Fiberglass pool refinishing in Vero Beach, FL

When fiberglass starts to show its age

One-piece fiberglass pools are smooth, low-maintenance and common in newer Indian River County neighborhoods. Their color comes from a gelcoat layer on the surface, and like a boat hull left out in the sun, that gelcoat eventually fades and breaks down. Vero Beach's intense UV makes this happen sooner on steps, benches and anywhere the water is shallow.

Refinishing restores the surface so the pool looks and feels new again, usually at a fraction of the disruption of tearing out and replacing the shell.

Signs your fiberglass pool needs work

• Color that's faded, blotchy or uneven.
• A chalky film that comes off on your hand.
• Fine spider cracks in the surface.
• Blisters, which are small raised bumps where water has worked its way into the layers.
• Stains that won't respond to normal cleaning.

Isolated cracks or a few blisters can often be spot-repaired. When the problem covers much of the pool, a full refinish is usually the better investment.

How refinishing works

Draining a fiberglass pool takes extra care. The shell is much lighter than a concrete pool, and in areas with high groundwater it can shift or lift if pressure isn't managed. An experienced contractor will plan for this before a single drop is pumped out.

Once the pool is empty and dry, the surface is sanded or ground. Blisters are opened, dried and filled, and cracks are repaired. A new gelcoat or specialty coating is then applied, often in multiple layers, and allowed to cure before the pool is refilled.

Questions to ask

• What product will you use, and how long have you been installing it?
• How will you handle groundwater while the pool is empty?
• Will you check the shell for structural problems first?
• What does the warranty cover?

Fiberglass over concrete

Some contractors also install fiberglass linings over existing concrete pools as an alternative to replastering. It creates a smooth, non-porous surface that resists algae. If you own a concrete pool and are curious, ask about it alongside plaster, quartz and pebble options.

Call (772) 356-3733 to schedule a free assessment with a local fiberglass refinishing contractor.