In May 2026, Fibreglaze restored the 11 x 5 m pebblecrete pool in McLeans Ridges, New South Wales. The existing pool had deteriorated tiled areas and a stained, rough or dated finish that required careful assessment and preparation before resurfacing.
The tiled areas were prepared for incorporation into the new lining, and resin-based screeding and filler corrected surface irregularities. A new structural fibreglass laminate and the Fibreglaze Enduratec finishing system were then installed, with the pool completed in Dove Grey Speckle as a smooth, seamless surface.
These photographs follow the work from the pool’s original condition through preparation and repair to the completed finish.
These were the main pool conditions recorded for this project. Select an issue to learn more about its common signs, possible causes and repair considerations.
Additional views of the preparation, repair work and completed finish.
We are very happy with our refurbished fibreglaze pool. The team were very effecient and professional.
Answers to common questions about the pool conditions and restoration work shown in this project.
Pool stain colour alone does not confirm the cause. Brown or rust-coloured marks may involve iron or organic debris; green, grey or black marks can involve algae, copper, manganese or material trapped in a rough surface. Location, texture, recent water changes and the way a small test area responds are more useful than colour by itself. The source also needs attention, such as metals in fill water, corroding equipment, poor circulation or debris, otherwise the stain can return after cleaning.
Tiles and grout can deteriorate because of inadequate original bonding, poor preparation, water entering behind the finish, unsuitable grout, aggressive water chemistry, shell movement or missing movement allowance. A tile face may look sound even when the adhesive behind it has failed. Repeated grout loss, cracks and hollow-sounding areas suggest that more than the visible joint may be affected. The cause should be identified before tiles are reset so the same movement or moisture problem does not continue beneath the repair.
Many stains can be treated without resurfacing when the underlying finish is sound and the stain type is correctly identified. Organic, metal and mineral deposits require different treatment approaches, so the safest starting point is water testing and a controlled test on a small area. Resurfacing becomes more relevant when stains are deeply embedded, repeatedly return through a porous surface, or occur with widespread roughness, pitting, peeling or earlier failed repairs. Correcting the stain source remains important after either treatment.
A local repair may be suitable when only a few tiles are loose and the surrounding tiles, grout, substrate and waterproofing remain sound. The failed tiles and old adhesive need to be removed back to a stable base before pool-suitable materials are used. If nearby tiles sound hollow, grout loss is widespread or cracks continue through the area, replacing isolated tiles is likely to be temporary. A broader inspection should establish the boundary of the bond failure before the repair scope is chosen.
Both can feel rough, but they affect the surface differently. Calcium scale adds a raised, chalky or crusted mineral layer, often around the waterline or where evaporation is high. A worn finish has lost material and may feel etched, porous, pitted or uneven across broader areas. Scale can also form over an already deteriorated surface. Water testing, inspection and controlled spot testing help distinguish a removable deposit from surface breakdown before aggressive cleaning or resurfacing is recommended.
In suitable cases, firmly bonded tiles can be mechanically prepared and levelled as part of a fibreglass conversion. Loose, hollow or unstable tiles and grout must be removed, and deeper losses repaired, so the new lining is supported by a sound base. Structural cracks, leaking penetrations and movement joints need separate assessment rather than simply being covered. Whether partial retention is appropriate depends on a systematic bond survey of the tiled surface and the condition of the substrate beneath it.
Send us a few photos and our team can help identify the likely issue and the most suitable next step.
