Thinking about remodeling your swimming pool? Great! Just promise us one thing: don’t end up like these folks.
Every year, we get calls from homeowners who tried to save a few bucks with a DIY fix or a “friend of a friend” contractor. The results? Let’s just say they made the kind of mistakes that end up in group chats… and not in a good way.
Here are five real (and slightly painful) stories of pool remodeling gone wrong — plus how to avoid the same fate.
1. The DIY Paint Job That Stained the Dog
The fail: A homeowner decided to repaint their tired-looking pool themselves using leftover interior house paint. After all, paint is paint… right?
Nope.
The paint immediately began bubbling and peeling, turning the water a cloudy blue-gray and leaving a weird residue on everything, including their golden retriever, who jumped in and came out looking like a Smurf.
The fix: The pool had to be drained, sandblasted, and resurfaced professionally, costing twice what it would’ve cost to do it right the first time.
Lesson learned: Don’t paint your pool. Ever. Let Adams Pool Solutions apply a premium finish like PebbleFina or WetEdge Quartz that’s designed to last. Learn more about our professional pool resurfacing services.
2. “My Cousin’s Handy…”
The fail: One homeowner hired their cousin to redo the tile and coping. They used floor tile grout from the hardware store, didn’t prep the surface correctly, and poured concrete during a rainstorm “because it was their only day off.”
Within a month, the grout was cracking, tiles were popping off, and the coping shifted.
The fix: A full tear-out and rebuild of the tile line and coping.
Lesson learned: Friends and family are great — just maybe not for structural work. At Adams Pool Solutions, we use only pool-grade materials and trained experts. Check out our tile and coping options.
3. The Shrunken Spa Surprise
The fail: To save on costs, a homeowner told their builder to shrink the spa during a remodel. They got their wish — and ended up with a spa so tight, they couldn’t sit in it without kneeing their partner.
The fix: They tore it out and rebuilt the spa… again.
Lesson learned: Compromising comfort = compromising the whole point. Our design team ensures the right size, layout, and flow before we touch a single tile. See how we approach residential pool construction and design.
4. The Forgotten Drain
The fail: One contractor resurfaced the pool but forgot to raise the main drain cover to match the new plaster height. It created a bowl-shaped dip where water didn’t circulate properly.
The result? Algae growth, cloudy water, and weeks of frustration.
The fix: Drain the pool (again), grind out the finish, raise the drain, and resurface the area.
Lesson learned: What you can’t see still matters. Adams Pool Solutions handles resurfacing with precise elevation control and finish uniformity. See what makes our surface preparation process stand out.
5. The Glass Tile Tornado
The fail: Inspired by Pinterest, a homeowner ordered flashy glass mosaic tiles online from overseas. The tiles arrived late, were too thin, and didn’t meet pool standards. They were installed anyway.
First summer heatwave? The adhesive failed and the tiles floated off the wall into the pool like glitter in a snow globe.
The fix: Rip out the failed tile, re-waterproof the wall, and re-tile using pool-rated materials.
Lesson learned: Pretty doesn’t always mean pool-ready. We help you choose durable, pool-approved finishes like PebblePlus, Poolstone, Quartz, and more. Browse our pool surface finish options.
Avoid the Fails — Hire the Pros
At Adams Pool Solutions, we’ve spent over 70 years helping homeowners remodel and resurface their pools — the right way, the first time.
Whether you’re dealing with cracks, fading plaster, outdated tile, or just want to upgrade to a longer-lasting finish, we’ve got the experience and craftsmanship to get it done right.
Serving the Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Santa Rosa, Carmel Valley & beyond.
Ready for a No-Regrets Pool Remodel? Call 800-675-0665 or visit AdamsPools.com for a free estimate today.
Because a pool should be fun — not a punchline.