A Wahoo Pool, Ten Years On — The Walker Family

People often ask how we know we've done a good build. The easy answer is 'when the client is happy at handover'. The honest answer is 'when they're still happy in year 10'.

This story is about the Walker family in Wellington Point. We built their family pool in early 2016. They're still in the same house, still using the same pool, ten years later. Here's what's held up, what's needed attention, and what they wish they'd done differently.

The original build

2016 build, Family Pool I configuration, 6×4m. Pebble-crete interior, travertine coping, aluminium fence (this was before frameless glass became standard). Final cost back then: about $46K, equivalent to roughly $62K today after inflation.

The Walkers were younger then — two kids primary school age. They wanted a pool the whole family would use and that would last.

Year 1 (2016)

Handover, learning the rhythm. Chemistry took about two months to feel intuitive. They paid for two professional pool service visits in the first year to set baselines, then went DIY.

Costs in year 1: roughly $900 in chemicals, electricity, and minor supplies.

Years 2-4 (2017-2019)

Routine ownership. Pool used heavily through summer (kids and friends), gentle use through winter (no heating). Equipment ran flawlessly.

One minor warranty issue in year 3: the salt chlorinator threw a fault code. Zodiac dealer (us) replaced the control board under warranty. No charge to the Walkers, took 4 days from call to replacement.

Costs years 2-4: averaging $800/year all-in. Predictable.

Year 5 (2020) — First serviceable

Salt chlorinator cell needed replacing. Original cell lasted about 5 years, slightly below the 5-7 year average we quote. $560 replacement, fitted same day. Easy.

This is the first 'beyond warranty consumables' cost most owners hit. Predictable, manageable.

Year 6 (2021) — The decision year

Pool fence had been showing some powder coat wear from coastal proximity (Wellington Point is genuinely coastal). The Walkers decided to upgrade to frameless glass.

This wasn't a Wahoo job — they used a specialist glass installer for the retrofit. Cost about $9,500. Significant outlay, but it transformed the look of the pool and matched modern aesthetics.

This is what we mean by 'the pool grows with you'. The structure is the long-term investment. Specific finishes can be refreshed at owner-friendly cost.

Year 7 (2022) — Storm season damage

One genuine bad weather event. February 2022 floods hit Wellington Point hard. The Walkers' pool itself was fine — structurally untouched — but the equipment shed flooded above slab height. The pump motor was submerged.

Insurance covered the equipment replacement. $3,200 for new pump and motor. Wahoo did the installation under their insurance claim.

Important note: their pump was 6 years old at this point. Replacement under insurance got them a newer model with better warranty terms. Sometimes there's a silver lining.

Years 8-9 (2023-2024) — Settling in

Pool use shifted as kids became teenagers. Less daily family swimming, more weekend social use. Pool became a feature of dinner parties and pool parties rather than daily play.

One pebble-crete touch-up needed in year 8 — a small section near the steps showed wear from constant entry/exit. We did the repair, $450, two-hour visit. Pool was usable the same day.

Routine running costs continued at about $900/year (chemicals, electricity, top-ups, supplies).

Year 10 (2025) — Looking ahead

The Walkers had us back this year for a full equipment assessment. Original pump was replaced in 2022, cartridge filter housing original from 2016 and still working perfectly, salt chlorinator cell now on its second replacement (in year 9).

The pool structure itself: zero issues. 200mm walls, original engineering, no cracks, no leaks. The structural warranty period (10 years) is about to expire, but we'd back this pool to last another 20 years on its current trajectory.

The Walkers are planning a pebble-crete refresh in year 12 or 13 — the surface is starting to show subtle wear. Cost will be roughly $7,000-$9,000. Standard for the age.

10-year totals

• Original build: $46K (2016 dollars)
• Routine running costs: ~$9,000 over 10 years
• Equipment replacements (cells, pump): $4,300 (insurance covered $3,200)
• Fence upgrade (optional, owner choice): $9,500
• Minor repairs: $450

Total ownership cost over 10 years, build through to year 10: roughly $61,000 in 2016-2025 dollars.

What the Walkers say

Mrs Walker, when we asked for permission to share this story: 'best money we ever spent on the house, easily'.

The kids — now 17 and 19 — 'wouldn't have wanted to grow up without it'. Mr Walker swims most mornings before work. The pool is a fixture of their family life.

What this tells us

A well-built concrete pool, looked after reasonably, in Brisbane's climate, holds up beautifully for a decade and beyond. The structure is the asset. The consumables and equipment are predictable costs.

If you're considering a build and you're worried about long-term ownership, the Walkers' decade is fairly typical. Come and talk to us if you'd like to hear more.

— Cathy

Family name changed for client privacy. Project details accurate.