Expert Pool Resurfacing in Midrand: Marbelite & Fiberglass Lining Specialists
What is pool resurfacing?
Resurfacing means preparing the worn inside layer of a pool and applying a new finish over the shell. It restores a smooth, comfortable surface, makes the pool easier to keep clean and, with the right preparation, helps stop water escaping through the surface. In Midrand, the finishes that last are Marbelite and fibreglass. We don’t rely on paint or epoxy, and you will see why further down.
Resurfacing, relining, renovation and repairs: what is the difference?
People use these terms loosely, so here is what each one means on our jobs:
- Resurfacing: putting a new interior finish, Marbelite or fibreglass, on the pool you already have.
- Re-marbelite: stripping the failed plaster and applying fresh Marbelite.
- Relining: adding a fibreglass skin, built from matting and resin, over the prepared shell.
- Renovation: a larger project that goes beyond the surface to cover shape, coping, equipment and more. See our page on pool renovations in Midrand.
- Repair: correcting one specific fault, such as a crack, a pipe or a pump. See our page on pool repairs in Midrand.
What resurfacing will not fix
No finish can fix a problem that sits underneath it. Resurfacing deals with water loss through the surface only. Plumbing leaks and structural leaks need separate repairs, and cracks in the shell must be repaired first, or they will split the new surface along the same line.
If your pool is losing water, start with pool leak detection in Midrand. That is why every resurfacing begins with an inspection of the shell, not a price over the phone.
Signs your Midrand pool needs resurfacing
The Highveld sun, chemicals and soil movement wear every finish eventually. These are the signs that yours has reached that point.
On Marbelite:
- A rough, sandpaper feel underfoot, because the cement has eroded and left the sharp marble exposed
- Stains and discolouration that brushing won’t shift
- Pitting, where algae takes hold and keeps coming back
- Hollow-sounding or flaking patches that have lost their bond
- Rising chemical use, because an eroded surface soaks up what you add
On fibreglass:
- Small blisters, or pimples, on the floor or walls, often called osmosis
- Fading and chalking, where the colour turns dull and leaves a white residue on your skin
- Cracks in the steps or corners
- Fibres lifting, a squishy feel underfoot or a brittle gelcoat
On either:
- Cracks showing through the finish, which can mean the shell is moving
- Water loss that may be coming through the surface, although the pool could be losing water somewhere else
Not sure what you are seeing? Send us photos on WhatsApp and we will tell you whether it is the surface, the shell or something else.
Marbelite resurfacing in Midrand
My Marbelite is rough and stained. What now?
If you love the classic look but hate the texture, re-plastering is the answer. When Marbelite turns pitted and rough, the cement has eroded and left the sharp marble exposed. A fresh layer restores a smooth, comfortable surface.
What is Marbelite?
Marbelite is a coloured, marble-based pool plaster applied over the concrete shell. We use Cemcrete PoolCrete, a South African plaster the manufacturer has made since 1973. It goes on about 6 mm thick and hardens into a lasting part of the pool structure.
How we re-marbelite a pool
- Inspection. We check the shell for cracks, hollow patches and movement before ordering anything.
- Water saved. Your treated water goes into our storage bladders, and the pool is drained.
- Mechanical keying. The old, failed layer is chipped away so that the new plaster bonds permanently. This step decides how long the finish lasts.
- Repairs and priming. Structural cracks are repaired first, hollow areas are made good, and the surface is primed where the manufacturer’s system calls for it.
- Application. PoolCrete is mixed and applied in your chosen colour, to the manufacturer’s specification, under Chris’s supervision.
- Curing underwater. Marbelite cures underwater, so water goes back within hours of application, typically 4 to 10. We follow the manufacturer’s start-up guidance.
- Handover. You receive care instructions, because the first weeks of water balance matter.
Why choose Marbelite
- A classic, natural look with a slight texture
- A hard mineral surface
- Popular colours including white and sky blue, with more available
- A quick return of water after application
- A good fit for a sound shell on stable ground
Where Marbelite falls short
Marbelite is porous, so it needs closer attention to water balance. It is rigid, so soil movement can split it. In practice, expect 10 to 15 years with proper care. The manufacturer says correctly applied PoolCrete can reach 15 to 20 years when the water is kept balanced, which shows how much upkeep matters.
Best for: structurally sound pools, stable ground and owners who love the traditional finish. If your Marbelite only has a small problem, our Marbelite pool repairs may be all you need.
Fibreglass resurfacing in Midrand
Fibreglass turns a worn pool into a smooth, sealed and flexible shell, and it is often called relining. For the lining in detail, see our page on fibreglass pool renovations in Midrand. This section shows how it works as a resurfacing.
What is fibreglass resurfacing?
We laminate layers of fibreglass matting with resin onto the prepared shell, then seal it with a UV-stable gelcoat. We build it with Scott Bader and NCS pool resins.
How we resurface a pool in fibreglass
- Inspection. We check the shell for cracks, hollow areas and signs of movement.
- Surface preparation. An old Marbelite surface is ground to create a mechanical key, and any other finish is cleaned and sanded, so the lining bonds permanently.
- Structural repairs. Cracks are reinforced with steel stitching and structural resin before lamination begins.
- Lamination. Multiple layers of matting and resin are built up into a waterproof lining.
- Gelcoat. A smooth, high-gloss gelcoat forms the final surface.
Most fibreglass resurfacing takes 3 to 7 working days. Your water is stored in our bladders and returned once the lining has cured.
Why Midrand owners choose fibreglass
- It flexes. Fibreglass follows the subtle movement of Midrand’s clay instead of cracking.
- It is smooth and non-porous, so it holds on to fewer chemicals and gives algae little to grip.
- It is gentle on skin. There is no sandpaper surface and no pool rash for the kids.
- It lasts. Fibreglass typically lasts 15 to 25 years with sensible care.
Converting a Marbelite pool to fibreglass
This is the most common request we get from Midrand owners who want a simpler life with their pool. If you are tired of scrubbing algae out of pitted plaster and watching chemicals disappear, a fibreglass lining over the prepared concrete shell is a lasting fix. We inspect the shell first, repair what needs repairing and then line it.
Resurfacing a pool that is already fibreglass
My fibreglass pool needs resurfacing. What is going on?
Fibreglass is durable but not immortal. Sun and chemicals wear the gelcoat thin, and you see osmosis blisters, fading and chalking, cracks in steps or corners, and fibres that lift or feel squishy. Depending on how deep the damage goes, the answer ranges from a surface rejuvenation to a full structural relining, and we tell you which one your pool needs.
Best for: cracked pools, moving ground, owners who want the lowest maintenance and Marbelite pools that have had enough.
Marbelite or fibreglass: which should you choose for your Midrand pool?
Both finishes are good. The right one depends on your pool and your ground, so work through these four questions.
1. What is the ground like? In the clay pockets of suburbs such as Vorna Valley, Halfway House and Noordwyk, the soil swells and shrinks, and fibreglass copes with that far better than a rigid plaster. On stable, flat ground, Marbelite performs well.
2. Has the pool cracked or leaked before? A history of cracks points towards fibreglass, which flexes where Marbelite splits.
3. How much upkeep do you want? Fibreglass is the lowest maintenance. Marbelite asks for closer attention to water balance, but rewards you with a classic mineral finish.
4. How do you weigh cost against lifespan? Fibreglass costs more at the start and typically lasts longer, so the cost per year can come out lower. Our guide to pool resurfacing costs in Gauteng shows current figures for both.
Our verdict for Midrand
If the pool has needed work before, or sits in a clay pocket, we usually recommend fibreglass. If the shell is sound, the ground is stable and you love the traditional finish, Marbelite is a very good choice. We inspect first and recommend second, and we won’t up-sell you to the dearer option.
Why we don't resurface with paint or epoxy
Paint is only a stop-gap for appearance, and epoxy often blisters within two years. A cheaper quote built on either usually means paying again soon. That is why we stick to Marbelite and fibreglass, which are built to last.
How a Crispy Pools resurfacing job runs
- Free assessment. We inspect the shell and surface, check for cracks and movement, and talk through your finish options.
- Written quote. You receive a clear, itemised quote before anything starts.
- Your water is saved. Resurfacing needs a dry shell. Most Midrand pools hold 40,000 to 90,000 litres, and we pump yours into our own storage bladders instead of letting it run away. We own the bladders, so there is no separate rental fee.
- Preparation. The pool is drained and the old finish is prepared, with failed layers removed. We never simply cover an old surface, because a poor bond is the commonest reason a new finish fails early.
- Structural repairs where needed. Cracks are reinforced before the finish goes on.
- Application. Your chosen Marbelite or fibreglass finish is applied and left to cure.
- Refill and handover. Your stored water goes back in, and you receive care instructions and a written workmanship warranty.
Most resurfacing jobs take 3 to 7 working days, depending on the size and condition of the pool and the weather.
Resurfacing in Midrand's ground and estates
The ground. Many Midrand suburbs sit on heavy clay that swells in the wet season and shrinks in the dry one. Rigid finishes on older shells tend to crack, go hollow and fail under that movement, which is why we choose flexible fibreglass where movement is likely and repair the shell first.
The pools. Waterfall’s estates are dense, with neighbours close by and strict rules. Kyalami and Glen Austin have larger plots with larger pools, which means more water to store and more to plan. We allow for both before we start.
The rules. We follow each estate’s contractor access, security, working-hour and noise requirements, including at Waterfall, Kyalami and Carlswald.
If your pool is losing water, find out where it is going before you resurface, with our pool leak detection in Midrand. If the shell has cracked, see our pool repairs in Midrand.
Pool resurfacing costs and quotes
The price of a resurfacing depends on the size and depth of the pool, the finish, the condition of the shell, any extras such as waterline mosaic, and access to your property. Every quote we give is free, written and itemised after an on-site inspection, so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
For typical rates and worked examples, see our guides to pool resurfacing costs in Gauteng and pool renovation costs in Gauteng.
Why Midrand homeowners choose Crispy Pools for resurfacing
- A builder’s approach. Crispy Pools is the pool division of Crispy Construction, with 15+ years of construction experience. We prepare a shell the way a builder would, so the finish bonds and lasts.
- Direct supervision. Chris personally supervises major works, from preparation to the final finish.
- Structure before surface. If your shell is cracked, we reinforce it with steel stitching before the new finish goes on, instead of covering the problem.
- Proven materials. Scott Bader and NCS resins for fibreglass, and Cemcrete PoolCrete for Marbelite.
- Advice that follows your pool. We recommend by condition, ground and budget, not by what is dearest.
- Water-wise. We own our storage bladders, so there is no rental fee and no wasted water.
- A written workmanship warranty on every project.
Where we resurface pools
We resurface pools throughout Midrand, including Kyalami, Waterfall, Carlswald, Blue Hills, Glen Austin, Noordwyk, Halfway House, Crowthorne, Summerset, Vorna Valley, Erand Gardens, Sagewood and Country View, and inside the Kyalami, Waterfall Country and Carlswald estates. If your suburb isn’t listed, message us. We work across Gauteng.
Pool resurfacing in Midrand: your questions answered
Resurfacing is the general term for a new finish over the shell, in Marbelite or fibreglass. Relining usually means the fibreglass version, built up from layers of matting and resin.
Yes. We chip away the failed layer, repair the shell where needed and apply fresh Marbelite, so the new plaster bonds to a sound base.
Usually, yes. We assess how deep the damage goes and recommend either a surface rejuvenation or a full structural relining.
Yes, and it is the most common request we receive. We prepare the shell, repair what needs it and then line it, giving you a smooth, non-porous surface that holds fewer chemicals and is gentler on skin.
In the clay pockets, usually yes, because fibreglass flexes with soil movement. On stable ground, Marbelite performs well and gives a classic finish.
Yes, once the cracks have been repaired. We reinforce them with steel stitching and structural resin first, so they don’t reopen beneath the new finish.
Only a leak through the surface. Plumbing and structural leaks need their own repairs, so we find the source of any water loss before resurfacing.
Most jobs take 3 to 7 working days, depending on the size and condition of the pool and the weather.
Fibreglass typically lasts 15 to 25 years. Marbelite typically lasts 10 to 15 years, and longer when the water is kept well balanced.
Yes, resurfacing needs a dry shell. We store your treated water in our bladders and return it after the finish has cured.
Marbelite cures underwater, so water goes back in within hours of application. We tell you exactly when it is safe to swim and how to look after the water in the first weeks.
Yes. Marbelite comes in white, sky blue and further colours, and fibreglass is available in a range of colours too. We talk you through the options at your assessment.
Yes. We follow each estate’s contractor access, security, working-hour and noise rules.
Book your free pool surface assessment in Midrand
A worn finish only gets harder to fix. Book a free, no-obligation inspection and Chris will tell you what your pool needs, which finish suits it and what to do first, then give you a written quote.
- WhatsApp: 076 328 9545
- Call: 076 328 9545
- Email: sales@crispypools.co.za
For a head start, send your suburb or estate, your pool’s approximate length, width and depth, and a few clear photos of the surface, any cracks and the pump room. We can usually give you a first opinion before we visit
Part of the Crispy Group :Crispy Pools is the specialist aquatic division of 
Guaranteed Workmanship: Every project is backed by our professional structural warranty.
The Water-Saving Advantage: We own our entire fleet of temporary storage bladders, offering you 100% rental savings and zero water waste.
Expert Oversight: All major works are personally supervised by Chris to ensure “Construction-Grade” integrity.