Your concrete pool deck is usually one of the first things people notice when in regard to your pool. It can also be one of your biggest investments other than the pool itself. Therefore, it's a good idea to properly maintain and protect your concrete pool surround so that it can provide you with many years of use.

Why it's important to seal your concrete?

Sealing concrete is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your concrete can withstand many years of harsh winters, blazing hot summers and constant use and traffic. It is also an inexpensive and fast way to maintain the appearance of your pool area.

In Northern regions, the freezing and thawing cycles throughout the winter cause the most damage to concrete, as the expansion and contraction of the water that is in the concrete actually can break down the concrete, causing it to chip, flake, pit and/or crack.

It is important to protect your concrete deck with a penetrating sealer to reduce the amount of water and ice that is absorbed into the concrete.

The products to seal your driveway

A penetrating, siloxane sealer penetrates below the concrete's surface and forms a hydrophobic barrier against water and ice. A penetrating sealer, unlike a surface sealer, does not change the texture of the concrete and does not create a gloss over the cement.

Many pool decks are sealed with a colored sealer or a clear acrylic sealer. These can be reapplied to ensure a coating is always in place.

The Steps to Take

If you have a newly poured deck, you'll need to let it cure for about 2-4 weeks before you apply a sealer to ensure all the moisture has escaped form the cement.

The first step you'll need to take is to brush off the deck or pressure wash the surface to remove any debris, stones, leaves dirt or mildew. Use a stiff nylon brush to remove any mildew, and use a pressure washer to remove any oils or grease stains. Allow the driveway to dry for at least 24 hours. This also means that it can't rain for at least 24 hours.

You can apply the sealer to the cement using a sprayer, roller or brush (for small areas). If you use a sprayer, it is best to go back over the area with a roller to achieve an even coat. You'll want to apply enough of the sealer to acheive full coverage on the concrete, but not enough to create any pools or puddles of sealer.

The sealer should dry in about 1-4 hours, although it is best to keep traffic off the concrete for at least 24 hours. These time estimates can vary, so read the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations carefully before re-sealing your concrete.

A properly sealed pool deck will provide you with years of protection against damage. With such a quick and simple project, there's no reason not to re-seal your concrete as often as required!