Fiberglass pool resurfacing in the Lowcountry

When fiberglass loses its shine

One-piece fiberglass pools are popular in newer Bluffton neighborhoods and on many island lots. Their colored gelcoat surface is smooth and easy to keep clean, but years of strong sun wear it down. Over time it fades, turns chalky, develops fine cracks, and can form blisters where water has worked into the layers below.

Refinishing repairs that damage and applies a fresh surface, so the pool looks new again without the cost and disruption of a replacement.

Signs it's time

• Noticeable fading, especially on steps and shallow areas.
• A chalky film on your hand after touching the surface.
• Spider cracks in the gelcoat.
• Small raised blisters.
• Stains that don't respond to normal cleaning.

Groundwater matters even more

Fiberglass shells are much lighter than concrete. In the Lowcountry, where groundwater can sit close to the surface, an empty fiberglass pool can shift or lift if the drain-down isn't handled carefully. An experienced contractor will plan for this before draining, and may schedule the work during a drier stretch.

The process

Once the pool is safely drained and dry, the surface is sanded, blisters are opened and repaired, cracks are filled, and the new coating is applied, often in several layers. After curing, the pool is refilled and balanced.

Questions to ask

• Which product will you use, and how long have you installed it?
• How will you protect the shell while it's empty?
• What's covered by the warranty?

Have a concrete pool instead? Compare plaster, quartz and pebble. Call (843) 825-8028 to schedule a free assessment.