How to Clean Pool Concrete Deck

Having a clean pool deck is important for safety, appearance, and longevity. Over time, pool decks can collect dirt, leaves, pollen, and other debris that make them look dirty and worn.

Regular cleaning keeps your concrete pool deck looking fresh and prevents potential damage. Follow these simple steps to thoroughly clean your pool concrete deck.

Why It’s Important to Keep Your Pool Deck Clean

Keeping your concrete pool deck clean should be a regular maintenance priority. Here are some key reasons why it’s important:

• Appearance – A dirty pool deck just looks bad and takes away from your whole backyard. Regular cleaning keeps it looking fresh and inviting.
• Safety – Dirt, debris, and algae growth can make pool decks very slippery. Cleaning helps prevent dangerous slips and falls around the pool.
• Pool Water Clarity – Debris-like leaves and dirt easily wash into the pool if not swept from the deck. This can affect chemical levels and make water cloudy.
• Concrete Protection – Pool chemicals and dirt buildup can actually start to damage concrete over time. Cleaning helps prevent degradation.
• Reduce Mold/Mildew – Wet leaves and dirt promote mold and mildew growth on pool decks. Regular cleaning inhibits growth keeping surfaces cleaner.
• Improve Drainage – Debris can clog drains around pool equipment and deck drains. Proper cleaning allows water to drain freely.

Regularly cleaning your pool deck ensures it stays usable, attractive and safe all season long.

Supplies Needed to Clean Concrete Pool Decks

Cleaning concrete pool decks requires just a few basic supplies. Make sure you have these items before getting started:

• Garden Hose – A garden hose with spray nozzle attaches to an outdoor spigot to provide water for rinsing. Select one long enough to reach all areas.
• Stiff Bristle Broom – Choose a broom with thick, stiff bristles made for scrubbing. Softer bristles won’t work as well.
• Concrete Cleaner – Use a formulated concrete deck cleaner for best results. Muriatic acid or sodium metasilicate also work.
• Bucket – A 5-gallon bucket is ideal for holding and applying cleaning solutions. Get one with a handle for easy lifting.
• Scrub Brush – Look for a stiff, short-bristled scrub brush to work cleaning products into concrete.
• Eye Protection – Always wear protective goggles when handling pool chemicals to prevent eye injuries.
• Rubber Gloves – Wear long rubber cleaning gloves to protect skin from irritation when using chemicals.
• Rubber Boots – Consider wearing rubber boots or shoes to avoid tracking chemicals onto your feet or home floors.

Stock up on all these cleaning items so you have them handy whenever it’s time to thoroughly clean your pool deck. Protective gear prevents injury from chemicals.

How to Properly Prepare the Pool Deck for Cleaning

Before bringing out cleaners and scrub brushes, do a little prep work to set the stage for a good results:

• Clear off any small furniture or decorative items from the deck to provide full access.
• Scoop up any obvious debris like leaves or larger items with a skimmer.
• Use a garden hose to pre-rinse the entire deck. This will clear off the top layer of loose dust and dirt.
• Check the weather forecast. Pick a day without rain in order to allow proper drying time after cleaning.
• Inspect the deck for heavily stained or damaged areas to treat separately, if needed.
• Cover nearby plants and grass to protect from overspray. Use plastic sheeting and weigh down the edges.
• If cleaning with chemicals, alert family members to avoid the deck area until cleaners are rinsed away.

Taking time to properly prep your pool deck makes the cleaning process faster and more effective. It also protects the surrounding yard from overspray damage.

How to Sweep and Clear Debris from Concrete Pool Decks

One important first step in cleaning concrete pool decks is to thoroughly sweep and clear away built-up debris. Here is the proper technique:

• Use a stiff bristle broom to sweep all dirt, leaves, grass clippings and debris off the deck surface.
• Take care to sweep debris away from pool edge and into piles so it can be easily collected.
• Sweep debris into piles starting from the far end of the deck and moving gradually toward the home.
• Use a small dust pan and hand broom to collect smaller debris piles. Or gently use a leaf blower set to low speed.
• Empty any collected debris into trash cans right away so it doesn’t blow back onto the deck.
• When finished sweeping, use a garden hose to lightly spray any remaining dust and particles into the yard to prevent staining.
• Avoid using a pressure washer for this pre-cleaning step as it will drive debris into small pores in the concrete.

Thorough sweeping removes loose debris that would otherwise end up in cleaning solution and clog deck pores during scrubbing. It’s a quick but important first step.

How to Choose the Right Concrete Deck Cleaning Solutions

There are a few good options when it comes to choosing a cleaning solution strong enough to break down grime, dirt and stains on concrete pool decks:

• Concrete Deck Cleaner – Look for cleaners specifically made for pool decks. These often contain surfactants and grease-cutting ingredients without harsh acids.
• Muriatic Acid – An acidic agent often used for concrete etching. Wear extensive protective gear when using. Rinse thoroughly.
• Sodium Metasilicate – A more gentle concrete cleaner available at home improvement stores. Safer on skin.
• Liquid Chlorine Bleach – Inexpensive and effective at killing algae and mild staining. May lighten concrete color over time.
• Baking Soda – Gentle abrasive properties help remove stains. Mix with water into a spreadable paste.

TSP Substitute – Safer than TSP, this removes dirt, grease and mild staining from concrete. Wear gloves when mixing.

Test cleaners first on a small, inconspicuous area of the deck to ensure it doesn’t affect color. Follow all label instructions for dilution and application.

How to Apply Cleaning Solutions for Maximum Effectiveness

Applying deck cleaning solutions takes a little bit of work. Follow these tips:

• Select your cleaning agent based on deck condition and product directions. Never mix chemicals.
• Use a stiff scrub brush or broom to liberally apply the cleaning solution across the entire deck surface area.
• Let the cleaner sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing so it has time to break down grime and penetrate porous concrete. Don’t let it dry.
• Some solutions like muriatic acid etch concrete, so avoid brushed or broom patterns. Apply in a random dabbing motion instead.
• Spot treat extra dirty or stained areas with a second application of cleaner and let sit longer before scrubbing.
• Don’t apply cleaners over expansion joints or cracks that lead below the deck. This prevents infiltration below ground.
• Follow exact product label instructions for application amounts. More is not better with harsh chemicals.

Letting deck cleaning solutions soak helps get the job done faster and more effectively. Just don’t let the products dry on the concrete before scrubbing.

How to Scrub and Power Wash Concrete Pool Decks

After applying cleaner, some good old fashioned elbow grease is required to scrub away grime and debris from pool decks:

• Use a stiff deck brush or push broom to aggressively scrub the cleaning products into the concrete pores.
• Apply plenty of downwards pressure while scrubbing to lift stains andClean stuck-on dirt, debris, and algae.
• Thoroughly scrub all deck surfaces including next to pool and all around drains.
• Use a small deck brush to scrub corners, around pool railings and any textured deck surfaces.
• Allow extra scrubbing time for the most stained and soiled areas to lift difficult grime.
• For faster cleaning, use a pressure washer on an intense setting to blast away grime as you scrub.
• Take care around railings and delicate deck features when power washing. Adjust pressure downward and spray angle to prevent damage.
• Rinse away all cleaning solution residue after scrubbing to prevent potential concrete damage or stains.

Scrubbing lifts dirt from the pores while rinsing washes it away. Repeat cleaning on any areas with remaining stains if needed. Let deck dry fully before sealing, painting or continued use.

Tips for Rinsing Away Cleaners from Concrete Pool Decks

It’s extremely important to completely rinse off all cleaning solutions from concrete pool decks. Follow these tips:

• Use a stiff pressure nozzle on your hose to blast away cleaning solution residues.
• Start rinsing from the highest point and work downward to prevent puddling in low areas.
• Rinse away from pool edge so overspray doesn’t flow back into the water. This helps maintain proper chemical levels.
• Check for any foaming during rinsing which indicates remaining cleaner needing removal.
• Use a small scrub brush to lightly agitate any foaming areas while rinsing. This prevents concrete etching.
• Rinse until all sudsing stops and water runs clear without white streaks or residue.
• Inspect closely for any remaining debris around wall edges, corners and deck ornamentation.
• Allow deck area to air dry fully before further cleaning, sealing or continued use around chemicals.

Proper rinsing prevents the removed grime from being redeposited onto the concrete. It also neutralizes cleaning solutions.

Why It’s Important to Allow Concrete Pool Decks to Dry After Cleaning

Freshly cleaned concrete pool decks need adequate time to completely dry out before further use. Here’s why:

• Prevents pool users from tracking in dirt before the surface has sealed. Wet concrete is more porous.
• Stops cleaner residue or loose dirt from staining the deck as it dries in place.
• Keeps anyone from slipping on damp surfaces, preventing potential injuries.
• Allows you to clearly inspect the deck for any remaining dirt once dry. Re-clean spots if needed.
• Gives new concrete sealers maximum adherence by sealing onto fully dry concrete rather than damp.
• Reduces the chance of mildew growth in any remaining damp areas.
• Prevents surface efflorescence or mineral deposit staining while concrete dries out.

Depending on humidity, drying time can take 24 hours or longer. Don’t rush it – wait until the deck is fully dry for best results and safety.

Tips for Inspecting Concrete Pool Decks After Cleaning

After allowing time to completely dry, conduct an inspection of the concrete deck. Look for any remaining dirt or stains needing spot cleaning:

• Inspect under bright lighting or sunlight from multiple angles to see all areas clearly.
• Look along edges, in corners and under railings for hidden spots that didn’t fully dry.
• Check the deck pore texture and color closely for uniformity. Spot treat any lighter or darker areas.
• Verify any decorative concrete sections like tile or stamped designs are free of cleaner residues.
• Push broom bristles across the surface to check for powdery residues indicating improper rinsing.
• Pour a small amount of water on the surface and look for absorption issues signaling residue.
• Perform a tape test by sticking painter’s tape across cleaned areas to check for powdery material upon removal.
• Re-apply cleaning solutions and scrub any areas that still appear dirty. Rinse and dry fully again.
• Consider re-sealing concrete if cleaning opened deck pores significantly. Test absorption with a splash of water first.

Thorough inspection ensures your concrete pool deck cleans up beautifully and is ready for service again. Redo any weak spots.

Why It’s Important to Re-Seal Concrete Pool Decks

Over time, concrete pool decks can become porous and require re-sealing. Here are some signs it may be time to re-seal:

• Consistent deck staining and dirt accumulation between cleanings.
• Bubbling or peeling of previous concrete sealers.
• Noticeable pitting, cracks or deterioration in the concrete surface.
• Water absorption does not bead up and quickly penetrates the concrete.
• Changes in the deck surface color, especially darker staining.
• Mineral leaching or white efflorescence forming on the deck.
• Moss, mold or algae taking longer to remove during cleaning.

Re-sealing helps protect porous concrete from further damage. It also prevents dirt, chemical and water penetration while easing future cleaning. Consult manufacturers’ recommendations for reapplication timelines. Typically concrete pool decks require re-sealing every 1-3 years depending on usage and water exposure.

Tips for Effective Concrete Pool Deck Re-Sealing

Follow these tips when it’s time to re-apply sealer to maintain your concrete pool deck:

• Clean the deck thoroughly and allow to dry fully before sealing – at least 24-48 hours.
• Choose the appropriate sealer type for pool deck application and follow label instructions carefully.
• Use a small wire brush to gently scuff up very smooth concrete before sealing for better adhesion.
• Apply sealer on a dry, low humidity day using manufacturer recommended method – sprayer, roller or brush.
• Apply thin even coats according to directions, usually 2-3 coats. Avoid over application that can lead to peeling.
• Only seal up to edge of pool – not over any submerged concrete or coping stones to avoid issues.
• Let sealer fully cure for several days before use. Avoid dragging furniture over newly sealed surfaces.
• Dispose of used brushes, roller covers, trays, etc. to prevent rapid sealer drying in containers.
• Check seal efficacy after a few weeks. Touch up thin spots if needed before further weathering occurs.

With proper cleaning and periodic re-sealing, a well-maintained concrete pool deck provides years of beauty, safety, and enjoyment. Invest a little elbow grease for maximum longevity.

Final Take

In conclusion, maintaining a clean pool concrete deck is essential for both the aesthetics and safety of your pool area. Regular cleaning and maintenance not only enhance the overall appearance of your deck but also prevent the buildup of dirt, stains, and potential hazards.

By following the comprehensive guide provided in this article, you can effectively clean your pool concrete deck and ensure its longevity.