Signs your pool needs resurfacing
Most pools give plenty of warning. The surface changes slowly over years, and owners often only notice when a child comes out of the water with scraped feet. These are the signs we look for when we inspect a pool:
- A rough, sandpaper surface that grazes feet and wears out swimming costumes
- Flaking, peeling or small pieces of finish coming loose
- Hollow-sounding patches when the surface is tapped, a sign the finish has lost its bond to the shell
- Etching and pitting, often from pH left too low for long periods
- Deep staining that an acid wash has already been tried on, or that sits in a surface too thin to wash again
- Exposed shell or aggregate showing through in steps, corners and the deep end
- Algae that keeps coming back in the same rough patches, because it has somewhere to hold on
Resurfacing or an acid wash?
An acid wash and a resurface solve different problems. An acid wash removes a thin layer of the existing finish to take stains and scale with it, and it costs R3,500. It works when the surface is still sound and simply dirty or scaled. It does not work when the surface is thin, rough or coming loose, because it removes material that is no longer there to spare and can make the underlying problem worse.
When we inspect a pool we tell you honestly which one it needs. If a wash will give you several more good years, we will say so and you will not spend resurfacing money you do not need to. If the finish is past that point, a resurface is the job that actually fixes it.
What marbelite is, and why most Gauteng pools have it
Marbelite is a blend of white cement and crushed marble or similar aggregate, troweled onto the concrete or gunite shell of a pool to give a smooth, waterproof, light-coloured finish. It is the standard finish on concrete pools across Gauteng because it is durable, it can be repaired and refinished, and it gives the water its familiar blue look. It comes in a range of colours, from bright white to darker blues and greys, and the colour of the finish changes the colour of the water noticeably.
Because it is a cement-based finish, marbelite reacts with the water. That is why water balance matters for its whole life, and why a new surface needs careful attention during its first weeks.
How a resurfacing job runs
The pool is drained and the old surface is assessed square metre by square metre. Loose, hollow and flaking areas are removed back to sound material. Depending on the condition, the whole finish may be chipped or ground back so the new layer has a clean, solid base to bond to.
Before anything new goes on, the shell underneath is checked and repaired: cracks are opened and filled, damaged steps and edges are rebuilt, and fittings such as returns, the main drain and the light niche are inspected, because this is the one time they are fully exposed. The weir and tile line are looked at too, and any repair found is discussed and quoted with you before it is done.
The new marbelite is then mixed and applied in one continuous working session where possible, troweled to a smooth finish and left to set. Once it has set, the pool is refilled without delay, because a new cement surface cures best under water.
The first weeks: start-up and water balance
A newly resurfaced pool releases cement dust and lime into the water as it cures, and the water chemistry swings while it does. The pH climbs, calcium comes out of the surface, and if this is not managed the result can be a cloudy pool, scale, or a blotchy finish that never quite looks right.
After refilling we brush the new surface to remove the cement dust as it rises, run the filtration, and test and adjust pH, alkalinity and calcium closely through the start-up period. Chlorine and salt are introduced at the right stage rather than on day one. If you are on a weekly maintenance plan with us, this carries straight on into your normal service; if not, we explain exactly what the water needs and when.
When to book a resurface
Like an acid wash, resurfacing needs the pool empty, so timing matters. In the summer rainy season the ground around a pool can be saturated, and an empty shell is exposed to pressure from below. Very hot, dry days are also hard on a fresh finish, which can dry too fast on the surface. The cooler, dry winter months on the Highveld are the usual time for this work, and the pool is out of use then anyway.
That said, a surface that is actively flaking or hollow will not get better by waiting. If yours is coming loose, send us photos and we will tell you whether it can wait for winter or should be dealt with sooner.
Using the empty pool for other upgrades
A drained pool is the cheapest time to do everything that needs the water out. While the pool is empty we can replace a perished light or move to an LED light, renew return fittings and a cracked weir, fix the leak that has been costing you water, and look at whether the pump and filter are still the right size. If you have been thinking about a heat pump or a cover, this is also a good moment to plan the plumbing for it.
None of this is added without your say. Each item is quoted separately so you can choose what to do now and what to leave.
Making a new surface last
A good marbelite finish lasts many years if the water is kept balanced. The two habits that shorten its life most are leaving the pH low, which etches the surface, and letting the pool go green for long periods, which stains it. Regular testing, brushing and a steady chlorine level do most of the work.
A weekly service takes care of all of that for you, and it means the surface is looked at every week by someone who will notice early if something is changing.
How it works
Photos first
WhatsApp photos of the surface, steps and deep end to 081 577 5051. We tell you whether it looks like a wash or a resurface.
Inspect and quote
We inspect the pool, sound the surface and quote in writing, including any shell repairs found.
Strip, repair, resurface
Drain, remove loose finish, repair the shell and fittings, then apply the new marbelite.
Refill and start up
Refill straight away, brush off cement dust and balance the water closely while the surface cures.
Frequently asked questions
How much does pool resurfacing cost?
It depends on the size of the pool, the state of the old surface and what repairs the shell needs, so every resurface is quoted in writing after an inspection. The call-out is R650, and it comes off the quote if you go ahead.
How do I know if my pool needs resurfacing or just an acid wash?
If the surface is sound but stained or scaled, an acid wash usually fixes it. If it is rough, thin, flaking or sounds hollow when tapped, it needs resurfacing. Send photos and we will tell you which.
What is marbelite?
A cement-based pool finish made from white cement and crushed marble or similar aggregate. It is the standard surface on concrete pools in Gauteng and is available in a range of colours.
How long does resurfacing take?
The work itself takes several days from draining to refilling, depending on the pool and how much of the old surface has to come off. Refilling then depends on your water pressure, and the start-up balancing runs over the following weeks.
Can you resurface a fibreglass pool?
Fibreglass is a different finish and is not marbelited. Gel-coat damage on a fibreglass pool needs a fibreglass repair. Send us photos and we will tell you what it needs.
When is the best time of year to resurface a pool?
Usually the dry winter months, when the ground is dry, the weather is cooler and the pool is not in use. A surface that is actively coming loose should not wait, though.
Can I change the colour of my pool when it is resurfaced?
Yes. Marbelite comes in several colours, and the colour of the finish changes how the water looks. We can talk you through the options when we quote.