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An old pool can often have a bright new chapter
Lots of people come to us with a pool that has served them well for years but is now showing its age. Maybe it came with the house. Maybe you built it yourself a couple of decades ago, and life has moved on. Either way, you’re wondering what to do next.
The big question is usually this. Can the pool be fixed and freshened up, or is it time to take it out and start again? A pool refurbishment can breathe new life into a tired pool. But in some cases, patching up an old structure costs more over time than replacing it.
There’s no single answer that fits everyone. It depends on the condition of the pool, how you want to use it now, and what you want from the next ten or twenty years.
In this guide we’ll walk you through the signs to look out for, what a renovation usually involves, when a full replacement makes more sense and how to weigh it all up calmly.
Renovate or rebuild, in simple terms
A renovation keeps the existing pool shell and updates what’s around and inside it. A rebuild removes the old pool, or most of it, and puts a new one in its place. Both can give you a pool you love. They simply suit different starting points.
Your pool will usually tell you when it needs attention
Pools age gradually, so it’s easy to get used to small problems. Here are the signs that suggest it’s time for a proper look.
Water loss
If you’re topping up more than usual, you may have a leak. It could be in the shell, the pipework or around fittings. Our guide to finding and fixing a swimming pool leak explains how to check. A small, easily fixed leak is one thing. Repeated leaks in an older structure can point to something bigger.
Cracks and movement
Fine surface crazing is often cosmetic. Wider cracks, walls that lean or tiles that keep popping off can suggest movement in the structure or the ground around it. These are worth having checked by someone who knows pools.
A tired finish
Faded or wrinkled liners, stained or rough surfaces, and missing or loose tiles all make a pool feel old. They can also make it harder to keep clean.
Ageing equipment
Pumps, filters and heaters don’t last forever. Older kit tends to be noisier, thirstier and less reliable than modern equipment.
You might notice the pump running louder than it used to, the heater struggling to hold temperature, or the filter needing attention more often. Breakdowns that used to be rare can start to happen every season. On their own, these are usually fixable. Alongside other signs, they add to the case for a bigger rethink.
A pool that no longer fits your life
Sometimes nothing is broken. The pool simply isn’t right any more. It might be too deep for your grandchildren, too cold to use for most of the year, or the wrong shape for how you like to swim.
A pool refurbishment can cover a lot of ground
Renovating doesn’t have to mean just a new coat of paint. The work can range from a simple refresh to a major upgrade, while keeping the original shell in place.
Refreshing the surface
For many pools, the most visible change is a new interior finish. That might be a new liner, fresh tiles or a new coating, depending on how the pool was built. If yours has a liner, our guide to liner pools and their pros and cons is worth a read.
Updating the plant room
Replacing an old pump, filter or heater can transform how the pool runs. Modern equipment is usually quieter and more efficient, and it can often be controlled far more easily.
Adding comfort and convenience
This is the fun part. Many people use a renovation to add things they always wished they had:
- An automatic cover to keep the pool warmer and cleaner
- LED lighting for evening swims
- A more efficient heating system
- Smart controls so you can manage the pool from your phone
Refreshing the surroundings
New coping, paving, decking and planting can make a huge difference to how the whole area feels. Sometimes a new setting is enough to make an old pool feel brand new.
Sometimes replacing the pool is the smarter choice
A renovation works best when the shell itself is sound. If the structure is the problem, a pool refurbishment that only tackles the surface and equipment can feel like decorating a house with a leaking roof.
When the structure is failing
Serious cracks, ongoing leaks, walls that have moved, or a shell that has been patched many times are all signs that the core of the pool may be near the end of its life. Fixing each problem as it appears can become an expensive cycle.
When you want something different
If you’d like a different size, depth or shape, working with the old shell can be very limiting. Starting again gives you a clean slate. You can choose a pool that fits how you live now, whether that’s shallower for family fun or longer for proper lengths.
Why a one-piece pool can make sense
At HiLife Pools we install luxury one-piece pools. These are made as a single shell in a factory, then delivered and set into place. Because there are no joints or seams in the shell, there are fewer places for water to escape. Installation on site is usually quicker than building a pool from scratch, which means less disruption to your garden.
In many cases, an old pool can be removed and a new one-piece pool fitted in a similar spot. Some of the existing groundwork may even be reused, depending on the site. We’ll always look at your garden properly before saying what’s possible.
A good survey is the first step in any pool refurbishment
It’s very hard to make a sensible decision without knowing what’s really going on. That’s why a proper survey should come before any quotes or plans.
What a survey looks at
A thorough check usually covers:
- The condition of the shell, including any cracks, bulges or signs of movement
- Whether the pool is losing water, and if so, roughly where
- The state of the pipework, skimmers and other fittings
- The age and health of the pump, filter and heater
- The surrounding paving, coping and ground levels
Why it saves money and stress
A survey gives you facts rather than guesses. It stops you spending on a lovely new finish only to find a structural problem a year later. It also helps you compare quotes properly, because everyone is working from the same picture.
What to ask for
Ask for clear, written findings in plain English, with photos where possible. A good report should explain what’s urgent, what can wait and what’s simply cosmetic. If something isn’t clear, ask. There’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your pool.
Weighing up a pool refurbishment calmly makes the decision easier
It helps to look at the choice from a few different angles. Here are the questions we’d suggest asking yourself.
- How sound is the structure? This is the big one. A professional survey will tell you far more than a visual check.
- What do you want from the pool now? If the answer is “the same, but nicer”, renovation may be ideal. If you want real change, a new pool might be better.
- How long do you plan to stay? If you’re in your forever home, it may be worth investing in something that will last for many years.
- What will it cost to run? Older pools can be expensive to heat and maintain. A newer, better insulated pool with modern kit may be cheaper to live with.
- How much disruption can you handle? Both options involve some work in the garden. Ask for a realistic timeline for each.
Whatever route you choose, a clear quote that sets out exactly what’s included will help you compare fairly. We’re always happy to give you a tailored quote and talk through the options honestly.
It pays to think big while the garden is open
Any serious work on a pool means some disruption to the garden. Diggers, deliveries and a drained pool are part of the process. So it’s worth asking what else you might like to change while the work is going on.
Many people find that a pool refurbishment is the perfect moment to fix the things that have always niggled. Perhaps the paving never drained well. Perhaps there was never quite enough room for loungers, or the plant room is noisy and in the wrong place.
Ideas worth considering
- Moving or rebuilding the plant room so it’s quieter and easier to reach
- Widening the terrace for dining and relaxing
- Adding outdoor lighting around the pool and garden
- Planting to give more shade, shelter or privacy
Doing these jobs together is usually far easier than coming back to them later. It also means you only live with the upheaval once.
Planning and paperwork are worth checking early
Most renovations won’t need any formal permissions. But larger changes might, especially if you’re changing the size of the pool, adding new structures or altering the ground levels.
Planning permission
Replacing a pool with one of a similar size in the same spot is often straightforward. Building something larger, or adding an enclosure or outbuilding, may be a different matter. It’s always worth checking with your local council before you commit.
Building regulations
Electrical work, new plant rooms and some structural changes may need to meet building regulations. Your installer should be able to advise, but it’s sensible to check with building control too.
Neighbours and access
Removing an old pool and bringing in a new one can involve machinery and deliveries. A friendly word with neighbours in advance goes a long way. We’ll also look at access to your garden early on, as it affects how the work is planned.
Pool refurbishment questions we get asked a lot
How long does a renovation take?
It depends on the work. A new liner or equipment swap can be fairly quick. Larger projects with new surroundings will take longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeline for your pool.
Can I keep using the pool during the work?
Usually not while the main work is going on, as the pool will often need to be drained. Planning the work outside your main swimming season helps.
Is it cheaper to renovate than replace?
Often, but not always. If the structure has serious problems, a renovation can end up costing more over time than a new pool would.
Can you take out an old pool and put in a new one?
In many gardens, yes. Talk to us about your pool and we can visit to see what’s possible.
Will a new pool be easier to look after?
Modern pools with good filtration, a cover and smart controls are generally much easier to care for. Our guide to swimming pool maintenance covers the day to day basics.
Do you service pools after the work is done?
Yes. We offer aftercare, servicing and repairs to keep your pool running smoothly for years to come.
Getting expert advice on your pool refurbishment
An older pool doesn’t have to be a headache. With the right advice, you can decide whether to give it a thoughtful renovation or start again with a pool that suits your life today. The most important step is an honest assessment of what you have.
At HiLife Pools we can look at your existing pool, talk through what you’d like and give you straight answers. If replacing it makes more sense, you can explore our full range of pools to see what could take its place.
Call us on 01483 323 676 or email hello@hilifepools.co.uk for a friendly, no-pressure chat, or get in touch online and we’ll come back to you.
