Signs Your Pool Is Ready for a Renovation

A pool that was the pride of the neighborhood fifteen years ago can slowly turn into a backyard you apologize for. It doesn't happen overnight. A little fading here, a repair there, and you get used to it. Then one summer a guest asks how old the pool is, and you realize it might be time.

Renovation is often the smartest move for a pool with good bones. The structure is sound, the location is right, and the part that looks tired is a surface, a piece of equipment or a deck. Here are the signs we look for.

Six signs it's time

• Outdated design: the shape, the steps or the deck no longer fit how your family uses the space
• Visible cracks or leaks: a crack in the shell, or a water level that keeps dropping, needs a professional look
• Worn or discolored tile: the waterline tile is the first thing guests see, and it shows age early
• Inefficient equipment and high energy bills: older pumps and lighting often use more power than current models
• An uneven or damaged deck: heaving, cracked or loose surfaces are a trip hazard as well as an eyesore
• Frequent repairs: when you're calling for service again and again, the repair dollars may be better spent on an upgrade

Seeing one of these isn't an emergency. Seeing three or four at once is usually a sign that a proper renovation will make more sense than patching each problem on its own.

Re-plastering a concrete pool

The inside surface of a concrete pool is plaster, and over time it can become rough, stained or worn. Re-plastering restores the smooth, clean surface of the pool, and it can improve water clarity and help extend the life of the pool structure.

It's also your chance to change the look. Traditional white plaster is the classic, but there are upgraded finishes as well, including quartz and pebble. These options are chosen for their durability and their appearance, and they change the color and feel of the water. Each is available at a different price point, so you can match the finish to your style and your budget.

Replacing a vinyl liner

In a vinyl pool, the liner is the surface, and it eventually wears out. A replacement gives the pool a fresh start in a fit that's cut to your dimensions, with a choice of colors and patterns.

A new liner is one of the more dramatic changes for the money. A faded, stretched liner can make a perfectly good pool look neglected, and a new one can make it look like a different backyard. A good installation depends on careful fitting, so wrinkles don't show up later, and we aim to keep downtime to a minimum.

New tile, decks and equipment

Tile at the waterline, coping at the edge and the deck around the pool all take a beating from sun, weather and freezing temperatures. Replacing worn tile and upgrading a damaged deck can change the pool more than you'd expect without touching the water at all.

Equipment is the quiet part of the renovation. Energy-efficient pumps and filter systems, newer lighting and programmable controls can make a pool run better and cost less to operate. If your equipment is old and noisy, this is a good time to deal with it.

Why bundle the work

When the pool is already drained, a crew is on site and the deck is being redone, it's the most efficient moment to fix everything. Doing the surface, the tile, the deck and the equipment in one project saves you from paying for access and disruption twice.

It's also an opportunity to look at the whole space. Some owners add a new patio or lighting. Others change the surrounding hardscape so the pool and yard feel like one design. You don't have to do all of it. You just want to know what the options are before you decide.

Get a second set of eyes

The hardest part of renovating is knowing where to start. Admiral Pools offers consultation and design services for older pools, along with financing options, manufacturing and workmanship warranties, and free quotes. Call (667) 364-8868 or stop by 4305 Pulaski Hwy in Abingdon, and we'll look at your pool in person and tell you what it needs.