5 Signs Your Pool Needs Resurfacing or Renovation

Every pool ages differently depending on how it was built, the materials used, and how consistently it has been maintained over the years. But eventually, most Denver area pools reach a point where basic repairs are not enough and a renovation becomes the more practical choice. Knowing which signs to watch for can help you plan ahead instead of being caught off guard by a bigger problem later in the season, and it can also help you budget for the project well before it becomes urgent.

At Laguna Pools, we help homeowners across the Greater Denver Metro area evaluate their pools and decide whether a targeted repair or a full renovation makes the most sense. Here are five signs that typically point toward renovation, along with a few reasons Colorado’s climate tends to speed up certain kinds of wear.

Cracked or Peeling Plaster

Plaster is one of the most common pool surfaces, and over time it naturally wears down from sun exposure, water chemistry, and general use. Small cracks can sometimes be patched, but widespread cracking, chipping, or peeling usually signals that the plaster has reached the end of its useful life. Colorado’s intense sun and dry air can accelerate this wear compared to more humid climates, since plaster surfaces are exposed to stronger UV rays for much of the year.

What to Look For

• Spiderweb-style cracks spread across large areas of the surface
• Plaster flaking or peeling away in sheets
• Rough patches that were not there in previous seasons
• Discoloration that does not respond to cleaning or chemical adjustment

If these issues are limited to a small area, a repair may buy you some time. But once plaster deterioration becomes widespread, resurfacing the entire pool typically delivers better results and a longer-lasting finish than patching section by section.

Rough or Stained Surfaces

A pool surface should feel relatively smooth underfoot and against skin. When plaster becomes rough, gritty, or covered in stains that will not lift with normal cleaning, it is often a sign that the surface itself has broken down at a structural level rather than simply needing a deeper clean.

Common Causes of Rough or Stained Surfaces

• Years of chemical exposure wearing down the plaster
• Mineral buildup from hard water settling into the surface
• Algae staining that has penetrated below the top layer
• General age-related wear from sun and water exposure over many seasons

Rough surfaces are not just a cosmetic issue. They can also be uncomfortable for swimmers and, in some cases, are a sign that the surface is more porous than it should be, which can make ongoing water balance harder to maintain.

Persistent Leaks or Water Loss

Some water loss from evaporation is normal, especially in Colorado’s dry climate. But if your pool is consistently losing more water than evaporation alone would explain, there may be a leak somewhere in the shell, plumbing, or fittings. Persistent leaks are one of the clearer signs that renovation, rather than a simple patch, may be the better long-term solution.

Older pools with aging plumbing, worn expansion joints, or cracked shells are especially prone to this kind of water loss. In many cases, a leak in one area is a sign that surrounding materials are also nearing the end of their lifespan, which is why a full evaluation is often more useful than chasing a single leak in isolation.

Locating the exact source of a leak can be tricky, since water can travel along plumbing lines or beneath the shell before surfacing somewhere else in the yard. A professional inspection typically involves checking the water level over time, examining visible cracks, and testing equipment and plumbing separately to narrow down where the loss is actually occurring.

Signs You May Have a Leak

• Water level dropping noticeably faster than in previous years
• Wet spots in the yard near equipment or plumbing lines
• Cracks visible in the shell, tile, or coping
• Rising water bills without an obvious explanation

Outdated Design or Features

Sometimes a pool is structurally sound but simply feels outdated compared to how your family uses the backyard today. Older pools were often built with smaller decks, dated tile choices, or layouts that do not match how homeowners entertain or relax now. This is less about damage and more about whether the pool still fits your lifestyle.

Popular Renovation Upgrades

• Updated tile, coping, and plaster finishes
• Added water features, such as sheer descents or bubblers
• Expanded or redesigned decking with pavers or concrete
• Upgraded lighting and automation controls
• Converting an older chlorine system to a saltwater setup

A renovation focused on design updates can make a pool feel new again without the cost or disruption of a full rebuild, and it is often a good opportunity to address smaller maintenance items at the same time.

Updating an older pool can also be worth considering if you are thinking about your home’s overall value. A dated pool with worn finishes and outdated features can make a backyard feel less inviting, while a refreshed pool with updated tile, decking, and lighting often becomes one of the more appealing parts of the property for everyday use and entertaining alike.

How Colorado’s Freeze-Thaw Cycles Affect Pool Lifespan

Denver’s seasonal swings between freezing nights and warm days put extra strain on pool shells, plumbing, and decking compared to climates that stay consistently warm or consistently cold. Water that seeps into small cracks can freeze, expand, and widen those cracks over time, which is part of why proper winterization matters, but it also means that even a well-maintained pool will show wear from these cycles eventually.

Where Freeze-Thaw Damage Tends to Show Up

• Hairline cracks in plaster that slowly widen year over year
• Shifting or cracking in deck concrete and pavers
• Coping stones that loosen or separate from the shell
• Plumbing joints that become brittle and more prone to leaks

This does not mean every Denver pool needs frequent renovation, but it does mean that age-related wear can show up sooner than homeowners might expect compared to pools in milder climates. Regular seasonal maintenance helps slow this process, but eventually most pools reach a point where renovation addresses accumulated wear more effectively than ongoing patchwork repairs.

When Repairs Cost More Than Renovation

Every pool reaches a point where the cost of ongoing repairs starts to outweigh the value of fixing things piece by piece. If you find yourself calling for equipment repairs, plaster patches, or plumbing fixes multiple times within a short period, it may be worth stepping back and looking at the bigger picture.

A professional evaluation can help you understand whether your pool has one isolated issue or several aging systems that are likely to keep causing problems. In many cases, combining smaller repairs into a single renovation project ends up being more cost-effective than addressing each issue separately over time, especially once labor and mobilization costs for multiple visits are factored in.

Timing also matters. Scheduling a renovation during the off-season, rather than waiting until a failure forces the issue mid-summer, generally gives you more flexibility with project scheduling and helps you get back to swimming as soon as the season starts rather than losing weeks of use to an unexpected repair.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Renovation

How do I know if I need a repair or a full renovation?

A single issue, such as one cracked tile or a minor equipment malfunction, is often a straightforward repair. Renovation typically becomes the better option when multiple systems are aging at once, when plaster deterioration is widespread, or when you are also interested in updating the pool’s design and features.

How long does a typical pool renovation take?

Timelines vary depending on the scope of the project, but most renovations take several weeks from start to finish. Larger projects that involve reshaping the pool, adding features, or extensive plumbing work will generally take longer than a resurfacing-only renovation.

Can I renovate my pool without changing its shape?

Yes. Many renovations focus on resurfacing, updating tile and coping, or upgrading equipment while keeping the existing shape and footprint of the pool. Changing the shape is optional and typically only recommended if you are unhappy with the current layout or want to add specific features.

Is it a good idea to renovate and switch to a saltwater system at the same time?

Renovation is often a convenient time to make equipment changes like this, since the pool is already being worked on. If you are curious about the differences between sanitizing systems, it is worth researching saltwater and chlorine options before your renovation begins so you can decide what fits your household best.

Quick Checklist: Is It Time to Renovate?

• Plaster shows widespread cracking, peeling, or roughness
• Surfaces are stained in ways that normal cleaning cannot fix
• You are dealing with a persistent leak rather than isolated water loss
• The pool’s design and features feel outdated for how you use your backyard
• You are facing repeated repair costs that are adding up over time

If any of these apply to your pool, it is a good time to have a professional take a closer look before small issues turn into bigger, more expensive ones.

Ready to Renovate? Get a Free Estimate

If your pool is showing any of these signs, our team can help you decide whether a repair or a full pool renovation is the right next step. We handle everything from resurfacing and tile updates to reshaping and adding new features, with crews who have completed renovation projects for homeowners throughout communities like Cherry Hills and across the Greater Denver Metro area.

If your pool’s equipment is part of the issue, our repair and equipment replacement team can evaluate pumps, heaters, and plumbing separately or as part of a larger renovation plan. And once your renovated pool is ready, our cleaning and seasonal maintenance team can help keep it looking its best for years to come.

Not sure where to start? Get a Free Estimate from our team today and we will help you figure out the right plan for your pool.