Pool Resurfacing FAQ

Pool resurfacing replaces the worn interior finish of a concrete pool with a new waterproof layer. The pool is drained, the old surface is prepared and repaired, and a new coat of plaster, quartz, pebble or tile is applied. The pool is then refilled right away so the finish cures under water.

Replastering is one kind of resurfacing. It specifically means applying new plaster, usually white or tinted. Resurfacing is the umbrella term and also includes quartz, pebble and all-tile interiors. People often use the words interchangeably, so ask your contractor exactly which finish they're quoting.

Common signs include a rough surface that scrapes feet, flaking or peeling plaster, stains that won't brush out, cracks, hollow-sounding spots and rising chemical use. Bob Vila says most pools need it about every 10 to 12 years, and sooner for plaster in Arizona. A licensed pro can confirm whether you need a new finish or a smaller repair.

Shorter than in milder places. An Arizona builder reports plaster often shows significant wear in 5 to 10 years here because of UV, heat and heavy chemical demand. Rosie on the House also cites 5 to 10 years with proper water care. Good water balance helps you reach the upper end.

Of the cement-based finishes, pebble reports the longest life at roughly 15 to 30 years depending on the source. Porcelain tile interiors are reported at 25 years or more. Quartz falls around 7 to 18 years depending on the source and care, and plain plaster is the shortest-lived but least expensive.

Standard white plaster has the lowest upfront cost, about $3,500 to $6,500 according to an Arizona builder's 2026 figures. Paint and epoxy coatings can cost less nationally but are short-lived and less common on Arizona plaster pools. Remember that a cheaper finish may need replacing sooner.

Arizona builder figures from early 2026 list pebble at about $6,000 to $15,000 versus $3,500 to $6,500 for plaster. Because pebble reports a much longer life, its cost per year can end up lower. The same builder notes pebble at $10 per square foot can beat plaster at $4 over time.

Yes, for any plaster, quartz or pebble finish. The shell must be dry and prepared, then the pool is refilled right after. Waterline tile is the exception, since it can sometimes be done by lowering the water below the tile band. Draining is the step most affected by city rules, so see your city page for where the water can go.

Most Valley cities want it kept on your property or sent slowly into your home's sewer cleanout, not the street. Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler and Tempe recommend about 12 gallons per minute to the cleanout. Rules vary by city, so check our city-by-city drain rules table.

National guides list about 5 to 14 days of active work for most resurfacing jobs: roughly 4 to 5 days for drain and prep, 1 to 3 for repairs and 1 to 2 to apply the finish. Refilling usually takes 24 to 48 hours, then startup. Our pool resurfacing process guide times every step.

Late fall through early spring is generally best. An Arizona builder calls winter the top choice and fall a close second, noting July and August are the hardest months. Cooler weather helps cement-based finishes cure evenly, and demand is usually lower, which can make scheduling easier.

Extreme heat can make cement-based finishes dry too fast. An Arizona builder warns plaster applied above 90°F in low humidity can end up weaker, and Rosie on the House advises against draining in summer unless necessary because dry heat can crack plaster. If you must resurface in summer, ask how the contractor protects the fresh finish from the heat.

It can, but it's the hardest time of year. Arizona's monsoon runs June 15 to September 30 and brings heavy rain, dust storms and strong winds on top of triple-digit heat. An Arizona builder says storms can delay tile and deck work. Wind can also blow dust into a pool while its new finish is curing. Fall through spring is easier.

Follow your contractor's startup plan. Typical guidance is to brush the whole pool at least twice a day for about two weeks, test the water often, keep pH in the recommended range and avoid harsh chemicals. Wait to heat the pool until the finish cures, which some guides put at up to 28 days.

That's usually mineral scale from hard water. As water evaporates in the heat, calcium and other minerals stay behind on the tile. Rosie on the House notes it can sometimes be removed with a special tile cleaning. Our pool tile and coping page covers cleaning versus replacing.

It's the premium choice. An Arizona builder lists all-tile interiors at about $15,000 to $30,000, compared with $3,500 to $6,500 for plaster, and reports porcelain tile lasting 25 years or more. It makes the most sense if you plan to keep the pool a long time and want a glossy, easy-to-clean surface. Many owners tile only the waterline band instead.

Coping is the cap along the top edge of the pool wall, between the waterline tile and the deck. It can be precast concrete, natural stone, brick, travertine or poured concrete. It finishes the edge and helps keep splash water away from the pool structure. Loose or cracked coping should be fixed.

Full resurfacing is skilled work that involves draining, prep, repairs and fast, even application of the finish. In Arizona, it's also licensed work. The R-6 service and repair license doesn't even allow full replacement of plaster or pebble interiors. Most homeowners hire a licensed swimming pool or plastering contractor.

Look for a B-5 or B-6 General Swimming Pool Contractor license or the R-36 Plastering classification, which covers pool interiors excluding tile. Some companies hold a dual KA-5 or KA-6 license, which combines commercial and residential pool classes. Verify the license number and status on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors website before signing anything.

Each participating company that receives your request pays us a fee, and a request goes to no more than 5 companies. That's how the service stays free for you. It doesn't change what you pay the contractor, and you never have to hire any of the companies you're matched with.

Possibly a few. Each request can go to up to 5 participating pool resurfacing companies that serve your ZIP code, and each may call, text or email you to set up a quote visit. That's how you get quotes to compare. In some areas fewer companies take part. Tell any company to stop contacting you whenever you like, and reply STOP to any text to opt out.

No. We share your request with up to 5 licensed local companies that serve your area and handle the type of work you need, so they can contact you about your project. They're listed on our participating companies page. Our privacy policy explains how we handle your data and how to opt out of texts.

Start with the basics that protect you: the Arizona ROC license number and class, and proof of insurance. Then ask what the price covers, including prep, repairs, draining, tile cleaning and startup. Ask when they can start, how long the pool will sit empty and what the warranty covers. Our cost guide has a full checklist for comparing quotes.

Not on its own. Leaks from cracks, plumbing or fittings need to be found and repaired before a new finish goes on. National guides stress that repairs come first. If your water level keeps dropping faster than evaporation explains, ask the contractor about leak detection during the inspection.

Refill water shows up on your water bill, and a big refill can also affect sewer charges. Phoenix says any major jump in water use can affect the sewer fee recalculated in July, offers a MyPHX311 Sewer Fee Review, and names January through March billing cycles as the cheaper time to refill. Scottsdale bases sewer charges on December through February use and offers an adjustment request.

Yes. Resurfacing is the easiest time to change color. Plaster, quartz and pebble all come in a range of shades. Lighter finishes give bright blue water, and darker ones create deeper tones. Darker finishes hold more heat and can make the bottom harder to see, so look at wet samples outdoors.

Some families find standard pebble a bit textured for long swim days. Smaller-pebble and polished options feel smoother, and quartz or plaster are smooth like a traditional pool. Ask the contractor for a sample board you can touch with your hand and foot before deciding.

If your pump, filter or heater is aging, it can make sense to replace it while the pool is offline and plumbing is accessible. Rosie on the House suggests handling items like the deck, lighting and pump during the same project since costs may be higher later. Many owners also add LED lights.

Not yet, but you can still ask. We're launching in the Phoenix metro and plan to expand over time. If your home is just outside our listed cities, or in another part of Arizona, submit a request with your ZIP code. We'll tell you honestly whether we can match you with licensed companies there, and if we can't, you're under no obligation.

No. Requesting a quote through Pool Resurfacing Connect is free and carries no obligation. You can compare the quotes, ask questions, wait for a better season or decide not to move forward. You only pay the company you choose to hire, and only for the work you agree to.

No. An acid wash strips a thin layer off existing plaster to remove stains and heavy calcium, so it's a cleaning step, not a new finish. Rosie on the House describes a drain, acid wash and polish for heavy calcium buildup. Because it removes plaster each time, it can't be repeated forever. Rough, flaking or hollow plaster needs a real resurface.

Look outside near the foundation or along the path of your sewer line for one or two capped pipes. Scottsdale describes a typical cleanout as two four-inch caps about a foot apart. Some older homes don't have one, and cities don't keep records of where private cleanouts are. If you can't find yours, a licensed plumber can locate or install one.

It can be. A full pool's water pushes back against the groundwater around it. Once it's drained, PoolResearch warns that groundwater pressure can lift the shell, and the risk grows after heavy rain and the longer the pool sits empty. That's one reason contractors refill right after the finish goes on. Ask how long your pool will be dry.

Not the same way. The plaster, quartz and pebble finishes on this site go on concrete (gunite or shotcrete) pools. Vinyl pools get a new liner, and fiberglass pools use their own repair and refinishing methods. If you're not sure what your pool is made of, mention it on the form so we can match you with companies that handle it.

Angi's hiring guide suggests talking with at least three pros. Through our service, one request can reach up to 5 licensed local companies, which saves you from chasing several on your own. Some areas have fewer participating companies, and you're always free to get other quotes too. Compare the full written scope, not just the price, because quotes often include different prep, repairs and startup.