Pool Service and Resurfacing in Port St. Lucie

A big share of Port St. Lucie homes have a screened backyard pool. Hard fill water, a high summer water table and HOA rules are the local issues that come up most.

County: St. Lucie County
Permits: Usually the City of Port St. Lucie Building Department. Confirm for your address.

Pools in Port St. Lucie are usually in ground concrete pools behind single story block homes, almost always under a screen enclosure. The older sections have pools from the 1980s and 1990s due for resurfacing and new equipment. The newer communities have pools still on their first finish.

Hard water and well water

Port St. Lucie water is hard, which pushes calcium levels up as the pool evaporates and gets topped off. That shows up as white scale at the waterline and rough plaster. Regular testing for calcium hardness, not just chlorine and pH, matters more here than in places with softer water.

Many older homes have an irrigation well, and some owners top off the pool with the hose connected to it. Well water often carries iron, which can turn the water green or brown and leave stains that are hard to remove. Use city water to fill if you can, or ask about a metal treatment first. See water treatment in Port St. Lucie if your house runs on a well.

Draining and resurfacing in a high water table

Resurfacing means draining the pool. In the rainy season, groundwater in low lots near canals can push up on an empty shell, so most businesses here prefer to drain in drier months and check the hydrostatic relief valve. Ask how they'll handle it, and where the drained water goes, since it shouldn't be dumped straight into a canal or swale with chemicals in it.

Screens, HOAs and permits

Screen enclosures take a beating in storms and are often the first thing damaged. Many HOAs in Tradition, Verano and St. Lucie West have rules about screen color and replacement. A new pool, new heater or heat pump, or electrical changes usually need a permit through the City of Port St. Lucie Building Department. Simple resurfacing may not, but ask. Pool equipment wiring and bonding should be done right, see electrical work in Port St. Lucie.

The pool deck is often due for cleaning at the same time, see pressure washing in Port St. Lucie. General information on pool care, finishes and licensing is on the pool service page, and the city overview is on the Port St. Lucie area page.

Check before you hirePool construction, resurfacing and many equipment repairs fall under Florida pool and spa contractor licenses. Look up the license at myfloridalicense.com and ask for proof of insurance. Routine cleaning has no state license.

Pool service questions in Port St. Lucie

Why is there white scale around my Port St. Lucie pool?

Usually calcium. Port St. Lucie fill water is hard, and as pool water evaporates and you top it off, calcium builds up. When it gets high and the pH drifts up, it deposits as scale at the waterline and on the plaster. Regular calcium testing and balancing helps. Heavy scale may need a professional cleaning.

Can I fill my pool from my irrigation well?

You can, but many Port St. Lucie wells carry iron that can stain the finish and discolor the water. If you have to use a well, ask a pool business about a metal sequestrant or a prefilter first. Filling from city water avoids most of that, though it costs more.

When should I drain my Port St. Lucie pool for resurfacing?

Many businesses here prefer the drier months, roughly late fall through spring, because the water table is lower. In the rainy season, groundwater can push on an empty pool shell, especially on low lots near canals. Ask the business how they'll protect the pool while it's empty and where the drained water will go.

Do I need HOA approval to replace my pool screen enclosure?

In many Port St. Lucie communities, yes, especially in master planned areas like Tradition, Verano and St. Lucie West. HOAs often set screen color, frame color and design. Screen enclosure replacement can also need a city permit. Check your architectural guidelines and ask the contractor about the City of Port St. Lucie Building Department's requirements.

For the general guide, see Pool service and resurfacing on the Treasure Coast. For more about the town, see Port St. Lucie.

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