Pasadena has some of the oldest backyard pools we work on, and age is the whole story here. Pool replastering in Pasadena usually arrives with cracked tile, brittle plumbing and coping that was set decades ago. This page covers what we replace, what it costs and how permits work on this side of the county.
Who Replasters Pools in Pasadena?
Spear Pool Equipment & Repair replasters, resurfaces and rebuilds pools across Pasadena, from a single failed heater to a full renovation on a 1920s property. The company is licensed under CSLB #1143895, pulls permits through the City of Pasadena, and gives a free written estimate before work starts.
Repair, Resurface or Remodel?
Most Pasadena calls land in one of three buckets. This is how we separate them:
| Option | What you are seeing | Cost | How long it holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair | One failed part, a leak, a cracked tile or two | $243 to $1,212 typical | Buys years on a sound shell |
| Resurface | Rough or stained plaster, staining that will not clean | $6,000 to $15,000 | 5 to 10 yrs plaster, 20+ pebble |
| Remodel | Original tile, coping and equipment all failing together | Quoted per project | Resets the whole pool |
Pool Work We Handle in Pasadena
On older properties the shell and the equipment usually need attention in the same year, so quotes here cover more than one item.
Our pool refurbishments handle surface, tile, coping and deck. The pad is separate work and often just as overdue.
Replastering, Resurfacing and Tile
Plaster thinned to the gray shell cannot be patched. We handle new finishes in plaster, quartz or pebble and match the finish to how long you plan to keep the pool.
| Finish | Lifespan | Upfront cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaster | 5 to 10 years | Lowest | Matching a period pool simply |
| Quartz | 15 to 20 years | Middle | Longer life without pebble pricing |
| Pebble | 20+ years | Highest | Pools kept for decades |
Lifespans from HomeAdvisor and finish makers Pebble Technology International and SGM. Plaster is quoted at 5 to 10 years by cost guides and 7 to 10 by manufacturers, and water chemistry decides where a pool lands in that range.
Original tile is often the giveaway on a Pasadena pool. With the water out, new waterline tile is straightforward and changes the look more than the plaster does.
Not sure it is time yet? Our guide to the warning signs of a failing pool surface covers what to look for.
“We have called Spear Aquachlor for the past 15 years whenever we have had a problem with our pool and/or spa.”
★★★★★ Jacqueline S., Glendale, verified Yelp review
Coping, Decks and Old Concrete
Decks poured half a century ago crack, lift at the joints and pond water. Tree roots lift slabs, and leaf litter stains what is left.
We replace pool coping where stones have lifted. Tired slabs get patio resurfacing rather than a tear-out where the base is sound.
“The techs at Spear are top notch repair guys. They always get the job done in a timely manner and at a fair price.”
★★★★★ Bill Brown, San Fernando Valley, verified Google review
Equipment, Plumbing and Leaks
Old pools hide old plumbing, which makes the pad its own project. That is our pool pad service. We start with pad equipment repair before replacing anything.
Where a unit is beyond economic repair, replacement equipment with a variable-speed pump cuts running costs. Panels and controls that predate modern code need pool wiring.
Water loss with no visible crack usually means a buried line. We find it and handle pool leak repair. When a line has failed repeatedly we re-pipe the pool.
Pool Rehab After the Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire reached into parts of Pasadena as well as Altadena, and pools on those lots need what rebuild crews call pool rehab. Ash stains and etches the finish, heat cracks tile and coping, and the equipment pad is often a total loss.
We inspect the shell and pressure-test the lines first, then rebuild what failed, from the pad to the finish. You get an itemized written estimate that separates each part, which is what insurance adjusters ask for. Our page on pool rehab in Altadena covers the full process, including debris removal and mosquito rules for standing pools.
Remodels, Spas and New Pools
A full reset starts with replaster work and runs through tile, coping and deck.
Families add a sun shelf for shallow lounging.
Year-round use means adding a hot tub spa on the same equipment.
Waterfalls and fire bowls are feature additions, easiest while the deck is open.
Where a pool is beyond saving, we handle custom gunite pools from permits through start-up.
Get a Free Pasadena Pool Estimate
Tell us what the pool is doing. Estimates are free, and most repairs are scheduled the same week.
Free visit. Written price. No obligation.
Pasadena Pools by the Numbers
- About $95,393 is what a pool adds to a typical Los Angeles home, the highest of any major U.S. metro in Redfin’s 2019 study. On older properties, condition decides whether a buyer sees an asset or a project.
- $6,000 to $15,000 covers a full resurfacing, averaging about $11,000, per HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data. Period pools often need tile and coping in the same visit.
- Permits come from the City of Pasadena, which runs its own permit center rather than LADBS, so the process differs from a job in the Valley.
Neighborhoods and Local Conditions in Pasadena
We service pools across Pasadena: the streets around Bungalow Heaven, the properties near the Rose Bowl and Linda Vista, the blocks off Lake Avenue and the foothill neighborhoods below the San Gabriels.
Two conditions define the work here. Mature trees drop leaves and seeds nearly year round, loading filters and staining finishes. Foothill grit washes down with the first rains.
Many of these pools predate modern plumbing and bonding standards, so a remodel is often the first update behind the wall.
“Called Spear, talked to a gentleman named Damion. Set up an appointment, he was on time, tooled around for 25 minutes, fixed the heater for $160.”
★★★★★ Jay D., Santa Monica, verified Yelp review
What Drives the Price of Pool Work in Pasadena
Old pools produce the widest quote ranges. These factors move them most:
- What is behind the plaster. Hollow spots and failed plumbing surface once the pool is drained.
- Tile and coping. Period materials often need replacing rather than matching.
- Access. Long side yards and mature landscaping slow demolition and delivery.
- Permits. City of Pasadena review runs on its own schedule.
See what replastering costs by pool size across Los Angeles. Every item goes in the written estimate.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Pump motor repair | $50 to $300 |
| Heater repair | $160 to $730 |
| In-ground leak repair | $350 to $2,700 |
| Full resurfacing | $6,000 to $15,000 |
| Typical repair, all types | $243 to $1,212 |
National ranges from HomeAdvisor 2026 cost data. Pasadena quotes depend on access and what we find once the pool is drained.
“Richard came out on time and he was polite and professional and diagnosed not only the problem that I saw and called about but also a couple other issues”
★★★★★ Alisa Shniderman, San Fernando Valley, verified Google review
Meet the Owner
Ran Neuman owns Spear Pools, Inc. and brings 18 years of hands-on pool repair and construction experience.
On remodels he meets the homeowner, explains each step and stays involved from demolition through start-up. Connect with Ran on LinkedIn.
Read what customers across Los Angeles County say on our Google Business Profile.
“Great company to deal with. They repaired a pool pump for me, and upgraded my system to iAquaLink so that it works with my iPhone.”
★★★★★ Kane G., Los Angeles, verified Yelp review
Nearby Areas We Serve
Directly north, the foothill properties share the same runoff and tree cover, and we cover Altadena pool repair there.
West along the 134 we work throughout Glendale. Up the hill, homeowners call us for pool service in La Crescenta.
Check the cities we serve for the rest of our coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of resurfacing a pool?
The average cost of resurfacing a pool is about $11,000, with most projects landing between $6,000 and $15,000, according to HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data. Plaster sits at the low end and pebble or tile at the top. Pasadena pools often need waterline tile and coping replaced in the same visit, which adds cost but saves a second drain and refill later.
Do you need a permit to replaster a pool in California?
Yes, replastering usually needs a permit, and in Pasadena it comes from the City of Pasadena rather than LADBS, so the process differs from a job in Los Angeles. The pool must also meet the California Swimming Pool Safety Act, which covers drowning prevention features. Requirements vary between cities in the county. Spear pulls the permit as part of the job.
What is the difference between resurfacing and replastering a pool?
Replastering means applying new plaster over the prepared shell, while resurfacing is the broader term that covers plaster, quartz, pebble or tile finishes. Every replaster is a resurface, but not every resurface uses plaster. On older Pasadena pools we often recommend quartz or pebble instead of plaster, because the longer service life is worth the extra upfront cost.
How often do pools have to be resurfaced?
Pools have to be resurfaced roughly every 5 to 10 years with plaster, 15 to 20 with quartz and 20 or more with pebble, according to HomeAdvisor and the finish manufacturers. Water chemistry decides where a pool falls. Heavy tree cover raises chemical demand, so pools under mature Pasadena canopies often reach the shorter end of the range unless the water is tested regularly.
What is the most affordable way to resurface a pool?
The most affordable way to resurface a pool is standard white plaster, which sits at the bottom of the $6,000 to $15,000 range in HomeAdvisor’s 2026 data. It is also the shortest lived at 5 to 10 years. Paint costs less again but fails fastest and is rarely worth it. If you plan to keep the house, the cheapest finish per year of service is usually pebble.
Ready to replaster or repair your Pasadena pool? Call (818) 719-9059 and Ran will look at the shell, equipment and deck together.