A concrete swimming pool is designed to stand the test of time, but even the highest quality pools eventually need a little TLC. Whether your pool is showing signs of wear and tear or simply feels outdated, recognising the warning signs early can save you some money and protect your investment.
At Auckland Inground Pools, we specialise in concrete pool refurbishment and renovations across Auckland and the Waikato, helping homeowners modernise, repair, and restore their pools to a -than-new condition. Here’s how to tell if your pool is due for a renovation and what to do about it.
Cracks and Surface Damage
What to Look For:
- Hairline cracks in the pool shell or surrounding concrete
- Surface pitting, spalling, or rust stains
- A rough or abrasive texture underfoot
What It Means:
Cracks can indicate shifting soil, aging concrete, or structural stress. Left unattended, these can allow water to seep out, leading to more serious damage over time. Similarly, surface deterioration can make your pool uncomfortable to use and harder to clean.
Our Solution:
We provide full resurfacing services, which can include stripping back the damaged surface, repairing structural issues, and applying a fresh, smooth plaster or pebble finish. This not only improves durability but also gives your pool a clean, modern look.
Damaged or Missing Tiles
What to Look For:
- Loose or cracked waterline tiles
- Tiles falling off or discoloured grout
- Sharp edges or sharp debris in the water
What It Means:
Tile damage is usually the result of age, ground movement, or prolonged exposure to water and pool chemicals. It can also signal problems with waterproofing or expansion joints.
Our Solution:
We can remove and replace old tiles, install new tiling to match modern design trends and re-grout to ensure everything is sealed and secure. This is also a great opportunity to add custom features like mosaic details or glass tiles to enhance visual appeal.
Outdated Aesthetics or Features
What to Look For:
- Old-fashioned colours or finishes
- Basic shapes without integrated seating, lighting, or water features
- A pool area that no longer suits your lifestyle
What It Means:
Styles change over time, and a pool built 10–20 years ago may not reflect your current taste or the way you use your outdoor space. A dated pool can even affect your home’s resale value.
Our Solution:
We’ll work with you to modernise and upgrade, helping you choose the right aesthetics to work with your home’s looks and what you require, whether that means reshaping your pool, adding new features like steps, swim-outs, LED lighting, or water features, or reconfiguring the layout for better flow and functionality.
Leaks or Poor Water Retention
What to Look For:
- Regularly needing to top up your pool
- Water stains around the pool shell
- Wet patches or erosion around the pool area
What It Means:
Leaks may stem from cracks, deteriorated expansion joints, or leaking plumbing behind the walls. Even a small leak can result in thousands of litres lost every month, pushing up water bills and damaging surrounding structures.
Our Solution:
We perform tests to pinpoint the source of leaks, then carry out the necessary repairs, which may include structural fixes, joint replacement, or pipe repair.
Old, Inefficient Pool Equipment
What to Look For:
- Noisy or unreliable pump or filtration system
- Manual cleaning instead of an automatic system
- Poor water clarity or frequent algae build-up
What It Means:
Outdated or undersized pool equipment can mean higher power bills, more chemical use, and poor water circulation. It also makes your pool harder to maintain and enjoy.
Our Solution:
As part of a renovation, we can upgrade your pool to include energy-efficient pumps, filtration systems, saltwater chlorinators, automation systems, and more, making your pool smarter, greener, and easier to run.
Plumbing and Circulation Issues
What to Look For:
- Dead spots in your pool where water stagnates
- Uneven water levels
- Bubbling or gurgling noises from drains
What It Means:
Poor circulation can mean your plumbing system is outdated, blocked, or simply not up to the demands of modern pool equipment. This can lead to imbalanced water chemistry, algae growth, and long-term structural problems.
Our Solution:
During a renovation, we can replace or reroute plumbing, install additional returns and skimmers, and ensure your entire system is running efficiently and quietly.
Safety and Compliance Concerns
What to Look For:
- Lack of handrails or non-slip surfaces on steps or entry points
- Pool fencing that doesn’t meet current regulations (e.g. height, climbable zones, latching mechanisms)
- Gates that don’t self-close or self-latch properly
- Poor visibility or insufficient lighting around the pool area
- No safety signage or life-saving equipment on hand
What It Means:
If your pool was built more than a decade ago, there’s a good chance that it no longer meets the current New Zealand Pool Fencing and Safety Standards, particularly those enforced by the Auckland Council under the Building (Pools) Amendment Act 2016. Auckland Council requires all residential pools to be fenced off in a way that restricts unsupervised access by children under 5 years of age.
Common non-compliances include:
- Fences lower than 1.2 metres
- Climbable objects (like trees or furniture) within 1.2 metres of the fence
- Gaps under or between fencing that exceed allowable limits
- Non-compliant gate latches or gates that don’t close and latch automatically
Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action, fines, or being required to decommission your pool altogether. More importantly, a non-compliant pool presents a serious safety risk, particularly for young children and pets.
Our Solution:
When we carry out a pool renovation, we make safety an absolute top priority. Our team is experienced in updating pools and their surrounds to align with Auckland Council regulations and NZS 8500:2006 – the New Zealand Standard for Pool Fencing.
We can:
- Install or upgrade fencing to meet council requirements
- Reposition or reconfigure landscaping to remove climbable hazards
- Add compliant, self-latching gates and child-safe locks
- Apply slip-resistant coatings to surfaces like steps and coping edges
- Install high-quality pool lighting for visibility at night
- Suggest layout changes to improve safe entry and exit points
If your pool is due for its next inspection or you’ve received a notice from Auckland Council, we can help you bring it up to code as part of your renovation. And if you’re unsure whether your current setup is compliant, we’re happy to assess your pool area and provide clear, actionable advice.
Renovation of an old kidney-shaped liner pool – modernised and given a new lease-of-life
Why Refurbish Your Pool?
A pool renovation isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s about adding value to your Auckland or Waikato home, improving functionality, and creating a space you love to use. Imagine the joy of a completely transformed pool or the satisfaction of a modernised look. Our team has the experience and craftsmanship to deliver award-winning stunning results that will make you fall in love with your pool all over again.
At Auckland Inground Pools, we pride ourselves on creating tailored solutions for every client, using premium materials and trusted techniques. We handle everything when it comes to the building or refurbishment of your pool, making sure its a stress-free experience for you. So sit back, relax, and let our team bring your pool back to life better, safer, and more beautiful than ever.
Thinking About Refurbishing Your Pool? Let’s Talk.
If your concrete pool is showing any of these signs, it might be time for a professional pool refurbishment or renovation. Contact the Auckland Inground Pools team for an honest, no-obligation assessment.
You can call 0800 477 015 to speak directly with our experienced team.
Let’s bring your pool back to life, better, safer, and more beautiful than ever.
