Pool Deck Cleaning

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Along with the fun of owning a pool comes the maintenance of owning a pool. Fortunately, if you stay on top of it, cleaning your pool deck doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking. Regular cleanings and taking care of small issues as they arise will lead to a pool deck that lasts and looks beautiful for years to come.

Find concrete pool deck contractors near me.

What is the best way to clean a pool deck?

A pool deck should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a year. Here’s how to give your pool deck a thorough clean:

• Remove all furniture and pool toys from the surface (dirt and grime can sometimes hide under furniture, and pool toys left sitting can sometimes create mold or mildew spots).
• Clean the entire pool deck using a pressure washer. Pressure washing a pool deck goes a lot faster than using a hose or trying to clean it by hand, so it’s worth getting your hands on one to make quicker work of this task.
• Use a cleaning solution and scrub brush to get rid of stains.

If it’s been a long time since your pool deck has been cleaned and you’re finding it difficult to get rid of unsightly stains, you may want to look into professional power washing as a solution.

Is your pool deck stamped concrete? Learn about cleaning stamped concrete in this guide.

How do you remove stains from a concrete pool deck?

Here are options for cleaning solutions you can apply to the surface then use a scrub brush to remove the stains:

• A commercial pool deck cleaner that’s formulated for the surface.
• Combination of warm water and a few squirts of dish soap.
• Combination of water, bleach, and dish soap (use about 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water) for stains that are difficult to remove.

Use a scrub brush along with your cleaning product to adequately get at the stains. A little elbow grease goes a long way.

Learn more: Cleaning Concrete with Bleach

How often to clean a concrete pool deck

Proper pool deck maintenance requires a very thorough clean once or twice a year—the frequency of major cleans depends on several factors such as:

• How often its used.
• Whether it gets of lots of debris from nearby trees and plants.
• If dirt is often tracked onto its surface.
• Frequency of animals leaving their droppings on the deck.

You’ll have a sense for how often you need to clean it based on how it looks and how difficult it is to do your thorough cleanings.

How do I remove mildew from my pool deck?

Not only is mold and mildew unsightly, it can become a safety issue when left untreated, as it is slippery. Here’s how you can address the problem:

• Spray the entire surface using a high-pressure hose or pressure washer.
• Treat mold and mildew spots with a commercial cleaner or a combination of warm water and oxygenated bleach (use 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water). Use a scrub brush to rub the cleaner into the spots until the mold and mildew is released from the surface.
• Spray the entire surface again, making sure to spray away from your pool.

You can prevent mold and mildew by having your pool deck sealed as often as needed. Unsealed concrete surfaces are porous, and therefore susceptible to mold and mildew—especially when they surround a pool. Additionally, make sure not to leave things like wet towels or pool toys on the deck.

A well cared for pool deck makes an inviting space to gather around the pool with friends and family. Deck by Quick Creations in Newcastle, CA.

How do you maintain a concrete pool deck?

There are steps you can take throughout the year to make your annual cleaning easier.

• Rid the surface of dirt and grime as it collects to prevent stains from occurring. To do this, spray off the surface using a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle.
• Prevent damage by taking care of small cracks and chips in the surface as soon as you spot them. Small problems can turn into large problems when they’re not addressed. Not only can they become unsightly, but damage can also create safety issues for people walking around your swimming pool.
• Protect your pool deck from mold and mildew by not letting wet towels and pool toys sit for long periods of time.
• Avoid planting large shrubs or trees near your pool deck to prevent root damage in your pool deck.
• Remove items made of metal from your pool deck. Even small objects such as bobby pins can create rust stains on your deck.
• Seal your pool deck (see below).

How sealers can protect your pool deck

Getting on a schedule to seal your concrete surface regularly is key to pool deck maintenance. Sealers protect your surface from general wear and tear. They also prevent the color of your pool deck from fading and keeps outside elements such as chlorine from your pool water from absorbing into the surface. Since they make your surface nonporous, sealers also make your pool deck easier to clean. Another great thing about sealers is that you can have a contractor combine the sealer with non-slip additives, making your pool deck a safer place to walk.

Discuss how often your pool deck needs to be sealed with a concrete contractor in your area.

Featured Cleaning Products

All-Purpose Concrete Cleaner Removes sealers and coatings.

Cleaner & Degreaser Starting at $11.95

Brickform Neutra Clean A pH neutral cleaner that combines cleaning and light degreasing

Micro-Degreaser Encapsulates and lifts petroleum-based oil stains

Commercial Surface Cleaners Cuts through grease and grime. Environmentally friendly

Kemiko Neutra Clean Low VOC All Purpose Cleaner. Leed compliant.

Related:
Choosing the Best Concrete Cleaner
How to Clean Mold Off Concrete