Signs Your Pool Needs Resurfacing (and What It Costs in 2026)

Your pool's interior finish doesn't last forever. Whether it's plaster, quartz, or pebble, every surface eventually wears down — and in Florida's climate (intense UV, high heat, year-round chemical exposure), it wears down faster than in most places. The question isn't if your pool will need resurfacing, it's when.

Here's how to know it's time, what your options are, and what it actually costs in Southwest Florida in 2026.

How Do You Know When Your Pool Needs Resurfacing?

A pool needs resurfacing when the interior finish becomes rough, stained, or flaking. Here are the six warning signs we see most often in Bradenton, Sarasota, and Lakewood Ranch pools:

1. Rough Texture

Run your hand along the pool wall or step into the shallow end barefoot. If the surface feels like sandpaper — rough, gritty, abrasive — the finish has eroded. This is the most common complaint we hear. Kids scraping their feet on the steps, swimsuits snagging on the walls. Once the surface goes rough, it's not coming back without resurfacing.

2. Visible Aggregate

If you can see the individual pebbles or sand grains through the finish, the top layer of plaster has worn away. On a quartz or pebble pool this is less obvious (since the aggregate is part of the design), but on a plaster pool, exposed aggregate means the finish is significantly degraded.

3. Staining That Won't Come Out

Persistent brown, blue, green, or black stains that don't respond to chemical treatment or acid washing are a sign of deep surface degradation. The stains aren't sitting on top of the finish — they've penetrated into it. When chemical treatment stops working, the finish has lost its protective surface.

4. Plaster Flaking or Delaminating

This is the one you don't want to ignore. If chunks of plaster are peeling or flaking off the shell, the finish has lost adhesion with the gunite underneath. These chunks clog your filter, create rough edges that can cut feet, and the problem accelerates once it starts. Delamination typically means a full resurface — no amount of patching will fix it long-term.

5. Water Chemistry Won't Balance

This one catches homeowners off guard. If you're constantly fighting your water chemistry — pH keeps drifting, calcium hardness is always off, chlorine demand is through the roof — the surface itself might be the problem. Worn plaster absorbs and releases chemicals differently than a healthy surface, making balanced water nearly impossible to maintain.

6. Calcium Nodules

White bumps or raised deposits forming on the pool surface are calcium nodules. They're a sign of plaster degradation — calcium is leaching out of the finish and redepositing on the surface. They're rough to the touch, unsightly, and a clear indicator the finish is breaking down from the inside.

"If you're seeing two or more of these signs, it's time to get a resurfacing quote. Waiting too long just makes the prep work more extensive and the job more expensive."

How Long Does a Pool Finish Last in Florida?

Pool finish lifespan varies significantly by material. Florida's climate — constant UV exposure, warm water year-round, and aggressive chemical demands — shortens these ranges compared to what you'd see in northern states. Keeping your water chemistry properly balanced is the single biggest factor in extending your finish's life.

These are averages. Proper water chemistry maintenance can push a finish toward the upper end of its range. Neglected chemistry can cut it in half.

How Much Does Pool Resurfacing Cost in Florida?

Pool resurfacing in Southwest Florida costs between $6,000 and $20,000 depending on the finish you choose. Here's what each option runs for a standard-sized pool (roughly 350–500 sq ft) in the Sarasota and Bradenton area in 2026.

Which Finish Should You Choose?

Plaster is the budget-friendly option. It looks clean, especially in white, and it works. But in Florida's climate, you're looking at resurfacing again in 7–12 years. If you're selling the house soon or working on a tight budget, plaster is fine.

Quartz aggregate is the sweet spot for most homeowners. It's significantly more durable than plaster, available in a wide range of colors and textures, and the price premium over plaster is modest. For most of our clients, this is what we recommend.

Pebble finishes are the premium choice. PebbleTec and its variants (PebbleSheen for a smoother texture, PebbleFina for the smoothest) offer the longest lifespan and the best durability in Florida's harsh pool chemistry environment. If you want to do this once and not think about it for 15–20+ years, pebble is the way to go.

Glass bead is the high-end aesthetic choice. It creates a shimmering, reflective surface that looks stunning in direct sunlight. It's durable, but the primary reason people choose it is the visual effect. If your pool is a design centerpiece, glass bead delivers.

What Happens During Pool Resurfacing?

The resurfacing process takes about a week from drain to swim-ready. Here's what happens during a typical job, start to finish:

1. Drain the pool — the pool is pumped down completely. In Florida, this must be done carefully and permitted in some jurisdictions (you can't just pump thousands of gallons into the street).
2. Prep the old surface — if the old finish is delaminating, the crew chips it out down to the gunite shell. If it's intact but worn, an acid wash and bond coat prep the surface for the new material.
3. Apply the new finish — the new surface material is hand-applied by a plastering crew. This is skilled work — the application has to be even, consistent, and done quickly before the material sets.
4. Fill the pool — immediately after application, the pool starts filling. This takes 12–24 hours depending on pool size and water pressure. The fill cannot be interrupted — stopping partway can cause visible waterlines in the new finish.
5. Startup chemistry — the first 30 days after resurfacing are critical. The new finish cures underwater, and the water chemistry must be carefully managed during this period. You'll typically brush the pool daily for the first two weeks and test water chemistry every other day. Your contractor should provide a detailed startup guide.

Timeline

Most resurfacing jobs take 5–7 working days from drain to swim-ready. That includes prep, application, fill, and initial chemistry balancing. Weather can extend this — you can't apply plaster in the rain.

Best Time of Year

Fall and winter are the ideal time to resurface in Florida. Three reasons: demand is lower (so scheduling is easier and pricing may be slightly better), cooler temperatures help the curing process, and you're swimming less anyway so the downtime is less disruptive.

"The biggest mistake homeowners make with resurfacing is ignoring the startup chemistry. Those first 30 days determine how the finish will look and perform for years."

Bottom Line

Pool resurfacing isn't glamorous, but it's one of the most impactful things you can do for an aging pool. A fresh finish transforms the look and feel of the entire pool, makes water chemistry easier to manage, and protects the gunite shell underneath for another decade or two. If you're considering other upgrades at the same time, check out our pool renovation ideas guide for a full list of what's possible.

If you're seeing rough surfaces, staining, flaking, or chemistry problems, don't wait. The longer you let a failing finish go, the more prep work (and cost) will be involved when you finally address it. For help budgeting the full project, our pool cost guide covers everything from resurfacing to equipment upgrades.

We handle pool resurfacing projects across Bradenton, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Port Charlotte, and the surrounding Gulf Coast. Reach out for a free assessment — we'll tell you honestly whether it's time or whether you can get another season out of your current finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you resurface a pool without draining it?

No. The pool must be fully drained for resurfacing. The old surface needs to be prepped (chipped, acid washed, or bond coated) and the new finish is hand-applied directly to the shell. The pool begins refilling immediately after application, so the downtime is typically 5–7 days total.

Is PebbleTec worth the extra cost over plaster?

For most SW Florida homeowners, yes. PebbleTec and similar pebble finishes last 15–25 years compared to 7–12 years for standard plaster. Over a 20-year period, one pebble application costs less than two plaster jobs when you factor in the additional drain, prep, and labor for the second resurfacing.

What is the best time of year to resurface a pool in Florida?

Fall and winter are ideal. Contractor demand is lower (which can mean better scheduling and pricing), cooler temperatures benefit the curing process, and you're swimming less anyway so the 5–7 day downtime is less disruptive. Avoid scheduling during peak summer rainy season since plaster can't be applied in the rain.

How do I maintain a newly resurfaced pool?

The first 30 days are critical. Brush the entire pool surface daily for the first two weeks and test water chemistry every other day. Keep pH between 7.2–7.6 and avoid running the heater for the first month. Your contractor should provide a detailed startup guide. After the initial curing period, follow standard water chemistry maintenance to maximize the finish's lifespan.

Sources

• Finish lifespan and specifications: Pebble Technology International — product and warranty documentation
• Plaster degradation and startup procedures: National Plasterers Council
• Quartz and glass bead specifications: Diamond Brite product data

Pricing reflects 2026 estimates for Southwest Florida and may vary by pool size, condition, and finish selection. Final pricing is determined after a free on-site assessment. Contact us for an accurate quote.