How To Repair Concrete Pool Deck Cracks

When the first sign of warm weather hits, it’s time for pool owners to roll back the tarp and revive their pool from its winter hibernation. From draining and cleaning to adding in the right chemical concoction—maintaining a healthy pool is essential for summertime fun.

Did you know that having an even concrete pool deck is part of a safe, healthy pool?

When you’re dealing with cracks in the concrete around your pool, it’s not just an unsightly nuisance. Cracks and uneven concrete around your pool present a major safety hazard, as children or older adults can easily trip and fall either on the concrete or in the pool itself.

In this blog, we’ll explore why cracks appear in concrete pool decks, the types of cracks you might find, and how you can maintain your pool deck for years to come.

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3 Ways to Repair Concrete Pool Deck Cracks

1. PolyRenewal™ Injections

Repairing your cracked pool deck is streamlined with our PolyRenewal™ Injection technique.

Here’s how it works:

Targeted Injection: We inject high-density polyurethane foam directly under the concrete slabs of your pool deck through penny size holes.
Rapid Expansion: The foam quickly expands, filling any voids and stabilizing the soil beneath the concrete.
Precision Lifting: As the foam hardens, it lifts the concrete back to its original position, correcting unevenness and closing cracks.
Minimal Disruption: This method is less invasive than traditional repairs, meaning you can enjoy your pool area again in as little as 20 minutes.
Durable Results: The materials used are waterproof and designed to last, ensuring your pool deck remains safe and level for years to come.

Pool deck being leveled using PolyRenewalâ„¢

By addressing both the symptoms and the underlying issues, the PolyRenewal™ Injection process provides a comprehensive solution to your pool deck’s problems.

2. Epoxy Injections

This is a method where epoxy resin is used to fill and seal cracks in concrete structures.

While epoxy injection effectively seals small to medium cracks, it’s a temporary fix. It doesn’t address deeper issues such as soil movement or poor water drainage, leading to the possibility of new cracks forming over time.

3. Concrete Patching

Concrete patching involves removing damaged sections of concrete and replacing them with new material.

Though this approach can repair large and visible cracks and restore the look of your pool deck, it does not get to the heart of underlying problems like soil settlement or improper ground compaction, potentially leading to future damage. Concrete patching can also be extremely expensive and result in prolonged downtime, during which your pool is not usable.

3 Reasons Why Cracks Appear Around Pools

1. Hydrostatic Pressure

It’s all about the soil. Expansive soil, typically composed of clay, is highly sensitive to changes in moisture. During periods of heavy rain, it expands, inflicting pressure on your concrete pool deck or concrete pool itself. This phenomenon is called hydrostatic pressure. During periods of drought, soil contracts, creating voids and air pockets. This shifting support system surrounding your pool makes concrete unable to remain sturdy in the face of changing weather.

2. Weather

Freeze-thaw cycles also have an impact on the concrete around your pool. Just as moisture levels can cause soil to expand and contract, water soaked up by the porous concrete itself can freeze and expand when the weather is below freezing. As the freeze-thaw cycle continues throughout early spring, cracks get worse as water sneaks into the crevasses, freezes, and expands again.

3. Construction

Poor construction or engineering of a pool can be bad for your concrete pool deck. During the installation process, there’s a large-scale excavation of the soil so that the pool can be placed below ground. After the pool is installed, if the soil surrounding the pool and below the deck isn’t properly compacted, then it’s vulnerable to excessive shifting and poor drainage. Both of which can cause your concrete to crack.

Types of Cracks in Pool Decks

Hairline

A particularly thin crack that doesn’t protrude and does not form a gap. Hairline cracks typically are dormant and don’t grow at rapid or concerning rates. You’ll want to keep an eye on them, but they’re nothing to worry about.

Active

Active cracks tend to progressively get larger, protrude, and create an uneven path for walking. You’ll see noticeable gaps in the crack, and one side may be higher than the other. These cracks are a sign of poor soil support and present a tripping hazard.

Why Should You Repair Your Cracked Concrete Pool Deck?

For Safety

We all tell our kids not to run around the pool, but have you considered making your pool deck safer to walk on? Cracks, especially severe ones in concrete, present a tripping hazard for older adults and children. Having major cracks bordering your pool is extremely dangerous, as not only could people fall, but they could fall into the pool as well.

For Entertaining

If you’ve invested in a pool, you likely care about hosting your friends and family for some summer fun. Fixing the concrete around your home can make the space more inviting for any visitor. You won’t have anything extra to worry about safety hazards, and you can focus on the design and function of your outdoor space.

How Can I Prevent Pool Deck Cracking?

Preventing concrete pool deck cracking involves several key strategies:

Control the Flow of Water Runoff

Addressing water drainage in your backyard can help you seize the season. Redirecting water from your roof through a well-functioning gutter system can help keep your foundation and pool safe from erosion. Not only that, but it can lessen the danger to your concrete, and lessen the debris collecting in your pool. When there’s a big rainstorm, observe the flow of water coming from your roof to best target the problem.

Manage Your Yard’s Landscaping

You take pride in the way your yard looks, but as an added incentive, controlling your landscape can improve the health of your pool and pool deck. When vegetation or plants overgrow your concrete, it can promote erosion of your concrete, along with excess debris in your pool. Having a consistent schedule for cleaning up your grass, garden, or other vegetation can help self-regulate your concrete and pool’s health.

Fixing Foundation Cracks

Concrete cracks along with cracks in your foundation both stem from the same root cause—weak, shifting soil. This means that when you notice either one of these issues, other things may be happening under your nose. When you notice cracks in your concrete, have your foundation inspected as well. Concrete and foundation problems may have the same cause, but they also have different solutions. One can be a dog whistle for the other.

Get a FREE Inspection of your Concrete Pool Deck

At Foundation Recovery Systems, we offer completely free inspections of your concrete, so you can be sure if you’re facing a real problem.

Our certified professionals will pinpoint the issue with your pool deck, explain what’s gone wrong, and offer you a free quote for a comprehensive repair plan. We don’t pressure you into booking with us—the decision is all yours. Then, once your concrete is rejuvenated with PolyRenewal™ injections, you can enjoy your yard and not look back.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CONCRETE LIFTING

FAQs

How long does the concrete leveling process take?

Most concrete leveling projects around pool decks can be completed in just a few hours, and each area is ready for use just 20 minutes after repair.

How do I know if my pool deck needs leveling?

Signs that your pool deck needs leveling include visible cracks, uneven surfaces, pooling water, and slabs that have shifted or sunk.

Why is it important to level a concrete pool deck?

Leveling a concrete pool deck is crucial to prevent tripping hazards, improve water drainage, and maintain the aesthetic appeal of your pool area.

Leah Leitow

Content Writer

Leah is a Content Writer for Groundworks with nearly ten years of experience working in the foundation repair industry. Her experience ranges from working with homeowners to find the right solution to training inspectors and staff. In her background as a Michigan journalist, she gained invaluable insight into people's lives throughout our state. Leah lives in metro Detroit with her husband and two sons.

_{Disclaimer: “Concrete leveling” means the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in many cases lifted, by means of PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. Foundation Recovery Systems does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level.}