Complete Swimming Pool Renovation with ACRATON® Dolphin — The PoolFIX Guide
A tiled swimming pool nearing the end of its useful life after 20 to 40 years of use is a familiar problem for pool managers, municipalities, holiday parks, and wellness centres. Local tile repairs no longer offer a long-term solution, and complete replacement of the tiling is expensive and time-consuming. A third option — renovation with epoxy mortar and ACRATON® Dolphin coating — has offered a proven, durable solution since 1969.
On this pillar page, we summarise the complete renovation process: from problem identification to handover. For more in-depth information on specific components, please refer to our specialised landing pages.
The Problem at a Glance
Ageing tiled pools develop four simultaneous problems: loose tiles (due to chloride attack), cracked grout lines (due to thermal expansion), sharp edges and cut risks (due to glaze chipping), and rising maintenance costs (due to annual repairs). An approach that only solves one of these four issues is always temporary.
The Solution — A Renovation in 5 Phases
Phase 1 — Preparation: pool emptying, fine blasting, tap test, moisture measurement, and adhesion test. Phase 2 — Repair: removal of loose tiles, filling of voids, repair of cracks with epoxy repair mortar. Phase 3 — Levelling: filling the entire tile relief with 2-component epoxy mortar. Phase 4 — Coating: two layers of ACRATON® Dolphin (300 µm dry film thickness) in the chosen colour. Phase 5 — Curing: 24 hours between layers, 6 days complete curing underwater.
The Benefit — Eight Results in One Intervention
1) No more loose tiles. 2) No more cracked grout lines. 3) No more sharp edges or cut risks. 4) Hygienic, joint-free surface preventing biofilm. 5) Reduced cleaning time (40–60% reduction). 6) Lower TCO (50–70% savings over 20 years). 7) Modern appearance in one of 8 colours. 8) Proven lifespan of decades.
Maintenance After Renovation
An ACRATON® Dolphin coating requires annual visual inspection and regular chemical balancing of the pool water. No periodic grout renovation, no localised repairs, no colour differences over time. PoolFIX provides a standard maintenance protocol and stores the chosen colour and datasheet for future topcoat renovation (typically after 15–20 years).
Practical Steps to Get Started
Step 1 — Share photos and dimensions of your pool with PoolFIX. Step 2 — Initial estimate within 5 working days. Step 3 — On-site inspection if desired. Step 4 — Final quotation with colour selection (via AI Visualizer) and scheduling. Step 5 — Commencement of works on the agreed date outside of peak season.
Calculate volume for your pool
Litres, pails and price estimate in seconds — pallet discount included.
Prices exclude VAT and shipping. Based on €40/L and the theoretical coverage from the datasheet (2.7 m²/L at 300 µm DFT).
Frequently asked questions
How long does ACRATON® Dolphin last?
Can a coating be applied over existing tiling?
Is the floor slippery or sufficiently slip-resistant?
What does a complete renovation cost?
How long does the renovation take?
Is this cheaper than re-tiling?
Which colours are available?
Who is the manufacturer?
Slight deviations between sample and final result may occur. No rights can be derived from this overview.
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Ready for a renovation that lasts decades?
Request a no-obligation technical call with PoolFIX — exclusive European distributor of ACRATON® Dolphin.