Getting the Pool Ready? Don't Forget Your Pool Deck Flooring
With summer comes a slew of fun outdoor activities most of us are just itching to enjoy. If you own a pool, it’s approaching that time to remove the cover, clean the filters, add the necessary chemicals, balance levels, and everything else required to get it ready for use. However, these aren’t the only tasks to consider as you prepare your pool; don’t neglect your pool deck flooring.
How to Prepare Your Pool Deck
The Pitfalls of Forgetting Your Pool Deck Flooring
You might think that the water itself is the only thing that matters when preparing your pool for the summer. But keep in mind that the surrounding deck serves as an important area for people to enter and exit the water, dry off, relax, and, simply put, enjoy. If said deck is poorly looked after, you risk a handful of problems, some of which are severe. At the very least, you want your deck to look its best for your guests and yourself. More importantly, though, you want your pool deck flooring to be safe.
Decks that are crumbling, cracking, rotting, uneven, slippery, or otherwise falling apart create a serious tripping hazard that can injure those using it. To avoid these slips and falls, your pool deck floors should be secure and level. Let’s discuss how you can properly maintain your pool deck to ensure the safety of your family and friends.
How to Properly Prepare and Maintain Your Pool Deck Floors
All pool deck floors require regular maintenance, but the exact methods of said maintenance will vary based on what those floors are made of. Most pool decks are either built from concrete (or some form of masonry) or wood. At Anderson Painting, we maintain, repair, and fortify all kinds of pool decks.
Concrete Pool Deck Prep
First off, you need to keep your concrete deck clean. The most efficient way to do so is by pressure washing every inch of it. This method blasts away dirt, dust, debris, mold, mildew, and other unwanted materials with a pressurized, sometimes heated stream of water and detergent. However, power washing your concrete surfaces can damage them and also harm plants, pets, and people in close range, so this task is best left to the professionals.
Next, you’ll want to fix any minor cracks or divots to keep the surface of your pool deck flooring even. In most cases, the right type of caulk or concrete sealer can be used to great effect. Then, proper floor sealing is in order. Different products can be used to seal concrete deck floors, such as polyurea coatings. Whichever material you go with, the goal is the same: to protect the top layer of your concrete deck from various environmental threats, such as moisture, chemicals, pests, sunlight, impact, and regular wear and tear.
If you’ve neglected your concrete pool deck for quite some time and/or the floors are in serious disrepair, you might require more extensive restorative work. Namely, portions of the floor may need to be replaced entirely to remedy any sinking and level the flooring once more.
Wooden Pool Deck Prep
For wooden decks, much of the prep work is the same. Proper pressure washing should be performed at least once a year, once again keeping in mind that the wrong technique can damage the wood. Cracks or holes in the wood must be repaired with the right filler and any missing or rotting pieces must be replaced. And just like concrete pool deck floors, wood deck floors should be properly sealed as well. Of course, in this case, you’ll have to use a wood deck sealant, stain, or paint. The best deck stain for the job will depend on the current condition of your deck, the type of wood it’s made of, and the aesthetic you’re going for. Ultimately, though, you’ll want to use a high-quality, durable, waterproof stain with UV ray protection and, if possible, anti-slip properties.
Prepare Your Entire Pool Area for Summer
If you want to get the most out of your pool this season, don’t forget your pool deck flooring! Anderson Painting contractors will ensure that no matter what it’s made of, your deck remains beautiful and safe for the summer and beyond. For more about us and everything we do, call us today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
