Renovating your pool: the key questions

Although your pool may have been your best ally for many years, its condition has probably started to deteriorate. Before you launch into heavy renovation works, the experts at Hayward will help you ask the right questions about its current condition.

When should you carry out pool renovations?

It is generally recognized that a pool begins to age after 10 to 15 years. Just like an older house, your pool will progressively require more maintenance and probably a little rejuvenation!

Do you have construction works planned for your outdoor space soon? If so, take the opportunity to plan more widespread renovations that include your pool.

For an optimal schedule of works, identify which equipment needs to be replaced immediately and which may soon require replacement. In general, beyond 15 years, your overall pool installation begins to slow down and show signs of weakness.

Pool renovation is a delicate operation for which it is advisable to get professionals involved, firstly for correct diagnosis of the problems then for the works themselves.

What type of works should you consider?

Heavy renovations: replace the faulty equipment.

Has your pool lining been looking shabby for several months? Is it now seriously beginning to deteriorate? Everything depends on the type of pool that you have. There are several stages to the process.

•Depending on the quality of the liner that was installed initially, its lifetime can vary. After 10 to 15 years, the plastic loses flexibility and rumples. Ask your pool specialist about the cost of a more robust lining, for example. Reinforced membranes. Enjoy the newly available colours (grey, black, etc.) to change the overall appearance of your pool.
•Concerning tiling or mosaic, it is necessary to clean the scale deposit every 5 to 10 years. If it is cracked, the rest of the installation is probably damaged, so be extra careful if you have this situation.
•If you have chosen a fibreglass pool and a small area is damaged, you can apply a layer of special resin yourself (named gelcoat). If blisters start to form, contact a professional who will sand them down and apply a new layer of resin.

Replacement of white goods can require heavy renovation work in order to access in-built equipment, such as the skimmer or return fittings. Before you start, take advice from a professional to ensure this work is really necessary.

Do you have concerns about the waterproofing of your installation? Start by frequently checking the level of the water. If your doubts are confirmed, then it is best to act rapidly, because this can be due to several factors; namely a problem with the pipes or with your equipment (skimmer, pump or filter). In all cases, ask for assistance from a pool specialist to confirm your suspicions.

Heavy renovation works: changing the appearance of the pool.

Modifying the general aspect of your pool: if you know that heavy renovation works are required, it is perhaps wise to take advantage of this to totally transform your pool. You could incorporate a beach entry to the water, just like in the sea, or even swap a classic pool for an infinity pool: these are options that you could think about when creating your dream pool.

Heavy renovation work can also be an occasion to improve the user comfort of your pool by opting to install a heat pump so that you can enjoy your pool for longer, or even a connected device that will control your pool equipment and water treatment, such as the Aquarite +.

Light renovations: make some replacements for improved comfort and appearance.

Are you beginning to see cracks in the coping? Don’t wait until someone gets hurt to replace it. You can even benefit from this occasion by changing the ground covering around your pool.

If swimming doesn’t hold your interest for very long, why not choose accessories like a counter-current swimming system or massage jets? Just a few features that could diversify your use of the pool to make it more pleasant.

Lastly, if you have a concrete pool and its appearance no longer appeals to you, you have several possibilities to change things, such as adding spotlights and coloured LEDs, or installing a pool ladder.