Why Your Concrete Pool Deck is Cracking (& Ways to Fix it)
Today’s 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
- Weak reinforcements
- Structural settling
- Movement of the ground
- Heavy use
- 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.
You’ll see tips and steps on how you can give first aid to damaged pool decks in the list below.
Concrete Pool Cracks: Types, Causes, and repair Methods
Two types of cracks greet you when you check for pool repair and maintenance. Surface cracks are the most common. The other is structural. Know why they occur and know how to prevent them.
1. Fading Concrete Sealer
Begin with the most common surface cracks. Surface cracks are apparent, and some may appear like thin hair cracks. However, you need to fix this type of damage right away.
Tiny creases on the pool decking may grow to larger ones. Only to find out later that the main reason why such damage occurred is that the pool deck sealer had faded.
Repair with an Epoxy sealer
To repair, you need to apply to reseal. A reliable concrete coatings Tampa uses top-tier floor coating to enhance resistance. Applying epoxy floor coating will enhance the pool deck’s appearance. Moreover, its slip resistance and heat resistance will improve.
2. Weak Materials
Weak materials can be both surface and interior cracks. First, the surface may only use thin floor coating. That is what, in a later time, the sealer had already faded.
Next, the reinforcements may be weak because of substandard materials. The flooring beds are not tough enough to carry the load of the concrete slabs above.
And so, the materials beneath crumbles due to lack of strength and poor quality.
Repair with Concrete Patch MIx
For reviving concrete with weak slabs, a resin-based concrete patch like polymer filler can do the magic. Resin can disperse and reach through irregular lines and gaps that are uneven.
3. Faulty Installation
A faulty installation is a man-made problem. That is why expert flooring installers recommend working only with licensed and certified contractors.
Hire a Professional Concrete Contractor
When it’s a faulty installation that you’re up against, DIY is NOT your option. To repair, you first need to call expert concrete floor contractors. You need a pool deck resurfacing Tampa or a concrete overlay to refinish the flooring.
Use recommended concrete overlays pool deck, patio, and outdoor concrete to minimize faulty installation.
4. Cracks Due to Cold Weather
Cold weather may cause the ground to shrink or expand. Cracks due to cold weather may cause both surface crack and structural damage.
See the surface first. It might be that the low temperature made the flooring too brittle.
Use Mortar to Prevent Shrinkage
Mortar filler helps to restore concrete durability when it becomes prone to shrinkage. Shrinking slabs may form deep narrow cracks. You must put a foam backer rod before applying the filler.
5. Ground movement
Significant damages on pool decks occur due to natural causes. Ground movement is on.
Many factors why the ground or soils beneath the flooring beds move. One is a natural disaster like an earthquake. Another is heat expansion.
Repair with Grout Mix
Even the slightest movement on the soil will cause the slabs above it to move. Heat expansion to the ground is natural, and it does occur often.
You need to repair expansion joints. To do this, you need a grout mix to fill the crack. In applying grout, it’s crucial to find out the extent of the damages. You might need to perform hammering down the concrete to reveal how much the gaps had grown.
Did you learn something new?
Cracks and damage won’t repair themselves. Whether you’re using an epoxy sealer or a mortar patching compound, never forget to follow the safety precautions. Be extra careful about the substances touching your bare skin and emitting toxic fumes that can hurt your lungs.
If you’re not sure, professional pool deck repair contractors are always one call away.
If you’re interested in knowing more, read about our next blog on the price of concrete floors vs. tiles.