Concrete swimming pools built during the COVID-19 construction boom are now failing at alarming rates, leaving Texas homeowners with repair bills that can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. The problem, known as alkali-silica reaction (ASR) or "concrete cancer," was the focus of a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie. The episode, titled "San Antonio Homeowners Are Choosing Fiberglass, Here's Why," was recorded live at the San Antonio Home and Garden Show and released on September 14, 2026. It features Jeff and Kelley Turner, owners of Staycation Fiberglass Pools, who explained the causes and consequences of the concrete pool crisis.
According to Jeff Turner, many of these pools were built during a period when demand outpaced skilled labor and oversight. As a result, a large share are now deteriorating, with repairs often requiring full tear-outs costing between $200,000 and $400,000. Most builders carry no insurance to cover such failures, leaving homeowners to bear the financial burden. Turner did not mince words about the regulatory environment: "In Texas, you need more certifications to do hair than you do to build a pool. 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 has no state certification requirement for pool builders. While PHTA (Pool and Hot Tub Association) certification exists, it is voluntary. Homeowners must specifically ask for it. This lack of oversight means that low bids often hide critical shortcuts. The Turners explained that a genuine turnkey fiberglass quote should include engineering plans, proper bonding, correctly sized pump equipment, and full deck scope. Cut-rate contracts quietly cut corners in these areas, leading to problems down the line.
Fiberglass pools, by contrast, offer a more durable and predictable alternative. The Turners highlighted the importance of manufacturer warranties, pointing to San Juan (with over 70 years in business) and Australia-based Aqua Technics as benchmarks. They also discussed renovation options, including EcoFinish flame-applied polymer resurfacing, which can extend the life of existing pools.
Kelley Turner framed the builder-homeowner relationship in simple terms: "You're dating us as a builder..." She explained that a warranty is only as good as the manufacturer behind it, and homeowners should carefully evaluate both the builder and the product. The episode also featured a hybrid negative-edge rebuild in Dripping Springs, where the Turners rescued a one-year-old pool that looked thirty. The full build sequence, from shell to 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 emphasize that informed homeowners make better decisions. For those considering a pool, the key takeaway is to ask about certifications, warranty coverage, and what a turnkey price actually includes. As concrete pools continue to fail across Texas, fiberglass is emerging as a reliable, cost-effective solution. Homeowners can see completed projects at staycationfiberglasspools.com.
