Considering that the average lifespan of a pool’s interior finish can have a lifespan anywhere from 10 to 30 years (with 20 being the “real average”), it might seem like you don’t really need to worry about remodeling your pool. I mean, who needs to worry about replacing something that might outlive your dog? While this might be tempting, it’s super important to know both when and how you go about remodeling a pool.
The When
As said before, 20 years is the magic number. If your pool is older than that and its interior hasn’t been replaced yet, chances are you’ll need to get one soon. To find out the age of your pool’s interior, as well as some sure signs that you should get in the market for a pool remodeling, make sure to check the following:
Discoloration
If you see any kind of discoloration, whether it’s the water itself or the surface of the pool, it’s important to note that. For example, if you’re used to seeing a pale blue in the reflection of your pool, but you’ve noticed that it’s starting to get a bit yellow, it might be time for a remodel. Large rust spots are another indicator that it may be time to remodel.
Chips and/or Cracks
A big indicator of a pool that needs remodeling is chips or cracks in the pool’s interior surface. These are very important to take care of, as they can lead to more serious problems (meaning more expensive!)
”Pitting”
Pitting can happen overtime from aging, so it’s a pretty unavoidable problem. If you see a small deformation in your pool surface that just doesn’t look right, it’s a sign for worse wear to come, making it something you should check out.
The How
So you checked your pool and, from the cracked tiles and the discolored water, it seems that you’ll need a remodel. But what exactly is the process, and what do you need to do in order to make your pool go back to being a thing of beauty.
Steps in Remodeling a Pool
Draining your Pool
This is the first step, and probably the most important. It takes around 6 to 12 hours, and might even be helpful in identifying a problem with the pool’s interior since you can see it up close.
Once the pool is drained, you should have a pressure test performed to make sure you do not have any leaks in your plumbing.
Chipping your Pool
Next, you’ll need around half a day (give or take depending on the size of your pool) to chip out the surface and prepare to put on a new one. This task might be the noisiest part, but it’s vital if you want to get rid of all those cracks and dings in your pool’s interior.
Tiling your Pool
While this step is optional, it is highly recommended when you’re remodeling and is a step that is important if tiles are a part of your pool’s interior. A rule of thumb for tiling work is that you can replace an interior without replacing title, but it is extremely hard and not recommended to try to replace tile without replacing the interior.
This step typically takes around a day or two, depending on how complex the tile patterns are.
Resurfacing your Pool
When it comes to resurfacing your pool, there are 2 main types of finishes- quartz and pebble.
While both finished are sufficient for your pool’s surface, a pebble finish is a superior product. Pebble is more durable, blends together better during the application process and traditionally has a longer lifespan. Most manufacturers offer a life-time warranty on Pebble finished and only a 10-year on quartz finishes. Additionally, a pebble finish will give your pool a little more “pop” and will separate itself from other pools.
Refill your Pool
Finally, the last step until you can relax in your new pool is to refill it with water. At this point, you’ll be able to finally see the “fruits of your labor” and see how beautiful your pool is now! This step can take anywhere from 12 hours to 2 days.
The most important thing to remember is to make sure your pool is chemically balanced for the next 30-days to avoid streaking and discoloration during the curing stage. Make sure you have records of your chemical readings because that is the first thing a manufacturer will ask for doing a warranty claim.
Things that can be Done During a Remodel
Add something new!
Whether it’s color-changing light or upgrading to a new glass waterline tile to give your pool a sophisticated touch, adding a new feature to your pool will definitely bring something new to the table, or pool in this case.
Add a new Pool surface
If you’re looking for a way to refresh your house’s outdoor decor, getting a new pool interior surface is a way to do it. This will help your house feel more connected as a whole, being able to match the pool’s interior with the exterior of the house can lead to a house that looks very put together.