How Often Should You Resurface Your Pool? Arizona Guide

David Resurface was founded with a simple mission: to provide exceptional pool remodeling and resurfacing services that customers can truly rely on. We see it every season here in the Valley.

You step out to enjoy your backyard, but the pool surface feels rough against your feet.

Perhaps the color looks faded compared to when you bought the house.

Pool resurfacing is easily one of the most significant maintenance projects for any Phoenix homeowner.

The big question isn’t just “if” you need to do it, but exactly when the timing is right to maximize your investment.

Answers depend entirely on local variables like your specific finish type and how well the water chemistry has battled our intense desert heat.

Let’s look at the real lifespan numbers, the specific Arizona factors that shorten them, and the smart moves you can make right now.

Average Pool Finish Lifespans

We find that most homeowners are surprised by how much variance exists between materials.

The lifespan of your pool surface is determined by the quality of the aggregate and the application method.

Here is the breakdown of what you can expect from common finishes in our local climate:

Finish Type	Average Lifespan (AZ)	Best For	Estimated Cost Range (15k gal)
Standard Plaster	7-10 years	Budget-conscious homeowners	Lower initial investment
Quartz (Diamond Brite)	10-15 years	Balance of durability & look	Mid-range value
Pebble (Sheen/Tec)	15-20+ years	Long-term durability	Higher upfront, low lifetime cost
Glass Bead	15-20 years	Unique aesthetics & luxury	Premium appearance
Full Tile	25+ years	Ultimate longevity	Maximum durability

These ranges reflect the reality of maintaining a pool in the Southwest.

Our team often sees standard white plaster degrade closer to that 7-year mark due to the harsh chemical demands of our water.

Why Quality Materials Matter

We encourage looking beyond just the initial price tag.

Cheaper mixes often use soft marble dust that dissolves faster in aggressive water conditions.

Higher-end finishes utilize silica or polymer-modified cement that withstands chemical imbalances far better than traditional marcite.

Arizona Factors That Affect Finish Life

You are fighting a different battle here than pool owners in other parts of the country.

Three specific environmental stressors dictate how long your surface will hold up.

Intense Sun Exposure

Arizona averages over 3,800 hours of sunshine annually.

This constant UV bombardment does more than just warm the water.

It bleaches pigments in colored plaster and breaks down the binders in the cement matrix.

We see the difference clearly when inspecting pools with shade sails versus those fully exposed to the midday sun; the shaded surfaces almost always retain their texture longer.

Extreme Heat Cycles

Phoenix summers regularly push ambient temperatures past 115°F.

Winter nights, however, can drop near freezing.

This thermal cycling causes the pool shell and the finish to expand and contract at slightly different rates.

Over a decade, this stress creates “delamination” or separation between the old shell and the new surface.

Hard Water Chemistry

Our local tap water is notoriously hard, often coming out of the hose with 200+ ppm of calcium hardness.

This is a critical baseline to understand.

High calcium levels force you to manage your chemistry aggressively to prevent scale, but that same aggressiveness can etch the plaster if the pH dips too low.

Signs Your Pool Needs Resurfacing

We advise homeowners to stop looking for just “cracks” and start looking for texture changes.

Surface failure often happens gradually before it becomes a structural emergency.

Rough Texture (“The Shark Skin” Effect)

If the bottom of the pool tears up your children’s feet or snags swimsuits, the protective “cream coat” of the plaster is gone.

This exposes the sharp aggregate underneath.

Roughness also creates millions of microscopic hiding spots for black algae, which is incredibly difficult to eradicate once it takes root in pitted plaster.

Visible Cracks vs. Crazing

We distinguish between two types of surface breaks.

“Crazing” looks like a spiderweb of tiny, shallow lines and is often just cosmetic.

Structural cracks, however, penetrate the shell and often have algae growing inside them.

If a crack extends more than a few feet or seems to be widening, water is likely reaching the rebar (steel reinforcement) in your shell.

Persistent Staining

Copper and iron are common in Arizona water supplies.

When stains stop responding to acid washes or heavy chlorine shocks, it usually means the surface has become porous.

The plaster is absorbing the minerals rather than just letting them sit on top.

Delamination (Pop-Offs)

We use a simple method called “sounding” to detect this.

By tapping the surface with a coin or a golf ball, you can hear hollow spots where the plaster has separated from the concrete shell beneath.

These “pop-offs” eventually break open, leaving sharp edges and exposing the grey concrete gunite.

Water Loss Beyond Evaporation

Evaporation in June can claim up to a quarter-inch of water per day here.

Anything significantly more than that warrants investigation.

We recommend doing a “bucket test” to see if your water loss is environmental or structural.

Extending Your Finish Lifespan

You can push your resurfacing date back by years with strict maintenance protocols.

Maintain Proper Water Chemistry

This is the single most effective way to protect your investment.

We recommend monitoring the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), not just individual readings.

The LSI considers temperature, pH, and hardness together to tell you if your water is corrosive or scale-forming.

• pH: Keep between 7.4-7.6 (slightly higher is safer for plaster).
• Alkalinity: Maintain 80-120 ppm to buffer pH swings.
• Calcium Hardness: 200-400 ppm (Phoenix water often starts high, so monitor this closely).
• Cyanuric Acid (CYA): Keep below 50 ppm to ensure chlorine remains effective without damaging the surface.

Brush Regularly

Weekly brushing is non-negotiable for new and old pools alike.

It removes the biofilm that protects algae and prevents dirt from staining the porous surface.

We suggest using a stainless steel brush for algae-resistant pebble finishes, but stick to nylon for standard plaster to avoid scratching it.

Address Problems Early

Small chips can be patched underwater without draining the pool.

We can often repair a small delamination spot for a fraction of the cost of a full resurface if caught early.

Ignoring a small crack allows water to rust the steel rebar, which expands and blows out huge chunks of concrete (a process called oxide jacking).

When to Plan for Resurfacing

5-7 Years Out

If your plaster pool is entering middle age:

• Start a savings fund specifically for the renovation.
• Watch for “check cracking” on the top step where the sun hits hardest.
• Plan to drain and refill the pool to reset the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

10-15 Years Out

For Quartz or Pebble finishes approaching this milestone:

• Schedule a professional inspection to check for hollow spots.
• Look for “bald spots” where the pebbles have come loose.
• Research the latest aggregate technologies, such as mini-pebbles which offer a smoother texture.

Immediate Need

If you see rust stains bleeding through the floor or large patches of missing plaster:

• Get at least three quotes from licensed contractors.
• Verify the contractor’s ROC license number to ensure they are bonded and insured in Arizona.
• Schedule the work for the cooler months (October through April) to ensure a better curing process.

Cost of Waiting Too Long

Procrastination often leads to a much more expensive project scope.

We frequently see pools where the owner waited until the rebar rusted.

• Structural Damage: Once water reaches the steel, the repair moves from a simple resurface to a complex structural restoration.
• Chemical Waste: Rough, pitted surfaces consume 20-30% more chemicals trying to keep algae at bay.
• Aesthetic Decline: A stained, peeling pool lowers property value significantly if you plan to sell.

Choosing Your Next Finish

The technology has improved since your pool was built.

If You Have Plaster Now

Upgrading to a quartz or pebble aggregate is the standard recommendation in Phoenix.

We find that the upfront cost difference is usually recovered through 5-8 extra years of lifespan and reduced chemical usage.

If You Want Maximum Longevity

Pebble finishes are the gold standard for our climate.

• Durability: The stone aggregate is harder than the cement, protecting the surface from chemical erosion.
• Appearance: They mimic natural riverbeds and hide minor dust or debris better than white plaster.
• Texture: Modern “mini” pebble options are much smoother than the older, rougher generations.

We’re happy to assess your current pool and discuss timing and options. Contact us for a free evaluation.