Pro tips for using specialty coatings around pools
By Tom Maellaro
Pool professionals have found themselves continuously responding to requests for residential pool renovations over the past two seasons. Now that commercial pools are now reopening, requests have also grown exponentially in this market. The pools themselves need new liners, plaster, or paint but often the pool decks are in even greater need of a repair or refresh. This is where deck paints come to the rescue. These products are designed for quick and efficient renovation of decks to repair cracks but also improve the entire pool’s appearance while making the deck safer for swimmers.
Is deck paint different from pool paint?
Deck paint is significantly different than pool paint as it is designed to withstand the heat and ultraviolet (UV) from the sun, which can cause blistering, cracking, and fading. It is also formulated to provide a non-slip, non-skid surface to promote safety by preventing slips and falls around the pool.
Deck paint is designed to withstand direct foot traffic, provide a non-slip surface, and to remain cool by not absorbing the sun’s heat, which would make it difficult to walk on with bare feet.
On the other hand, pool paints are designed to be submersed in water 24-7, with varying pH levels, while also withstanding water movement, temperature changes, chemical treatments, oils, debris, salt, and freshwater. Both deck paint and pool paint have been created to withstand their specific environments.
In fact, many decks can last five to eight years with a specialized deck paint assuming the deck was properly prepared and then painted correctly. These paints are known to be particularly well-suited to climates with extreme heat as they are rubberized, which prevents the coating from becoming dangerously hot. The same rubber ingredients also make the paint well-suited to extreme freeze-thaw climates to prevent deck cracks over the winter.
The successful use of rubberized deck paints requires the deck surface be cleaned, prepared, and primed before painting.
Clean and prep the concrete surface
Before applying a new coating system, pool professionals must make sure the deck surface is completely clean and free of loose paint, dirt, oils, or solutions. There are products designed specifically for deck preparation and using them is highly recommended. In most cases, these products can reduce the amount of time one needs to prep the deck’s surface, allowing the job to be completed in one-third the amount of time.
Pool deck coating professionals who are not using a specialty ‘clean and prep’ product should use the following steps:
- Remove any contamination from the surface using a heavy-duty cleaner/degreaser.
- Power wash the entire deck surface using a minimum 22,063-kPa (3200-psi) power washer.
- Once dry, sweep or use a blower to clear away any leftover paint chips or debris.
- Use a garden sprayer to evenly apply an acid etch preparation product to the entire surface, following the manufacturer’s mixing instructions.
- The solution should be scrubbed as it begins to foam and etch. Continue scrubbing until the foaming stops, paying extra attention to areas where heavy soil accumulates. It is important the concrete is porous.
- The surface should be flushed three times with a strong stream of clean water from a garden hose. This step should not be completed using a power washer as it lacks the volume of water required to effectively flush the surface. It is important all residual preparation solutions are removed.
