Sometimes a pool that keeps going green, or keeps staining, or feels rough underfoot doesn't have a chemistry problem at all -- it has a surface problem, and no amount of correct dosing fixes that. Here's how to tell the difference, and what fixing it actually costs.
The real warning signs
- Rough patches or scratches underfoot. A common early complaint is feet feeling scratched after swimming, or rough spots that catch on swimsuits -- the surface finish is wearing through.
- Spider cracks. Small surface cracks, sometimes called crazing, spreading in a web pattern across the floor, steps or walls.
- Staining that cleaning won't shift. Greenish-blue or rust-coloured marks, or dark brown/black staining, that persists despite normal cleaning and correct chemistry.
- Flaking or peeling. Chunks of the surface material coming away from the walls or floor -- this one needs attention promptly rather than waiting.
- Chalky white texture (calcium nodules). A rough, white, chalky patch or an overall faded, washed-out look, from calcium deposits building up in the surface itself.
- Algae that keeps coming back. If you're testing correctly, treating properly (see our green pool guide) and it's still returning every few weeks, a deteriorated surface can be giving algae somewhere to take hold that a normal clean can't reach.
- Water disappearing faster than evaporation explains. Worth checking for a leak through a compromised surface, not just topping up and moving on.
These typically show up anywhere from 7 to 20 years in, depending on the finish and how well it's been maintained -- there's no single number that applies to every pool.
What resurfacing actually costs
Real figures rather than "get a quote": for a pool in the 15m²-36m² range, roughly:
| Finish | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fibreglass -- gelcoat top-up | $800-$1,800 | A stopgap, not a full fix |
| Fibreglass -- full resurface | $2,100-$7,700 | |
| Concrete -- full resurface | $2,500-$9,000 | |
| Pebblecrete -- full resurface | $3,100-$11,000 | Generally the most expensive finish to resurface |
Costs climb with distance from the contractor and depend on whether refilling and rebalancing the water afterward is included in the quote -- always confirm what's in scope before comparing two quotes against each other.
Getting it right the first time
A gelcoat top-up on a fibreglass pool buys time cheaply but isn't a substitute for a full resurface once the underlying gelcoat has actually failed rather than just faded. If you're seeing structural signs -- flaking, spreading cracks, or water loss -- get an assessment before choosing the cheaper option, since patching a surface that's structurally failing usually just means paying for the same job twice.
Browse pool resurfacing and tiling specialists by suburb for an assessment or quote -- a different trade from the pump/filter/chlorinator work covered by equipment repairs.