Pool replastering means draining your pool, removing the worn or failing surface, repairing the shell underneath and troweling on a new finish by hand. For most Denver pools, that new finish is classic white plaster or a quartz plaster blend. Done right, it gives you 10–20 years of smooth, watertight surface. Done carelessly, it starts flaking in two.
We replaster pools across the Denver metro, from Littleton and Centennial to Arvada and Thornton. If you already know you need it, get a free estimate. If you're not sure, the signs below will help.
Signs your pool needs replastering
Most pools in the Front Range need a new surface every 10–15 years. Plaster wears out faster here than in milder climates because of hard water, intense high-altitude UV and freeze–thaw cycles every winter. These are the signs we look for on an estimate:
- Rough texture. The plaster feels like sandpaper on feet and snags swimsuits. That means the cement paste has etched away and exposed the aggregate.
- Stains that won't brush or acid-wash out. Gray mottling, brown metal stains and dark blotches that come back after cleaning mean the surface is porous.
- Scaling and white crust. Calcium deposits from Denver's hard water build up along the waterline and steps.
- Hollow spots and flaking. Tap the floor with a screwdriver handle. A dull, drum-like sound means the plaster has lost its bond. If chips are coming off, it's past due. See crack and hollow-spot repair.
- Exposed gray shell. Patches of gray gunite or concrete showing through means the finish is worn through, and the shell is now taking on water.
- Rising chemical use. Rough, porous plaster grows algae faster and eats chlorine.
Our guide to signs your pool plaster is failing goes into each one in more detail.
Our replastering process
A replaster takes about a week, and most of that time is prep. The plaster coat itself goes on in a single day. This is the sequence we follow on every residential job:
- Inspect and quote. We walk the pool, sound the surface for hollow spots, check tile, coping and fittings, and give you a written estimate with the finish, repairs and price spelled out.
- Drain safely. We pump the pool down, routing water where your city allows. We check groundwater conditions before draining, because a drained shell with high groundwater can lift. More on that on our draining page.
- Chip and prep. We remove all hollow and loose plaster, cut a clean edge below the tile line, and undercut around main drains, lights, returns and steps so the new plaster locks in rather than feathering out thin.
- Repair the shell. Cracks are routed and filled, and bare spots are patched. Then the whole surface is cleaned and treated with a bond coat so the new plaster grips the old shell.
- Replace fittings as needed. New drain covers, return fittings and light niche rings go in before plaster.
- Plaster by hand. The crew mixes and trowels the finish in one continuous pass, usually starting early in the morning to beat the afternoon sun. Plaster is troweled several times as it sets to get a dense, smooth surface.
- Fill without stopping. We start filling the same day the plaster sets and don't stop until the water reaches the tile, which avoids "fill lines" in the finish.
- Start-up. For about 28 days after filling, water chemistry and regular brushing determine how the plaster cures, and the first week matters most. We handle or walk you through start-up and leave written care instructions.
You can see the full step-by-step on our process page.
White plaster vs. quartz: your finish options
For a replaster, you'll choose between two main families of cement-based finishes. Both are hand-troweled.
| Finish | What it is | Typical lifespan | Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| White plaster | White cement and marble dust | 10–15 years | Classic bright, light-blue water |
| Quartz plaster | Plaster with crushed quartz aggregate | 12–20 years | Smooth, available in blues, grays and darker tones |
| Pebble (upgrade) | Exposed pebble or aggregate | 15–25+ years | Textured, natural stone |
White plaster is the most affordable and gives that bright, clean water color people picture. It shows stains and etching sooner, though. Quartz is harder and more forgiving of Denver's hard water, and darker colors hide minor discoloration. If you want the longest-lasting surface, look at our pebble pool finishes.
Quartz lines such as Diamond Brite are available through local suppliers in a range of colors. For a side-by-side on durability, feel and price, see the pool finishes comparison.
Replastering cost and timeline in Denver
For a typical 15×30 ft backyard pool, white plaster replastering typically runs $8,500–$11,500 and quartz $10,000–$13,500. Ranges are estimates for the Denver metro, not a quote. Your written estimate sets the price. Here's what moves the price:
- Size and depth. Plaster is priced by surface area, so a deep diving end or a large free-form pool adds square footage.
- Repairs. Structural cracks, extensive hollow areas, or a shell that needs extra patching add labor.
- Tile and coping. Many owners replace waterline tile at the same time, while the pool is empty. See tile and coping.
- Fittings and steps. Replacing drains, lights and returns, or plastering built-in benches and spas, adds cost.
- Access. Tight side yards or long hose runs add time.
Expect roughly 5–8 days from drain to full pool, plus about 28 days of start-up brushing and chemistry. Our Denver pool resurfacing cost guide breaks down ranges by finish and pool size.
When to book: The plaster season runs roughly April through October, and most owners start calling in January and February to get a spring slot. Our post on when to book pool resurfacing in Denver explains the calendar.
Featured replastering projects
Replastering project write-ups, with photos and the details of each job, appear here as they are added.
Browse every job on our projects page.
Why Denver pool owners choose us
We focus on resurfacing, and the prep work is where we earn our keep. What you get with us:
- Colorado-specific prep. We undercut fittings and the tile line, bond-coat the whole shell and check groundwater before draining. Freeze–thaw cycles punish any shortcut, and skipped prep tends to show up a few winters later. Read about freeze–thaw pool damage in Denver.
- Season-aware scheduling. We only plaster when the overnight forecast supports a proper cure, around 50°F or warmer.
- Written warranty. Replasters come with a written workmanship warranty, with the terms spelled out in your estimate. More on the warranty page.
- Insured work. Proof of insurance on request.
- A written, itemized quote. You'll see the finish, repairs and price up front.
Ready to see what your pool needs? Send a few photos for a free estimate, book a phone consultation, or call (303) 952-8700.