6 Pool Deck Surfacing Mistakes That Should Be Avoided at All Costs
Pool decks are a perfect spot to relax, sunbathe, and spend quality time with family and friends. A striking pool deck not just enhances the overall look of your outdoor space but also boosts the property value.
However, designing and maintaining a functional and good-looking pool deck isn’t as easy as it seems. The pool surroundings need to be carefully planned to ensure that it serves its purpose and resists the negative impact of moisture, dust, foot traffic, and sunlight.
For instance, the saltwater and chlorinated pool water can damage the surfacing, compromising its performance and safety.
Not paying attention to such aspects can negatively impact your pool’s longevity and functionality. In this post, we’ve highlighted the common mistakes that should be avoided when installing a pool deck surfacing.
1. Not Weighing Your Flooring Options
The type of surfacing you choose plays a critical role in ensuring the life and performance of the pool deck. Hence, when choosing an ideal surface, homeowners and flooring installers should consider factors aesthetics, safety, durability, functionality, affordability, and ease of installation.
Failing to consider these factors can cause permanent damage to the pool structure and increase the risk of accidents. For instance, surfaces like concrete and limestone offer great traction in dry conditions. But pool decks are mostly wet, causing these surfaces to turn slippery. This greatly increases the risk of slips and falls. Hence, concrete floors need to be textured and stamped to improve their slip-resistance.
Similarly, resistance to pathogenic growth is one more critical factor to be considered when opting for a suitable pool deck flooring. A surface like brick may gather pathogens and algae. On the other hand, surfaces like rubber are naturally moisture resistant and inhospitable to mold, algae, and other types of microbes.
Opt for a pool deck surfacing after considering these factors. For more information on this matter, read through our essential guide on pool deck surfacing. The post will offer you all the information needed to make a suitable flooring decision.
2. Getting Rid of the Concrete Subfloor
If you’ve always had a concrete floor on your pool deck and are considering resurfacing it, do not get rid of the concrete. Removing and replacing this strong foundation is a costly mistake that most pool owners make. That’s because removing and replacing concrete surfaces can increase your total project cost and you’ll never be able to recoup the cost.
Concrete floors make great subfloors for durable and versatile surfaces like rubber. Talk to Rubcorp’s team of experts who can guide you in this matter.
3. Installing Natural Stone Surfacing
Most pool owners opt for natural stones like flagstone, slate, travertine, limestone, and sandstone as they are available in earthy colors and look strikingly attractive. However, these flooring options are costly as they require grout and adhesive for installation. Also, natural stone surfaces do not pay for themselves in the long term.
Finally, natural stones seem to have a complicated upkeep routine to maintain their appearance and downplay the porosity. Therefore, it’s best to avoid installing stones. If you like the stone look, consider opting for a polymer-modified overlay or a rubber surface that will get the look of natural stone without burning a hole in your pocket.
4. Not Cleaning the Pool Deck Area
Most pool decks look unsightly when the flooring is ignored or not maintained properly. This is especially true for flooring options that are tough to clean and maintain.
For instance, travertine, brick, and concrete surfaces are porous and accumulate dirt and moss if not cleaned. Plus, water easily penetrates through these surfaces, wreaking havoc on the pool foundation and affecting the durability and longevity of a pool deck. Hence, these surfaces demand constant pressure washing, degreasing, and general upkeep to keep them in top condition.
Ignoring the cleaning of your pool deck will cost you a fortune. So, remember to hire professional cleaning firms to clean and maintain your pool decking.
Better still, when resurfacing your pool deck, consider opting for an easy-to-maintain and durable flooring like poured-in-place rubber surfacing.
5. Not Accounting for Drainage
Most inexperienced flooring contractors miss out on this critical aspect when undertaking a pool deck surfacing projects. A proper drainage system is central to keeping your deck in good shape for as long as possible.
The main issues with a poor drainage system are puddling and contaminated water entering the pool. Plus, in the absence of proper drainage, the pool water can overwhelm the natural drainage system.
If the pool water is left to sit on the deck for a long time, it can damage, rot, or discolor the surface, causing it to look unsightly in no time. Also, puddling causes surfaces to get slippery, increasing the risk of falls and injuries, especially in kids and seniors.
Drains are an important element of a pool deck surface design. Only an experienced surfacing installer will allocate enough time and effort to properly plan out your pool’s drainage system. Make sure you discuss this aspect with your contractor before undertaking any pool resurfacing project.
6. Missing Out on Functional Walkways
People, whether swimmers or non-swimmers spend most of their time on pool decks, socializing and relaxing in the sun. One grave mistake pool owners make when resurfacing the pool surroundings is not planning a functional walkway around the pool.
Functional walkways are a great way to direct the foot traffic pattern around the pool. Plus, this circular path around the pool offers a safe footing for wet feet, allowing them to travel from one side of the pool to the other with ease. This factor is especially important if seniors and kids are using the pool area.
When undertaking a pool deck resurfacing project, make sure you consider this element to provide a safe and enjoyable area for all who use the pool.
Summing Up
Your pool deck can become the centerpiece of your property, provided it’s built thoughtfully and maintained in top condition. If you are considering a pool deck resurfacing, get in touch with Rubcorp’s team of experts who can guide you with the best possible solutions. Write to us at YourSurface@rubcorp.com and our team will get in touch with you!
