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—Renovation and tiling

Re-waterproofing an existing pool

Waterproofing is hidden under the tiles, so it is easy to forget until water starts going where it should not.

The waterproofing layer in a pool can fail with age, movement, poor original detailing or damage during earlier repairs. Signs include water loss that cannot be traced to pipes or fittings, damp patches in surrounding walls or ground, efflorescence on the outside of a raised pool wall, and tiles detaching over wide areas.

Renovation guides cover work on a pool that already exists: its surface, its waterproofing and sometimes its structure.

Renewing waterproofing usually means draining the pool and removing the interior finish to expose the shell. The surface is repaired and prepared, a new membrane system is applied in coats and detailed carefully at joints, corners and every fitting, then tested by filling before new finishes go on. It is a substantial job, but it addresses the cause rather than the symptoms.

01Summary

What matters most here

  • Hidden layer

    Failure shows as water loss or damp.

  • Finish comes off

    The membrane has to be reached.

  • Test before tiling

    Confirm the new system holds.

02Detail

What the work involves

  • Investigation

    Ruling out pipework and fittings as the source of loss.

  • Stripping

    Removing tiles or plaster to expose the shell.

  • Shell repair

    Filling cracks and repairing damaged concrete.

  • Membrane

    Applied in coats, reinforced at joints and fittings.

  • Testing and refinishing

    Filled and monitored, then new finishes applied.

03Before you start

Before deciding

  • Rule out pipe leaks

    Pressure testing comes first.

  • Look for damp

    Walls, ground and plant room.

  • Plan finishes

    Since they will be renewed anyway.

—In practice

How to use this

Confirm the need first: rule out pipework and fittings with leak testing so you know the loss is through the shell itself. Then the finish is removed, the substrate repaired and a new waterproofing system applied, with careful detailing at joints, corners and every fitting. Ask for the membrane to be water-tested before any new finish is applied.

Mistakes worth avoiding

Re-waterproofing for a pipe leak
A new membrane does nothing for a leaking return line or a failed fitting. Leak detection has to come before this decision.
Skimping on detail at fittings
Most membrane failures start at fittings, corners and steps. That detailing is the core of the job, not an extra.

04FAQ

Common questions about this

Can waterproofing be applied over tiles?
Some systems exist, but most lasting repairs remove the finish to reach the shell.
How do I know the waterproofing has failed?
Unexplained loss after pipes and fittings are ruled out, and damp around the pool.
Is it worth combining with retiling?
Yes; the finish has to come off, so new tiles follow naturally.
How is it tested?
By filling the pool and monitoring the level before finishes go on.

05Read next

More pool guides on this

Filed under pool renovation & tile replacement. Every pool guide is listed on the pool guides page.

—NEXT

Suspect waterproofing failure?

Tell us about the water loss and any damp. We will suggest how to confirm the cause.

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