This pool relining Kraaifontein project was a full backyard transformation, not just a resurface. The client had two problems at once: a pool that was leaking through cracked marbelite, and old paving around it that had broken up into an uneven, trip-prone mess. Rather than fix one and leave the other looking tired, we tackled both together — relining the pool in fibreglass and laying fresh non-slip paving — so the whole area came back as one finished space.
Key Takeaways
- The problem: a leaking Kraaifontein pool with cracked marbelite, surrounded by broken, uneven and unsafe paving.
- Part one: strip the failed surface back to gunite, seal and prep the shell, then bond a full fibreglass lining and waterproof finish.
- Part two: lift the old cracked pavers, re-level and prep the base, and lay new non-slip paving with proper drainage.
- The result: a pool that holds water and a safe, clean surround — a complete backyard upgrade done in one project, built to last 15 to 20 years.
What This Pool Relining Kraaifontein Project Involved
When we first looked at the property, the pool and the area around it were dragging each other down. The pool was losing water steadily through cracks in the old marbelite, while the paving had heaved and broken to the point where it was genuinely a tripping hazard. Fixing just the pool would have left the client stepping over broken pavers to reach a nice new surface, so we planned the job as a single, joined-up upgrade.
A leaking pool and dangerous paving
The pool showed the classic signs of a shell at the end of its surface life: cracked, patchy marbelite, water seeping away faster than it should, and the green tint that comes when a pool can no longer hold a clean balance. The paving had its own problems, with lifted, cracked slabs and uneven joints that pooled water and caught the toe of anyone walking past.
Why we tackled both at once
Doing the reline and the paving together made sense on every level. The heavy, messy work of stripping and lining a pool is far easier before fresh paving is down, and matching the new surround to the new pool finish gives a far cleaner result than phasing the two jobs months apart. The client also saved on having a crew mobilise twice for what is really one connected area.
Part 1: Relining the Pool
The pool came first, because everything around it depends on the shell being sound and watertight. Every pool relining Kraaifontein job we do follows the same discipline — the new lining only goes on once the shell underneath is properly stripped, sealed and prepped.
Stripping the failed surface back to gunite
We removed the failed marbelite right back to solid gunite, clearing away every loose and lifting section until we had a sound base to work on. This is the stage that decides whether the new lining bonds for decades or starts lifting within a couple of seasons, so we do not rush it or work over patches that should come out.
Sealing, prepping and bonding the fibreglass lining
With the shell exposed we sealed the cracks, reinforced the weak areas and prepped the surface so the fibreglass had something to grip. Then we bonded a full fibreglass lining directly to the shell and finished it with a smooth, waterproof flowcoat. The result is a surface that resists algae, stops the leaks and is far easier to keep clean than the old marbelite ever was.
Part 2: The New Paving and Coping
With the pool sorted, we turned to the surround. Good paving around a pool is not just about looks — it is about safety underfoot when the surface is wet, and about getting water to run away from the pool rather than pooling against the coping. The old paving failed on both counts, so it all came up.
Removing the old cracked pavers
We lifted every broken and lifted paver and cleared the area back to the base. Trying to patch around the worst slabs would only have left an uneven surface that kept failing, so we took the whole lot up to give the new paving a clean, level foundation to sit on.
Levelling, laying and draining it properly
The base was re-levelled and properly prepped before a single new paver went down, because paving is only ever as stable as the ground beneath it. We then laid the new surface with clean edges and the right falls so water sheds away from the pool instead of sitting in the joints.
A non-slip surface for safety
We used a non-slip paving finish so the area stays safe to walk on even when it is wet and busy with swimmers. Around a pool that detail matters far more than it does on a normal patio, because wet feet and smooth slabs are exactly how slips happen.
Proper drainage so water runs off
Getting the drainage right means rainwater and splash-out run cleanly off the paving rather than pooling against the coping or seeping into the base. That protects both the new paving and the pool shell over the long term, and keeps the whole area looking clean instead of stained.
The Finished Backyard
The before-and-after on this one speaks for itself. A leaking pool ringed by broken slabs became a watertight, freshly-lined pool framed by safe, level paving that matches the new finish. The table below sums up the transformation across both halves of the job.
| Area | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Pool surface | Cracked, leaking marbelite | Bonded fibreglass, watertight |
| Water | Green, dropping level | Clean, holding level |
| Paving | Broken, uneven, unsafe | New, level, non-slip |
| Drainage | Water pooling at edges | Runs cleanly off the pool |
| Lifespan | Failing | Built for 15-20 years |
What the client got in one project
In a single job the client went from a tired, leaking backyard to a finished space they can actually use without topping up the pool every week or watching their step on broken pavers. It is the same long-term value we delivered on our Cape Farms reline and Monte Vista reline — a surface built to last, with no shortcuts on the prep.
Get Your Pool and Paving Done Together
If your pool is leaking and the area around it has seen better days, doing both at once is usually the smarter, cheaper route. Our pool relining Kraaifontein service covers the wider Northern Suburbs, so whether you want pool work in Brackenfell, a project in Durbanville, or pool repairs nearby, we can help. See our full pool services, then send your pool’s size and a photo through our free quote page for a fixed price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you reline a pool and redo the paving at the same time?
Yes, and it usually works out better. The messy pool work is easier before new paving goes down, and matching the surround to the new finish gives a cleaner result than phasing the jobs apart.
How long does a full pool and paving project take?
It depends on the size of the pool and the paved area and the weather, but combining the two is faster overall than running them as two separate jobs with a crew mobilising twice.
Why does the old paving need to come up completely?
Patching around broken slabs leaves an uneven base that keeps failing. Lifting the lot lets us re-level the base and lay a stable, non-slip surface with proper drainage that lasts.
Do you only work in Kraaifontein?
No. We cover Kraaifontein, Brackenfell, Durbanville and the wider Cape Town area. Send your pool size and a photo and we will give you a fixed quote.