A pool deck has a harder job than a patio. It stays wet, people walk on it barefoot, and it sits in full sun all summer. We pour new decks behind pool builders and replace cracked, sunken decks around older pools. Call (817) 207-5579 to set up a time for us to come see the pool.
Building a deck that stays put
Most pool deck trouble starts with water getting under the slab. The backfill around a pool shell settles, and the soil below it soaks up splash-out and rain. We compact the base in layers, slope the deck away from the water, and add deck drains where the yard does not let water run off on its own.
- An expansion joint between the coping and the deck, sealed with a flexible caulk
- Steel throughout the deck, not only at the edges
- A pitch of about an eighth to a quarter inch per foot toward drains or the lawn
- Control joints laid out so cracks run between the lounge chair spots
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Broom finish deck, per sq ft | $6 to $10 |
| Exposed aggregate deck, per sq ft | $9 to $14 |
| Stamped deck with grit sealer, per sq ft | $12 to $20 |
| Tear-out of an old deck | Add about $1 to $4 per sq ft |
Typical ranges, not quotes. Drains, curves around a freeform pool and hand work near the coping can add to the price.
Finishes for bare feet
August highs in Fort Worth average 95 degrees, which puts more weight on the finish of a pool deck than on any other slab at the house.
- Textured cool deck coating: a sprayed and knocked-down finish that stays cooler than bare concrete and has grip
- Broom finish: grippy and the least money, but rough on kids who run
- Stamped: wood plank or stone looks, sealed with grit added
- Exposed aggregate: good grip and hides dirt, with smaller stone feeling better underfoot
Lighter colors stay cooler. A dark stamped deck looks great in pictures and can be too hot to walk on at 4 in the afternoon.
Call and we will come look at the deck and price it.
Working with your pool builder
Fort Worth lists swimming pools as accessory structures that need a building permit, and the pool builder usually carries that permit. On a new pool we come in after the shell, coping and plumbing are done. We need to know where the equipment pad, the skimmer lids, the light junction box and any deck jets go before we set forms.
On an older pool, replacing the deck means breaking it out carefully near the coping so the bond beam is not damaged. We cut a clean line, work the last few feet by hand and pour new against a fresh joint.
Questions about Pool Decks in Fort Worth
- Can you replace the deck without hurting the pool?
- Yes, with care. We saw cut along the coping joint and break the last strip by hand. The coping stays in place unless it is loose already, in which case we tell you before we start.
- What deck finish stays the coolest?
- A light-colored textured coating stays the coolest of the concrete options. Plain light gray broom finish is a close second. Deep stamped colors soak up the most sun and burn bare feet.
- Why is my pool deck sinking?
- Usually the backfill around the pool shell was not compacted well, or water has been getting under the slab through an open joint at the coping. The [leveling page](/concrete-leveling) goes over lift or replace.
Call us, or send the form, and we will set a time to look at the job and price it in writing.