All You Need to Know About Pool Deck Resurfacing

Pool deck resurfacing is one of the many applications for general concrete resurfacing. However, as the name suggests, pool deck resurfacing is specifically targeted to residential and commercial concrete pool decks. In this article, we'll examine pool deck resurfacing, its options, benefits, and more.

There are many options to choose from when it comes to pool deck resurfacing. No matter if a person wants to just revitalize their pool deck or if they're looking for a complete makeover, they can find a solution with this versatile service. Below, you can see the various options for pool deck resurfacing:

According to Everything About Concrete, the average concrete overlay is a blend of Portland cement, polymer resin, and various aggregates. These overlays are usually left either smooth, or broom finished, depending on your personal preference.

A concrete overlay can be applied over the repaired concrete pool deck in various thicknesses up to 2 inches, although pool decks are usually coated at 1/8 to 3/8 inches thick. This resurfacing product can be colored with integral colors or concrete stains to create various effects or patterns.

Stamped concrete for pool deck resurfacing also comes in the form of a concrete overlay. Stamped concrete overlays are poured thicker than a conventional overlay to account for the stamping process. Stamped concrete is made by applying the concrete overlay and stamping the chosen pattern across the surface using rubber stamps.

This resurfacing material can produce various patterns on your pool deck, such as natural stone, flagstone, slate, cobblestone, brick, and even wood. Each stamped design has its own pattern options as well. For example, a cobblestone pattern can be applied as straight stones or in a European fan pattern. These patterns can be combined with integral coloring and concrete staining to create hyper-realistic designs that are nearly indistinguishable from the authentic material.

Kool Deck coatings are overlays that are designed to be cooler to the touch, creating a more comfortable poolside experience. These pool deck coatings absorb less sunlight than most other materials, which is how they remain cooler than traditional concrete or acrylic coatings.

According to Kool Deck, this pool deck coating can withstand freeze-thaw cycles and doesn't require sealers to protect it from the elements. Kool Deck coatings can be stamped with various patterns, including modern travertine, slate, stone, granite, or other low-relief textures.

Acrylic coatings are made of a synthetic acrylic polymer and are applied thinly to the concrete's surface. These coatings are designed to be non-slip and come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures to fit a myriad of design styles. Aside from its non-slip surface, one of the most popular benefits of an acrylic coating is that it's resistant to fading from UV rays. Acrylic pool deck coatings are also highly resistant to staining.

Whether it's concrete, brick, or genuine stone, pavers have been a popular choice for pool deck resurfacing for decades. This method of resurfacing involves using individual pavers to create a surface with the design of your choice. As pavers are typically made of high-end materials, they can lean towards the more expensive price range compared to the other pool deck resurfacing methods. However, they do have the added benefit of quick and easy repairs. If a paver is stained, faded, or broken, you can simply replace the single paver instead of the entire pool deck.

The pool deck resurfacing process can vary depending on the type of resurfacing material that's being used. The most common pool deck resurfacing option is a concrete overlay, whether it's stamped or not. So, we'll cover the process for resurfacing a pool deck using a stamped concrete overlay.

The first step in the process is cleaning the original pool deck's surface and inspecting it for damage. Any significant damage, such as cracks, chipping, or flaking areas, will need to be repaired. Minor wear, such as pits, dents, or small holes, will be addressed during the surface prep. Cracks are typically corrected using an injectable epoxy filler, while chipping and flaking areas are usually fixed with a concrete patch.

Surface prep is one of the most critical steps in pool deck resurfacing. If a surface isn't prepped correctly, the overlay won't adhere properly to the surface, among other issues. Surface preparation is usually done in one of two ways, with either a shot blaster or a floor grinder. Floor grinders are generally the preferred choice as they're more efficient. The floor grinder will be fitted with a coarse diamond grinding wheel. The concrete's surface will then be ground down slightly to eliminate any minor blemishes, level the surface, and ensure proper adhesion.

Once the surface is prepped, concrete forms will need to be placed along the perimeter of the pool deck to contain the concrete overlay. These are usually made of wood, but other materials are available, such as plastic. The forms should follow the same path the overlay will follow and should be tall enough to prevent overflows.

With the forms in place, the mixing can begin. The concrete overlay materials are mixed and poured into the forms. The overlay should be spread throughout the pool deck, covering the entire area as it's being poured. While the overlay is applied throughout the forms, the mix that's already in place needs to be smoothed out using floats and trowels. This smoothing brings water from the mixture, known as bleed water, to the surface and ensures a clean finish.

After the concrete overlay is finished being smoothed out, color hardeners and release agents should be applied. If you're going for a natural gray look, the coloring isn't necessary. However, the release agent is key to the stamping process. Release agents prevent the concrete from sticking to the rubber stamps during the next step. If color hardeners are being used, they should be broadcast while the concrete is still wet. This allows the color hardener to mix in with the concrete, creating deep, permanent color. Once the concrete reaches the correct plasticity, which is usually when bleed water is no longer present, the release agent should be broadcast across the pool deck.

Directly after the release agent is broadcast, the stamping process should begin. Stamps of the selected design are placed in a row across the pool deck and pressed in place. After the first row of stamps is set, they are removed to start the next row. This process continues until the entirety of the pool deck has been stamped.

As the concrete overlay cures, dust will form on the surface that causes it to appear gray, regardless of whether coloring was used or not. This dust, and the residual release agent, will need to be cleaned off after the concrete has dried. In most cases, a pressure washer is used to clean off the pool deck. Once the dust and release agent is cleaned off, the pool deck's new color will be revealed. Washing the pool deck is also essential to prepping it for sealing.

After everything is cured, and the pool deck has been washed, and it's dry, it'll need to be sealed. Many different concrete sealers are available, including urethanes, acrylics, and epoxies. These form a thin film over the concrete that protects it from water and the elements.

Pool deck resurfacing offers home and business owners the chance to completely revamp their pool decks. Whether it's a worn pool deck with cracks and stains or a pool deck in excellent condition that just doesn't look attractive, home and business owners can give their pool deck a total makeover. With a myriad of options, colors, patterns, and textures to choose from, practically any style of pool deck can be created through resurfacing.

By repairing the damage and giving the pool deck a new surface that protects the underlying concrete, the pool deck's lifespan is extended much farther than it would've been if left to age. Pool deck resurfacing can potentially add up to 15 years or more to a pool deck's life.

A complete replacement for a pool deck is much more expensive and time-consuming than resurfacing it. Replacements involve tearing out the old concrete, prepping the ground, pouring all new concrete, and allowing the entire structure time to cure. The materials alone can cost more than the whole resurfacing project.

Pool deck resurfacing has many different options to choose from. This includes more budget-friendly options, such as concrete overlays, and more high-end options, such as stone pavers. No matter what type of budget you're working with or what style you're going for, there is an option for it.

Determining the cost of a pool deck resurfacing project can vary greatly, depending primarily on the pool deck resurfacing material. Each option has its own price range that can also vary depending on choices in colors, patterns, and the pool deck's size. Below, we'll take a closer look at the various costs for these options, according to Home Advisor.

• Concrete Overlays: Concrete overlays range between $3 and $7 per square foot on average.
• Stamped Concrete: Basic stamped concrete overlays typically cost between $8 and $12 per square foot. However, more involved projects with multiple colors can cost as much as $20 per square foot.
• Kool Deck Coatings: A Kool Deck coating usually costs around $4 per square foot.
• Acrylic Coatings: Acrylic coatings generally cost around $3 to $6 per square foot.
• Pavers: Pavers usually cost between $10 and $17 per square foot to install.