Robinson's Pool Repair, a company based in Catlett, VA, is setting the new standard for pool repair and resurfacing. With over 30 years in the business, Mark Robinson has built a reputation on the east coast for providing a top quality service and finished product, with long-term durability. One of the main reasons his pool renovations have held up so well is that Robinson has always put an emphasis on serious prep work.

"Most prep work is mind numbing and labor intensive", says Robinson. "Thus many contractors take shortcuts on this critical step. When they do, it may end up being a short-term solution rather than a long-term solution. You either do it right, or you don't. And we do."

Instead of just grinding rough spots and sweeping, Robinson developed an unprecedented procedure of grinding, sand-blasting old paint (if necessary), pressure washing with TSP, etching with acid, and rinsing again with a pressure washer.

"This properly prepares the surface for the fiberglass to adhere to", says Robinson. "Because of all this extra effort, and the special precautions we take around the seal lines of fixtures and tile, we just don't have the fiberglass delaminating problems that so many other companies have."

If you're in on the east coast and in need of pool repair, talk with Mark Robinson.

How many of you have hired a contractor, been happy with his start date, only to find that they worked half a day and then disappeared?

This seems to be one of the biggest complaints about contractors in general. They schedule way more jobs than they can handle, then try to juggle them by jumping from one to another, only putting minimal effort into each job. It makes the clients crazy, trying to contact the contractor to see if and when he's coming back, and it puts the contractor's crews into a state of confusion and inefficiency.

So, has anybody figured out how to avoid this dilemma? According to our digging around, yes. Mark Robinson, owner of Robinson's Pool Repair (a division of Robinson Restorations, Inc., Catlett, VA) has an easy solution that he lives by.

"I may contract multiple jobs, especially as the busy season approaches. But, I schedule them to do only one job at a time", says Robinson. "When we start a job, we stay on that job until finished and the client is satisfied. Then, we go on to the next scheduled job. We don't leave you waiting, wondering if we're ever coming back."

"And, because of this, I'm able to personally be on every job site that I contract", adds Robinson.

So do people like this mentality? According to our survey, people would love it if all contractors worked in this manner. It's fair, honest and makes the mess of construction and worry of outcome much less stressful.

Homeowners and commercial property owners are again facing that haunting question ... What am I going to try this year?

How much have you spent over the years on a variety of techniques to make your pool presentable and usable? OK, ugly is maybe acceptable, if your family and guests drink enough to overlook it. But, if not, or if it's a commercial pool you're responsible for, it's not good enough. And, if there's a chronic algae problem due to an inferior pool surface, or it's leaking water, your previous attempts just won't "hold water" (excuse the pun).

Many people have tried multiple techniques to resolve their pool problems, re-painting every year, patching leaks with putty and/or silicone, replacing vinyl liners every couple of years, using every adhesive on the market to try to keep tiles in place, etc. But, it's the same problem soon.

Maybe it's time to invest in a long-term solution that really works. Fiberglass resurfacing has come a long way in recent years, with better materials and some contractors who have developed better methods. Properly done, fiberglass resurfacing offers a long-term solution, producing a smooth surface that reduces algae build-up, eliminates water leaks, and makes your pool beautiful again ... for a long time.

Find a good, experienced pool repair contractor like Mark Robinson, owner of Robinson's Pool Repair, with 30+ years experience in the industry, and enjoy your summers.