Today, we want to talk about something really important: pool safety. If you’ve got a pool or are planning to put one in, then you probably know how excellent the ideal outdoor location is for family fun. However, there’s one thing that can quickly turn a fun family day by the pool into a painful trip to the emergency room- a slippery deck.
Yep, you’ve probably seen it happen that person, usually, a kid, runs across the pool deck and, BAM! They slip and fall. The whole thing can happen in an instant; bumps, bruises, or worse is what might come from this. Let’s dive into how to build a pool deck that keeps your family safe and keeps the fun rolling.
Why Is Pool Deck Safety So Important?
Ok. Pool decks get wet. Wet things are slippery. Mix that with bare feet, running, and excited kids, and you add in a potential for accidents. And none wants to spend their summer recuperating from a preventable injury, right?
Here’s the good news: you do not have to just sit around worrying that someone may slip. You can create a safer pool deck by following doable guidelines. So, let’s get started on how you could make your pool area a safe haven without giving up comfort or style.
Choosing the Right Materials
Pool deck construction will need to first choose the right materials. If you already have a pool, you might have noticed that not all pool decks are created equal; some are much slipperier than others.
Concrete – Although it’s a classic option for pool decks, rainy conditions may make it rather slick. If you have an existing concrete deck, you can add a textured finish or an anti-slip coating.
Pavers – Pavers can be a pretty good option because they generally have a bit more texture than concrete. And the best part? If you choose the right kind, they stay relatively cool, even in the summer sun.
Wood – Now, wood can be beautiful but can also be quite hazardous by a pool. Wet, it’s slick enough to send some unhappy souls slipping onto the tile and, if not treated and cared for with enough love and attention, eventually splintering or rotting. If you love the look of wood but don’t like the hassle, there is synthetic decking material that comes in composite decking.
Rubber or Foam Tiles – If soft and slippery is what you seek, then maybe rubber or foam tiles are the right thing for you. They may provide a greater grip even in damp conditions and are gentle to walk on. Moreover, if someone takes a fall, the softer surface could cushion the impact and potentially even reduce injury.
Whatever you decide, ensure it is a wet area product. And before you commit, walk on it! The only way that you can be sure it feels safe is by actually experiencing it for yourself.
Texture Is Your Best Friend
You want your pool deck to look great, of course, but you want it to feel safe underfoot as well. That’s where texture comes in.
It is possible to make concrete safer by just giving the surface some texture. Here are some ways you may do this:
Stamped concrete – This is very good for adding extra grip while making your deck look different. You can have various patterns on your deck.
Broom finish – A more simple alternative would be to apply a light broom finish to wet concrete. It leaves fine ridges that make it a much less slippery surface when wet.
Exposed aggregate – Mix small pebbles into the concrete, then wash away the top layer to expose them. It’s a bit like walking on sandpaper, so it provides a lot of grip.
Sloped for Safety
One thing people forget when considering their pool deck is the slope.
It’s an incredibly subtle detail, but it can make a pretty big safety difference for the slope of your deck. If your deck is dead-level, water’s just gonna sit there, and you’re turning your deck into an ice rink, essentially. But if it’s sloped at a little angle away from the pool, that water’s all gonna drain off, making your deck drier — and a heck of a lot safer.
Just make sure that its slope is not so steep that you can’t walk across it. Just a slight slope, really, is all that is required to prevent any standing water. And believe us, this makes all the difference.
Do Not Forget the Shade
Sunshine and pools go together like pancakes and syrup or peanut butter and jelly, but it’s one thing you probably don’t think about when planting the pool deck: the impact of the sun on your pool deck.
A sunny day deck can be pretty blistering hot under bare feet; besides that, it’s seriously likely to cause burns. And, come on, nobody needs to hop across the deck because it feels as if they’re walking on hot coals!
A small solution is to add some shade. From umbrellas to a pergola to strategically positioned trees, a little shade goes a long way toward keeping the deck cooler. Your skin will appreciate you for the additional UV defense as well.
Install a Safety Rail
To be honest, mishaps happen regardless of our best efforts. So why not add another layer of security with a safety rail?
Rails aren’t just for pools with steps. A strategically located rail can provide individuals – particularly children and older adults – something to grab onto as they enter and exit the pool. It’s a small step, but it does make all the difference in preventing slipping and falling.
Keep It Clean
Even the best materials with safety features won’t do you much good if you do not maintain your pool deck. Dirt, algae, and mildew can all make a deck more slippery, so regular cleaning is a must!
If you have stains, clean your deck. If the stains do not go away, you will need a pressure washer to get rid of them. If your deck has gotten very worn out, there are many sealers and treatments that will renew it and make it safe.
Teach Children about the No-Running Rule
This may be the greatest challenge of them all: getting kids to slow down around the pool. We all know how excited they become, and it is hard to blame them! One of the most effective ways of preventing accidents is teaching them to walk, rather than run, on the pool deck.
Make it a fun family rule, remind them often, and even throw in a silly dance move when they forget. They’ll catch on!
Wrapping It Up
A safe pool deck is not just about making the right choice of materials; it’s about creating an environment where someone can have fun in the water without experiencing an incident that most of us fear. There’s quite a lot that you can do to prevent slips and falls, ranging from slip-resistant material selection to proper drainage.
You’d be saving your family, but you’ll also save yourself from all those terrible nightmares that might arise if something does go wrong.
Now, the next time you take the time to spend with your pool, just sit back and enjoy it because you’ve done everything in your power to ensure your loved ones are safe, and really, isn’t that what it’s all about?