There’s no better way to beat the heat this summer than enjoying your beautiful pool. Owning a pool isn’t all about fun, though; pools also come with a fair bit of maintenance. While your pool to-do list might include cleaning your tiles or liner, skimming, and balancing pool chemicals, don’t forget that your concrete pool deck needs some TLC, too. Here’s how to care for your pool deck over the summer to keep it looking its best.
Sweep and Rinse Regularly
Your concrete can benefit from regular sweeping and rinsing with a hose to keep debris from building up that can contribute to stains, algae, and fungi. When needed, you can make a cleaning solution for your pool deck using 8 parts water, 1 part soap, and 1 part bleach which can be used to scrub down the surface and lift stains. If you do use a cleaner, make sure you use a hose to rinse off your pool deck afterward.
For stubborn stains, use TSP or trisodium phosphate as a spot treatment. TSP is too harsh to use on your entire pool deck or very often but it’s perfectly safe as a spot treatment. Spray directly on stains and scrub before rinsing and repeating if necessary.
Power Wash Your Pool Deck
A few times a year, it’s a good idea to give your concrete pool deck a power washing. Pressure washing is safe on regular concrete but it can also be used on stained stamped concrete and concrete coatings like acrylic to loosen and rinse away even ground-in debris and dirt for a like-new shine. When using a pressure washer, make sure the fan tip is held a safe distance from the concrete. Keep the sprayer tip moving as leaving it in one spot for too long can actually erode a hole in the concrete.
Seal Your Concrete Annually
Unsealed concrete is very porous and prone to wear and tear as well as stains without protection. While a sealer can’t prevent all types of stains and damage, regular sealing does help your concrete pool deck better resist damage from moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, pool chemicals, and stains.
Sealing is especially important if you have decorative stamped concrete or stained concrete as too much moisture seeping into the concrete can cause unsightly white spots or a chalky appearance. If you have integral colored concrete, sealing can even restore its original, vibrant color if it appears to have faded.
Don’t Ignore Cracks
All concrete cracks eventually, no matter how well it’s installed. Cracks are usually cosmetic but they tend to get worse over time due to freeze-thaw cycles, the expansion and contraction of the concrete, and chemicals seeping into the cracks. Don’t ignore small cracks and allow them to grow into major structural cracks that are costly to repair. The best way to repair cracks in your concrete pool deck will depend on the size and extent. Cracks should be sealed and, once large enough, filled. If your pool deck has many hairline cracks, it may be a good candidate for a concrete coating, a form of concrete resurfacing that gives you a new, colorful surface.