POOL DECK PAVERS

Source:www.stonediamondtool.com Date:2021/12/28 Read:165

Benefits

Concrete pavers are a great option for pool decks because they are durable, slip resistant and can provide the look of natural stone. “They have many qualities that make them the perfect choice for pool deck paving applications,” says Brian Ramirez, owner of BR Landscapers of East Bay, Tracy, Calif. “They are salt resistant, slip resistant, and chlorine will not affect their colors. Around pools, the joints will take on moisture and leave the pavement cooler underfoot.”

Nick Hanna of NRC Landscape Construction, Vienna, Va., says that his customers like pool-deck pavers because they are foot-friendly and provide good traction. “Pavers come in many different textures. Some pavers have dimples in them, and customers say they feel soft on bare feet. Most pavers also surpass ADA guidelines for traction,” he says.

Concrete pavers also come in a wide array of colors, shapes and sizes, permitting you to create design schemes that complement your pool’s shape and style. You can also use the pavers to build raised seat walls, pillars or planter boxes that will coordinate with the pool deck itself.

Another advantage of using pavers for pool decks is that they can be spot replaced, if necessary. “If there is a problem with plumbing or electrical, you can lift the pavers and perform your repair,” says Hanna. Also, if you want to add on to your pool deck at a later time, it’s easy to install matching pavers and create a seamless transition. One drawback of pavers is the cost, which tends to be higher than stamped and colored concrete. However, they offer great long-term value because of their ease of maintenance and resistance to cracking and settling.

Maintenance

Because factory-made concrete pavers are very dense and nonporous, they resist the growth of algae and mildew in wet pool deck environments, especially if they are protected with a sealer. Ramirez recommends filling the joints between pavers with a polymer sand, which contains a special polymeric additive that binds and hardens the sand and helps to prevent erosion. “If joints are filled with polymer sand at original installation, the need to refill joint sand in 2 to 3 years is usually eliminated,” he says.

Typically, the only regular maintenance required for a paver pool deck is sweeping and occasional rinsing to remove dirt and leaves. Concrete pavers may settle in spots over time if they aren’t installed properly over a stable subbase. However, they can easily be reset with no noticeable patchwork. Simply remove the affected pavers, regrade and recompact the subbase, and reinstall the pavers.