How To Best Protect Pool Deck From Snow?
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How Do I Protect My Pool Deck From Snow?
Did you and your family have a great pool season? I am sure that you did. I do hope that you got to enjoy relaxing & entertaining on the pool deck, even during the fall season, when it was too cold for a swim. But now with the big freeze of winter around the corner it’s time to ask, “How do I protect my pool deck from snow?”
To protect your pool deck from snow during the winter months you must:
- Remove & store items such as deck furniture, grill, etc. if possible
- Thoroughly clean the pool deck
- Repair cracks & other damages to the deck
- Reseal the pool decking
- Cover the pool deck under tarp
- Restrict access to the pool deck during winter
These steps work for all types of pool deckings; wood, concrete or natural stone pavers. The process of cleaning, repairing and resealing will, of course, depend on the material of the pool deck.
By following the above steps you will be able to protect your pool deck from snow, ice, sleet, etc. Come spring, your deck should be as good as new. Moreover, your pool deck will not be a safety hazard for you and your family during winter.
You will surely winterize your pool prior to the onset of winter. In the same spirit, you must winterize your pool deck too!
How Do You Winterize a Pool Deck?
To effectively winterize your pool deck you need to use the following six step process.
STEP 1: Clear the Deck
You should remove all items such as deck furniture, temporary slides & springboards, grills, fire pits, etc. Light weight, portable & stackable deck furniture can be very convenient. Store these items in the garage, basement or attic for the winter. You could also keep them in a shed or covered patio.
STEP 2: Clean the Deck
Once the deck has been cleared you will have access to all of the pool deck. Start off by sweeping or vacuuming the deck surface to remove dust and debris. It is especially important to get small sharp objects such as nails or screws off the deck.
Next you must identify stains and remove them. Different types of stains and decking require different stain removing chemicals. You can check out my earlier blogs for details.
CONCRETE POOL DECK: The Best Way To Clean A Concrete Pool Deck
LIMESTONE POOL DECK: You Need To Clean A Limestone Pool Deck This Way!
TRAVERTINE POOL DECK: How To Clean A Travertine Pool Deck? (7 Helpful Tips!)
Finally you should power wash the deck. Soak the area to be cleaned with a garden hose. You can add a mild pH neutral detergent to help remove grease on the deck. Use a mold killer if you see mold growth.
Never blast the pool deck with the full force of the power washer. You will do more harm than good. It is best to use a rotary surface cleaner attachment for the power washer wand.
Karcher K1700 Electric Pressure Washer 1700 PSI with 11″ Surface Cleaner is budget friendly and good enough for occasional use.
STEP 3: Repair the Cracks
Once you have removed the stain marks and thoroughly cleaned your pool deck you are likely to discover cracks and other damages to the deck. These must be repaired. If cracks are not filled in, water will seep in.
During the winter months the cracks will expand and contract due to the freeze thaw cycle. This puts unnecessary stress on the decking. Cracks can also harbor mold, mildew and insects.
Clean the crack and then use a crack filler. Make sure the filler is flexible. If the filler is not flexible, it will crack when the deck expands and contracts with changes in temperature.
STEP 4: Seal the Deck
Irrespective of whether your pool deck is wood, concrete or natural stone, sealer is the best protection against harsh winter weather. Each type of decking material requires its own specific sealer.
In outdoor applications such as pool decks, a sealer will last 1 – 3 years. But this can vary a lot depending on factors like foot traffic, etc. Resealing before the onset of winter will protect your pool deck from snow.
The best sealer for each type of decking material is
WOOD POOL DECK:
Thompson’s Waterseal Clear Water-Based Waterproofer Wood Protector even exceeds Industry Standard ASTM D-4446 for Waterproofing Wood. It is exceptionally good at
- Preventing Water Damage
- Maintaining Wood’s Natural Color
- Resisting Mildew and UV Damage
CONCRETE POOL DECK:
Foundation Armor SX5000 Water Based Silane Siloxane Penetrating Concrete Sealer is a water-based Department of Transportation approved Silane-Siloxane penetrating concrete sealer.
It penetrates deep into the substrate where it chemically reacts to form a hydrophobic barrier within the pores. This reduces the absorption of water by up to 95%. It protects concrete, from within, without changing the look or feel of the surface.
NATURAL STONE POOL DECK:
Miracle Sealants 511QT6 511 Impregnator Sealer will last 1-3 years on a natural stone pool deck. The actual life depends on the texture, foot traffic and even the strength of the power wash.
Find out more about sealing your pool deck from my earlier blog posts by clicking on links below:
CONCRETE POOL DECK: Do Concrete Pool Decks Need to Be Sealed? (Yes, It’s Important!)
LIMESTONE POOL DECK: Do Limestone Pavers Need to Be Sealed? (Why It’s Important!)
TRAVERTINE POOL DECK: Do Travertine Pavers Need to Be Sealed? (Is It Helpful?)
STEP 5: Cover with Tarp
Now that the deck has been sealed, it should be able to withstand the harsh winter conditions, including being under snow for several days. But it would be even better if you could cover up the pool deck in tarp.
Tarp will not even allow the snow & rain to get in touch with the pool deck. The deck will also be protected from mechanical damages, should there be some wind storms. Just make sure that the tarp is secured tight.
This is also the time to cover up items on the deck that will not be used but can not be moved, such as heavy deck furniture, grilling & cooking stations, etc. Should you be interested in ordering some tarp, check out the link below:
Heavy Duty TarpsSTEP 6: Restrict Access
This last step will not stop snow from falling on your pool deck, but it will certainly make it safe for young children and pets.
The pool deck is not going to be much use when it is covered with snow. Stop your kids from using it without supervision. They could get hurt if they slip on ice. You should also walk on the deck only when necessary. Stay safe!
Thank you very much for reading the post. I do hope you found it informative and helpful.
