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How To Repair Cracks In Concrete Pool Deck

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Causes Of Pool Deck Problems

How to fix cracks and holes on a concrete pool deck.

There are several factors that cause pool and pool deck problems. Most of the time, these issues have something to do with settlement and soil movement. The most common causes of pool deck movement and other issues:

  • Poor Pool Construction: When the pool is constructed, the backfill material may not be properly compacted. As a result, the soil settles and creates voids under the pool deck.
  • Heavy Concrete Slab: Heavy concrete slab around the pool can cause loose soil to compress under the slab. This leads to settlement and sinking concrete surfaces.
  • Fluctuating Weather Patterns: Hot weather conditions and cold weather causes the concrete to expand and contract. Freeze and thaw conditions can also be a major factor.
  • Sinkhole Formation: When sinkholes form around your property or under your pool or deck, they can cause the soil and the ground surface above to shift. This leaves your pool and deck without adequate support, leading to settlement, cracking, and possibly collapse.

We offer pool deck leveling services to lift and permanently stabilize your settling pool deck back to normal. Well help you avoid trip hazards and increase the longevity of your pool deck.

How Much Does Concrete Repair Cost

The cost for concrete resurfacing depends on the size of the project and the type of concrete resurfacing you prefer. Average concrete resurfacing cost per square foot is around $9 to $15 depending on the complexity of the job. You can expect to pay around $3,000 to $4,500 for an average concrete resurfacing project.

Why Your Concrete Pool Deck Is Cracking

Todays post gives the reasons why your pool deck is cracking and how you will fix it. It is not enough that you can tell signs of damages. Most of the time, you see thin hair creases, and you think it does not give you much trouble. But, as expert pool contractors say, any type of cracks in the pool needs urgent attention.

Old decking materials are also the number one reason for;pool deck damage. For example, you may have tiles, pavers, and concrete. All of these are prone to cracks.

Pool deck problems happen due to the following:

  • Weak materials
  • Lack of protective concrete floor sealer
  • Poor installation

The above mentions typical causes of cracking on pool decks. But these are no big deal. Make sure that you know what to do, who to call, and where to get the materials.

Youll see tips and steps on how you can give first aid to damaged pool decks in the list below.

Read Also: How Much Do Blue World Pools Cost

Get A Quote To Eliminate Swimming Pool Trip Hazards Today

Worried that your sinking swimming pool deck might be a tripping hazard? Thrasher has successfully raised and restored hundreds of pool decks in Omaha, Lincoln, Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Bellevue, Grand Island, Kearney, Norfolk, Fremont, North Platte and throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. Contact us today! We can answer any questions you have about concrete repair and provide you with a free estimate to repair your pool surround.

Step 1: Prepare The Surface

Concrete Repair

So, you’ve made the decision to resurface your concrete. The first thing you need to do is clean the surface.

You have to remove all the loose, damaged concrete if there is any.

And you have to remove any dirt, debris, mold, and mildew.

The two ways I do that are by either lightly grinding the concrete or by pressure washing the concrete.

If you grind the concrete use a face mask and hook up a vacuum to the grinder to reduce any dust.

Pressure washing will work just fine for cleaning as long as you don’t have any loose and spalling concrete.

Completely clean the concrete afterwards by vacuuming any leftover dust or rinsing off any loose dirt left over by the pressure washer.

If you washed the concrete, let it dry out for 24 hours before proceeding.

Also Check: Can Vdara Use Aria Pool

How Do You Repair A Concrete Pool

How do you repair a concrete pool?

How do you fix a leaky concrete pool?;Concrete crack leak sealing injection with high-quality TDI polyurethane* is the best way to stop a leaking concrete pool crack. This is because the TDI polyurethane is injected deep into the building element forced under high pressure.

Why do concrete pools crack?;Concrete pool cracks can have various causes. Insufficient soil compaction during pool installation can often lead to soil movement, as do repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Wear and tear on materials can also cause cracks in your concrete pool, especially if their quality is poor.

How long do concrete pools last?;How Long Will a Concrete Pool Last? A concrete pool should last decades if it is properly maintained. While the shell of the pool can become damaged if the building was not done correctly, a well-constructed concrete swimming pool should last a lifetime.

Pressure Wash Your Pool Deck

One obvious yet important way to help your cement last longer is to keep it clean. With debris from trees, dirt, mud and other elements, a dirty pool deck is inevitable. Additionally, the damp environment can lead to algae and mold growth, which is not only unsightly, but can create a slippery, dangerous surface.

Pressure washing is the easiest and most effective way to remove dirt and algae growth, and it’s a relatively easy project. If you’re the DIY type, you can purchase or rent a pressure washer and concrete cleaner and finish the process in a matter of hours. Hiring a professional is another viable option, and can likely become part of your annual or bi-annual service schedule.

Don’t Miss: How Much Water Is In My Pool

Concrete Deck Repair Problems

If you splurged and went all out on multi-colored stamped concrete, you might be more than a little disappointed to see cracks forming on your beautiful poolside deck. We can take measures to prevent concrete cracks, but theres no way to guarantee that cracks wont appear.

Repairing concrete deck cracks is often simple, but there are a few problems that you can expect to encounter:

Use A Sealant To Protect Your Concrete

How to Repair Driveway, Patio & Pool Deck Cracks Before Applying Concrete Overlay

Using a sealant is beneficial for any concrete surface, but is especially important for pool deck surfaces because of the increased exposure to water and other elements. Unprotected concrete stains easily and is prone to surface damage and physical deterioration.

Nature can cause stains from moss, mold, algae, leaves or simply a buildup of deeply seated dirt. Then there are the typical man-made stains that can occur from contaminants like oil and fertilizer. Regardless of the cause of the stain, these ugly spots and patches drastically affect how concrete looks and the overall appearance of the property.

Surface pitting and physical deterioration – or spalling – is another common problem where one or many areas of the concrete surface are peeling or flaking away. Spalling is created – and accelerated – with the freeze/thaw cycle. Moisture is absorbed into the concrete and, as temperatures drop, freezes and expands, breaking the walls of the concrete surface pores. Once that damage occurs, the surface area exposed to future damage increases – meaning the effects of the freeze/thaw cycle worsen exponentially every year.

Using a concrete sealant goes hand-in-hand with pressure washing, and should be part of your annual maintenance regiment – whether as a DIY project or hiring a contractor. Not only will you instantly improve the beauty of your pool deck, but you’ll help protect and extend the lifespan of your concrete by controlling water seepage and preventing damage.

Recommended Reading: Where To Buy Swimming Pools

Why Is My Concrete Pool Deck Cracking

Minor cracking is a shared pool deck problem, and it becomes a cause for concern if it distorts the appearance of your surface or a risk factor. If you notice the cracks have become a cause for concern, we hired someone when we did concrete resurfacing in minnesota and it went really well and allowed us to document this process.

Here are some of the causes of concrete cracks:

Soil expansion. A considerable portion of the US has soils that expand when they get wet. When the grounds get wet, they expand, causing the nearby concrete to crack. The more water penetrates the soils, the more the expansion and cracking.

Groundwater movement. Areas with high groundwater levels make in-ground pools to float through hydrostatic pressure. Any activity or shift of the groundwater will lead to pool-deck cracking.

Winters and Summers lead to the development of cracks. Rainwater or melting snow sips into concrete cracks and freezes. When water freezes, it undergoes a sudden expansion that exerts pressure on concrete, making it crack. This problem is expected during the winter season.

As winter fades away, the concrete moves from cool to hot, this sudden expansion and contraction of concrete leads to cracking. If your pool has no efficient control and expansion joints, the change reactions in season will be more severe.

If you add too much water into your concrete, the slab will become weak, leading to cracks and surface problems.

How Do You Fix Sinking Concrete Around Your Pool

If your concrete surface is sinking, a contractor can use a technique called slabjacking to fix the problem. This option can prevent you having to remove your pool deck altogether.

The slabjacking process follows these steps:

  • A pattern of holes are drilled through the sunken slab.
  • A grout mixture is pumped under the slab, lifting it to the desired height.
  • The holes are patched using a concrete mixture.
  • Also Check: How To Take Calcium Off Pool Tile

    Concrete Pool Deck Cracks: Causes Types Repair Methods

    You dont have to spend a ton of money to have a beautiful deck around your swimming pool.

    Enter concrete.

    Concrete pool decks are affordable, relatively easy to maintain, and easy to customize. They can also be comparable in aesthetics to more expensive pool decking materials.

    While concrete has a reputation for being strong and durable, its also prone to cracking. By that, we mean its almost inevitable that your concrete pool deck will crack at some point in time.

    As fiberglass pool manufacturers with years of installation experience, we can confirm that cracking concrete is a common issue in pool decks. Because its such a widespread problem for everyone who has concrete on their property , were going to explain how concrete cracks, why it cracks, and what you can do to repair it.

    Concrete usually cracks for at least one of the following reasons:

    • Structural settling
    • Poorly placed control or expansion joints
    • Improperly mixed concrete
    • Fluctuations in temperature

    Cracks in a concrete deck can be the first sign of structural settling or ground movement. If the cracks are still active, you need to hire an engineer to find out the cause and get to the root of the problem before you try to patch the cracks in your pool deck. This is especially important for cracks close to the pool because it can mean bigger and more expensive problems for your swimming pool in the future if you dont act fast.

    An Ounce Of Maintenance Now Is Worth A Pound Of Resurfacing Later

    Concrete Repair

    Remember, the more quickly you take care of concrete damage, the less youll have to worry about any major pool deck resurfacing or repairs. Patch small cracks as they come up, and regularly pressure wash your deck to prevent the buildup of dirt, moss, and grime that aggravates cracking.

    And once youve got those pesky cracks fixed, consider total pool deck resurfacing to enhance your little slice of paradise, not to mention improve curb appeal if you ever plan to sell. Youll be glad you did.

    Happy Swimming!

    Also Check: How To Keep Bugs Out Of Pool

    How Pool Deck Resurfacing Makes Your Life Easier

    Aside from the fact that cracked concrete looks a little shabby, too many cracks can make your pool area extremely dangerous for your swimmers and your wallet.

    Sharp concrete edges arent exactly friendly to bare feet. And even a light fall on concrete while wearing a swimsuit can mean more than just skinned knees.

    Then theres the financial danger of poorly maintained concrete. When water seeps into unattended cracks, it can end up collecting behind the walls of your pool. Too much water can shift the soil and damage the structure, cracking your liner and causing a pool leak.

    We probably dont need to remind you how expensive that can be, but were going to anyway.

    • Finding a leak yourself costs nothing. But if you cant find it, youll spend a few hundred dollars for a pro to find and repair the leak.
    • Having a professional do a vinyl patch job can cost a couple hundred dollars.
    • Replacing an entire vinyl liner can cost more than a thousand dollars.
    • Repairing your concrete foundation can run about $65 per linear foot, depending on what type of liner you have and where you live.
    • Filling in hollow spots behind your concrete foundation can cost between several hundred and more than a thousand dollars depending on the size of your pool.

    So you see how a few seemingly innocuous cracks can lead to expensive pool repairs. But you can avoid those repairs by resurfacing your pool deck and then keeping up with regular concrete maintenance.

    Where Those Darn Cracks Come From

    Overall, concrete is a pretty durable material. But if it has one major weakness, its the weather. Even though it looks solid, concrete contracts and expands with changes in temperature. A 40°F drop in temperature can result in a 0.03 inch contraction. It might not seem like much, but its enough to cause cracks.

    Another factor is improperly laid concrete. If the concrete used for your deck was improperly mixed or finished on a particular windy day, it can stress the slab and lead to surface or structural cracks. The problem is, you wont know it was poorly done until its too late.

    Concrete Deck Repair: How To Fix Cracks In Concrete

    Discovering a crack big enough to warrant concrete deck repair can be very frustrating. It may cause you an immediate desire to contact a contractor who can undertake a repair. However, you can also complete the work yourself by following the steps below.

    Step 1 Note the Weather

    Undertaking a concrete deck repair in any extremes of weather will only yield poor results because the concrete will not adhere correctly. Hot and sunny conditions will cause the concrete to dry too quickly and shrink away from the sides. Weather that is too wet will not give the concrete the opportunity to dry. Conditions that are too windy can thwart your attempts to protect the repair and may leave ripples in the wet concrete.

    Step 2 Examine the Area

    To ensure that the concrete deck has not sustained more cracks than you realize, examine the entire deck carefully. Check for any cracks within joins and hidden sections. This examination will allow you to complete the entire concrete deck repair at the same time. ;

    Step 3 Choose the Concrete

    Once you have examined the area, you will be in a better position to decide which type of concrete you need because you will be aware of the severity of the cracks. You can complete more superficial concrete deck repair with concrete filler, which is available at most hardware stores. Deeper cracks and more major damage may require a concrete that you mix.;A variety with a high lime content will be more flexible and therefore best to use for;repairs.

    Does Concrete Crack Under Heat

    Pool Deck Crack Repair Explained (No Demo)

    Yes, concrete expands and contracts when heating and cooling, also referred to as thermal expansion. If expansion joints arent spaced properly, theres a chance your pool deck can form cracks as the temperature changes. In addition, hot weather can crack concrete as it cools down if the surface of the concrete is different from the concretes interior temperature.

    Live Somewhere Cold Read This First

    If you live in the kind of place where you joke about having winter eight months out of the year, concrete maintenance can be a chore and a half. Thats because exposure to cold weather adds a slew of additional cracking opportunities for your deck.

    It also means you need to be careful about when you repair your cracks. If you live in an area with spring blizzards and summer hail storms, you need to pay attention to the forecast before you even consider doing repairs.

    You need at least 24 hours of non-freezing conditions before laying concrete. You also want to make sure your repair concrete is just as cold as or colder than the ambient air temperature when you place it.

    Cold concrete has a longer curing time, giving it more strength and durability in freezing conditions. Warm mixtures dry faster, which means less overall strength.

    Above all, be sure to read your concrete manufacturers instructions when laying in a cold weather area. They will often have the best recommendations for their product.

    How To Repair Pool Deck Cracks For Your Tenants

    In Commercial Blog Posts by John TopaMarch 28, 2019

    Concrete pool decks can be put under a lot of stress, especially since theyre constantly being exposed to the elements. A common occurrence with decks is cracking, which could stem from a few different causes. In this blog post, well look at how you can repair cracked concrete pool decks for your tenants.

    Poorly Compacted Fill Soil

    During the construction of an in-ground pool, dirt is first excavated to create space for it. Some of dirt is then replaced around the perimeter of the constructed pool shell. This dirt is known as fill soil or backfill. The concrete pool deck is then poured directly on this fill soil. So, if it was poorly compacted – and it often is – backfill will compress over time, creating a void under the deck. With nothing to support it, the concrete can often crack, break and settle into the void.

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