Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Resurfacing FAQ

The following questions and answers are the most frequently asked questions by homeowners and commercial pool operators:
 

How does the life expectancy of swimming Pool Restoration with fiberglass compare with paint or marcite resurfacing?

        Answer:  Glad you asked. Much longer. Click here to look at the Pool Restoration comparison chart and see for yourself. By the way, marcite is just another name for plaster.

Is it safe to empty a fiberglass swimming pool?
        Answer:  Good question. I've written a short article on the subject which applies to fiberglass, gunite, and concrete pools. Click here then use the back button to return to this page.

Can fiberglass be used on any type of swimming pool?
         Answer: Yes, although its recommended that the use be limited to in-ground gunite, concrete, block, and pools with fiberglass walls and a concrete bottom.

Can cheap polyester resin be used for resurfacing my pool?
        Answer: NO! The resin used in swimming pools must be protected by gel coat or the resin will wear away within 3 to 5 years causing chaulking and cobalting. This must be avoided at all costs. gel coat cannot be applied to polyester resin because it will delaminate in less than a year. Only the highest quality resin will accept gel coat and last for 20 to 30 years. Unscrupulous marketing companies market polyester resin to unsuspecting pool owners, then give 20 or 30 year guarantees, knowing they'll be out of business before the chaulking and cobalting begins. BUYER BEWARE!

Can vinyl liner pools be converted to fiberglass?
        Answer:  Yes. However it is not a DIY project.

My pool has fiberglass walls and a concrete bottom, will this work on my pool?
        Answer:  Absolutely. You can do just the walls, or you can convert the entire pool to fiberglass. Either way, the material cost is less than it would be for all concrete.

How long does it take to create a fiberglass shell inside an existing pool?
        Answer:  It depends on the size of the pool and the number of workers. Most residential pools range in size from 14’x28’ to 20’x40’ but can be smaller or larger. These
pools can be completed within two to three days with two or three workers.

Does epoxy paint work well on swimming pools?
Answer:  No!  Epoxy will only last between 3 and 5 years, then it will crack and blister so it must be done again. The problem is the pool must then be sandblasted before anything else is applied. It's costly and it's a mess.

What level of experience or expertise is required for fiberglass resurfacing?
        Answer:  None. The work can be performed by any homeowner or handyman capable of following the directions in the book. But, if you do run into an unforeseen
problem, we're only as far away as your telephone and we're available 5 days a week from 9AM-6PM Eastern Time and on Saturday and Sunday until 2PM.

What happens to the tile on my swimming pool?
        Answer:  You have several choices:

• Leave the tile alone and begin the shell at the bottom of the tile

• Remove the tile and begin the shell at the bottom of the coping

• Have the tile replaced by a local tile company.

 What color will the swimming pool be when it’s finished?
        Answer:  Any color you want it to be, but we recommend white. There are two reasons:  colors tend to fade because of sunlight and/or improper chemical usage; and there is a small increase in cost for pigment. Nevertheless, you can order whatever color you prefer for your pool. Click here to read our Blue Water Guarantee.

What color will the water be in my swimming pool after resurfacing?
        Answer:  It depends on which color you choose for the finish. If you follow our recommendation and choose white, you will have beautiful medium blue water. The  darker shade of blue water is possible only with fiberglass because the white is so brilliant that it provides greater reflection from the sky. Of course, this only applies to
outdoor pools.

 I have a cantilever deck instead of coping, does it make any difference?
        Answer:  Absolutely not.

How long will it be before the pool needs to be fiberglassed again?
        Answer:  Should last up to 25 years assuming the pool is properly cared for (i.e. pH  levels and alkalinity).

I know that fiberglass surfaces consist of resin, fiberglass mesh, and gel coat. Can I use regular boat resin and boat gel coat?
        Answer:  Absolutely not. These polyester resins are not formulated for use in chlorinated water or for resistance to ground water. In addition, boat resins and gel coat are not designed for freezing temperatures and are not able to withstand severe climatic changes. Finally, the resin must be protected with gel coat. Don't be fooled by contractors tinting the resin white and calling it gel coat. The resin and fiberglass must be covered with gel coat.

What about Algae?
        Answer:  Algae will no longer be a factor in pool maintenance. The finish is non-porous so algae can’t cling. Since it can’t cling, it can’t thrive. Should algae appear, just wipe it off with a soft cloth and kitchen detergent.

A tree fell into my newly fiberglassed swimming pool last winter and there's a green stain, can it be fixed?
        Answer:  Absolutely! About the only thing that can stain fiberglass is tree limbs touching the actual wall or bottom of the pool. This is due to the chlorophyll in the wood. We recommend a product that can be ordered at www.hawaiiclean.com.

 How much does it cost to fiberglass a swimming pool?
        Answer:  It depends on size, however the majority of in-ground residential pools can be resurfaced for about $3,300. Best of all, you'll only need to do it once and your
swimming pool will stay beautiful and leak proof for up to 25 years!

[about UGlassIt] [ ] [before & after photos] [fiberglass benefits] [price list] [do-it-yourself] [faq] [commercial pools] [order installation book] [Pool Restoration company] [fiberglass pool owners] [pool product recall] [testimonials]

Pool Resurfacing, Inc.
332 Bustleton Pike Suite A
Festerville Trevose, PA 19053

Toll Free: 800-676-8528