Pool Deck Coating and Repair

You probably don't need to be told that decks need a coating, stain, or some kind of treatment to protect them. The biggest threat to most kinds of decking is water damage, so your pool deck, naturally, requires even greater protection than most forms of decking. Sun and heat damage are also common destroyers of quality pool decking. Beyond providing your pool deck with a protective coating against the elements, many deck coating has a colorful, decorative tint that appeals to homeowners. There are coatings for nearly every type of decking material (and all decks benefit from protective treatments), but some forms of decking need to be spruced up more than others. Concrete, aluminum, and vinyl are all alternatives to wood decking, and they are growing in popularity. Rather than wood, many homeowners choose one of these low-maintenance alternatives and then use a pool deck coating to create a decorative and appealing surface.

Choosing a Pool Deck Coating
There are dozens of companies out there who manufacture pool deck coatings. Many of their products have something to offer your deck. Obviously, some coatings are not right for every situation. If you have a concrete deck, for example, you're not going to choose a deck coating designed for a wood deck. Even after these simple considerations are taken into account, you'll still have tons of different pool deck coating products to choose from. Some of this is a simple case of getting what you paid for. A premium pool deck coating may include the promise of never requiring reapplication. Some are geared toward protecting your decking from water damage; others are geared more toward sun and heat protection. And, of course, almost all of them promise a decorative finish for your pool deck.

Deck coating isn't exactly as ubiquitous as refrigerators or home furnaces, and it's nearly impossible to find reliable consumer reviews of these products. Rather than surveying these companies and products directly, finding a reliable pool and decking professional to help you choose a deck coating may be your best bet. Still, take a proactive approach when talking with this professional. When one deck coating is recommended, for example, ask what do I lose by choosing a less expensive coating and what do I gain by choosing a more expensive product? This way you can feel confident you're choosing not just the best pool deck coating, but the one that's best for you and your pool.

Pool Deck Repair
If you haven't been diligent with your pool deck coating and treatments, if your pool deck has suffered some other type of damage, or if your pool deck is simply old and has fallen into disrepair, you may need to call in a pool deck professional for repair. Pool deck repair is usually limited to one of three options: repair, cover, or replace. The extent of the damage and how much you want to get from your pool deck repair generally determines which course is the best for you. Superficial or minor damage can often be fixed with a simple repair. Maybe a handful of planks need to be replaced. Maybe the deck planks are still in good condition, but the deck screws need to be replaced and the deck reassembled.

Alternative decking, such as concrete, aluminum, or vinyl, doesn't require repair nearly as often as traditional wood decking, but it may also offer fewer options. Minor cracks in concrete, for example, can be filled, but significant damage to concrete almost always entails replacement decking. By telling us what type of pool decking you currently have and its general condition, we can match you with a local contractor who can help you sort through your options, the relative advantages and disadvantages of each choice, and how much your repair will cost.