Internet channels and DSTV draw viewers with programmes showcasing the refurbishment of old houses or scrapyard cars, which are then eventually auctioned off for lots of money.

The same can be done with an unused zinc dam at the house, or an old deep pool with mosaics from the 50’s. Except you will want to keep them and not auction them off!

For a zinc dam project, the inside of the dam is normally prepared very thoroughly. We line the inside with fibreglass to make sure it does not leak. Not the easiest job, but it can be done. A normal step ladder from the outside provides for smooth entrance. This can be combined with a stainless handrail to add a modern touch to the dam/pool. The outside of the pool is left as is, so that the corrugated iron acts as a feature. Suction and return water pipes are added to the dam to provide adequate circulation. The main trick is to keep the outside of the dam looking as authentic as possible.

In town an old pool can easily be revamped. Often the old pools were very deep and an odd shape, making covering them a nightmare.

Let’s keep the position of the pool as is, but add some nice seating benches, thereby making it shallower. 1.5m water depth is very practical. That brings me to an important point: cost savings. Water and electricity savings are a serious matter these days. By adding benches in the pool and making it shallower, we keep the “looks like a big pool” appearance but our water volume has shrunk a lot which means water and chemical savings. We also change the pool pump to a smaller, more efficient pump which is lighter on electricity. New coping stones on the pool wall and changed lights inside add to a stunning finish.

A properly designed water feature sprout can let the water do the talking. Another option would be to choose one of our 26 pre-manufactured pools and put it into the existing cavity.

Over to you now… Put that thinking cap on and if you have a structure or old pool at your premises which you think qualifies, let me know and we can start planning on converting it.

Until next time.

Burgert Terblanche

Tel: 061-232839, Fax: 061-238602
Email: info@licpool.com