Pool resurfacing across the Gold Coast.
Original 1980s–2000s pebble pool surfaces have lifespans of 12–20 years in our salt environment. We chip off the failed surface, bond a new substrate, and lay pebble, quartz or full mosaic-tile interior. 7–14 day project. Pool looks better than new.
Resurface options.
- Pebble (Pebblecrete, Quartzon Original, Diamond Brite): Aggregate-and-cement matrix. Textured grippy surface. 12–18 year next-life on Gold Coast salt pool. ~$9K–$14K for an 8m pool. Default choice for pebble-on-pebble replacement.
- Quartzon Quartz / Diamond Brite Quartz: Quartz aggregate matrix, smoother and more durable than pebble. 18–25 year lifespan. Less heel-rough on bare feet. ~$12K–$18K for an 8m pool. The 2026-standard upgrade choice.
- Full mosaic glass / ceramic tile: Tile the entire interior with 25×25mm glass or ceramic mosaic. 30+ year lifespan if grout is maintained. Premium look. ~$25K–$55K for an 8m pool. Common on Burleigh Hill / canal-estate rebuilds.
- Mineral surface (Bisazza-style hybrid): Newer composite finish, between quartz and tile. Smooth, refined look. ~$18K–$28K.
Signs your pool needs resurfacing now.
- Sandpaper-rough surface. Scrapes your feet when you walk on the floor. Aggregate matrix is breaking down.
- Visible aggregate “plucking”. Small pin-holes where individual stones have popped out. Accelerates rapidly once it starts.
- Rust streaks that won’t acid-wash off. Rebar corrosion bleeding through pinholes. The shell is no longer waterproof at those points.
- Dark grey / beige patches. pH chemistry has fried the surface (usually from incorrect chlorinator setpoint over years).
- Surface no longer holds chemistry. You add chlorine and it’s gone in 2 days — usually because the surface is absorbing it.
- Rebar visible. URGENT. The concrete shell is spalling. Resurface NOW or risk full structural failure.
The resurface process — what we actually do.
- Day 1: Drain pool. Pump-out water (water-cart or sewer-trade waste).
- Day 2–3: Hand-chip + jackhammer the existing surface off. Roughen to expose sound concrete substrate.
- Day 4: Acid wash + bond-coat application. Check for any deeper structural issues (cracks, rebar exposure).
- Day 5–7: Apply new interior. Pebble: trowel + spray application. Quartz: similar. Tile: lay mosaic sheets in a thin-set mortar.
- Day 8–10: Cure. Grout (if tile). Acid wash final surface.
- Day 11–14: Fill, balance chemistry, commission equipment, run for 7 days before final handover.
Common “while we’re here” add-ons.
About 70% of resurface projects include at least one of these — and bundling saves 15–25% vs doing them separately:
- New coping (travertine, bluestone, or matching pool surround stone) ~$3K–$8K
- Equipment modernisation (variable-speed pump, new chlorinator, heating) ~$4K–$9K
- New paving around pool ~$5K–$20K
- New glass fence to bring up to current Form 23 compliance ~$4K–$12K
- LED lighting retrofit ~$1.5K–$3K
- Salt cell + chlorinator replacement ~$1.5K–$3K
Structural assessment first.
Before we quote a resurface we look hard at the underlying shell. If the concrete has spalled badly, the rebar is going, or there’s a significant crack network, resurface is throwing money at a problem that’s coming back. We’ll tell you honestly — sometimes rebuild ($80K–$120K) is cheaper than three more resurface cycles. About 5–10% of pre-quote assessments end with us recommending replacement rather than resurface.
Where we work.
Free pool resurfacing consultation.
Honest structural assessment. Interior finish samples on-site.