The installation of stamped concrete around the pool in your home is one of the cost-effective ways of saving on your pool deck destruction, but what about the safety?
If you are a homeowner planning to construct a new swimming pool on your property or renovate the old one, you may want to find out whether pool stamped concrete is a safe option for you. It is important to know what could affect the installation process and how safe the materials are for you and your loved ones.
In this article, we discuss the safety of stamped concrete around your pool and what you can do to make it safer. Click here to learn more about pool stamped concrete services.
What is stamped concrete?
Also known as embossed concrete, stamped concrete has stone patterns or concrete-made brick paving. This can be used to design your pool with a stone-like look. Its beauty is further enhanced with the addition of different colors.
Going for stone or brickwork imitations will help to design your pool with less cost. Concrete is the main material that is needed for stamped concrete. This is then stamped or shaped into different patterns and beautiful designs, thereby giving your poolside a beautiful look.
The installation of your stamped concrete around is not a DIY project. So, it should only be done by a professional stamped concrete professional with enough experience. This is because the process requires great attention to details. Also, timing is a critical factor in the process because mixing and the addition of hardeners, colors, and other treatments must be done with precise timing.
Stamped Concrete for Your Pool Deck
When planning to build a new pool deck or resurface the current one, one of your considerations should be the safety of your loved ones. With the necessary precautions taken, you will be able to prevent accidents.
Although pools are built for the fun they bring, they can quickly become dangerous when the right things are not done when surfacing the decks around them. For example, the materials used to build pool decks can get slippery and risky when wet.
Stamped concrete around your pool can be made safer for swimmers and sunbathers when it is treated with anti-skid additives.
Is stamped concrete too slippery around a pool?
There are a couple of things that can make your pool stamped concrete deck slippery. Generally, water and other oily substances are a major culprit for slippery pool decks. Concrete surfaces can also become slippery when sealed with acrylic sealers.
As earlier stated, the use of an anti-skid additive during the installation of the stamped concrete pool deck can help to make the surface safer. However, this treatment must be properly done to be effective.
Stamped concrete is also known to become slippery in hot weather. This can be solved by either texturizing the surface or using extra anti-slip protection, which is the less expensive option.
Maintaining stamped concrete around your pool
After the installation of the pool stamped concrete has been successfully completed, proper maintenance will help to extend the lifespan of the pool deck and make it safe for everyone. Lack of proper maintenance can make the deck become unsightly with the design and color fading. This can also make the pool deck start having cracks and chips that are dangerous, causing trips and falls.
Maintaining a stamped concrete pool deck is easy. The surface can be occasionally washed with mild detergent and a garden hose. However, the best approach is to engage the service of professional pressure washers to clean your pool deck.
Grease and oil spills can be washed with a strong detergent or a degreaser. Getting the affected area washed immediately will prevent the spill from creating permanent stains on the surface.
You should be careful when using rock salt and other chemicals to melt snow. Excess quantities of these chemicals can cause damage to the pool deck and eventually make it unsafe.
Sealing your stamped concrete pool deck is also a great way to maintain it. How often you should seal the surface will depend on the climate in your area. However, the recommendation is an average of every 2 to 3 years.
Conclusion
Stamped concrete can do a great job at making your poolside look great. However, to ensure the safety of swimmers around the pool, it is important to take a few measures such as giving the surface an anti-skid treatment or texturizing the surface. This must then be followed with good maintenance practices.
To get the best out of your stamped concrete installation, ensure that you let professional contractors do the job because expertise and precise timing are required for perfect installation. To verify the professionalism of the contractor you intend to use, do due diligence by looking out for what clients have to say about their service on reputable websites such as the Better Business Bureau.