximum quality), labor costs will vary. That can be well over $500, so you're looking at around a minimum of $1,500 for the whole process.