In this article
- Stage one: inspection and planning
- Stage two: safe draining and site preparation
- Stage three: removal and exposing the layers
- Stage four: structural repairs, plumbing and electrical
- Stage five: waterproofing and the fill test
- Stage six: levelling, tiling and grout
- Stage seven: systems, refill and handover
- Frequently asked questions
Once you decide on a full renovation, you have every right to know what will happen on each day of the project. Understanding the stages lets you follow along with confidence, ask questions at the right moment and notice if a step is skipped. This article assumes the decision is made and walks you stage by stage from the first visit to the first swim, with points you can check yourself.
Stage one: inspection and planning
The technical team inspects the pool, pump room and surroundings, runs leak tests, taps tiles and assesses cracks. Findings become a written plan: scope, materials, stage order, an approximate schedule and items that may change after removal. Practical details are agreed too: material storage, worker access, waste location, working hours and daily communication. These small details make a real difference to family comfort.
Check: do you have an itemised written quotation and a stage schedule?
Stage two: safe draining and site preparation
Before draining, the team confirms key materials are ready so the pool does not sit empty longer than needed. Water goes to a suitable outlet, not the garden or the house foundations, and site conditions are checked, especially possible groundwater or damp soil that could press on an empty shell. The shell is then cleaned and surrounding decks are protected.
Check: where is the water going, and are surrounding areas protected?
Stage three: removal and exposing the layers
Old tiles, adhesive and stacked finishes are removed down to a clean surface. This stage reveals the truth: the state of old waterproofing, actual crack locations and any concrete deterioration or exposed steel. A second inspection confirms what was only "possible" before. New findings are photographed and discussed with you before treatment, with their effect on scope and schedule explained.
Check: ask for photos after removal and discuss any new finding before it is treated.
Stage four: structural repairs, plumbing and electrical
The base must be sound before waterproofing. Cracks are treated according to type, corroded steel is treated and weak concrete is rebuilt with repair mortar. At the same time, plumbing and electrical work that needs an exposed shell is done: repairing or replacing lines, changing main drains and covers, and preparing light niches and conduits. This order is critical, because any opening added after waterproofing punctures the protective layer, one of the most common causes of leaks after renovation. New lines are pressure-tested before they are covered.
Check: were lines pressure-tested, and are all new openings ready before waterproofing?
Stage five: waterproofing and the fill test
This is the most important stage of all, because it protects the concrete from water. The surface is prepared and the chosen system is applied over the whole shell, with special care at corners, wall-floor junctions, fittings, lights and steps, in the number of coats and thickness the manufacturer specifies, with proper curing between coats. Then comes the fill test: the pool is filled and the level is watched for a period. If it holds, work moves to tiling. If it drops abnormally, the spot is found and fixed while still exposed.
For material options, see the best pool waterproofing materials.
Stage six: levelling, tiling and grout
After a successful fill test, the pool is drained again and prepared. Surfaces are levelled and slopes corrected, then tiles are laid with adhesive rated for submerged use, with straight lines and well-planned cuts at corners and steps. Joints are filled with chlorine and water-resistant grout and cleaned. Coping stones, slip-resistant tiles on steps and edges, and any decorative bands or mosaics are installed.
Check: is the grout pool-rated, and are step tiles slip-resistant?
Stage seven: systems, refill and handover
Once grout has cured as specified, gradual filling begins. Lights and drain covers go in, the pump and filter start, and water chemistry is balanced step by step, keeping pH at about 7.2 to 7.6 and adjusting alkalinity and chlorine. A proper handover includes a written record of the work, the warranty start date and care instructions for the first period. Watch the water level and clarity in the first days and report anything immediately.
| Stage | Key checkpoint |
|---|---|
| Inspection and planning | Written quotation and schedule |
| Draining | Safe discharge, materials ready |
| Removal | Photos of the exposed shell |
| Structure and plumbing | Line pressure test |
| Waterproofing | Successful fill test |
| Tiling | Pool-rated grout |
| Handover | Record and written warranty |
YAM Pools carries out full renovations in this order, with engineering supervision, clear handover points between stages and a written warranty on workmanship and waterproofing, in Riyadh and across Saudi Arabia.
Frequently asked questions
How many stages does a full renovation have?
Usually seven main stages: inspection, draining, removal, structural and plumbing work, waterproofing and fill test, tiling, then start-up and handover. Some stages overlap slightly.
Can some stages run in parallel?
Some work, such as upgrading the pump room, can run alongside shell work. Waterproofing and tiling must each follow the completion of the stage before.
When can I swim after handover?
After full refilling, water balancing and running the filter long enough. The team gives specific instructions based on the materials used.
Why is the pool drained twice during renovation?
First to work on the layers, then it is filled for the fill test after waterproofing, then drained again for tiling. This confirms the waterproofing before it is covered.
