A Homeowner's Guide to Swimming Pool Remodeling

Are you thinking about remodeling your swimming pool but figuring out how to go about it or how much the cost might be? What innovations do you want to see around the swimming pool area? Do you want to add features such as a built-in spa? What improvements are possible with an existing pool?

Although remodeling a pool involves considerable budgeting and decision-making, with the correct strategy, it is attainable. There is a simple step-by-step guide for accomplishing a pool remodeling project that can cushion the blow on your daily life and minimize the stress you will encounter as much as possible.

It is possible to have a successful pool remodeling project that meets all your expectations. The key to a successful pool remodeling project is hiring the right pool contractor who understands your vision and goals.

So, let's get started.

The Beginning of a Pool Remodeling Project

As with all construction projects, many things must harmoniously work together for a successful project outcome. However, there is always the possibility of unforeseen circumstances and events that will affect the entire process. At this point, the homeowner should understand what expenses pool remodeling entails and procure a contract listing the estimated project cost.

At the earliest stage, the contractors will establish a timeline for the project that shows the lead time from start to finish. This will also serve as a schedule for the construction team to follow and to ensure that nothing is overlooked once the project is finished. This schedule is subject to change and can be affected by several factors. 

Our pool remodeling experts in The Woodlands have undergone training and acquired the experience needed to manage a pool remodeling project from start to finish efficiently. Our experts create preemptive measures for unexpected problems, such as delays in the schedule, material changes due to availability, inclement weather, and other inevitable factors that can affect the completion date. We understand the construction process so well we can create a work atmosphere that goes smoothly for the homeowner and the contractors.

The Woodlands Pool Builders, based in The Woodlands, Texas, complete projects for remodeling as well as building new swimming pools with expertise, excellent planning, and efficient project management to keep your pool remodeling experience worry-free.

The Pool Remodeling Process Stages

Draining The Pool

In order to drain the existing swimming pool, a submersible pump is securely positioned at the bottom of the pool, with a hose leading out into the street to drain the water. Depending on the pool size, this process will range between six to twelve hours. This process is faster for spas, as those can be drained and the pool chipped out the same day.

Once the pool draining process is completed, the submersible pump can make a loud "slurping" sound, a cue for the contractor to advise the homeowner to unplug the pump's power cord from the outlet.

The Chipping Out Process

The drained pool's surface will then be chipped and primed. If the homeowner opts to have the pool tiled, this is the step where it gets done. Chipping is a noisy process that takes about half a day to complete. Once finished, our contractors will begin cleaning up the gunite shell.

Tiling

To begin the tiling process, the homeowner must first pick their preferred tiles for the remodeled pool. We will then work on applying the grout and tile. The entire process will take between one to two days, depending on the pool size and the size and amount of tiles.

If the homeowner chooses a plaster finish, the tile trim on the steps is added on the last day of the plastering process.

Plaster Surface Application

Once a plaster surface has been chosen, our trucks will bring in a mixture of pebbles and plaster of the correct ratio to the pool. Then, the mixture is pumped through large hoses into the pool, where the plaster artisans will begin hand-troweling the surface. This process will take anywhere from four to six hours.

Pebble Application

Once the pebble application is completed, an acid wash is poured over the pool's surface. This process should only take a few hours and marks the beginning of the pre-filling of the pool.

Adding Water

Once the pebble acid wash and plaster are in place and are dry, you can begin adding water. Before turning off the water flow, the water must reach halfway up the skimmer opening or the tile line. It is crucial not to turn off the water before completely filling the pool to prevent water lines from building up on the inside of the swimming pool.

The team can accomplish this by controlling the flow of water. Until the pool is filled up, the water pressure can be slowed down but not turned off at the tap.

This procedure could take 12 to 48 hours, depending on the pool size and the strength of the water pressure in the home.

Chemical Startup

Once the pool is finally filled up, the chemical startup depends on whether the pool finish is plaster or pebble. The process is roughly the same duration for both plaster and pebble finishes, but the plaster-finished pool usually takes longer. Pebble-based pools take just a few hours, compared to plaster pools which typically take a few days. The plaster is more sensitive, and homeowners need to match the water's pH level to an acidic state for a more extended period than pebble-based pools.
 

What Is The Homeowner's Role?

For a smoother remodeling experience, the homeowner should take the following steps:

1. Do your part by keeping an eye on the water level as the newly remodeled pool fills. Turn off the water flow once the pool reaches at least the very top of the tiles or halfway up the skimmer to avoid unattractive water lines by the end of the remodeling project.
2.  Homeowners who have chosen colored plaster for their pool should be present when the mixer has finished combining colors to check and approve if the color is correct. They must complete this step before the plaster is pumped into the pool. The plaster mixers are good at obtaining the right color shade, but the homeowner should approve the color themselves to avoid conflict.
3. Hire a professional pool service company to maintain the pool's water chemistry with regular check-ups and water testing. You can do this as a DIY project by acquiring and utilizing test strips or pool kits purchased at a pool supply place. You can also take water samples to the professionals for testing.

What Can You Expect From a Finished Pool Remodeling Project?

Small Cracks

There may be tiny, superficial cracks along the pool's surface, usually seen at the top steps, which is expected because these areas are the last ones to be filled by water. These cracks won't affect the pool's appearance or compromise the quality of the finished pool.

Pool Stains

Some staining on the pool surfaces is expected. With time, foreign materials like dirt, leaves, sticks, metals, and other debris are bound to end up on the surface, causing stains. You can attempt to remove these stains to get a clean-looking pool or consider it a part of natural aging and let the pool develop its unique character with time. You can opt to use cleaning products such as acid washing, Super Stain Out, and other means if you wish.

Pebbles Dislodging

A pebble-based swimming pool has thousands of small pebble stones. Some pebbles will eventually get dislodged from the surface as part of the curing process. You can have your pool service crew take care of any loose pebbles.

Copper Plumbing

If you have copper plumbing pipes or other copper-based products in or near the swimming pool, they can cause distinct green stains on a swimming pool's surface. Copper deposits are naturally green and will become more conspicuous with light surface colors and plaster-based pools.

Matching Surface Samples

The finished pool may not perfectly match the surface samples in the showroom, mainly because of the manual troweling process and the large area of the pool surface. However, the finished pool surface should be very similar to the sample.

Hand-Troweling Process

The hand-troweling process used for swimming pool plaster or pebble surface application is superior to one using a machine. Still, the manual hand-troweling process may result in a slight color and surface imbalance that is perfectly normal and expected.

What Is Covered By The Warranty?

Gunite

The average swimming pool comprises two layers: the pebble or plaster surface layer, about one or two inches thick, and the concrete or gunite shell, about twelve inches thick. The plaster or pebble surface is connected to the gunite shell, which supports the swimming pool.

Plaster Surfaces

The pool's plaster surface may have small cracks, but that does not necessarily represent poor installation. Some flaws and failures of plaster surfaces are due to the pool's foundation or the gunite shell. The foundation's weakness, deficiency, or shifting can cause problems with the plaster layer, and the foundation can be compromised by ground movement or shifting soil.

The pool builder's warranty does not cover problems caused by the pool foundation because it is beyond their control. Natural staining or slight plaster color or mottle changes do not affect the pool's overall structure and are solely cosmetic. Stains caused by the mineral buildup and deposits are beyond the pool remodeling company's control and are not covered by a warranty.

Spider and hairline cracks aren't covered under warranty because there is a limit to the contractor's ability to keep them to a minimum. These tiny cracks will be most common on the upper pool steps as the last area covered by water and the most exposed to the air.

Pool lines such as calcium lines are inevitable where the water meets the air and will not be covered by warranty. Professional pool cleaners can eliminate these lines.

Advice For Pool Maintenance

If you want to protect your investment in remodeling your swimming pool, consider hiring a professional pool cleaning service. They have the expertise, equipment, and training to clean and maintain pools efficiently at reasonable and affordable prices.

Keep debris off the surface of your pool to limit surface stains. You can use a roaming vacuum or other types of surface vacuum to keep the pool free of debris. You can also use a stain-prevention chemical such as Super Stain Out.

Get a quote from the pool cleaning company for a weekly phosphate removal service. Removing the phosphates helps keep the amount of staining down by limiting algae's growth and lessening the use of algaecides.

A DIY Guide For Cleaning Pool Tile

The best course of action is to get advice from the pool cleaning service before deciding to take pool cleaning into your own hands.

Consider installing an acid feeder to monitor the pH levels of the pool constantly.

To reduce calcium and oil buildup, add a dose of scale or calcium inhibitor weekly, to be followed by an enzyme treatment. You can also add a water conditioning device such as Aqua-Rex and arrange a monthly tile cleanup service with your pool cleaning company.

Make your Swimming Pool More Energy Efficient

You can make your pool more energy-efficient by getting a variable-speed pump to save electricity. These pumps run on lower RPMs, but they perform better than single-speed pumps for filtering swimming pool water.

Contact Woodland Pool Builders for expert ideas and a free price quote if you are contemplating a pool renovation or a new swimming pool construction project. We can renovate existing swimming pools and design and build new pool projects using the latest technology and methods for modern swimming pools.