Swimming Pool Plant Room Refurbishment and Walu Safety Cover Installat| Clearway Pools and Spas

When a pool owner in Broad Chalke, Salisbury approached us about upgrading their swimming pool safety and completely refurbishing their aging plant room, we knew this was the perfect winter project. Over the course of 2-3 weeks, we transformed their pool facility with a premium Walu safety cover installation and a complete plant room rebuild – showcasing why winter is the ideal time for major pool refurbishment projects across Wiltshire, Dorset, and Hampshire.

The Project: Complete Pool System Transformation

This comprehensive swimming pool refurbishment project in South Wiltshire involved multiple stages of careful coordination between our team, the client, and their chosen builders.

Project Scope

Location: Broad Chalke, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Duration: 2-3 weeks
Services: Walu safety cover supply and installation, plant room equipment removal and refitting, coordination with building contractors

The Process

Initial Consultation and Walu Cover Order
After assessing the rectangular pool dimensions and discussing the client's safety concerns, we ordered a bespoke Walu Starlight safety cover – the only swimming pool cover with interchangeable bars and panels, compliant with French safety standard NF P 90-308.
Plant Room Equipment Removal
Our team carefully disconnected and removed all filtration equipment, pumps, sand filters, and pipework from the existing plant room building. The equipment was safely stored in a designated area of the garden whilst building work commenced.
Building Phase Coordination
Working closely with the client's building contractor, we marked out the new plant room location and installed pipework routing to accommodate the new building position. Once the concrete slab was laid and the new plant room building was constructed, we were ready for the refit.
Plant Room Equipment Installation
All filtration equipment was professionally reinstalled in the new plant room, with upgraded pipework layout for improved efficiency and ease of maintenance. The refurbished plant room now provides better access and a cleaner, more organised space for pool management.
Walu Safety Cover Installation
Upon delivery of the custom-manufactured Walu cover, our installation team completed the fitting in a single afternoon. Stainless steel pop-up anchor bolts were installed around the pool perimeter, the anodised aluminium support bars were positioned, and the cover panels were secured with the quick-fastening system.

Why Choose a Walu Safety Cover?

The Walu Pool safety cover installed on this Salisbury swimming pool offers unmatched benefits for pool owners across Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset.

Year-Round Safety and Protection

Child and Pet Safety: The Walu cover is designed specifically to prevent access to the pool for children under five years of age, meeting the rigorous NF P 90-308 safety standard – France's leading pool safety certification. The reinforced bars can support the weight of an adult, providing complete peace of mind.

All-Season Cover: Unlike traditional pool covers that require seasonal changing, the Walu safety cover replaces solar bubble covers, winter debris covers, and other safety systems in one elegant solution. Use it throughout summer and winter without the need for multiple cover systems.

Practical Benefits for Pool Owners

Modular Design: The Walu cover's unique interchangeable panel system means individual panels and bars can be replaced on-site if damaged, rather than requiring complete cover replacement – a significant long-term cost saving.

Easy Handling: Weighing approximately 1,250g per square meter, the Walu cover can be rolled and unrolled by one person using the integrated pulling strap and manual crank system. For larger pools, the optional Walu Matic motorised winding system provides effortless operation.

Water Clarity and Heating Efficiency: The opaque PVC panels slow algae growth by reducing sunlight penetration, whilst the optional solar translucent version captures solar energy to help heat the pool water. Both versions significantly reduce chemical usage and heating costs.

Aesthetic Appeal: Available in multiple colours including emerald, Swiss green, sand, and anthracite grey, Walu covers enhance rather than detract from your pool area's appearance.

Protection for Your Pool

Debris Prevention: The tight-fitting design with 20cm overlap prevents leaves, garden debris, and wildlife from entering the pool water, reducing filtration demands and chemical consumption.

Reduced Evaporation: Keeping your pool covered dramatically reduces water evaporation – particularly important during hot summers across Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire.

Benefits of Winter Pool Refurbishment Projects

This Salisbury pool refurbishment demonstrates why winter is the optimal time for major pool renovation work across the South West and Thames Valley regions.

Minimal Disruption

Pool Downtime: When swimming pools aren't in use during the colder months from October through March, extensive refurbishment work can be completed without affecting your summer swimming season.

Construction Access: Winter months provide better access for building contractors and equipment, with gardens typically less lush and outdoor entertaining spaces not in use.

Cost Advantages

Pre-Increase Pricing: Pool industry suppliers typically implement annual price increases in January. Accepting quotes and confirming projects before year-end can secure current-year pricing on equipment, covers, and materials.

Project Planning: Winter consultations and quotations allow spring installation of equipment like heat pumps and variable speed pumps, ensuring systems are commissioned and ready before the swimming season begins.

Optimal Conditions for Certain Work

Plant Room Refurbishment: With pools closed or on minimal circulation, plant room equipment can be disconnected and upgraded without the pressure of daily pool use.

Liner Replacement: Winter pool liner replacement in Wiltshire and Hampshire allows the new liner to settle and adjust before the demands of summer use and heating.

Cover Installation: Safety cover and winter cover fitting is ideally completed during the off-season, providing immediate protection and allowing pool owners to become familiar with the system before summer.

Common Winter Pool Refurbishment Services

Based on this Broad Chalke project and our extensive experience across Dorset, Hampshire, and the Thames Valley, here are popular winter pool refurbishment services we provide:

Equipment Upgrades

Sand Filter Replacement: Worn, brittle sand filters with stiff valves and deteriorated gaskets should be replaced before they damage other equipment. Modern fibreglass filters offer superior durability.

Variable Speed Pump Installation: Upgrade to variable speed circulation pumps for Uxbridge, Slough, and High Wycombe pools, offering programmable flow rates, reduced running costs, and quieter operation.

Heat Pump Installation: Swimming pool heat pumps are up to 70% cheaper to run than gas boilers or heat exchangers, making them the most cost-effective pool heating solution across southern England.

Surface Refurbishment

Pool Liner Replacement: Traditional bag liners last approximately 15 years before becoming brittle. Modern Extreme Welded Liners offer 30-year guarantees, withstand higher water temperatures, and eliminate unsightly creases through on-site welding.

Re-tiling and Grouting: Mosaic pool tiles in Salisbury and Wiltshire pools require periodic re-grouting to prevent water ingress behind tiles, which can cause tile displacement and potential pool shell damage.

Safety and Efficiency Improvements

Safety Cover Installation: Walu safety covers, winter debris covers, and pool safety fencing installation across Dorset, Hampshire, and Buckinghamshire.

Plant Room Refurbishment: Reorganising pipework, upgrading valves, and improving access transforms cluttered plant rooms into efficient, easy-to-maintain facilities.

Chemical Dosing Systems: Automated pH and chlorine dosing systems reduce manual pool maintenance and ensure consistent water quality.

Areas We Serve

Clearway Pools and Spas provides professional swimming pool maintenance, refurbishment, and safety cover installation across an extensive service area in southern England.

Primary Service Regions

Wiltshire: Salisbury, Broad Chalke, and surrounding South Wiltshire villages
Dorset: Poole, Bournemouth, and the Dorset region
Hampshire: Throughout Hampshire including Winchester and surrounding areas
Buckinghamshire: High Wycombe, Beaconsfield, Marlow, Bourne End, Hazlemere, and surrounding villages
Berkshire: Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead, Bracknell Forest, and Thames Valley areas
Greater London: Uxbridge, Hayes, West Drayton, Ruislip, Ickenham, and surrounding boroughs

We serve both private residential swimming pools and commercial pool facilities across these regions, providing everything from routine pool maintenance and chemical supply to major refurbishment projects and safety cover installations.

Planning Your Winter Pool Project

If you're considering a swimming pool refurbishment project in Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire, or the Thames Valley region, winter 2025-2026 is the ideal time to plan and execute your improvements.

Free Pool Consultation

We offer complimentary site visits and consultations to assess your swimming pool's condition and recommend appropriate refurbishment work. Whether you need a Walu safety cover for your Salisbury pool, plant room equipment upgrades in High Wycombe, or complete pool resurfacing in Dorset, we'll provide expert guidance tailored to your pool and budget.

Comprehensive Service

From initial consultation through equipment supply, installation, and ongoing maintenance support, Clearway Pools and Spas provides complete swimming pool care. Our team handles all aspects of pool refurbishment projects, coordinating with building contractors when necessary and ensuring minimal disruption to your property.

Quality Products and Expert Installation

We supply and install only premium pool equipment and safety covers, including the Walu range of safety covers, leading heat pump brands, and professional-grade filtration equipment. Our installations across Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset, and Buckinghamshire are completed to the highest standards, with full commissioning and user training.

The Results: A Transformed Pool Facility

This Broad Chalke swimming pool refurbishment delivered transformative results for the pool owner:

Enhanced Safety: The Walu Starlight safety cover provides certified child safety protection and prevents accidental pool access year-round
Improved Functionality: The relocated and refurbished plant room offers better equipment access and more efficient operation
Reduced Running Costs: The safety cover reduces heating costs, water evaporation, and chemical consumption
Aesthetic Improvement: Both the new plant room building and attractive safety cover enhance the property's outdoor space
Year-Round Protection: No more seasonal cover changes – one system protects the pool through every season

Start Your Pool Refurbishment Project

Winter is approaching, making now the perfect time to assess your swimming pool's condition and plan refurbishment work. Whether you need a safety cover installation in Slough, plant room upgrades in Salisbury, or complete pool renovation in Dorset, our team is ready to help.

Don't wait until spring when pool companies are busy and prices have increased. Contact us today for your free pool consultation and discover how we can transform your swimming pool this winter.

Clearway Pools and Spas – Professional swimming pool maintenance, refurbishment, and safety cover installation across Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Greater London.