FAQs

Why coat the deck?

There are many reasons to coat over existing concrete. A coating:

Why choose coating over pavers or concrete replacement?

Cost – Coating is a fraction of the cost of deck replacement

Warranty – Concrete typically has a one year warranty and is guaranteed to crack. Our coating has a two year warranty that can be extended indefinitely with routine maintenance and will even cover typical concrete cracks.

Maintenance – With routine maintenance our coating will look brand new for the life of the concrete structure. Paver and concrete maintenance that typically includes acid washing and/or pressure washing accelerates surface deterioration.

How long do coatings last?

A deck coating when properly prepped and applied can last 30 years when properly maintained. Just like any coating product, preparation of the substrate (Concrete) is of the utmost importance to ensure proper bonding of the material. Once the coating is applied properly, annual or bi-annual maintenance will maintain the seal of the concrete and provide a beautiful, uniform look to the entire deck for many years. Routine maintenance includes a chemical and physical deep cleaning, minor repairs to cracks and chips, and re-coloring of any patches. How often the maintenance is required is determined by the amount of use and abuse the deck receives.

Is a coating slippery?

All of our coatings are commercially rated as non-slip. There are some coatings out there that are slippery, but the Classic Knockdown texture we use around commercial pools will provide a non-slip surface for many years.

Are there multiple colors available?

Our coatings come in a variety of standard colors and can even be color matched to your paint scheme if desired. Typically associations prefer to have the deck and the coping in different complimenting colors. This sets the pool apart from the rest of the deck and is done at no additional cost.

Do coatings require maintenance?

Yes. Besides providing a non-slip, uniform, beautiful look, the main purpose of a deck coating is to protect the concrete structure of the deck from the harsh water and chemicals associated with commercial pools and spas. Although the coating keeps the water and chemicals from soaking into the concrete, concrete might still crack or chip due to movement, roots, heaving, vandalism…etc. It is very important to repair these cracks and chips in order to continue protecting the structure.

What causes coatings to fail?

There are two major factors that cause coatings to fail – improper preparation and lack of routine maintenance. Typically associations turn to a deck coating when they see signs of concrete deterioration. When preparing an already deteriorating concrete surface, we use heavy industrial grinding equipment to remove any concrete that is not solid. When deterioration begins to appear, this is a sign that the concrete has been compromised even in areas that are not showing any deterioration. The coating is important to keep the concrete structure below from deteriorating.

Can I coat a pool deck with cracks?

YES. Not only are cracks chased and filled with urethane before applying the color and seal coat, but we offer a custom scoreline to incorporate and disguise cracks to become a part of the design. If cracks have large elevation differences from one side to the other because of deck heaving, partial concrete replacement might be necessary.

What sets Pooldeks apart from competitors?

1. Preparation – We use heavy industrial grinding equipment on every deck to provide a superior bond. Most competitors skip this step due to the expense, and oftentimes simply pressure wash and/or prime without removing the deteriorated concrete whether seen or unseen. Grinding ensures that all deterioration is removed and provides the proper profile for long-term bonding.

2. Warranty – With routine maintenance we offer a warranty that will last as long as your concrete.

3. Products – We use superior products that are not chosen by price, but by quality. Our products have been lab tested and in the field have withstood the test of time.

4. Service – Our team provides the best service in the industry.

What coating should I choose?

The number one tried and tested coating surface for commercial pools is the Classic Knockdown finish. It provides the best non-slip finish in any color and can be easily matched and blended if future repairs are needed. Other textures are not as slip resistant for commercial applications, and if repairs are needed will typically require complete re-coloring in order to blend.

Should I just stain the deck?

Stains can sometimes work and look good on fresh concrete. Unfortunately, trying to stain a deck that has already been discolored by chemicals or calcium build-up will not stain consistently. The areas that are discolored will absorb a stain differently than the areas with no discoloration.

Can all decks be coated?

No. Coating is not for every situation. If the concrete deck was originally constructed improperly, or if it has not been able to hold up to its environment, it might not be a candidate for a protective coating. If your deck has “Hopscotch” cracking, it means that the deck was constructed with improper steel placement. This issue is often accompanied by a lot of rust. If there is major cracking and heaving due to roots, soil expansion or earth movement, your deck might not be a good candidate. If your original deck was covered by an epoxy-aggregate (sometimes called “rice crispies”, it cannot be coated over unless the aggregate is removed. This type of aggregate is pretty thick and will cause significant elevation issues once removed.

Won’t the coating cost more than concrete because of the maintenance?

Actually, over the course of 25-30 years, a coating will cost about the same as a newly poured concrete deck. The difference is that with a coating, your deck will have a consistent color and texture and a new beautiful look over the entire 25-30 years. And since the concrete will be protected over that time, it can still keep going without the costly replacement at the end. Conversely, a newly poured concrete deck will have the same consistent color and texture for a couple of years, and then it will look 3 years old, 5 years old, 10 years old…etc., and then will look and feel like a deck that needs to be replaced the last ten years of its life before another large investment.