Pool Decks in Wellington, FL

Pool decks in Wellington get used most of the year, by wet feet in bright sun and heavy rain. A concrete deck has to do several jobs at once: carry water away from the pool and the house, give grip when it is wet, stay tolerable to walk on when July highs average around 92 degrees, and stay tight against the coping as the ground beneath it shifts. Many decks in the village date to the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s along with the homes, and those are the ones we see lifting, cracking and flaking today.

Common pool deck problems

• Cracks running out from the pool: often from settling of the backfill around the shell.
• Low spots and birdbaths: water that sits instead of reaching the deck drain or the lawn.
• A gap or offset at the coping: the deck has dropped or lifted relative to the pool edge.
• Peeling or worn texture: an old spray or knockdown topping coming loose in patches.
• Slick, polished areas: smooth concrete or worn sealer around steps and entries.

Resurface, repair or replace?

If the slab under the deck is sound and level, a new textured topping can make it look and feel new. HomeGuide's resurfacing guide lists basic pool deck overlays at $3 to $6 a square foot and decorative ones at $6 to $12, and says resurfacing lasts 8 to 15 years before it needs repairs. A section that has dropped but is still in one piece can sometimes be lifted; HomeGuide's leveling guide prices mudjacking a 400-square-foot pool deck at $1,600 to $3,600.

When the deck is broken into many pieces, has cracks wider than about a quarter inch or slopes back toward the house, a new deck is the better choice. HomeGuide notes that replacing an existing pool deck runs about $5 a square foot more than a new installation because the old concrete has to be removed and hauled away.

How we build a new deck

The old deck comes out carefully around the coping, skimmer and equipment lines. We compact the base, paying attention to the backfill next to the pool shell, where settling usually starts. Forms are set so the deck slopes away from the pool and the house toward deck drains or the yard. Expansion material goes against the coping and the house, and control joints are cut where they will do the most good. When a pool is being remodeled, we coordinate with the pool contractor so the deck goes in at the right stage.

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Finishes for bare feet

• Broom or light texture: simple, grips well and costs the least.
• Spray or knockdown texture: a thin textured topping over concrete, popular around South Florida pools for its feel underfoot.
• Stamped patterns: stone, slate or tile looks, sealed with a slip-resistant additive.
• Exposed aggregate: stone at the surface for traction.

Light colors stay cooler in the sun than dark ones, which matters on a deck people walk barefoot. Sealers should be rated for wet areas and include grit where people step in and out of the water.

Rules around pools

Pool safety barriers are a building code matter in Florida, and Wellington's permit fee schedule includes a penalty for filling a new or remodeled pool before the barrier inspection is approved. If your deck work is part of a pool remodel, we confirm with the Village and the pool contractor what inspections apply and when the deck work fits in. HOAs may also have rules on deck colors and screen enclosures.

Looking after a deck

Rinse off pool chemicals, leaves and sunscreen regularly. Keep deck drains clear so water does not stand. Reseal on schedule, especially stamped and colored decks, and fill hairline cracks before water gets under the slab.