Pool Remodels: What Lies Beneath the Plaster

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A pool remodel is rarely as simple as replacing the tile and plaster. Once the old surface comes off and the ground is opened, contractors can uncover structural cracks, deteriorated rebar, undersized plumbing, missing hydrostatic relief, unsafe electrical work, and decades of questionable shortcuts.

In this bonus episode, Kelli speaks with Jose Gonzalez of Adams Pool Solutions in Pleasanton, California. Jose grew up working alongside his father in the pool industry and has spent nearly 12 years with Adams, advancing from plaster and pebble application into field management, project management, and sales.

Kelli and Jose dig into what really happens during a remodel, including the hidden conditions that can add thousands of dollars to a project. They discuss structural crack repair, hydraulic upgrades, permits, waterproofing, material selection, customer education, and why thorough documentation protects both the contractor and the homeowner.

Jose also shares one unforgettable discovery: full-size pool lights installed without proper niches or grounding, held in improvised cavities with plaster and silicone.

The lesson is simple: a successful remodel is not about hiding old problems beneath a beautiful new finish. It is about correcting those problems and building something that will remain safe, functional, and durable for years.

In This Episode

•  Jose’s journey from helping his father as a child to managing and selling remodel projects 
•  The difference between resurfacing a pool and performing a complete remodel 
•  Why structural cracks appear more frequently than many contractors expect 
•  Three approaches to crack treatment and when each may be appropriate 
•  How deteriorated rebar can turn a surface crack into a major structural repair 
•  Why contractors should discuss possible change orders before demolition begins 
•  Hidden copper lines, undersized plumbing, and other hydraulic surprises 
•  Missing or covered hydrostatic relief systems 
•  Why modern codes can require upgrades to older pools 
•  The value of preconstruction equipment inspections and signed documentation 
•  When waterproofing makes sense and when it may create bonding concerns 
•  Why poor surface preparation can cause a new finish to delaminate 
•  The long-term cost of cheap tile, coping, grout, and installation materials 
•  When permits are essential and why some contractors refuse to proceed without them 
•  Using renderings and physical samples to help homeowners visualize the finished project 
•  Why licensed contractors, field experience, transparency, and realistic timelines matter 
•  Jose’s advice for pool professionals entering the remodeling business 

Featured Guest

Jose Gonzalez
Adams Pool Solutions
Pleasanton, California

Key Takeaway

A trustworthy remodel contractor does not simply deliver the cheapest version of what a homeowner requests. They expose the problems, explain the options, document the decisions, and build the pool as though it were going into their own backyard.

#TalkingPoolsPodcast #PoolRemodel #PoolRenovation #SwimmingPools #PoolConstruction #PoolContractor #PoolProfessionals #PoolDesign #PoolSafety #AdamsPoolSolutions

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