After a long winter or a busy summer, you might notice a crack in your pool deck. At first, it may not seem like a big deal. But even a small crack can quickly become a bigger problem.
Cracks are more than cosmetic. They can let water seep beneath the deck, leading to more expensive repairs. The sooner you address the problem, the easier it usually is to fix.
The good news is that pool deck crack repair can restore your deck, improve safety, and help protect your investment.
What Causes Pool Deck Cracks?
Pool decks are built to handle years of sun, rain, and heavy foot traffic. Even so, time and the elements can eventually take their toll.
Extreme Temperature Changes
Texas weather can be tough on outdoor surfaces. Summer temperatures often climb above 100 degrees, while winter freezes can bring ice and freezing temperatures.
As concrete heats up and cools down, it naturally expands and contracts. Over time, that movement can cause cracks to form. If water gets into small cracks and freezes, it can make the damage even worse.
Shifting or Settling Soil
The ground beneath your pool isn’t perfectly still. Soil naturally settles over time, and heavy rain, drought, and changing temperatures can all cause it to shift.
When the soil moves, the concrete above it moves too. This uneven support can cause your pool deck to crack or sink in certain areas.
Chemical Exposure
Pool chemicals alone usually won’t cause cracks. But years of exposure, combined with sunlight and changing weather, can wear down sealers and some deck materials. That extra wear may make the surface more vulnerable to cracking over time.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Pool Deck Cracks
Not every crack is a major problem, but it’s never a good idea to ignore one.
Small cracks often grow larger over time. Water can seep below the deck, wash away soil, and weaken the concrete’s support. Cracks can also create uneven surfaces that increase the risk of slips and trips around your pool.
Fixing a small crack early is often much easier and less expensive than waiting until the damage spreads.
Pool Deck Crack Repair Options
The best repair depends on what’s causing the crack and how severe the damage has become.
DIY Pool Deck Repair Kits
For small surface cracks, a repair kit from a home improvement store may provide a temporary solution.
These kits are usually:
- Affordable
- Easy for homeowners to use
- Quick to apply
But they also have limitations. They work best on minor cosmetic cracks and don’t fix problems beneath the surface. If the soil has shifted or the concrete has settled, the crack will likely return.
Professional Foam Injection Repairs
If settling soil caused the crack, simply filling it won’t solve the problem.
In many cases, professionals use high-density polyurethane foam to lift and stabilize the concrete. The process typically includes:
- Drilling small holes into the concrete
- Injecting expanding polyurethane foam beneath the slab
- Lifting the concrete back into place
- Filling the holes and smoothing the surface
Because this repair addresses the problem beneath the concrete, it often lasts much longer than simply filling the crack.
Other Professional Repair Methods
Some pool decks need more extensive repairs.
Depending on the damage, your contractor may recommend:
- Reinforcing the deck with steel rebar
- Applying a concrete overlay to restore the surface
- Using professional-grade mortar to repair damaged concrete
A professional inspection can determine which repair will provide the safest and longest-lasting results.
How to Help Prevent Pool Deck Cracks
While you can’t prevent every crack, regular maintenance can help extend the life of your pool deck.
Seal Your Pool Deck Regularly
A quality sealer helps protect your deck from water, sunlight, chemicals, and everyday wear.
Most pool decks should be resealed every few years, although the exact schedule depends on the deck material and finish.
Improve Drainage Around Your Pool
Standing water can damage both your pool deck and the soil beneath it.
Keep drains clear and make sure water flows away from your pool deck. Good drainage helps protect both the concrete and the soil beneath it.
Inspect Expansion Joints
Expansion joints allow your pool deck to move as temperatures change. If these joints become damaged or lose their seal, extra stress can build up in the concrete.
Inspecting these joints regularly and replacing damaged sealant when needed can help prevent future cracks.
When to Call a Professional for Pool Deck Crack Repair
Small surface cracks may not seem urgent, but it’s often difficult to know what’s happening beneath the concrete. If a crack continues to grow, becomes uneven, or appears alongside sinking concrete, it’s time to have it inspected.
Don’t wait for a small crack to become a much bigger problem. LeMaster Custom Pools provides professional pool deck crack repair throughout South Fort Worth, including Aledo, Benbrook, Burleson, Crowley, Cleburne, Granbury, Grandview, Godley, Joshua, and Weatherford.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection and find the right repair solution for your pool deck.
