DIY Pool Refinishing: Five Things To Know

Swimming pool refinishing isn’t an easy task. Many people think they can do it themselves but end up with a lot of work on their hands that they simply can’t finish. There is much time and energy that needs to go into swimming pool refinishing. Before you get started, here are five things you need to know.

1. You need to drain the pool.

   Perhaps this is obvious but this takes time. You’ll need to go to your local hardware store or swimming pool retailer and rent a sump pump. Draining your pool could take anywhere from 12 to 25 hours, depending on its size. This means that if you are planning on a DIY swimming pool refinishing job, drain it a day or two before you’re ready to begin.

2. The pool needs to be thoroughly cleaned.

   Once the swimming pool is drained, it needs to be cleaned. You’ll need a wire brush to really scrub the surface and get rid of any gunk and stains that have accumulated. If your pool has plaster on gunite, a chisel, pick or jackhammer may be needed to remove the plaster from the shell. The shell will be left with a chalky residue once the plaster is gone and you’ll need a wire brush to clean that off too. Moreover, you can’t just use any old household cleaner for your pool, you’ll need trisodium phosphate and muriatic acid to get rid of mineral deposits.

3. Protective gear is a must.

   When working with muriatic acid and trisodium phosphate, you risk damaging your skin if you don’t wear protective gear like gloves, long pants and sleeves, and boots. You also need to wear a mask because inhalation can damage your lungs. People with sensitive eyes should also wear goggles.

4. You’ll need a lot of topcoat.

   Even if you don’t have an olympic-sized pool in your backyard, you’ll need approximately 2,500 pounds of plaster (or other topcoat depending on the type of pool you have) to get the job done.

5. You can’t refinish your pool whenever you want to.

   Unfortunately, you will need to get permission from your city to get to work on your pool. Most cities and towns treat pool maintenance like heavy construction projects and you’ll need to get either a permit, licence or permission. Because of the water drainage, chemicals used and the noise involved, if you don’t get the okay from your city, you could be looking at a lawsuit. Don’t risk it and ask permission.

When it comes to swimming pool refinishing, you probably shouldn’t DIY it. Even the smallest of errors could leave you with a leaky pool. Instead, call a professional.