What are my options to fix a leaky baptistry?

We share David’s advice from on his many years working out solutions for our customers. This advice covers common problems encountered with concrete and tile pools. If you have a lead-lined pool, it’s better to get in touch directly.

Most of the older baptisteries that we come across are tiled concrete. They do look impressive when installed, but eventually they begin to leak and they aren’t easy to fix. That’s why we use a more reliable glass reinforced plastic (GRP) liner.

Some of your options are determined by what conditions you currently have. Does the existing pool have steps? Can they be removed? Is there any access to the outer or undersides of the tank? The dimensions of the existing pool are also important as they can limit the scope for repair and replacements.

Other decisions need to be based on your best understanding of the urgency of the situation. Water leaking from a baptistry may be minor, or it may be causing damp and starting to undermine your building. We have options to suit different budgets and, because our team has years of experience, we will always give you options to keep costs down.

What are your options?

Option one

The cleanest solution is to demolish the existing pool. We can make new insulated GRP tank to fit. You may be able to reuse elements of the old tank, such as the floor as a firm base, or the water supply and drainage.

Option two

It’s not always possible to demolish an old baptistry but, if the steps can be removed, then a GRP liner the size of the pool can slip inside the existing space. However this obviously does shrink the space in the pool because the sides of the pool will be between 35 and 60mm thick. This option needs:

• An existing baptistry that retains its original shape
• A way to get the new pool liner into place: an entrance that is as wide and tall as your existing baptistry

Option three

We can reline your pool in place, which is useful if there’s no large entranceway for a new liner. We would recommend that any steps are removed by a local builder first as lining around them costs more and risks leaks. We would prefabricate sheets of GRP (with a tile pattern if preferred), make new steps and then bring them to your chuch and install. The advantage with this method is that you keep the shape of the old baptistry, reuse existing plumbing, and don’t need a large access point. It’s quite labour-intensive and costs around the same as option one.

Option four

In some churches, it is easier just to close up the leaking pool altogether and begin to use a baptistry that can be dismantled when not in use. The former pool could be used as storage space for the new flat-pack pool. We offer a variety of models, depending on the size and depth that you prefer, and you can choose to purchase or to hire baptisteries from us as you need them. This is much more cost-effective and you flexible on where you place the pool. This option needs:

• Someone willing to put together and dismantle the baptistry when needed.

Option five

It is worth understanding the options available to you to repair the existing baptistry – while we would suggest that specialist paints aren’t likely to be reliable long term, rubber paints and pond paints will make a temporary repair. Also, do speak to a local tradesperson about retiling and grouting. Sometimes it is possible to create additional water-holding features between the new tiles and the concrete.

Speaking as a church treasurer, David recommends that you factor into your options the fact that a repaired concrete and tiled pool needs an ongoing maintenance budget in a way that a GRP lined pool doesn’t.

What next?

Having read through the options, do get in touch with some photos and measurements and we can talk through how to help: +44345 230 1381