The Causes of Pool Deck Damages
Don’t let your pool decks drown with problems. Unfortunately, many homeowners delay repairing their crack concrete pool decks, assuming it’s simply a cosmetic issue that could be dealt with at another time. More significantly, these cracks or can pose a hazard by creating uneven walking surfaces where people may stumble. Know what concerns are the causes of cracks in the concrete pool deck. Read on to today’s post and discover solutions on how to repair the damages on the pool deck.
Common cracks, crazing, and flaking are the most issues that pool new go against. The size of gaps and cracks can vary from tiny hairline cracks to larger ones that measure several inches in width, but one should always be cautious of any cracks. appears on a surface.
Cracks are the ultimate sign of damaged concrete. Improper installation, soil displacement, or severe weather conditions typically lead to the formation of cracks in concrete pool decks around pools. Now, if you have concrete pool decks, then there are more that you need to watch out for.
Pool decks are often exposed to water, which is the number one villain of porous flooring materials over time. So having your decks made of concrete and exposed to water makes it double the trouble for pool owners.
Declining decks can cause a pool of problems for you later on. Know what causes these common damages.
Common Causes
- Lack of proper reinforcements The number one problem is faulty installation due to the wrong application of structural reinforcements. Having this issue will make you worry about sinking slabs or crumbling concrete. You need foxing to target the slab’s core areas when this occurs.
- Salt buildup from deicers
Deicer salts damage the concrete surface. This usually occurs during winter when the outdoor step needs to melt the snow on the ground. This also refers to freeze-thaw damages from the alkaline chemicals released from the salt deicers. When this worsens, the surface will easily crack and reduce its coating that may cause moisture to enter the concrete’s core.
- Crumbling Concrete
Crumbling concrete means weak concrete. The common reason for weak concrete is that there is too much water used in it. The mix is too thin that makes it crumbly and prone to cracks even with the slightest impact.
Other Causes
- Weathering
Weathering due to water going in and out of the decks makes the pool decking material surface weak. Also, constant use of the decks during peak seasons makes the surface prone to cracking and flaking.
- Ground movement
Ground movement is also one of the causes of damages to the decks. When the solid under the earth moves, the solid layers on top would split and break into fragments.
The Best Ways to Fix Damaged Concrete Pool Decks
- Filling Cracks
The most common solution to fix cracks in the pool deck is with the aid of crack fillers.
To fill cracks on the pools decks’ hard but brittle surface, follow these steps:
- The first thing to do is to reveal how wide the gap is. Use a chisel for this.
- Next, clear the surface. Wipe off any debris or crumbs of pieces of concrete
- Directly fill the cracks with the filler. Make sure to apply precisely to where the damages or the gap is
- Cure the filler for at least 24 hours
- The last step is to seal the fixed concrete surface
Concrete cracks filling serves as a first aid to the cracks before it causes broader issues.
- Engraving the concrete
Concrete engraving is decorative to fix a concrete’s aesthetic. Just like crack filling, the process would start with cleaning and preparing the surface.
For engraving that will involve staining, the surface is acid-etched before any treatment is applied.
And then next to that is etching or carving the patterns on the concrete. Engraved designs are more permanent, unlike stamps or overlays.
- Recoloring
Recoloring is simply painting, dyeing, or staining the surface once it ages after its coating or coloring has faded.
Most concrete pool decks are prone to cracks due to the water splashes surrounding them. It may not be crack that surfaces on the deck, but they are beginning to look dull and unenjoyable to look at.
- Mending bigger concrete cracks
Last on this list is concrete patching. This method is done mainly for mending more significant concrete cracks. Large cracks in concrete decks will show spalling. These are when the surface chips or produces large flakes of the top layer of the surface material.
It would help if you had concrete patching to save the material from further downhill damage. Same with filling, prepare the surface and seal to finish it.
As a final reminder, patching will not fix the problem if sapling occurs to more than a meter of the surface area. Hence, cracks should be filled with a flexible sealant to allow for movement and prevent further damage. Concrete resurfacing will provide the best aid for the pool deck problem. Moreover, the estimate average cost to resurface a concrete pool deck is between $3 and $5 per square foot.
