Caring
for your concrete pool deck
Frederick M. Hueston
stoneforensics.com
Concrete is an ideal
material for pool decks due to its durability, affordability, custom design
capabilities, and environmental friendliness. It is perfect for high traffic areas
like pools.
Just because concrete
is low maintenance doesn't mean it requires no upkeep. Proper care is crucial
to maintain its appearance, as the area has likely cost a significant amount of
money. Neglecting debris, leaves, dirt, and potential animal intrusions can
lead to damage if left unchecked. It's best to address any issues promptly.
Cleaning a concrete
pool deck is not as challenging as commonly believed. With the correct tools
and method, it can be easily maintained. It's important to keep some key
considerations in mind during the process.
Cleaning Frequency
Concrete pool decks
should typically be cleaned at least annually, but if the area is heavily used,
more frequent cleaning may be required if stains appear.
Being a pool owner
includes regular cleaning and maintenance. Initially, it may seem
time-consuming, but with experience, you will learn effective methods to make
the process more efficient.
Start the cleaning
process by clearing the area of all furniture, pool toys, and other items.
Remember that dirt and grime can accumulate under furniture and go unnoticed.
This can cause mold or mildew spots if left untreated, so be thorough when
cleaning to prevent future problems. Cleaning under furniture multiple times a
year, even if not thoroughly, can prevent stains from developing and make
future cleanings easier.
How to Clean your pool deck
You'll
need a few essential items in order to effectively finish cleaning the concrete
pool deck. One of the most crucial tools is a pressure washer because it makes
cleaning the area more quicker than trying to do it by hand. To get rid of any
stains that have built up over time and are difficult to handle, you'll also
need a cleaning solution and a scrub brush. You may either buy a concrete-safe commercial
pool deck cleaning solution or prepare your own by combining warm water and
dish soap.
If
you decide to go this method, start with a ratio of 10 parts water to 1 part
dish soap. For optimal results, use a light dish soap that degreases. When you
start the procedure and realize the solution isn't strong enough, gradually add
more soap to the mixture until the desired effects start to appear. To get the
solution to work precisely how you need it to, it can require a little bit of
trial and error.
For
stubborn stains, mix the aforementioned dish soap with 1 cup of bleach per
gallon of water. Below is further information on how to particularly remove
stains.
Depending
on the circumstance, you could also require a mop and a sizable, spotless
bucket for combining your cleaning solution.
Following
the removal of all furniture and other items from the pool deck, take the
following actions:
•
Use a pressure washer to thoroughly clean the pool deck. Make several passes as
necessary, depending on how much debris has accumulated. Be careful not to use
a zero tip on the pressure washer. Use a fan tip and hold it at least 24 inches
from the surface of the deck.
Use
your garden hose instead of a pressure washer if you don't have one available,
but keep in mind that the job will take longer.
•
In the big, clean bucket, combine your preferred concrete cleanser.
•
Apply the cleanser with your mop to the entire concrete pool deck.
•
Pressure wash once more as necessary to get rid of the extra cleaning agent.
Keep
an eye on the appearance of your concrete pool deck before, during, and after
this procedure. Particularly if you're not dealing with any challenging stains,
you ought to notice a sizable difference immediately. To return your concrete
pool deck to its previous appearance and sparkle, you'll need to repeat the
procedure as often as necessary.
Stain Removal?
As
previously mentioned, you will have to work on those challenging locations by
hand to remove stains that have grown on your concrete pool deck. Apply the
cleaning agent to the surface and scrub. If you're using a commercial cleaner,
read the recommendations carefully because you might need to let it sit in the
area for a while for it to work most effectively.
Then,
using a scrub brush, manually remove the stains. Don't be afraid to exert some
power; this is unquestionably one of those circumstances where a little bit of
effort goes a long way. Do not be afraid to let the area dry and try again if
the stains cannot be eliminated on the first attempt.
Safety
is a crucial factor to take into account while using any kind of cleaning
solution, whether it is manufactured at home or bought from a store. Rubber
gloves should still be worn even when you're outside and in an area that should
be adequately ventilated to prevent coming into contact with the solution.
Additionally advised as an additional layer of defense is eye protection. To
prevent breathing in the fumes from the solution that can develop, several
specialists even wear breathing masks.
Use
your pressure washer to rinse the area one more to eliminate any remaining
solution when you are certain that the stain has been removed and the concrete
pool deck is as clean as you want it to be. Avoid coming into contact with any
flowerbeds, trees, or other plants that may be a part of your landscape while
carrying out this task. It's possible that the extra cleaning solution will
hurt them. Additionally, you should refrain from touching the pool area's
furniture during this time because the solution, particularly one that contains
bleach, may result in long-term problems.
Maintaining the pool deck
You
must carry out this kind of deep cleaning at least once a year, if not more
frequently, to maintain your concrete pool deck. Many pool owners clean their
pools twice a year, in the spring and the fall. If there has been a lot of foot
traffic in the area, if soil is routinely moved onto the deck, or if there is a
lot of trash buildup from nearby trees or plants, you might need to do this
more frequently.
Also
keep in mind that having animals around could make cleaning more necessary
frequently. It's best to address the issue now rather than waiting for an
eventual long-term problem to arise because animal droppings can quickly result
in stains.
If
you haven't already, consider spending money on a waterproof deck coating for
your concrete pool deck to make the process simpler in the future. This helps
to make the area easier to clean in general and can help to keep surfaces
stain-free even when they are heavily used. Your pool deck will last longer and
look better over the entire season, just as it should.
This
is important to remember because unfinished concrete is porous by nature.
Because of this, things like a pool deck made of unsealed concrete are
naturally prone to mold and mildew. The problem is only made worse by the fact
that this surface is situated next to a sizable body of water. Similar to how
you can prevent immediate problems, avoid keeping wet towels, cloths, or other
damp items on the surface itself.
Additionally,
you should fight the impulse to grow big plants right next to your concrete
pool deck. This will lessen the possibility of root injury.
When
possible, always take out everything composed of metal from your concrete pool
deck. With so much moisture present, even little objects can rust, staining the
concrete deck surface.
Finally,
you should take care of any little cracks or chips in the concrete pool deck
that you uncover throughout the year to help make cleaning simpler and prevent
long-term damage. Even if a tiny crack doesn't affect you particularly, you
should nonetheless fix it right away. Almost always, small problems will grow
into much larger ones that are far more difficult and expensive to resolve.
They may also pose possible risks to the safety of those using the pool's
perimeter.
