You love your pool. You love all of the joy it brings your swimmers. But the maintenance of the pool? Maybe you don’t love that so much. Pool maintenance, especially the resurfacing of your pool, can feel like an overwhelming and perhaps even a non-essential part of pool ownership. However, pool surfacing is actually critical to ensuring you maintain all of the things you love about your pool for years to come. Read on to learn how to tell if it might be time to resurface your commercial swimming pool.
WHAT IS POOL SURFACING?
Pool surfacing and resurfacing refer to the maintenance of the pool with regards to how it is coated. Pools can have a variety of different surfaces, including stones, fiberglass, tile, and concrete. Each type of surface can also be finished with different pool resurfacing paints. The process involves draining the pool, removing excess old materials, and then resurfacing it with the new material. This process can take varying times, depending on the size of the pool, the materials being used, and the weather conditions. The amount of time between surfacing also varies between pool materials. For example, a fiberglass pool will hold up differently over time than a tile pool would. Because of this, it is quite difficult to prescribe an amount of time that is required in between surfacing.
HOW TO KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME FOR POOL RESURFACING
It takes a diligent pool owner to know when it’s the right time to resurface. Luckily, there are some key things to look for in your pool to help you know when that time might be approaching, including the below signs:
STAINS
Many pool owners notice various stains of different colors, shapes, and perhaps even textures as they clean their pools. Sometimes, stains can be reflective of a need to resurface the pool. Other times, they can be indicative of an imbalance of chemicals. These types of stains can be prevented to an extent with acid washing. However, if you experience persistent staining and roughness, it can often mean it’s time to refinish or even replace your pool. If you are not sure if a stain is normal or not, it might be helpful to bring a technician out to determine the root cause of the stains.
CRACKS
There are a few different types of cracks that can occur within the life of the pool, but they can be generally categorized as structural or surface-level cracks. They come from a variety of causes, including soil issues, poor workmanship, and even age. The good news about this is that not all cracks will mean a very expensive fix. However, if there are a lot of cracks and you notice them increasing in size, you should definitely begin the process of resurfacing. Cracks can certainly expand, especially in different climates, and cracking can potentially lead to leaks. Of course, no owner wants that!
LEAKING
Speaking of leaks, any indication of leaking is also a sign it is time to take action. Though it might be hard to tell a small leak at first, diligence in seeing these can go a long way. Leaks, as mentioned previously, are often the result of excessive thinning or cracking. If you see leaks, take action quickly. Oftentimes, these can be fixed with resurfacing efforts, but you want to ensure the repair is done as soon as you can so it prevents expansion and any other leaks.
CHALKY RESIDUE
Pool owners often find a roughness about their pool walls, including a chalky feeling, when it gets close to the time to refinish. This roughness can feel and look a lot like sandpaper. There are a variety of causes of this roughness and essentially erosion of the finish, including age and too much acid washing. In addition to a worn-down side of the pool that could lead to leaks and loss of water, it can also cause smaller, more inconvenient issues to your patrons, including snagged suits and painful scrapes.
DROPS IN THE WATER LEVEL
Drops in the water level can also be indicative of leaks. Leaks are a clear sign to get your pool resurfaced, and therefore, drops in water level are also a sign to get moving on that surfacing. You certainly don’t want to pay for more water and chemicals than you have to.
BENEFITS OF POOL RESURFACING
Pool resurfacing can seem like an excessive measure, especially if you have an older pool or one with a smoother surface, to begin with. However, there are quite a few benefits to surfacing your pool, including the following:
INCREASE YOUR POOL’S USABILITY
When you surface your pool, you are helping to prevent future damage from things like cracks and stains, which can lead to leaks. In addition, you are smoothing the surface out so that your patrons can enjoy a smooth pool and avoid scratches from an uneven or unkempt pool surface.
MAINTAIN YOUR REAL ESTATE VALUE
Maintaining your pool with resurfacing efforts helps support your property value in the event of resale. Potential buyers of your home or commercial property will be enticed by a well-kept pool and perhaps turned off by a pool that needs a great deal of work. Keeping up to date on the work that is needed can help you to get a great sale if and when the time comes to sell your property.
IMPROVE YOUR POOL’S VISUAL AESTHETIC
Surfacing can also improve the way your pool looks to you and the other people who use it. From helping to maintain a better chemical balance to clearing up the water to creating a prettier-looking bottom, surfacing can make a big difference in the way your pool looks and feels.
LET’S GET STARTED
If you have noticed one or more of the above signs in your pool, give us a call today to learn more about what pool resurfacing products might be best to give your pool a new life. The process of resurfacing doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. AquaGuard is a team of trained professionals that will assist you in making the best decisions for your pool to keep it beautiful for years to come.
