Revive Before You Dive
All areas of the home are subject to a revamp and repair at some point in their lifetime, whether it’s the kitchen or bathroom, carpet or curtains. Pools are no different, requiring constant TLC including cleaning, maintenance and, in most cases, larger renovations to ensure their longevity and safety standards. Here, Kirrily Ireland speaks With John Townsend, licensed swimming pool builder and principal contractor of POOLPAINTERS, to discuss why and when your pool might be in need of a renovation, and what this entails.
We’ve all seen those lacklustre pools that reside in old motels; discoloured water, cracked paving, unclean and unappealing. What if that pool were sitting in your own backyard? With his thirty years of experience in the industry, Townsend shares his insights with Sydney Pool + Outdoor Design readers, indicating the tell-tale signs that your pool needs some attention, and the many factors pool owners need to consider before they can jump back in the water.
BEWARE OF WEAR AND TEAR
For some, knowing that their pool is in need of renovation will be obvious, however others may need to do some closer inspecting. If you’re not sure, it’s firstly important to consider how long the pool has been around, which could date back to the previous owners of the house. Townsend says, “Normally a concrete pool will last ten to 14 years before some kind of update is required.” If this milestone is starting to creep up, it’s best to give your pool a good inspection. “As a pool ages, wear starts to show patches on the inside surface tiling and paving around the pool,” Townsend explains. “This becomes worn and outdated.” Look out for cracks, sections of the surface that seem discoloured, dirty or worn-down no matter how often you clean them, and other abnormalities.
The internal surface will be the first to show signs of damage, “followed by equipment failure, [the waterline], tiles and coping”. When pools are no longer at their peak, you’ll also find that “maintenance becomes difficult and more frequent”, so if you’re out there every other week cleaning and fixing things, it might be time to call in an expert.
Townsend says that poor maintenance is actually one of the key contributors to wear and tear; if you know that in the past you’ve skipped or rushed the upkeep on your pool, it might be time to look into some damage control. For those who are still enjoying the early days of a freshly installed pool, ensure you don’t neglect the less glamourous yet highly important side of owning one to prevent the need for repairs down the track.
Perhaps your pool isn’t showing signs of damage, but you’re still keen to freshen it up. Even if you’ve put in the hard work to maintain everything from the pool itself to the equipment, and have managed to keep your aquatic haven in tip-top condition, it could still benefit from some new tiling, paving or accessories for aesthetic purposes. To save costs and time on construction, Townsend suggests a good time to update your pool is when safety regulations change, so that you can take these into account at the same time and ensure that elements such as the fencing are all compliant.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO RENOVATE
Pool renovations can cover a whole range of updates, repairs and refurbishments, and will differ on a case-by-case basis, depending on the kind of damage you’re dealing with. Townsend affirms that “fibreglass or concrete can equally be renovated”, so no matter what type of pool you have and the extent of the deterioration, there’s still hope.
The process will start with a consultation and assessment from an expert in the field and a design team, who will help to “make your pool look brand new again”. Once the level of damage is ascertained, the renovations can begin. These can include anything from concrete and pebble resurfacing to new tiling, paving, copings and pool painting, the last of which will leave the internal surface of your pool sealed, strong, smooth and durable, and even comes in a variety of colours. “There are three types of paint for pools,” Townsend explains, “[including] chlorinated rubber, epoxy resin and polyaspartic – polyaspartic is the longest lasting.” This paint can last for approximately ten years, bringing longevity and rejuvenation to your pool.
The systems that keep your pool running will also often need replacing after reaching an inevitable expiry date. With so many advanced, innovative products on the market, older pools will definitely benefit from some new equipment. The pool renovation expert agrees, saying that “old equipment can be replaced with up-to-date, modern, high-tech, low maintenance systems such as solar pumps and under-water lighting”. These will keep your pool running even more smoothly, and will improve your experience with maintenance too.
Depending on the amount of work required, the cost of pool renovations can lighten the pockets a little, however they’re certainly worth it in the long run. After all, if left for a few more years, a damaged pool might need complete replacing or significant construction before it’s usable again, which will certainly take a larger hit on the budget. By allocating some funds to repairs and new equipment, you’re future-proofing your ability to relax in the water whenever you please.
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
While having your pool renovated and repaired comes with a wealth of benefits, it does come with one downside too – you won’t be able to go for a swim until the job’s done, a small price to pay for your pools’ longevity. Again, wait times will depend on the work you’re having done; installing a new filter might take a day or two, while new paving or pool painting can take at least a couple of weeks. Either way, you’ll be able to jump back in before you know it, this time with the confidence that your pool is safe, clean and as good as new.
Townsend’s parting advice is to reiterate that “the key to longevity is maintenance”. Once you’ve identified any issues and employed an expert to fix them, take the time to maintain the golden feature of your backyard and expect to enjoy many glorious days in the pool for years to come.
Images Courtesy of Unsplash