We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
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We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
Sunken, uneven or separating paving around a swimming pool may indicate washed-out bedding, poor compaction, leaking pipes or unstable ground. Absolute Pools repairs damaged pool surrounds across Cape Town and surrounding areas.
Pool paving usually sinks when the material supporting it becomes loose, compressed or washed away. The paving blocks or slabs then settle into the empty space, leaving dips, uneven joints and changes in level around the swimming pool.
A small low spot may collect rainwater and pool splash. More serious settlement can create trip hazards, open gaps beside the coping and place pressure on underground pool pipes.
Common causes include inadequate ground preparation, leaking pool plumbing, poor drainage, loose bedding sand, soil movement and water entering through cracked paving joints.
Cape Town’s long dry summers and wet winter periods can expose weaknesses in older pool surrounds. Soil may contract during dry weather and soften during prolonged rain, particularly where drainage around the pool is poor.
The paving should not simply be lifted and packed with loose sand until the cause has been checked. An active leak or unstable base can cause the repaired section to sink again.
Pool paving often begins moving gradually before the damage becomes severe.
Common warning signs include:
The position and pattern of the settlement can help identify whether the problem involves a local paving base, an underground leak or wider ground movement.
The soil and base beneath pool paving should be compacted before the finished surface is installed.
When the ground is not compacted properly, it continues settling after the paving has been laid. The problem may appear within months or develop gradually over several years.
Areas filled during the original pool construction are particularly vulnerable because disturbed soil takes time to stabilise when it was not compacted in suitable layers.
The paving may sink more noticeably near the pool wall, skimmer, steps or sections where underground pipes were installed.
Many pool pavers are laid over a layer of bedding sand.
Water entering through open joints can carry this sand away, creating small voids beneath the paving. As the support disappears, the pavers begin dropping into the empty space.
Washed-out sand may appear along the pool edge, inside the garden or beneath adjoining paving.
Replacing only the visible pavers without correcting the water entry allows the base to wash away again.
A leaking suction or return pipe can release water beneath the pool paving.
The escaping water gradually moves soil and bedding material away from the pipe. Paving may sink, become loose or remain wet even during dry weather.
The swimming pool may also lose water, develop weak circulation or produce air bubbles through the return jets.
Leak detection and pressure testing may be required before the paving is lifted unnecessarily.
The skimmer is installed close to the paving and upper pool wall.
A cracked skimmer body, failed throat connection or leaking pipe can release water directly beneath the surrounding pool edge. Paving near the skimmer may sink while waterline tiles and coping begin cracking.
The pool water level may stabilise near the bottom of the skimmer opening when the leak is concentrated in this area.
The skimmer should be inspected before the paving base is rebuilt.
Return pipes carry filtered water from the equipment back to the swimming pool.
A failed fitting or underground joint can leak while the pump is operating. The paving may remain wet mainly during the filtration cycle and begin settling near the affected return.
The water may travel beneath the paving before appearing at the surface, so the visible wet patch is not always directly above the leak.
A structural pool crack can release water into the surrounding ground.
Continued leakage may wash away support beside the pool wall and cause both coping and paving to move. The visible crack may appear inside the pool near the same section, although water can travel through the ground before affecting the paving.
The crack and paving should be repaired as part of the same project where they are connected.
Rainwater and pool splash should drain away from the swimming pool and nearby buildings.
When the finished levels direct water towards the pool edge, moisture can remain trapped beneath the paving. Saturated bedding and soil lose strength and become more vulnerable to movement.
Cape Town’s winter rain can expose drainage problems that are less noticeable during summer.
Suitable falls, drainage channels or outlets may be required before the paving is relaid.
Poolside channels and drainage outlets can become blocked by leaves, sand, algae and garden debris.
Water then collects on the paving and enters through joints or damaged edges. The paving base can remain wet for extended periods, particularly in low areas.
Cleaning the drain may restore surface flow, but sunken paving may still require lifting and rebuilding.
Downpipes and roof runoff can discharge large volumes of water near a swimming pool.
When this water flows across or beneath the paving, it can wash out bedding sand and soften the supporting ground.
Downpipes should discharge into a suitable drainage route rather than directly beside the pool surround.
Garden irrigation pipes often pass close to pool paving and landscaping.
A small underground leak can keep the soil wet continuously without creating obvious water loss from the swimming pool. The paving may sink near garden beds, lawn edges or planter areas.
The irrigation system should be considered when the paving remains wet even while the pool pump is off.
Some soils expand when wet and contract during dry periods.
Seasonal moisture changes can create movement beneath paving and around the pool structure. The surface may rise slightly during wet weather and settle after prolonged dry conditions.
Cape Town’s seasonal shift between dry summers and wetter winters can make this movement more noticeable around older pools.
Large roots can lift paving in one area while leaving neighbouring sections unsupported.
They may also damage underground pipes or alter the moisture level in the surrounding soil. When roots are removed or decay, voids can remain and allow the paving to sink.
The condition of nearby trees and landscaping should be considered before relaying repeatedly moving paving.
Ants can remove fine bedding material from beneath paving and create small cavities.
Loose sand may become visible around the joints or along paving edges. The movement is usually localised but can worsen where water is already entering the base.
The paving support and source of the disturbance should be addressed together.
Pool paving needs secure edge restraint to prevent lateral movement.
When the outer edge is not supported, paving blocks can spread apart. Joints widen, bedding sand escapes and the surface gradually becomes uneven.
Garden edges, lawn borders and repaired sections are common places for this movement to begin.
Paving laid directly over loose soil or a very thin base may not support regular foot traffic and outdoor furniture.
A stable installation usually requires properly prepared and compacted material beneath the bedding layer. The exact build-up depends on the paving type and site conditions.
Packing individual low pavers with loose sand does not correct an inadequate base.
Large planters, braais, outdoor furniture, equipment and renovation materials can place concentrated loads on paving.
A weak base may compress beneath these loads and create localised settlement. Vehicle access near the pool can cause more severe damage where the paving was designed only for pedestrian use.
The repaired base should suit the expected load on the area.
A sunken section may be lifted and relaid without removing loose material or compacting the base.
The surface can look level temporarily and begin sinking again after rain or regular use. Small patches may also create uneven transitions against older paving.
Repeated failure usually indicates that the repair did not extend far enough to reach stable ground.
Settlement beside the coping can create a gap between the pool edge and paving.
Water enters the opening and washes away additional bedding material. The coping may then become loose because it is no longer supported properly from the surrounding side.
The movement joint, coping bed and paving base should be checked before the gap is filled.
Simply applying sealant over a large unstable opening will not restore the missing support.
Sunken paving around the skimmer should be investigated carefully.
The area may have settled because the original excavation around the skimmer was not compacted properly. It can also indicate a leaking skimmer body, throat joint or connected pipe.
Cracks around the skimmer, water loss and continually wet soil strengthen the likelihood of a leak.
The skimmer fault should be repaired before the paving is reinstated.
Water leaking from the pool pump, filter, multiport valve or connected pipes can saturate the surrounding ground.
The equipment slab or paving may begin sinking, tilting or cracking. The equipment can then sit out of level, placing additional strain on pipe connections.
Equipment leaks and drainage should be repaired before the area is rebuilt.
Pool equipment should remain on a stable, suitably prepared base rather than loose paving that continues moving.
Settlement concentrated along one side may indicate a local plumbing leak, poor backfilling or drainage problem.
It can also occur where the original pool excavation was wider and the surrounding soil was not compacted adequately during construction.
Nearby trees, retaining walls, garden beds and downpipes should be considered during the assessment.
Widespread settlement usually indicates a broader base or drainage problem rather than one isolated paver.
The original installation may have insufficient compacted support, or water may be moving beneath several sections.
Repairing one dip at a time can create an uneven patchwork while new areas continue failing.
A larger section may need to be lifted so the base, levels and drainage can be rebuilt consistently.
Pavers that move underfoot have lost full contact with the bedding beneath them.
Water, loose joints and uneven compaction can all contribute. The rocking movement enlarges the gaps and allows more bedding material to escape.
Loose paving creates a trip hazard and should be reset before edges crack or neighbouring pavers begin moving.
Concrete slabs and large-format pavers can crack when the support beneath them becomes uneven.
One portion remains supported while another settles into a void. The slab then bends and breaks under its own weight or normal foot traffic.
Replacing the broken slab without rebuilding the base can cause the new paving to crack in the same location.
Gaps between paving blocks allow water and dirt into the base.
Jointing material may be missing because of poor installation, pressure washing or repeated movement. Once the pavers can shift sideways, the gaps become wider.
The paving may need to be lifted, realigned and restrained before the joints are restored.
Ponding occurs when the paving no longer has suitable falls or when one section has sunk.
Standing water can become slippery, carry dirt into the pool and enter through joints into the paving base.
The repair should restore a consistent level and direct water towards a suitable drainage point rather than towards the swimming pool.
Splashing is normal around a swimming pool, but the water should drain and dry within a reasonable period.
Persistent puddles indicate low spots, blocked drains or unsuitable falls. The wet surface can encourage algae growth and become slippery.
Relevelling the paving may need to be combined with drainage improvements.
This combination often indicates movement beneath the entire pool edge.
The coping may be losing mortar support while adjoining paving settles away from it. Water entering the gap can accelerate both problems.
The coping, upper pool wall, movement joint and paving base should be repaired together.
Water loss combined with paving settlement can indicate an underground plumbing leak, cracked skimmer or leaking pool structure.
The escaping water may wash away support and create cavities beneath the paving.
The leak should be located before the paving is lifted extensively. Targeted detection can reduce unnecessary excavation and prevent the repaired base from being damaged again.
A stable water level makes an active pool leak less likely, but it does not rule out irrigation, rainwater or drainage problems.
The settlement may result from poor compaction, ground movement or bedding sand gradually escaping through open edges.
The base should still be inspected once the affected paving is lifted.
Persistent moisture during dry weather deserves investigation.
The water may come from a pool pipe, irrigation line, equipment leak, downpipe or underground drainage problem.
The pump can be observed to determine whether the wet area worsens during operation. Pool water loss and changes in circulation can provide additional clues.
Heavy rain can saturate weak or poorly drained soil beneath the paving.
The surface may sink suddenly after a storm or gradually settle through the winter. Water entering open joints can also wash bedding sand into surrounding ground.
Drainage improvements and base reconstruction may be required before the paving is relaid.
Dry conditions can cause certain soils to contract and leave small voids beneath paving.
The pavers may begin moving or dropping into these spaces. Cracks can also appear where one section settles more than another.
The underlying soil and drainage conditions should be considered when movement follows a seasonal pattern.
Repairing an underground pipe stops additional water loss but does not replace the soil and bedding material that was already washed away.
The paving may continue sinking until the voids are filled and the base is compacted correctly.
The excavated pipe trench should also be reinstated in compacted layers rather than filled loosely.
Renovation work can disturb paving, underground pipes and the compacted base.
Sections lifted for plumbing or structural repairs may sink when the material is replaced without suitable compaction. Heavy equipment and stored materials can also affect weak areas.
The paving should be inspected after the pool work is complete and before the site is handed over.
Settlement around a recently built pool often results from inadequate compaction of backfilled soil.
The ground beside the new pool shell may continue settling as water and normal use consolidate the loose material.
Minor movement may be repairable, but widespread sinking should be corrected by rebuilding the base rather than repeatedly adding sand beneath individual pavers.
Replacing a skimmer usually requires excavation beside the pool wall.
If the area is not refilled and compacted properly, the paving can sink around the repair. Water may also continue escaping if the new skimmer or pipe connections are not sealed correctly.
The plumbing repair and paving reinstatement should be checked together.
Paving near a tree may be affected by roots, changing soil moisture and irrigation.
Roots can lift sections while nearby areas sink. Removing a root without rebuilding the resulting void can also create settlement.
Tree work should be planned carefully to avoid damaging the pool structure and underground plumbing.
Yes. Most sunken pool paving can be repaired when the underlying cause is identified and corrected.
The affected pavers are lifted, and the bedding and base are inspected. Loose, wet or washed-out material is removed before the support is rebuilt and compacted.
The paving is then relaid at suitable levels and falls. Damaged pavers, joints and edge restraints are replaced where necessary.
An active pool leak, irrigation leak or drainage fault must be repaired first.
A few localised pavers can often be lifted and reset when the surrounding base remains stable.
The low area should still be investigated for washed-out sand, leaking water or inadequate support. Simply adding a thin layer of loose sand may provide only temporary improvement.
The repaired pavers should align with the coping and surrounding surface without creating a new low point.
A larger rebuild may be required when settlement affects several areas or the original base is consistently weak.
Other signs include repeated repairs, widespread rocking, open joints, poor drainage and paving that continues sinking after rain.
Lifting a complete section allows the levels, base material, compaction and drainage to be corrected consistently.
Most external pool paving repairs do not require the swimming pool to be drained.
The water may need to be monitored where work occurs near coping, skimmers or structural cracks. Leak repairs inside the pool may require lowering the water to a specific level.
Avoiding unnecessary draining reduces water waste and limits structural risks associated with leaving a pool empty.
Yes. Uneven paving creates a trip and fall hazard around a wet pool area.
Raised edges can scrape bare feet, while low spots collect slippery water and algae. Loose pavers may move unexpectedly when someone steps on them.
The area should be avoided until severely unstable sections are repaired.
Movement in paving does not automatically mean the pool shell is damaged.
However, unstable paving can place pressure on coping, waterline tiles, skimmers and pipe connections. Water entering gaps may also weaken the upper pool edge.
Sinking caused by an underground leak can become more serious as supporting soil is washed away.
Moving pavers and soil can place stress on shallow underground plumbing.
Pipe joints may crack where the ground settles unevenly. In other cases, the leaking pipe caused the settlement rather than being damaged by it.
The sequence of the failure should be assessed so both the plumbing and paving are repaired.
Leak detection is recommended when sinking paving occurs together with water loss, wet ground or circulation problems.
The assessment may include checking the water level, inspecting the skimmer and fittings and pressure testing underground suction and return lines.
Targeted testing helps narrow down the affected pipe so only the necessary paving needs to be lifted.
Repairing the leak first protects the rebuilt paving base from further washout.
Absolute Pools begins by assessing the extent and pattern of the settlement.
Loose or sunken pavers are lifted so the bedding and base can be inspected. Any leaking pipes, damaged skimmers, drainage faults or unstable coping are identified before reinstatement begins.
Weak and washed-out material is removed. The base is rebuilt and compacted in suitable layers, and the paving is relaid to consistent levels and drainage falls.
Joints, edge restraints and transitions to the coping are completed so water is less likely to enter and disturb the base again.
A lasting paving repair depends on a stable foundation.
The exposed ground is checked for moisture, voids and loose material. Suitable base material is placed and compacted before the final bedding layer is added.
The paving height should align safely with the pool coping and surrounding areas. Surface water should flow towards suitable drainage rather than collecting beside the pool.
Large voids created by long-term leaks may require more extensive reinstatement than an ordinary paving adjustment.
The affected paving is lifted carefully to provide targeted access to the damaged pipe.
The faulty section, fitting or joint is repaired or replaced. The line is tested before the excavation is closed.
The trench is then refilled and compacted in layers to reduce future settlement. The paving is reinstated as closely as possible to its original pattern.
Older pavers may show colour differences where hidden sections have not weathered equally.
Drainage improvements may be needed where water repeatedly collects around the swimming pool.
Possible solutions include correcting paving falls, clearing existing drains, adding suitable channels and redirecting roof or garden runoff.
The correct solution depends on the property levels and where the water can discharge safely.
Drainage work should not direct large volumes of water towards neighbouring structures, pool equipment or the pool shell.
Sunken paving often affects the coping and movement joint beside it.
Loose coping stones are lifted, and failed mortar is removed. The upper pool edge is repaired where necessary before the coping is reset.
The paving base is rebuilt independently, allowing the transition between the two surfaces to accommodate normal movement.
Waterline tiles and grout can be repaired where movement has spread below the coping.
Repair underground pool and irrigation leaks promptly before water washes away the supporting base.
Keep drainage channels clear and direct roof water away from the pool surround. Replace missing jointing material and repair open edges where bedding sand can escape.
Avoid placing heavy planters or equipment on paving with inadequate support.
Monitor wet spots, rocking pavers and small gaps beside the coping before they develop into larger settlement areas.
Proper compaction and suitable drainage are more important than repeatedly adding loose sand beneath individual pavers.
Absolute Pools repairs sunken, loose and uneven paving around swimming pools across Cape Town and surrounding areas, including the Northern Suburbs, Southern Suburbs, Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town City Bowl, West Coast suburbs and Helderberg.
Service areas include Durbanville, Bellville, Brackenfell, Kraaifontein, Parow, Goodwood, Milnerton, Table View, Parklands, Blouberg, Century City, Pinelands, Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Constantia, Tokai, Wynberg, Plumstead, Hout Bay, Sea Point, Green Point, Camps Bay, Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Stellenbosch, Paarl and surrounding areas.
Absolute Pools checks the paving, bedding, drainage, coping, skimmer and underground pool plumbing before recommending repairs.
We assist with paving reinstatement, paving-base repairs, leak detection, pool-pipe repairs, skimmer repairs, coping repairs and wider pool renovations.
Our focus is on correcting the cause of the settlement and rebuilding stable support rather than levelling the visible paving over an unresolved leak or weak base.
Sunken pool paving can create trip hazards, collect water and indicate an underground leak or unstable pool surround.
Contact Absolute Pools for pool paving inspections, leak detection and paving repairs across Cape Town and surrounding areas.