A wave of concrete pools constructed during the COVID-19 building boom is now failing across Texas, with repair costs reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The issue took center stage on a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, recorded live at the San Antonio Home and Garden Show and released September 14, 2026. Host Justin McKenzie spoke with Jeff and Kelley Turner, owners of Staycation Fiberglass Pools, about why homeowners are increasingly choosing fiberglass over concrete.
At the heart of the problem is alkali-silica reaction (ASR), often called "concrete cancer," which causes concrete to crack and disintegrate. Many pools built during the pandemic rush are now exhibiting ASR, leading to tear-outs that can cost between $200,000 and $400,000. According to the Turners, most builders carry no insurance to cover such failures, leaving homeowners financially exposed.
Jeff Turner didn't mince words about the regulatory environment. "In Texas, you need more certifications to do hair than you do to build a pool," he said. "It's wild. And you need to be a chemist to be a hairdresser, and you don't need to be a chemist to build a pool." Texas does not require state certification for pool builders, though voluntary certification exists through the Pool and Hot Tub Association (PHTA). The Turners emphasized that homeowners must specifically ask about PHTA certification before signing a contract.
The episode also explored the pitfalls of low bids. A genuine turnkey fiberglass quote should include engineering plans, proper bonding, correctly sized pump equipment, and full deck scope. Cut-rate contracts often quietly cut corners in these areas, leading to problems down the line. The Turners pointed to manufacturer warranties from companies like San Juan and Aqua Technics as benchmarks for quality. "You're dating us as a builder..." Kelley Turner said, explaining that the manufacturer relationship is key to understanding what a warranty is actually worth.
For homeowners facing failing concrete pools, renovation options exist, including EcoFinish flame-applied polymer resurfacing. The Turners also shared details of a hybrid negative-edge rebuild they completed in Dripping Springs, rescuing a one-year-old pool that looked thirty years old. The full build sequence, featuring a 30-foot infinity edge over the Hill Country, is available in the video.
The Turners credit training from Jason Hughes and River Pools for shaping their client education approach. They stressed that bonding, pump sizing, and deck scope are where cut-rate contracts quietly fail. Homeowners can see completed projects at staycationfiberglasspools.com.
This episode is part of The Building Texas Show's ongoing series profiling the builders, tradespeople, and entrepreneurs shaping the Texas economy. New episodes post 2-3 times a week. The full episode is available on YouTube and wherever podcasts are heard.
