Swimming Pool, Spa, and Jacuzzi Fiberglass Resurfacing

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 gelcoat or the resin will wear away within 4-7 years causing chaulking and cobalting. This must be avoided at all costs. Gelcoat cannot be applied to polyester resin because it will delaminate in less than a year. Only the highest quality resin will accept gelcoat 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, only pools with wood, concrete, or fiberglass walls can be resurfaced with fiberglass. Also, sand or cement/vermiculite bottoms cannot be fiberglassed.

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 gelcoat. Can I use
 regular boat resin and boat gelcoat?
        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 gelcoat are not designed for freezing temperatures and are not able to withstand severe climatic changes. Finally, the resin must be protected with gelcoat. Don't be fooled by contractors tinting the resin white and calling it gelcoat. The resin and fiberglass must be covered with gelcoat.

 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!

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Pool Resurfacing, Inc.
67 Buck Road

Suite 140 Box B-43
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
267-988-8712

Toll Free: 800-676-8528