At this Capalaba home, the existing freeform concrete pool had remained unused for about 15 years. Much of its blue painted coating had already worn away, while extensive cracking and damaged tiled areas were recorded across the shell, waterline and slate swim-out.
Fibreglaze completed the restoration in early September 2025, converting the painted concrete shell to a Lagoon Blue Speckle fibreglass lining. After the remaining coating was removed and the substrate was levelled, the cracked areas and deep-end floor received additional reinforcement. The new lining continued beneath the replacement coping and over the former waterline tiles and slate swim-out before two AquaGuard topcoats completed the fleck finish.
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.
Answers to common questions about the pool conditions and restoration work shown in this project.
These are common signs that the existing gelcoat is oxidising or wearing away. If the surface is faded, difficult to clean, rough underfoot or no longer holding its colour, resurfacing will restore a smooth, fresh-looking finish.
A fine hairline crack is not automatically structural, but its width alone does not determine the risk. Location, depth, direction, displacement, moisture, surrounding soundness and whether it is growing are all important. Fine crazing may be limited to the surface, while a crack through the shell can admit water or indicate movement. Photograph and mark the crack so changes can be monitored, and arrange an assessment if it is widening, leaking, recurring through repairs or associated with movement.
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.
Oxidised gelcoat commonly looks faded, patchy or chalky and may leave a powdery residue when rubbed. Calcium scale is a mineral deposit added to the surface, so it is more likely to feel raised, crusted or sandpaper-like, particularly around the waterline and high-evaporation areas. Staining and scale can also sit over a worn finish, making visual diagnosis difficult. Check the water balance and have the surface assessed before using aggressive chemicals, because a treatment suited to scale can further damage ageing gelcoat.
Ongoing water loss, damp ground, staining, water movement at the crack or a bucket test that confirms abnormal loss can indicate leakage, although the actual source may be elsewhere. Structural concern increases where the crack is displaced, widening, repeated through an earlier repair or accompanied by settlement, bowed walls or movement at steps and fittings. Neither condition can be confirmed from a photograph alone. Leak testing and inspection of the surrounding shell are used to determine whether lining repair, plumbing work or structural investigation is required.
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.
Send us a few photos and our team can help identify the likely issue and the most suitable next step.
