Pools don’t last forever without a little love. If your Tampa Bay pool is starting to show its age — whether that’s a faded finish, a persistent leak, outdated equipment, or a design that feels stuck in the past — it might be trying to tell you something. And that something is: it’s time for a remodel.
Pool remodeling in Tampa is more popular than ever, and for good reason. A well-executed remodel doesn’t just make your pool look better — it can improve safety, reduce your monthly energy costs, extend the life of your pool by decades, and add genuine value to your home. The tricky part is knowing when minor maintenance is enough and when it’s time to invest in something more substantial.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common signs that your pool is ready for a remodel — so you can make a confident, informed decision about your next step.
1. Your Pool Surface Is Rough, Stained, or Deteriorating
The interior finish of your pool takes a beating over time. Constant exposure to chemicals, sunlight, fluctuating pH levels, and general wear will eventually take their toll — and when they do, the signs are hard to miss.
Watch for these surface warning signs:
- Rough or abrasive texture that scratches feet and swimsuits
- Visible staining or discoloration that won’t respond to chemical treatment
- Peeling, flaking, or chipping plaster
- Hollow spots or soft areas in the pool shell
- A dull, faded appearance that no amount of cleaning can fix
Standard plaster finishes typically last 7 to 12 years before they need to be resurfaced. However, if you upgrade to a premium finish like PebbleTec during your remodel, you can expect a significantly longer lifespan — often 20 years or more — along with a much more beautiful result. If your pool’s surface is rough or stained, resurfacing is one of the most impactful remodeling upgrades you can make.
2. You’re Constantly Losing Water
Every pool loses some water to evaporation — especially in Florida’s heat. But if you’re regularly topping off your pool by more than a quarter inch per day, you may have a leak. Left unaddressed, pool leaks can cause serious structural damage to your pool shell, erode the surrounding soil, drive up your water bill, and create problems with your pool’s chemical balance.
A simple way to test for a leak is the bucket test: fill a bucket with pool water, place it on a pool step, mark the water levels inside and outside the bucket, and check again after 24 hours. If the pool loses significantly more water than the bucket, you likely have a leak. In that case, it’s time to call a professional for a leak detection inspection.
Common sources of pool leaks include:
- Cracks in the pool shell or gunite structure
- Failing plumbing fittings or underground pipe leaks
- Deteriorating pool light niches
- Gaps around returns, skimmers, or other fittings
If a leak is confirmed, addressing it is not optional — it will only worsen over time. Furthermore, a leak repair is often a natural trigger for a broader remodel, since the pool will already be partially drained and worked on.
3. Your Tile and Coping Are Cracked, Loose, or Outdated
Waterline tile and coping — the cap that runs around the edge of your pool — take a lot of abuse from sun exposure, pool chemicals, and the natural expansion and contraction of materials in Florida’s heat. Over time, tiles crack, grout deteriorates, and coping can become loose or shift out of place.
Beyond the structural concern, outdated tile and coping can make an otherwise functional pool look tired and dated. Fortunately, updating these elements is one of the most cost-effective ways to dramatically improve the look of your pool without a full ground-up rebuild. New tile and coping selections can transform the entire aesthetic of your backyard in a matter of days.
Signs your tile and coping need attention:
- Cracked, chipped, or missing waterline tiles
- Grout that is discolored, crumbling, or missing in sections
- Loose or shifting coping stones
- A style that feels outdated and no longer reflects your taste
4. Your Pool Deck Is Cracked, Faded, or Unsafe
Your pool deck takes more wear than almost any other surface in your backyard. It’s exposed to intense Florida sun, constant foot traffic, moisture, pool chemicals, and the occasional tree root working its way underneath. Over time, even a well-built deck will crack, fade, and settle unevenly.
A cracked or uneven deck isn’t just an eyesore — it’s also a safety hazard. Tripping hazards around a pool are particularly concerning, especially in households with young children or elderly guests. Additionally, a faded or worn deck significantly detracts from the overall appearance of your backyard, no matter how nice the pool itself looks.
Deck remodeling options popular with Tampa Bay homeowners:
- Travertine or natural stone pavers for a timeless, upscale look
- Concrete pavers in a variety of colors and patterns
- Cool-deck or textured coatings that stay comfortable underfoot in the Florida heat
- Expanded deck square footage to create more seating and entertaining space
5. Your Equipment Is Old, Inefficient, or Unreliable
Pool equipment has come a long way in the past decade. If your pool is still running on an older single-speed pump, an aging heater, or an outdated filtration system, you’re almost certainly paying more than you need to in electricity and maintenance costs — and you’re not getting the performance that modern equipment delivers.
Upgrading your equipment as part of a broader remodel is one of the smartest investments you can make. Variable-speed pumps, for example, can reduce energy consumption by up to 90% compared to single-speed models. Moreover, newer heaters heat your pool faster and more efficiently, and modern salt chlorination systems make water chemistry easier to manage while being gentler on skin and eyes.
Consider equipment upgrades if your current setup:
- Is more than 8 to 10 years old
- Requires frequent repairs or is becoming unreliable
- Is a single-speed pump driving up your electricity bill
- Doesn’t support automation or smart home integration
- Struggles to maintain water temperature efficiently
6. Your Pool Design Feels Outdated
Sometimes a pool doesn’t have a specific problem — it’s just not exciting anymore. Pool design trends evolve, and a pool that looked perfectly modern in 2005 can feel dated today. If you look at your pool and feel underwhelmed rather than excited, that’s a legitimate reason to consider a remodel.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to rebuild your pool from scratch to give it a completely fresh look. In many cases, updating the finish, tile, coping, and decking — and adding a water feature or two — can transform a tired, dated pool into something that looks and feels brand new. Additionally, features like a sun shelf, LED lighting, or a spillover spa can be added during a remodel to dramatically upgrade the functionality and appeal of your existing pool.
Popular design upgrades during a remodel:
- New PebbleTec or premium interior finish
- Updated waterline tile and coping
- Addition of a sun shelf or tanning ledge
- New water features — waterfalls, sheer descents, or deck jets
- LED lighting upgrade for color and ambiance
- Expanded or fully replaced pool deck
- Addition of a spillover spa
7. You’re Preparing to Sell Your Home
In Tampa Bay’s competitive real estate market, a beautiful, well-maintained pool can be one of your home’s strongest selling points. Conversely, a pool that looks worn, stained, or dated can actually deter buyers or give them ammunition to negotiate your price down.
If you’re planning to list your home in the next year or two, targeted pool remodeling in Tampa — even just resurfacing, updating the tile and coping, and refreshing the deck — can deliver a strong return on investment. Buyers in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties consistently respond to move-in-ready homes with polished outdoor spaces. Therefore, a remodel timed before a sale can pay off significantly at closing.
How Do You Know Where to Start?
If you’re nodding along to several of the signs above, the best first step is a professional assessment. An experienced pool remodeling contractor will inspect your pool from shell to equipment, identify what needs attention, and help you prioritize upgrades based on your goals and budget. In some cases, a targeted refresh is all you need. In others, a more comprehensive remodel makes better long-term sense.
Either way, you’ll walk away with a clear picture of where things stand — and a realistic plan for getting your pool back to its best.
Gulfstream Pools & Spas: Pool Remodeling Experts in Tampa Bay
Since 1992, Gulfstream Pools & Spas has helped thousands of Tampa Bay homeowners breathe new life into their existing pools. Whether you need a simple resurfacing, a full design overhaul, or anything in between, our experienced remodeling team will treat your project with the same care and craftsmanship we bring to every new build.
We offer free, no-pressure pool remodeling in Tampa consultations for homeowners throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties. During your consultation, we’ll assess your current pool, listen to what you’d like to change, and walk you through your options with complete transparency — including realistic timelines and upfront pricing.
Call us at (813) 925-0909 or visit GulfstreamPools.com to schedule your free remodeling consultation today. Your best pool days are still ahead.