Signs your pool needs resurfacing
- Rough spots that scrape feet or snag swimsuits.
- Stains that do not come out with normal cleaning.
- Delamination: patches where plaster is hollow or flaking.
- Visible cracking or exposed underlying material.
- Higher chemical use or algae that is hard to control on a porous surface.
Finish options
| Finish | Look and feel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White plaster | Classic, smooth, light blue water | Lowest upfront cost. Shows stains and wear sooner. |
| Quartz aggregate | Smooth, more color choices | Quartz adds durability over plain plaster. |
| Pebble aggregate | Textured, natural, deeper water colors | Very durable. More texture underfoot. Polished pebble options are smoother. |
| Tile (full) | Premium, glass or porcelain | Highest cost. Often used for spas or accents. |
Water chemistry has a big effect on any finish. Balanced water, especially during the first weeks after a new finish, helps it last.
What happens during resurfacing
- Drain the pool the way Scottsdale asks: onto your own landscape, or into your home’s sanitary sewer cleanout at a slow rate. See the city’s pool draining page.
- Prepare the surface: remove loose material and prepare the shell for the new finish.
- Tile and coping: replaced now if they are part of the plan.
- Apply the finish.
- Refill and start up with careful water balancing and brushing during curing.
Permits and barrier rules
The City of Scottsdale inspections FAQ says re-plastering is general maintenance, needs no permit or inspection, and that the barrier ordinance in force when the pool was built still applies. Adding new features, equipment or circuits is different and may need permits.
Timing
Many finishes cure best in moderate temperatures, and a drained pool is out of use. Spring and fall are common choices, but the product and schedule decide.
Want more than a new surface? See pool remodeling, pool deck remodeling and our pool remodel guide.
