Pool Renovation & Resurfacing in Bethesda, MD

Pool renovation and resurfacing is the work that keeps an existing pool going: a new interior finish, fresh waterline tile, reset coping, updated pumps and filters, and sometimes a reshaped step or a new spa. Many pools in the area were built decades ago, behind houses that have since been renovated. When the house buyer inherits a rough, stained pool, renovation usually costs far less than demolition and a rebuild.

Signs it is time

• Plaster that feels rough on feet or snags swimsuits
• Stains, etching or color blotches that do not brush or chemical out
• Hollow-sounding or delaminating spots, often near steps
• Cracked or loose waterline tile, or coping stones that rock
• Water loss beyond normal evaporation
• A pump, filter or heater that is old, loud or inefficient

If several of these show up together, it is usually more economical to address them in one project, because draining the pool is the common first step for most of the work.

Choosing a new finish

HomeGuide's resurfacing guide lists the main options per square foot: plaster at $6 to $8, quartz plaster at $7 to $10, pebble at $7 to $15, polymer finishes at $10 to $15, and full tile at $8 to $30 or more. Its national average is around $11,000, with most jobs between $6,000 and $15,000. The cheaper finishes wear out sooner: standard plaster is listed at 7 to 12 years, quartz at 10 to 15 and pebble at 15 to 20 or more. Paint is the least expensive option but lasts only 5 to 7 years.

Draining safely in Montgomery County

Resurfacing means emptying the pool, and Montgomery County's discharge guidelines apply. Chlorine has to be at or below 0.1 ppm before water reaches a stream, pH must be between 6 and 9, and solids should settle so the water looks clear. A pool serving fewer than four homes does not need a discharge permit, but the limits still apply, and water released onto land should flow slowly to avoid erosion. We dechlorinate and control the flow, and we watch for high groundwater that can push on an empty shell.

Updating safety and equipment

Older pools often predate today's barrier rules. DPS has noted that in-ground pools installed before July 1990 may use an automatic cover in place of the 60-inch barrier, while newer pools need the fence. When we renovate, we look at the barrier, gates, door alarms and drain covers, and at the electrical bonding around the pool, and recommend what to bring up to date. Equipment upgrades such as a variable-speed pump, a cartridge filter, LED lights or a heat pump often pay off in quieter operation and lower running costs.

Vinyl and fiberglass renovations

Not every pool here is concrete. HomeGuide lists inground vinyl liner replacement at $3,000 to $7,500, depending on pool size and liner thickness. A fiberglass shell whose gelcoat has dulled can get a new surface; HomeGuide lists that at $7,000 to $15,000. We look at the structure under the finish first, because a new surface over a failing wall or a leaking line will not last.

Planning the timing

Spring is the busiest time to resurface, and most finishes need mild temperatures to cure properly. Booking in winter for an early spring start, or scheduling in early fall after swim season, keeps your summer open.