Eight signs your pool needs resurfacing.

The eight signs

1. Rough to the touch. The surface scrapes feet or snags swimsuits because the finish has worn down to its aggregate.
2. Stains that come back. Brown, gray or green marks return soon after brushing or an acid wash.
3. Etching and pitting. Small pits or a sandpaper feel, often from water that was out of balance for a long time.
4. Cracks. Fine surface cracks can hold algae and dirt. Deeper cracks need a contractor's eye.
5. Hollow spots. Plaster that sounds hollow when tapped has lost its bond and will flake off. A bond coat won't stick over hollow areas, so widespread hollow spots usually mean a full chip-out.
6. Flaking or peeling. Chunks of finish coming loose, often first on steps and benches.
7. Bare or gray patches. The base under the finish shows through, usually on steps and the floor.
8. Water or chemical loss you can't explain. Run a bucket test first: Mesa says a 400 square foot pool loses about 19,664 gallons a year to evaporation, peaking in June. Losing more than that points to a leak.

When a cheaper fix will do

If the plaster is still smooth and the only problem is staining, an acid wash or stain treatment may buy a few more years. Small chips can sometimes be patched. Roughness, hollow spots, flaking and bare patches usually mean the finish is done.

Acid wash or resurface?

How long finishes last here

White plaster typically lasts 7 to 10 years, quartz 10 to 15 and pebble 15 to 20 or more. Hard Valley water and strong sun can shorten that, especially if the water chemistry slips.

Compare plaster, quartz and pebble