Extending the life of your pool

Maintaining your pool isn’t just about keeping water sparkling and inviting—it’s a smart, value-preserving habit for your home. A well-kept pool signals care, safety, and livability, making outdoor living more appealing to buyers and tenants. Regular maintenance helps prevent costly repairs, extends equipment life, and reduces energy and chemical waste. When a pool is kept in top condition, it enhances curb appeal, boosts usable outdoor living space, and can significantly elevate real estate value by attracting more interest and justifying higher listings or rental rates.

How do you know when you need to resurface your pool?  How do you properly maintain a pool? There are tell-tale signs and standard recommendations that we outline in this guide about maintaining pools and extending pool surfaces.

Maintaining your pool surface

A well-maintained pool surface not only looks great but also protects your investment. Plaster, tile, and coping each have their own life cycles and maintenance needs. With the right care, you can extend their life, reduce costly repairs, and keep your pool safe and beautiful for years to come. It’s important understand the life expectancy of your pool surface. Having realistic expectations is a good place to start. 

• Plaster (white or colored plaster, i.e., a cement-based finish): typically 6–12 years, depending on climate, water chemistry, usage, and quality of plaster.

• Tile: porcelain or ceramic tiles with a proper grout can last 15–30+ years, though grout joints may wear earlier.

• Coping: concrete, stone, or pavers around the edge can last 20–40+ years, depending on material and exposure to freeze-thaw cycles and maintenance.

Common factors that shorten surface life

·       Aggressive water chemistry (high pH/alkalinity, low or high calcium hardness)

·       Acidic or overly chlorinated water

·       Constant high water temperatures

·       Heavy brushing or abrasive cleaners

·       Ground movement or poor underlying substrate

·       Debris and algae buildup causing localized wear

·       Structural movement or impact damage

Extending your plaster or extending your pool surface

When you hire a pool company like Hardwick Pools to take care of your pool, you’re getting a team that focuses on keeping the water balanced and the plaster in great shape which will extend the life of your pool surface. We aim for pH in the typical range of 7.4 to 7.6, total alkalinity around 80 to 120 ppm, and calcium hardness between 200 and 400 ppm, with adjustments made to match your needs and plaster type. We test the water regularly and adjust as needed using pH increaser or decreaser, alkalinity up or down, and calcium hardness adjustments.  As a client of Hardwick Pools, you will get an email report with photos that summarizes each visit.

For cleaning, we use pool-friendly methods to protect the plaster. We brush the walls and floor with a soft-bristle brush to prevent algae growth and surface staining, while avoiding harsh or abrasive cleaners that can wear the plaster. We manage chemical load carefully, avoiding shocking the pool with high chlorine concentrations or causing rapid pH swings. We follow manufacturer guidelines and, when possible, use stabilized chlorine or a non-chlorine shock as appropriate. If white crusty buildup shows up on the plaster, that’s usually a sign of calcium scaling. A good pool company like Hardwick Pools will assess whether the calcium hardness is high or there are alkaline deposits and may suggest a partial drain and refill or a calcium-softening treatment under professional guidance. Filtration and water circulation must be kept steady to keep your pool functioning properly. Hardwick Pools runs pumps and filters long enough to keep the water circulating and evenly distributed—typically 8–12 hours a day during peak season—adjusting for your pool size and turnover rate. Algae prevention is a priority. At Hardwick Pools, we maintain steady sanitization levels and clean tiles and plaster early if any green or brown spots appear, since algae can wear plaster away if left untreated. If staining shows up, we will address it promptly. Red or brown stains can indicate metals or mineral buildup, so we will use stain-control products or consult with you to identify the cause. After each visit, we make any recommendations we can find to extend the life of your pool. Being proactive about maintenance issues can alievate future headaches.

How to extend the tile life of your pool

• Keep grout in good condition. We inspect grout lines every season for cracks or gaps. Re-grout or reseal as needed to prevent water intrusion behind the tile, which can undermine the substrate.

• Clean tiles regularly. Use a non-acidic, pH-neutral tile cleaner or a mild solution recommended by the tile manufacturer. We avoid harsh acidic cleaners that can erode grout and tiles over time.

• Manage calcium and mineral buildup. Hard water can leave calcium crusts on tile. We use a gentle descaling product prescribed for pool tiles or consult a pro if deposits are heavy.

• Brush and vacuum to prevent buildup. Regular brushing of tile joints helps keep grout intact and avoids pitting or cracking caused by dirt and algae.

• Inspect for loose or cracked tiles. Loose tiles can trap water behind the surface, leading to substrate damage. Having any loose tiles fixed promptly by a pool professional like Hardwick Pools is critical.

How do you know when it’s time to resurface or replaster your pool?

Signs it may be time to replaster or resurface your pool

o   Surface roughness, chipping, or widespread cracking

o   Persistent staining that cannot be removed with cleaning or chemical treatment

o   Pocks, pits, or a worn surface that dramatically reduces waterline aesthetics

o   Efficiently, if you notice significant algae growth that keeps returning despite treatment, which may indicate a compromised plaster surface

o   The average life expectancy is roughly 6–12 years; if your pool is older or the plaster shows extensive wear, replastering is often more cost-effective than patching.

Hardwick Pools can professionally evaluate your pool surface to help determine if it’s time to replaster your pool or resurface your pool on Hilton Head.  Give us a call to set up a complimentary visit to your home to assess your pool needs and provide a quote for routine cleaning and maintenance services.  We help protect your investment and strive to extend the longevity of your pool with our professional pool maintenance services on Hilton Head.