Owning a pool can be great, especially in the summertime. For many people, it’s a place to gather family and friends to have a great time. Pool owners often build decks around their pools for aesthetic and functional reasons. However, people do not realize that they could be causing damage to their decks. We know there are lots of things to take care of when caring for a pool including the pool toys, chemicals, temperature, cleaning, and safety but most people don’t think about the deck right beside the pool.
So, are your pool chemicals hurting your deck? The answer is probably. There are a lot of factors to consider before determining if your deck is being damaged by pool chemicals. The first factor is the type of material the deck is made out of. Many composite deck material like Trex tends to be more durable than standard wood decking. However, it doesn’t make them immune. The chemicals in pool water can damage the surface of both materials over time. Even if Trex is resistant to the damage, it still can become a problem if left alone. There are other things to consider as well such as foot traffic and sun exposure.
You might think that hot tubs might be safer due to their small size but they can be just as damaging. This is because of the chlorine and bromine used in hot tub water. Due to them being strong oxidizers, these chemicals can cause rot in your deck if you are not careful. With the pool water splashing on the deck, the sun beating down, and people in, out, and walking all over the deck through the summer it takes a toll on your deck. You will gradually see the color fade, cracks, holes, and the wood breaks down. But how do you avoid these outcomes?
To protect your pool, there are a few steps that you can take. One way to help with this wear and tear is to change what chemicals you’re using in your pool. There are many options for keeping your pool clean without using such harsh chemicals. We recommend talking with your local pool and spa supplier to get more info. Another way to keep your deck healthy is to clean your deck once a week to get rid of the build-up. If you have a wood deck, we recommend replacing it with composite wood for extra endurance.
If you need help repairing or replacing your deck, you can count on Miles Bradley! We can repair and give your deck a new coating to protect it from next year’s pool water damage. We can guide you on the best option for your deck:
Are you ready to repair or completely rebuild your pool deck? We do complete deck remodeling or repairs whatever your deck needs. Want another color? Style? Advice? Call TODAY 248-478-8660 serving Michigan and the Chicago Land area.
Are you in the market for a new deck? Does your home look like it’s missing something? A deck is a great way to go! Whether you’re replacing a new one or adding a deck to your home, your deck becomes part of your home and it is important to choose the right materials to use. Choosing what materials to have your deck built out of is one of the first things to decide. You have two main choices; composite wood or natural wood.
To decide which one suits better for you and your home you will need to consider four things;
When choosing natural wood you will need to stain and seal your deck every year. Composite decking requires less maintenance than natural wood material. Composite wood will need to be cleaned but will not need to be stained like natural wood.
To consider the life span of the different materials you have to assess that wooden decks can crack and splinter from weather conditions and can also get more damaged from water and rot if they are not maintained properly. To repair wood decks can be stained and replaced if necessary. Composite decks do not crack or splinter but can fade and warp. They also have a tendency to scratch and stain. To repair composite decks can replace the scratched, warped, or faded pieces.
Choosing what type of appearance you want your deck and home to have is very important. Composite deck materials are made to look like wood and vary less in appearance than natural wood. It is not stainable and if it fades it will need to be replaced rather than stained. Natural wood decks are more attractive and can add a lot of value to your property. There are many stains and types to choose from than composite deck materials and can be re-stained when the color starts to fade not have to be replaced.
The final decision is cost; Natural wood tends to be less expensive than composite deck materials.
This decision will depend on preference and what works better for you and your home, there are pros and cons to both types. Whichever you decide you, your family, and guests will have a wonderful deck for years to come and we can build it for you!