Concrete Pool Decks in Brentwood, TN

Pool decks take more abuse than most concrete on a property. They stay wet for months, get splashed with treated water, bake in the sun and carry furniture, grills and a lot of bare feet. In Brentwood, where Wikipedia's climate table puts the July average high at 89.5 degrees, a deck also has to stay cool enough to walk on. A well-built concrete pool deck handles all of that, and when one fails it usually fails for the same reason other slabs do here: water working into clay underneath.

Common pool deck problems

• Deck sections that have sunk or tipped toward the pool
• Gaps opening between the deck and the coping
• Cracks running out from corners, drains and returns
• A surface that is slick when wet or rough enough to scrape feet
• Water that puddles on the deck instead of draining off
• Faded, flaking coatings on older decks

Some of these can be fixed. A sunken section can sometimes be lifted, and a worn but solid deck can be resurfaced. HomeGuide's resurfacing guide lists pool deck resurfacing at $3 to $6 per square foot for basic work and $6 to $12 for decorative finishes. When sections have heaved, broken up or pulled away from the coping, replacement is usually the lasting fix.

Drainage around the water

A pool deck should pitch away from the pool so dirty runoff does not wash into the water, and it should not send that water toward the house either. We plan the slope, deck drains and the discharge point together, and on sloped Brentwood lots we look at where uphill runoff will come from during a heavy spring storm. Under the deck, a compacted stone base keeps the clay from staying saturated. Where the deck meets the coping, an expansion joint lets the two move independently, which protects the pool structure.

Surfaces that grip

Fixr's pool deck guide notes that texturing and aggregate make concrete less slippery, while a smooth finish can be slippery when wet. Options we pour include:

• Broom finish: simple, inexpensive, good grip
• Exposed aggregate: stone texture with strong traction
• Stamped concrete: stone or slate patterns, sealed with an anti-slip additive
• Spray-textured or cool-deck style finishes: a textured topping that stays cooler underfoot

Lighter colors stay cooler in summer than dark ones, so on a deck in full sun we usually suggest a light gray, tan or sand tone.

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Working around an existing pool

On a deck replacement, we protect the pool, coping and equipment during tear-out, keep debris out of the water, and plan the work so the pool is back in use as soon as possible. If the pool itself needs work, such as new coping, tile or plaster, it makes sense to coordinate with your pool company so the deck is poured after their part is done. For a brand new pool, the pool builder handles the pool permit; we pour the deck once the shell and plumbing are in.

Upkeep

Rinse the deck regularly, clean up leaves before they stain, keep deck drains clear and reseal decorative or stamped surfaces every few years. Fill open joints so water does not get under the deck.