ServicesConcrete Pool Decks
Concrete Pool Decks in Laguna Niguel
We tear out tired pool decks and pour new ones that slope away from the water, drain where they should and feel good underfoot. On older homes we check what earlier crews left behind before we price anything, so the plan fits the yard you actually have.
A new deck around the pool you already have
Most pool decks we look at were poured when the house was built. Many have been patched, painted or overlaid since. Under all that there may be a deck drain full of roots, old form boards left in the ground, or a slab poured on loose fill. We look for those things first.
Then we remove the old concrete and pour a new deck with the right slope, steel in the slab and control joints placed where cracks want to go. You pick the finish. A salt or light broom finish gives good grip for wet feet. Stamped concrete works if you want a pattern.
This page is about decks around an existing pool. If you're redoing the whole yard, take a look at Concrete Backyards or Patios too.
What the job includes
Tear-out and haul-off
We break out the old deck, cut cleanly along the pool edge and haul the concrete away. The pool gets covered so dust and chips stay out of the water.
Base and soil check
Once the old slab is up, we can see what it sat on. Soft or muddy spots get dug out and replaced with compacted base before anything new goes down.
Slope and drains
Water should run away from the pool and away from your home. We set slope on every section. Old deck drains that are cracked or packed with roots get replaced while everything is open.
Rebar and joint layout
Steel goes in the whole deck. We lay out control joints to follow the shape of the pool, so hairline cracks land in the joints instead of across the middle.
A finish for bare feet
Salt finish, light broom or stamped. We'll show you samples and tell you straight which ones run hot or get slick.
Cleanup
We rake out the planters, rinse the new deck and pull the cover off the pool. The only thing missing when we leave is the old concrete.
Signs it's time for a new pool deck
Slabs that tip or lift
When sections tilt toward the pool or rise at the edges, it's usually soil movement or roots underneath. A new deck on a solid base stops you from chasing it year after year.
Water that sits after a swim
Puddles that hang around for hours mean the slope is wrong. Standing water stains, grows algae and gets slippery.
Paint over patches over paint
Peeling deck coatings often hide cracks below. On older homes we regularly find two or three past fixes stacked on one slab, and none of them holding.
Lips between sections
A half-inch edge between slabs catches toes, and people run around pools. Uneven joints are a good reason to start over.
Deck drains that back up
If the slot drain overflows in a rain, the pipe below is likely broken or clogged. It's buried, so we usually replace it along with the deck.
How a pool deck job runs
- 1
Walk-through and measure
We come out, measure the deck and look at the drains, the pool edge and where water leaves the yard. You get a written estimate with each line spelled out.
- 2
Tear-out day
We cover the pool, break out the old deck and haul it off. If we find a surprise under the old slab, we show you photos and explain your options before we go any further.
- 3
Prep and forms
Base gets compacted, forms get set, drains go in and rebar gets tied. We check slope with a level on every section before the truck is scheduled.
- 4
Pour and finish
Most decks are poured in a single day. We finish to the texture you picked and cut the joints while the concrete is still green.
- 5
Cure and hand-back
Keep off it for a day or two, and give it about a week before patio furniture goes back. We'll tell you if your finish should be sealed and when.
What sets the price of a pool deck
Every deck is priced on its own. Size matters, but on an older home what's under the old concrete can matter just as much. We go through each line of the estimate with you so nothing pops up later.
- Size and shape
- More square feet means more concrete and labor. Curves and freeform pools take more forming time than a simple rectangle.
- Getting into the backyard
- Many yards here sit on a slope or behind a narrow side yard. If a truck can't get close, we pump the concrete or wheel it in, and that shows up in the price.
- Removing the old deck
- A thin single slab comes out fast. Thick concrete, heavy rebar or old overlays on top take longer to break out and cost more to haul.
- Drains and soil
- New deck drains, extra base or digging out bad fill all add to the job. We price these after we see the ground, not before.
- Finish choice
- A broom or salt finish costs less than stamped concrete. Color and sealer add a bit more.
Pool deck questions we hear
Something not covered here? (949) 312-4765
Do you have to drain the pool?
In most cases, no. The water stays in and we cover the pool during tear-out and the pour. If your pool needs its own work, that's a job for your pool company, and it's best to plan the timing together.
How long will my backyard be torn up?
It depends on size and access. Most pool decks take about a week from tear-out to pour, then a few days of curing before normal use. We'll give you a schedule at the walk-through.
Will the new deck crack?
Concrete can get small hairline cracks. That's why we put in steel and cut joints, so any cracks stay in the joints and the slabs stay level. What you shouldn't see is sections lifting or sinking.
Which finish stays cooler in summer?
Lighter colors stay cooler than dark ones. A salt finish or light broom finish in a natural gray is a good mix of comfort and grip. We'll put samples in the sun so you can feel the difference.
Can you keep my existing coping and tile?
Usually, yes. We cut along the edge carefully and protect it while we work. If we see loose coping, we'll tell you so you can have it looked at before the new deck goes in.
Do I need a permit?
It depends on the scope, like drains and any changes to the layout. We'll tell you after the walk-through and handle the permit if the job needs one.
Let's look at your pool deck
Tell us about the deck and what's bugging you about it. We'll set up a time to come out, measure and check what's underneath.