What to use to paint or cover old concrete around pool?

[StephenRMcKay]

Hey everyone! We bought our house in 2020 that was built in 1974. The pool was put in summer of 76. While the pool and all the components are in great shape, the concrete has seem better days. I have spent the better part of 2 days pressure washing the dirt and grime off of most of it. However, I would love to give it a face lift.

I was wondering if any of you would know what to use to "paint" over this old concrete that will withstand the power of the elements and not flake and peel within 12 to 18 months.

Any comments or advice would be appreciated!

 

[woodyp]

You might look into staining instead of painting it.

 

[PoolStored]

Been through this washing machine of maintaining a concrete pool deck and driveways.

I would find a concrete blasting company that can blast the deck.

Then I would refinish with a Siloxane, or Silane Siloxane hybrid sealer.

Best long term solution out there.

 

[Bperry]

Any kind of paint will flake off eventually. There’s a cement based coating you can trowel on that I may try, but it’s just a skim coat of fine sand and cement but I’m not sure it’ll last much longer than paint. I like the idea of blasting and then sealing.

 

[SJPoe]

I'd avoid anything that ends up with a 'smooth' coat. Water + Smooth = slip & fall...
A 'stain' versus a 'paint' would probably allow for more texture to remain, and might be an option if you can't get it as clean as you'd like for just a sealer.

 

[Mdragger88]

Also, if you have alot of concrete to clean regularly (which it looks like you do).
Try getting one of those spinny brushes for the pressure washer- its a game changer & they’re not super expensive.
Like this

I have a little one for my tiny pressure washer, you may need the bigger version if you’re pressure washer can handle it.

 

[SJPoe]

Try getting one of those spinny brushes for the pressure washer- its a game changer

I need to get one of those - I have a big concrete deck that took a pounding this winter, this might make cleaning it a whole lot less intimidating...

 

[Mdragger88]

I need to get one of those - I have a big concrete deck that took a pounding this winter, this might make cleaning it a whole lot less intimidating...

There’s a learning curve to prevent circles but it really helps cover alot of ground quickly!

 

[sacredcow]

I used the Encore Cool! product and have been very happy with the results. It's been down for 3 years with no flaking or fading. I've re-sealed it once and mostly it just needs to be hosed off occasionally, or at the worst given a squirt of 30 second outdoor cleaner to get the stubborn mildew.

That said, your deck looks to be exposed aggregate. Mine was old Kool Deck. I'm really not sure how well it would work over exposed aggregate concrete.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Concrete blasting is expensive and messy and could potentially wreck the pool … but your deck needs some serious reworking. I would look to getting blasting done at the end of the summer to avoid messing up your swim season and then do a Kool-Deck type coating. As long as the underlying slabs are structurally sound (no major cracks, heaving, disintegration, etc), you should get good life out of the Kool Deck material.

 

[bmoreswim]

I had considered the Encore product, but decided to go with a sample of Concrete Stain. It's an acid stain. Nothing negative with Encore (I liked it a lot from my research) but just headed a different direction. I'll hopefully be applying the test this weekend after a powerwash and chemical scrub.

 

[sacredcow]

I had considered the Encore product, but decided to go with a sample of Concrete Stain. It's an acid stain. Nothing negative with Encore (I liked it a lot from my research) but just headed a different direction. I'll hopefully be applying the test this weekend after a powerwash and chemical scrub.

If my deck hadn't already been coated with Kool Deck, plus who knows what all else? I likely would have opted for stain myself if the concrete wasn't too far gone. But no regrets about the Encore product- It really worked well and is holding up great so far.

In this case, with the exposed aggregate, a stain might make a difference in the appearance, but it does look like it needs to be resurfaced eventually from the pictures.

 

[DT770]

I've explored "rubber" type coatings before, and to my eye they look quite nice. Reminds me of resort style pool decks.
Here is an example Rubber Surfacing & Rubber Flooring | Soft Crete North America

 

[Gingermom]

I used the Encore Cool! product and have been very happy with the results. It's been down for 3 years with no flaking or fading. I've re-sealed it once and mostly it just needs to be hosed off occasionally, or at the worst given a squirt of 30 second outdoor cleaner to get the stubborn mildew.

That said, your deck looks to be exposed aggregate. Mine was old Kool Deck. I'm really not sure how well it would work over exposed aggregate concrete.

How did you apply it? Did you have any spots on your old Kool Deck that had exposed concrete? I am almost 100% sure our deck was a multiclor Kool Deck ( pool was put in in 2007).

 

[Gingermom]

I used the Encore Cool! product and have been very happy with the results. It's been down for 3 years with no flaking or fading. I've re-sealed it once and mostly it just needs to be hosed off occasionally, or at the worst given a squirt of 30 second outdoor cleaner to get the stubborn mildew.

That said, your deck looks to be exposed aggregate. Mine was old Kool Deck. I'm really not sure how well it would work over exposed aggregate concrete.

Did you do this yourself? if so, any suggestions/ Caveats?

 

[Strato]

I’m a little late to the party, but I follow the advice from this video and have gotten really nice results cleaning my concrete. I too would vote to stain if you’re unsatisfied with the outcome.

I also use a surface cleaning attachment similar to the one @Mdragger88 linked.

 

[sacredcow]

Did you do this yourself? if so, any suggestions/ Caveats?

Sorry for late reply- Been out of town for work.

Yes, I did this myself, and it took a few days to complete between the cleaning, painting, and sealing steps. The thread below mostly goes through the process. No regrets on it- it is holding up very well, so far.

Concrete Deck Coatings; Opinions, facts, personal experiences sought!

Hi, all... I'm in the process of making improvements to a pool (and house) I've had for less than a year. The cement deck was originally (from the 1980's documents provided) coated with Kool-Deck but I am pretty sure that this coating was gone over multiple times with one or more other...

www.troublefreepool.com