San Antonio homeowners are increasingly turning to fiberglass pools as a wave of concrete pools installed during the COVID-19 construction boom begins to fail, according to a recent episode of The Building Texas Show. The episode, recorded live at the San Antonio Home and Garden Show and released on September 14, 2026, features Jeff and Kelley Turner, owners of Staycation Fiberglass Pools, who explain why concrete pools are becoming a financial liability for many Texas families.
The Turners, guests on the show hosted by Justin McKenzie, detail the rise of alkali-silica reaction (ASR), often called “concrete cancer,” in pools built during and after the pandemic. This condition causes concrete shells to disintegrate, leading to repair bills that can reach $200,000 to $400,000. “In Texas, you need more certifications to do hair than you do to build a pool. It's wild,” Jeff Turner said, pointing to the lack of state certification requirements for pool builders. While PHTA certification exists, it is voluntary, leaving homeowners to verify credentials on their own.
The implications for homeowners are significant. Many are now facing tear-outs that most builders carry no insurance to cover. The Turners emphasize the importance of asking the right questions before signing a contract, such as whether the builder holds PHTA certification and what a turnkey fiberglass quote actually includes. They note that low bids often cut corners on engineering plans, bonding, pump sizing, and deck scope—areas where cut-rate contracts quietly fail. Manufacturer warranties from companies like San Juan and Aqua Technics are highlighted as benchmarks for quality and protection.
For those considering renovation, the Turners discuss options like EcoFinish flame-applied polymer resurfacing. They also share a recent hybrid negative-edge rebuild in Dripping Springs, where a one-year-old fiberglass pool looked thirty years old due to a poor original installation. The full build sequence, including a 30-foot infinity edge over the Hill Country, is available in the episode. “You're dating us as a builder...” Kelley Turner said, describing the manufacturer relationship and what a warranty is truly worth.
The Turners credit training from Jason Hughes and River Pools for shaping their client education approach. They stress that homeowners should see completed projects and verify builder credentials. The episode is part of an ongoing series profiling builders and tradespeople shaping the Texas economy. For more information, visit staycationfiberglasspools.com. The full episode can be watched on YouTube, and listeners can subscribe to The Building Texas Show for new episodes posted two to three times a week.
