What Should a Pool Remodel Actually Include?

Before I start talking about new tile, interior colors or decking, I want to understand the pool we're starting with.

What's happening with the existing interior? Is it simply deteriorating with age, or is it separating from the concrete underneath? Are there cracks in the shell? Is there evidence of bond beam damage? Has the deck settled? Is the waterline level? What condition is the skimmer in? What does the existing equipment look like? Are there signs of staining or other problems that deserve further investigation?

These aren't questions you can answer by looking at a picture of the pool and picking new materials.

Our remodel designers are specifically trained to look for conditions such as deck settlement, shell cracks, bond beam damage, rebar staining, waterline issues and potential problems with the existing equipment.

A remodel gives us an opportunity to identify some of these problems while the pool is already being worked on.

I want to use that opportunity.

Pool interiors don't last forever.

Over time, the interior surface deteriorates. Proper water chemistry and maintenance affect its longevity, but eventually an aging finish will need to be replaced.

Delamination is different.

Delamination occurs when the existing interior begins separating from the concrete substrate underneath it. It's a different condition from the normal deterioration of an aging finish.

But here's the important part:

I don't believe either condition should be covered with another layer of interior finish.

When we're doing a full pool remodel, our approach is to remove the existing interior completely and get back to the concrete substrate.

Why?

Because I don't want the longevity of the new interior dependent on the condition or bond of a finish that may have been installed decades ago.

Even if the old surface isn't visibly delaminating today, we're making a significant investment in a new interior. I want that new finish installed over a properly prepared substrate, not another aging layer underneath it. The National Plasterers Council publishes the technical guidance the industry uses for surface preparation and bond.

That's one of the biggest differences homeowners should understand when comparing remodel proposals.

Some contractors may apply a bonding coat over the existing finish and install the new interior on top.

That can reduce the amount of demolition and preparation required.

It's also not how I would want my pool remodeled.

If we're going to do it, I want to remove the old interior, properly prepare the pool and build the new finish from the correct starting point.

That's more work. It costs more.

But when you're comparing two remodel proposals and one is substantially less expensive, this is one of the first questions I would ask:

Are you removing the existing interior, or are you installing the new finish over it?

The finished pools might look very similar on day one.

The preparation underneath them may be completely different.

This is one of the harder conversations to have with a homeowner during a remodel.

We can inspect the pool carefully before construction begins, but there are parts of an existing pool that we simply cannot see yet.

Sometimes bond beam damage is visible before we start. Sometimes it isn't.

We may not discover separation at the bond beam until the existing waterline tile is removed.

The same thing can happen with the pool shell. A crack may be visible through the existing interior, but other structural problems may remain completely hidden until that old interior has been removed and the concrete shell underneath it is exposed.

That's another major reason I believe in fully removing the existing interior during a remodel.

We're not just preparing the pool for a new finish.

We're creating an opportunity to inspect the structure underneath it.

Once the old interior and tile have been removed, we can evaluate the exposed shell and bond beam much more thoroughly and look for conditions that weren't visible during the initial inspection. That can include shell cracking, bond beam separation or deterioration, deteriorated reinforcing steel, and areas of weak or deteriorated concrete.

Older gunite pools deserve particular attention here. Gunite can produce a durable pool when it is mixed and installed properly, but problems with the original application may not reveal themselves until decades later when the existing finishes are removed. Areas of weak or deteriorated concrete, sometimes referred to in the field as rotcrete, or deteriorated reinforcing steel, can turn what appeared to be a straightforward remodel into a structural repair.

And unfortunately, that's where remodels can sometimes become uncomfortable.

If we uncover a structural problem that nobody could reasonably see before demolition, properly repairing it can result in a significant change order.

Nobody enjoys that conversation. The homeowner didn't plan on spending the additional money, and I certainly don't enjoy telling someone that we've uncovered a problem that's going to increase the cost of their project.

But there's something much worse than finding a structural problem during a remodel:

Not finding it.

If we simply installed a bonding coat over the old interior, installed another finish over it and covered the existing tile with new work, some of these conditions could remain hidden.

The pool might look beautiful when we're finished. The underlying problem would still be there.

That's why I consider the shell inspection after demolition such an important part of a proper remodel.

Once the existing finishes are removed, we have an opportunity that may not come again for many years to see what's happening with the structure, identify problems and properly repair them before we cover the pool back up.

Finding an unforeseen problem can be expensive. Covering one up can be far more expensive in the long run.

The objective isn't simply to make an old pool look new.

It's to give that pool the best opportunity we can to continue performing for years to come.

This is another area where saving money during the remodel can potentially create a much more expensive project later.

If we're substantially renovating a pool that's been in the ground for decades, I don't love installing a beautiful new interior, new waterline tile and potentially new decking around an original skimmer that's already 20 or 25 years old.

The skimmer is integrated into the pool and surrounding construction.

If it fails shortly after the remodel, repairing it can mean disturbing work the homeowner just paid to have completed.

That's why replacing an aging skimmer can make sense as part of a comprehensive remodel.

You're already doing invasive work.

This is the time to think about components that will become considerably harder to access once everything is finished again.

Before investing heavily in new finishes, I also want to understand the condition of the existing plumbing.

Our remodel process includes evaluating the existing pool and its plumbing rather than assuming everything underground is fine simply because we can't see it.

Depending on the project, that can include pressure testing and leak evaluation.

The philosophy is simple:

Find the problems while the pool is already under construction, not after we've installed everything new.

A beautiful new interior doesn't help much if the pool is losing water through an existing plumbing problem.

Not every remodel is about putting the old pool back exactly the way it was.

Sometimes we're changing it substantially.

Maybe we're adding a spa. Maybe we're adding a sun shelf. Maybe we're changing the steps or benches. Maybe we're adding water features. Maybe we're changing the decking, screen enclosure or other parts of the outdoor living space.

This is where remodel work becomes custom design again.

An older pool was designed around a different homeowner, different technology and sometimes a completely different way of using the backyard.

There's no rule saying we need to recreate it exactly.

If we're already making a significant investment in the pool, I think it's worth asking:

What would we change if we designed this pool today?

Once we start adding spas, sun shelves and other structural features, we're doing much more than selecting new finishes.

The new design has to work with the existing structure. It has to be measured accurately. The plumbing needs to work. The equipment needs to support it. Electrical requirements may change. Permitting and engineering may be required.

Our internal remodel requirements become considerably more detailed when a project requires permitting, including accurate measurements of the existing pool and the approximate locations of skimmers, returns and drains. We specifically warn our designers not to assume the pool shown on an old survey is dimensionally accurate.

That's important.

When you're modifying an existing structure, what's in the backyard matters more than what somebody drew on a survey years ago.

This is one of the most overlooked parts of a substantial remodel.

Let's say we're adding an attached spa. Or maybe we're adding several water features.

The existing pump was selected for the pool that existed before the remodel.

Now we're asking the hydraulic system to do something completely different.

That doesn't mean the existing pump is bad. It may simply mean it isn't the right pump for the pool we're creating.

In that situation, increasing pump capacity may be necessary to make the new design perform correctly.

The same thinking applies to other equipment.

If we're adding automation, we need to determine whether the existing equipment is compatible with it. If we're adding a heat pump, the available electrical capacity needs to be evaluated. Those are both conditions our designers are specifically trained to investigate during remodel evaluations.

And if I see an older large single speed filtration pump, I'm going to discuss whether this is the right time to upgrade to variable speed equipment.

We may also discuss upgrades such as automation or salt chlorination depending on what the homeowner wants from the finished pool.

The important distinction is this:

We're not replacing equipment just because we're remodeling. We're evaluating whether the existing equipment still makes sense for the pool we're creating.

Once we've figured out what needs to happen underneath the finishes, we can talk about the finishes themselves.

This is the fun part.

Decking. Coping. Waterline tile. Interior finish.

But I don't think homeowners should select those materials based solely on which sample looks best in a showroom.

Different materials have different characteristics.

Our designers are trained to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the decking, interior and tile materials we're presenting, not simply their colors and patterns.

Natural stone, concrete products, porcelain, glass tile, pebble aggregate and quartz finishes don't all behave the same way.

There isn't necessarily one best material.

What matters is understanding the objective qualities of each option and choosing the material that makes sense for the way you plan to use the space while also matching your style. Our guide to choosing pool decking goes through those tradeoffs.

A remodel is your opportunity to make those decisions again.

This time, you have the advantage of knowing how you've used the backyard.

This is where I think homeowners need to be particularly careful when comparing proposals.

Two companies can propose what appears to be the exact same finished pool. Same tile. Same interior. Same decking.

One proposal may be substantially less expensive.

That doesn't automatically mean there's anything wrong with it.

But you need to understand why.

The difference may not be in what the contractor is putting on your pool. It may be in what they're doing before they put it on.

Are they removing the existing interior? How are they preparing the substrate? Are they investigating damaged tile and potential bond beam problems? Are they replacing an aging skimmer? Is the plumbing being evaluated? Have they looked at the existing equipment? If you're adding features, has the equipment been evaluated against the new hydraulic requirements? Are existing problems being corrected or simply covered?

Those things aren't nearly as exciting as choosing your new interior color.

But they may be some of the most important differences between the proposals you're comparing.

If you're planning a significant pool remodel in Florida, one of my strongest recommendations is to verify the license of the company you're considering.

For a substantial remodel, I recommend using a CPC licensed Certified Pool and Spa Contractor.

This distinction is more important than many homeowners realize.

Florida allows Swimming Pool and Spa Servicing Contractors to perform a surprisingly broad range of renovation work, including interior refinishing, equipment replacement, piping repairs and substantial or complete draining of a pool for renovation.

But that is not the same scope as a licensed pool contractor who is qualified to construct swimming pools.

A CPC contractor can have the broader construction capability necessary for work involving the pool structure itself. Florida's pool contractor classifications include construction, repair and servicing of swimming pools, while the servicing classification is specifically limited to repair and servicing work.

Why does that matter during a remodel?

Because until the existing tile and interior are removed, we don't necessarily know everything we're going to find.

We may uncover a shell crack. We may discover bond beam separation. We may find deteriorated reinforcing steel or areas of weak concrete.

At that point, the conversation has changed.

We're no longer simply refinishing a swimming pool. We may need to structurally repair one.

Before choosing a remodel contractor, ask them: Are you completely removing my existing interior? Are you removing the existing waterline tile? Will the exposed shell and bond beam be inspected before they're covered again? What happens if you discover a structural problem?

And in Florida: What type of pool contractor's license do you hold?

You can verify a contractor's license through Florida DBPR. Pool Perfection holds Florida Certified Pool Contractor license CPC 1461120.

A pool remodel is a significant investment.

The goal shouldn't simply be to make the pool look new on the day we're finished.

The goal should be to understand what has aged, identify what needs attention, correct the things that should be corrected, modernize what makes sense and then install the new finishes over a properly prepared pool.

That's why I don't believe the cheapest remodel proposal is automatically the best value.

Maybe the lower price genuinely represents a better deal. But maybe one contractor is proposing substantially more investigation, preparation and corrective work than another.

You need to know which.

Before choosing a pool remodeler, I'd ask them one simple question:

"What exactly are you doing to my pool before the new finishes go on?"

Have them explain it.

Because the new tile, decking and interior are what you're going to see when the project is finished.

What happens underneath them, and who's qualified to deal with what they find, is every bit as important.

What should a full pool remodel include?

At minimum, complete removal of the existing interior back to the concrete substrate, removal of the existing waterline tile, inspection of the exposed shell and bond beam, evaluation of the existing plumbing and equipment, and correction of any problems found before the new finishes go on. Anything less is a resurfacing, whatever the proposal calls it.

What is the difference between deterioration and delamination?

Deterioration is the normal aging of an interior surface over time, affected by water chemistry and maintenance. Delamination is the existing interior separating from the concrete substrate underneath. They are different conditions, and neither one should be covered with another layer of finish.

Can a new pool finish be installed over the old one?

Some contractors apply a bonding coat over the existing finish and install the new interior on top, which reduces demolition and preparation. It also makes the longevity of your new finish dependent on a decades old layer underneath, and it hides the shell and bond beam at the one moment they could have been inspected.

Why does a remodel sometimes turn into a change order?

Because some conditions cannot be seen until the old interior and tile are removed. Bond beam separation, shell cracking, deteriorated reinforcing steel and areas of weak concrete can all stay hidden until demolition. Finding one is expensive. Covering one up is usually far more expensive later.

Should I replace the skimmer during a remodel?

On a pool that has been in the ground for decades, it is worth serious consideration. The skimmer is integrated into the pool and the surrounding construction, so if a 20 or 25 year old skimmer fails shortly after the remodel, repairing it can mean disturbing new work you just paid for.

What license should a Florida pool remodeler hold?

For a substantial remodel, look for a CPC licensed Certified Pool and Spa Contractor. Florida allows servicing contractors to perform a broad range of renovation work, but that classification is limited to repair and servicing. If demolition exposes a structural problem, you want a contractor licensed to construct pools. Verify any license through Florida DBPR.