White plaster, quartz aggregate, Pebble Tec, and Pebble Sheen — applied by H&H’s certified crews to manufacturer specifications. Serving Austin since 2004 with free on-site estimates.
Pool plastering is the single most impactful renovation you can perform on an aging gunite or concrete pool. When the interior finish goes — rough texture, visible staining, delamination, or surface erosion — no amount of chemical treatment restores it. The only fix is a proper replastering job: drain, prep, apply, and refill with calibrated startup chemistry.
H&H Tile and Plaster has been performing pool plastering across the Austin metro since 2004. Founded by Billy Johns and Joseph Johns, our company has completed more than 10,000 pool interior projects across Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop counties. We are certified applicators for Pebble Tec, Pebble Sheen, and all major quartz aggregate finish systems — which means manufacturer-specified application, manufacturer quality oversight, and manufacturer warranty eligibility on every certified finish we apply.
Austin pools face specific challenges that generic pool contractors underestimate: Edwards Aquifer hard water in the 200–400+ ppm calcium hardness range, extreme summer UV and thermal cycling, and the expansive clay and limestone soil conditions that affect pool shells differently across Travis and Williamson counties. H&H’s approach to pool plastering in Austin is calibrated for these conditions — from finish selection to startup chemistry.
H&H is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating since 2007 and licensed through the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR). Every plastering project includes a free on-site inspection, written scope, and no-pressure estimate.
Pool plaster doesn’t fail overnight — it degrades gradually. These are the signals Austin pool owners most commonly report when they call H&H, and what each one means about the state of your pool’s interior surface.
The most common complaint. Plaster erodes from the surface down, exposing the aggregate below. When your pool feels like sandpaper on bare feet, the surface has lost its smooth finish layer and is past the point where chemical treatment helps.
White plaster is porous. Over time, organic staining (algae roots, tannins from leaves) and mineral staining (calcium carbonate, copper, iron from Austin’s hard water) penetrate below the cleanable surface. Acid washing can extend the plaster’s life but eventually the staining becomes structural, not cosmetic.
If you’re finding white dust or chalky residue in your filter or settling on your pool floor, the plaster surface is actively eroding. This is calcium carbonate breaking off the surface — a sign of aggressive water chemistry or end-of-life plaster. Left unaddressed, it accelerates equipment wear.
Visible popping, flaking, or chunks of plaster lifting from the shell indicates delamination — the bond between the plaster coat and the gunite shell has failed. In Austin, this is often caused by poor original prep work, aggressive pH swings, or freeze-thaw cycling. Spot repairs are temporary; full replastering is the durable fix.
Hairline surface cracks (crazing) are a normal end-of-life indicator for white plaster — the surface has exhausted its flexibility. Structural cracks that follow a consistent line, especially near the main drain or returns, can indicate shell movement and need to be assessed before replastering begins.
Hard, bumpy white or gray calcium carbonate nodules on the pool surface are a sign of aggressive chemistry or poor original troweling. Austin’s hard Edwards Aquifer water accelerates nodule formation, especially in pools that sit low on calcium saturation balance during hot summer months.
Colored plaster and aggregate finishes lose their vibrancy as UV exposure and chemical cycling break down the surface layer. Uneven fading — brighter in shaded areas, bleached in sun-exposed ones — indicates a surface that has been compromised unevenly and will continue to deteriorate.
In Austin’s climate, standard white plaster has a functional lifespan of 8–12 years with proper maintenance. If your pool’s plaster is approaching or past the 10-year mark and you can’t remember the last time it was done, it’s worth having H&H out for a free inspection to assess what you’re working with before problems surface.
The right finish for your Austin pool depends on your budget, how long you want it to last, and what Austin’s hard water and UV conditions will do to each surface type. H&H is a certified applicator for all four major finish categories.
The original pool interior finish — Portland cement, white marble dust, and water. White plaster produces a classic bright-white pool appearance and is the most cost-effective finish option. In Austin’s hard water and high-UV environment, standard white plaster is the most vulnerable finish system and requires the most disciplined water chemistry maintenance to reach its expected lifespan.
Best for: investment properties, pools with shorter renovation cycles, or budget-constrained projects where the tradeoff in longevity is acceptable.
Quartz aggregate finishes blend white cement with quartz crystals and color pigments to produce a denser, more stain-resistant surface than standard plaster. The quartz particles significantly improve resistance to the calcium carbonate etching and scale penetration common in Austin’s hard water pools. Available in a wide range of colors.
Best for: Austin primary residence pools where the goal is 12–18 years of performance with lower maintenance demands than white plaster.
Pebble Tec is the industry benchmark for high-performance pool interiors. A proprietary blend of natural river pebbles, Portland cement, and color pigments, Pebble Tec produces an exceptionally dense, durable surface that outperforms both white plaster and quartz aggregate in Austin’s hard water and thermal cycling conditions. H&H is a Pebble Tec certified applicator — without this certification, contractors cannot apply Pebble Tec to manufacturer specification or provide the manufacturer’s product warranty.
Best for: Austin primary residence pools where maximum longevity and minimal maintenance are the priorities.
Pebble Sheen is Pebble Tec’s finer-aggregate sibling — smaller pebbles produce a smoother, more polished surface while retaining the durability characteristics of the Pebble Tec system. Pebble Sheen is particularly popular with Austin homeowners who want the longevity of a premium aggregate finish without the more pronounced texture of standard Pebble Tec. Like Pebble Tec, it requires a certified applicator — H&H is certified for both systems.
Best for: Austin homeowners who want maximum longevity with a finer, more refined finish feel.
Every Austin pool H&H replasters follows the same process. The steps don’t change based on project size or finish type. What changes is the prep scope — determined by what we find at the drain phase.
We visit your pool before quoting anything. We inspect the existing surface for delamination, structural cracks, calcium nodules, and any plumbing or shell issues that need to be addressed before replastering. You get a written scope with itemized pricing — prep work broken out, not buried in a lump sum. No phone estimates. Pool condition varies too much to quote accurately without a physical inspection.
Once we drain the pool, we conduct a second inspection of the exposed shell. Draining reveals issues invisible when the pool is full — specific delamination zones, structural crack patterns, hollow spots behind the plaster, or plumbing fitting conditions that need attention. Any scope changes from what we found at the original inspection are communicated before work proceeds.
This is where most Austin pool plastering jobs are won or lost, and where H&H spends the most time and attention. Proper prep involves: chipping out all failing or delaminated plaster, grinding down high spots and bond-coat irregularities, acid washing the exposed gunite shell to clean and etch the surface for mechanical bond, and repairing any structural cracks or plumbing penetrations before the new finish goes on. A new finish over poor prep will fail early — it’s not a question of if, but when.
H&H’s certified crews apply your chosen finish — white plaster, quartz aggregate, Pebble Tec, or Pebble Sheen — to manufacturer specifications. For certified finishes (Pebble Tec and Pebble Sheen), this means the correct crew size, mixing ratios, application thickness, and troweling technique required to achieve manufacturer quality standards. The crew size and pace matter — a Pebble Tec application that is rushed or undermanned will show inconsistency in the final surface.
The fill and first 28 days after application are critical. Austin’s hard water (Edwards Aquifer calcium hardness 200–400+ ppm) requires a specific startup chemistry sequence calibrated to your water source — not a generic startup sheet. We provide startup guidance specific to Austin water conditions and walk you through the 28-day cure protocol. The goal is to establish proper calcium saturation balance immediately so the new plaster surface doesn’t begin etching from day one.
Before we close out, we walk the completed project with you, confirm the surface quality, and provide warranty documentation for your finish. For Pebble Tec and Pebble Sheen, this includes manufacturer warranty registration. We also provide written guidance on ongoing water chemistry maintenance — the single biggest factor in how long your new finish lasts in Austin’s hard water environment.
Not all Austin pool plastering contractors are the same. The difference between a 10-year plaster job and a 20-year one is almost entirely in the contractor — the prep work they do, the finish they’re certified to apply, and what they do after the pool fills.
| Factor | H&H Tile and Plaster | Typical Austin Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Pebble Tec Certification | ✓ Certified applicator — manufacturer warranty eligible | ✗ Often uncertified — no manufacturer warranty |
| On-Site Estimate | ✓ Always — written scope, itemized prep | ✗ Many quote by phone or square footage only |
| Prep Work Transparency | ✓ Prep itemized separately in every estimate | ✗ Often bundled in lump sum — cuts hidden |
| Austin Water Chemistry Knowledge | ✓ Edwards Aquifer-specific startup guidance | ✗ Generic startup sheet, not Austin-calibrated |
| Austin Market Experience | ✓ 20+ years, 10,000+ Austin-area pools | ✗ Variable — many are newer entrants |
| BBB Accreditation | ✓ A+ since 2007 | ✗ Many not accredited |
| TDLR Licensed | ✓ Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation | ✗ Verify independently — not always confirmed |
Real Google reviews from real Austin-area pool owners about their H&H plastering and renovation experience.
The questions Austin pool owners ask H&H most about pool plastering, replastering, and finish selection — answered with Austin-specific context.
Pool replastering costs in Austin depend on four variables: pool size (square footage of interior surface), finish type (white plaster is least expensive; Pebble Tec and Pebble Sheen carry a material and labor premium for certified application), the condition of the existing surface (pools requiring significant chip-out and crack repair have higher prep costs), and whether tile or coping is being done simultaneously. H&H does not provide phone estimates because pool condition varies too significantly to quote accurately without a physical inspection. We provide free on-site estimates with written, itemized scopes — prep work is broken out separately so you can see exactly what you're paying for.
In Austin, standard white plaster (marcite) typically lasts 8–12 years. Quartz aggregate finishes (Diamond Brite, Pebble Sheen Quartz) last 12–18 years. Pebble Tec and Pebble Sheen can last 20–25+ years with proper water chemistry maintenance. Austin's specific conditions — Edwards Aquifer hard water at 200–400+ ppm calcium hardness, 300+ days of annual sunshine, and temperatures ranging from below freezing to 105°F+ — all accelerate surface degradation compared to softer-water, milder-climate markets. Water chemistry maintenance is the single largest factor in longevity: a pool with consistently balanced chemistry will outlast a poorly maintained pool of the same finish type by 5+ years.
Pool plastering refers specifically to applying a white Portland cement plaster (marcite) interior finish. Pool resurfacing is a broader term that includes plastering plus any upgrade finish — quartz aggregate, Pebble Tec, Pebble Sheen, or other systems. The underlying process is the same for both: drain, prep the shell, apply the new finish, fill, and manage startup chemistry. When Austin homeowners search for "pool resurfacing," they typically want the full process regardless of finish type — and that's what H&H provides across all finish categories.
Yes. H&H Tile and Plaster is a certified applicator for Pebble Tec and Pebble Sheen in Austin and throughout Central Texas. Certified applicator status means H&H applies these finishes to manufacturer specifications, our work is subject to manufacturer quality oversight, and we are authorized to provide the Pebble Tec manufacturer's product warranty to our customers. This warranty is not available from uncertified contractors regardless of what finish material they use. When hiring a pool plastering company in Austin for Pebble Tec or Pebble Sheen, always verify certified applicator status — it determines whether your manufacturer warranty is valid.
The active work phase — drain, surface prep, finish application, and initial fill — typically takes 3–7 days for a standard replastering project. Projects with significant prep work (extensive delamination chip-out, crack repair, or tile and coping included in the same scope) may extend to 10–14 days for the active phase. The new plaster then requires a 28-day cure period, during which water chemistry must be carefully managed and heavy pool use avoided. Full cure and hardening of the new surface takes approximately 28 days from the application date.
For Austin's Edwards Aquifer hard water (200–400+ ppm calcium hardness), quartz aggregate and pebble aggregate finishes significantly outperform standard white plaster. These denser, lower-porosity surfaces resist calcium carbonate etching, scale penetration, and staining better than white plaster under Austin's water conditions. Pebble Tec and Pebble Sheen are the most durable options for Austin's water and climate. White plaster is still a viable choice for budget-driven projects or shorter renovation cycles, but it requires more disciplined water chemistry management in Austin's hard water environment than it would in softer-water markets. H&H will walk you through the tradeoffs for your specific pool during the estimate.
October through February produces the best plaster cure conditions in Austin — cooler ambient temperatures slow the hydration process and result in a stronger, more uniform surface bond. Lower UV intensity during the winter months also reduces evaporation during the critical 28-day cure window. This timing conveniently avoids disrupting Austin's primary swim season (April through October). H&H performs pool plastering year-round and has established protocols for summer projects, but if your schedule allows, fall or early winter scheduling delivers the best outcome for finish longevity.
Yes — and coordinating all three scopes in a single drain cycle is one of H&H's core advantages for Austin homeowners undertaking a full renovation. Tile and coping work is completed before the new plaster is applied, which means you only drain the pool once and avoid the scheduling gaps and double-mobilization costs that come from using separate contractors for each trade. H&H provides a comprehensive written estimate that breaks out plastering, tile, and coping as separate line items within a single coordinated scope.
A small amount of white plaster dust (called "plaster bloom" or "plaster dust") during the first 1–2 weeks after application is normal — it's calcium hydroxide being released from the surface as the plaster cures. This settles to the floor and should be brushed off daily during the first two weeks. It does not indicate a defect. If significant chalking or surface dust continues beyond 3–4 weeks, it may indicate an issue with the startup chemistry balance, particularly calcium hardness — which is a common concern in Austin's already-hard Edwards Aquifer water supply. Contact H&H if you're seeing persistent chalking after the initial cure window.
Yes. H&H provides pool plastering and replastering services throughout the greater Austin metropolitan area including Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville, Hutto, Manor, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, Buda, Kyle, and all Austin neighborhoods across Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop counties. H&H is headquartered in Dripping Springs on Ranch Road 12 and crews are actively working throughout the Austin metro year-round.
Pool plastering is often the centerpiece of a larger renovation. H&H handles the complete interior scope so you only drain once.
H&H visits every pool in person before quoting. We assess the surface condition, identify prep scope, and provide a written estimate — no pressure, no phone-only guesses, no scope surprises.