Bakoven is a tiny seaside pocket at the southern end of Camps Bay, with bungalows and homes packed closely along narrow lanes and granite boulders. Pools here are usually small and only a few metres from the water. We renovate and repair them with very little space to work in.
A Bakoven pool works hard for its size. Being this close to the shore, it catches salt spray on rough days and windblown sand off the coves, and a small volume of water heats up and goes off balance quickly. Small pools also show every flaw. A rough patch, a stained step or a missing tile is hard to ignore when the whole pool is a few metres long.
The good news is that a small pool is quick to renovate when it is planned well. Most of the effort goes into the logistics: where the water goes, how materials get down a narrow lane, and how we work without taking over the neighbour's wall or the street. We sort that out on the first visit.
Small pools get the same two main surface options as large ones. The choice still depends on the shell, the leaks and how you use the pool, and we explain the trade-offs after we have seen it.
On a small pool, marbelite is an affordable way to get a fresh, even surface. We remove the worn plaster, fix the shell and apply a new coat, taking extra care with the steps and benches that make up much of a plunge pool's surface.
Fibreglass suits a small pool that is used often and needs to stay clean with little effort. The smooth, non-porous lining does not hold sand and grime the way rough plaster does.
Most Bakoven jobs combine a new surface with a few repairs. Doing everything while the pool is empty saves time and saves draining it again later.
New tiles at the waterline and on step edges, which matter a lot in a small pool.
We repair cracked shells, worn benches and broken coping on compact pools.
Even a slow leak shows quickly in a small pool, so we test until we find the cause.
Equipment in small, salty pump boxes needs regular attention, and we fit replacements that suit the space.
We use a bladder where a small one fits, and talk you through other options where it does not.
Small volumes go out of balance quickly, so regular testing keeps the new finish looking good.
Get in touch if the steps feel rough underfoot, if sand stains will not brush off, or if the water level drops noticeably between weekends.
Bakoven's bungalows form part of a heritage area, and building rules here are strict. Resurfacing and relining keep your pool exactly the shape and size it is now. If you are thinking about enlarging or reshaping the pool, check what is allowed with the City before we quote for it.
Space is the other thing. Lanes are narrow and parking near the beach is scarce, especially in summer. We bring smaller loads, carry materials in by hand and keep everything inside your property line. Booking outside the busy holiday season makes the whole job easier for you and for the people next door.
We check the pool, the pump box and the access along the lane, and test for leaks.
You get a written quote with the finish we suggest and how we plan to handle the water.
The pool is emptied and the shell, steps, coping and fittings are repaired.
We apply the new surface, cure it, refill and balance the water before handing over.
Resurfacing and relining keep the pool's existing shape and size. If you want to make the pool bigger or change its shape, check the heritage and building rules with the City first, and we can quote once you know what is allowed.
Often, yes. A small pool needs less material, so relining costs less than on a full-size pool, and the smooth finish is easy to keep clean. We will tell you honestly if repairs alone will do.
On very tight plots we look at smaller bladders or other ways to store or reuse the water. If none of them work, we agree the best option with you before we drain anything.
Yes. We park where we can, carry materials in by hand and keep deliveries small. We plan this on the site visit so it is already in the quote.
A small volume of water heats up fast and its chemistry changes quickly, especially with sand and salt blowing in. Regular testing and a smooth surface both help keep it clear.
Send us the details of your Bakoven pool and we will arrange a free site visit for resurfacing, relining, leak detection or repairs.
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