Pool renovation
Pool renovation, from repair to reinvention
Many pools on the Costa Blanca were built in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. With the right renovation an existing pool can look, feel and perform like a new one — often for less than starting again.
An older pool usually has good bones: a sound shell, a fine position, a view. What has aged is everything around it — the finish, the edges, the steps, the equipment, the terrace. That is where renovation makes the difference.
Problems
Common reasons owners renovate
An old pool
Built decades ago, with a layout and finish that no longer suit the house.
Possible solutionRedesign of steps, edges and finish; often a new terrace.
Leaks
Water loss through cracks, joints, skimmers, pipework or the lining.
Possible solutionLeak detection, structural repair and new waterproofing.
Worn gresite
Loose or missing mosaic, stained grout, rough surfaces.
Possible solutionRemoval and a new finish: mosaic, porcelain, stone, micro-cement or membrane.
Obsolete equipment
Old pumps and filters, manual dosing, halogen lights.
Possible solutionVariable-speed pump, new filtration, saltwater, LED and automation.
High consumption
Electricity, water and chemicals well above what a modern pool needs.
Possible solutionEfficient equipment, scheduling, covers and hydraulics.
Dated design
Kidney shapes, blue tiles and narrow coping that clash with the house.
Possible solutionNew lines, colours, coping and lighting; sometimes reshaping.
Tired terrace
Cracked or slippery paving, no shade, poor drainage.
Possible solutionNew paving, shade and planting. Outdoor living.
Transformation
What a complete renovation can change
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Blue mosaic, stained grout | Sand or stone-grey finish, softer and more luminous water |
| Narrow terracotta coping | Wide natural-stone or porcelain coping, flush with the terrace |
| Ladder in the corner | Full-width steps, a shallow ledge or beach entry |
| Single halogen lamp | Warm LED lighting integrated with garden lighting |
| Old single-speed pump | Variable-speed pump, saltwater and automation |
| Summer-only use | Heat pump and cover extending the season |
| Bare terrace | Shade, outdoor shower, lounge and planting |
Illustrative examples of typical scope. Feasibility depends on the existing structure and is confirmed during our inspection.
Process
How a good renovation is approached
- Diagnosis. The state of the shell, waterproofing, pipework and equipment — including leak detection where water is being lost.
- Scope. What to repair, what to replace and what to redesign — set out in one detailed budget.
- Design. Finish, coping, steps, lighting and the terrace chosen together.
- Works and handover. We coordinate every trade, supervise the site and hand the pool back ready to use.
- Timing. Autumn to spring is the natural renovation season, leaving the pool ready for summer.
Scope
A complete renovation can include
Turnkey
A renovation managed from start to finish
You explain what you want. We manage everything else, as one project.
Once your pool is finished — or if you already have one — Solmarea Pool Care can look after it all year round: regular maintenance, equipment checks and seasonal preparation, ideal when you live abroad.
Questions
Is it better to renovate or build a new pool?
If the shell is structurally sound and well positioned, renovation usually offers most of the benefit of a new pool at a lower cost and with fewer licence requirements. Our inspection confirms it.
Can the shape or depth of a pool be changed?
Often, yes — steps, ledges and depth can be altered and pools can sometimes be shortened or extended. It depends on the structure and is assessed case by case.
When is the best time to renovate?
Between October and May. That leaves time for works and curing so the pool is ready for summer.
Do you work with community pools?
Yes. We manage renovation and modernisation projects for residential communities, working with the president or administrator as one point of contact.
Planning a new pool or a renovation?
Tell us what you have in mind and we take care of the rest. It takes about three minutes.
Request a project study