In November 2024, Fibreglaze restored the 8 x 4 m pebblecrete pool in Burleigh Waters, Queensland. The existing pool had a stained, rough or dated finish that required careful assessment and preparation before resurfacing.
Resin-based screeding and filler were applied to correct surface irregularities, followed by a new structural fibreglass laminate and the Fibreglaze Enduratec finishing system. The pool was completed in Dove Grey Speckle as a smooth, seamless surface.
These photographs follow the work from the pool’s original condition through preparation and repair to the completed finish.
These were the main pool conditions recorded for this project. Select an issue to learn more about its common signs, possible causes and repair considerations.
Additional views of the preparation, repair work and completed finish.
They did a great job with our pool. Good communication and professional. Our pool was an old pebblecrete one which had become incredibly rough on our feet and it was easy to injure yourself, and it was started to get stains that wouldn’t leave. It is absolutely sparkling now and all of those issues have gone.
The surface is nice and smooth, and it looks and feels great. I was slightly worried about it being too slippery, but it definitely has sufficient grip. All round very happy with these guys and our new pool. Thanks.
Answers to common questions about the pool conditions and restoration work shown in this project.
A pool surface described as hollow or drummy makes a noticeably different sound when lightly tapped because the render, plaster, Pebblecrete, Marblesheen or earlier levelling layer may no longer be fully bonded to the concrete shell. The surface can still look intact, so tapping is only a screening check; it does not show the full boundary or cause. The empty pool should be systematically surveyed, with loose areas opened back to sound material so moisture, cracks, contamination and movement in the substrate can be assessed before resurfacing.
Pool stain colour alone does not confirm the cause. Brown or rust-coloured marks may involve iron or organic debris; green, grey or black marks can involve algae, copper, manganese or material trapped in a rough surface. Location, texture, recent water changes and the way a small test area responds are more useful than colour by itself. The source also needs attention, such as metals in fill water, corroding equipment, poor circulation or debris, otherwise the stain can return after cleaning.
Many stains can be treated without resurfacing when the underlying finish is sound and the stain type is correctly identified. Organic, metal and mineral deposits require different treatment approaches, so the safest starting point is water testing and a controlled test on a small area. Resurfacing becomes more relevant when stains are deeply embedded, repeatedly return through a porous surface, or occur with widespread roughness, pitting, peeling or earlier failed repairs. Correcting the stain source remains important after either treatment.
A local repair may be suitable where the hollow area is clearly contained and the surrounding finish remains sound and firmly bonded. If drummy areas are widespread, recurring, soft or connected by cracking, progressive removal may show that a broader section—or the existing finish—needs to be taken back to the concrete shell. The decision is made after the pool is emptied and the surface is tap-tested. Unstable material must not be left beneath a new lining. Where older Marblesheen could contain asbestos, testing and compliant removal planning are required before it is disturbed. The exposed base is then repaired and levelled before resurfacing.
Often, provided the existing pebblecrete and the concrete shell beneath it are sound enough to form a stable base. Loose, hollow, deteriorated or contaminated material must be removed, while cracks, previous repairs and uneven areas are treated before the new lining is installed.
Firmly bonded pebblecrete is mechanically prepared, levelled where required and primed before the reinforced fibreglass system is applied. The final scope can only be confirmed after the pool is emptied and the exposed surface is inspected; the new surface is not simply a coating applied over untreated pebblecrete.
Both can feel rough, but they affect the surface differently. Calcium scale adds a raised, chalky or crusted mineral layer, often around the waterline or where evaporation is high. A worn finish has lost material and may feel etched, porous, pitted or uneven across broader areas. Scale can also form over an already deteriorated surface. Water testing, inspection and controlled spot testing help distinguish a removable deposit from surface breakdown before aggressive cleaning or resurfacing is recommended.
Send us a few photos and our team can help identify the likely issue and the most suitable next step.
