Having a pool at your house can add a lot of hours of fun to your summer months. This is a great addition to any yard, and a pool can offer the chance to stay in shape as well as to play and cool off. Pools are a bit of work to care for, but they are often well worth the effort because of the hours of enjoyment that they can give to you and your family.
One of the things that many people don’t think about when they install a pool is the drainage for the deck. This is a common issue around pools of all shapes and sizes, and pool drainage issues can lead to slips and falls as well as the breakdown of the deck material itself.
If you are ready to learn some more about pool deck drainage & trench drain system, you need to read on!
What you Need to Know About Pool Deck Drainage
While it might seem like there is not much water that is being spread around the deck of your pool when you are using it, the cumulative effect can be quite significant. Any standing water can be a slip hazard, and water that accumulates on the deck and does not get removed in some way can rot the deck or cause damage to the support structures under the surface of the deck itself.
Drainage around your pool is critical for safety as well as for the appearance and longevity of your pool. Even if you live in an area that gets a lot of sun, you still need to make sure that your pool deck drains correctly when it is being used.
1. Pools Water Can Kill Plants
Pools need to be maintained with chlorine and other chemicals so that the water stays clear and safe to swim in. This is just part of owning a pool, and even if you are using all-natural management with minerals, there are lots of compounds that need to be put into the water in your pool to keep it in usable condition each month.
When your pool deck drainage is not correct, or there is none, the water that runs off the deck can get onto the lawn or the plants that are near the pool. While a small amount of water might not harm your landscaping, larger amounts can lead to wilted plants or even dead patches on your lawn. Pool deck drainage matters for more reasons than just the maintenance of the pool itself.
2. Damage to Above Ground Pools
Above-ground pools are often protected by decks to make them look like they are in-ground pools and to make access to the pool easier. This is a fairly simple solution for access to this kind of pool, and the deck can protect the pool surround from being exposed to too much heat and sun. When the deck does not drain correctly, however, the water running through the deck slats can lead to rust and other issues with the pool’s support structure.
When an above-ground pool support structure gets damaged, it can be hard to replace just that one part. Often above-ground pools with structural issues just have to be replaced since they are not really intended to be permanent structures. You can avoid rust and other problems with the support structure of your above-ground pool by making sure that your deck is draining correctly.
3. Undermining the Foundation of Your Home
Many pools are quite close to the house, and they might even be built right next to the foundation of your home. This can lead to all kinds of problems for your home if your pool deck is not draining correctly. Standing water that is just sitting against the foundation of your home can lead to all kinds of issues with the actual support structures that hold up your house or the water might run into your basement.
Many people are not aware of just how much water is collecting against their home’s foundation and underrate the importance of this kind of protection for the house. You should never take a pool installation near the foundation of your home lightly concerning drainage. Having the right deck drainage can make a big difference to the longevity of your home as well as the pool itself.
4. Cosmetic Damage
Even if the damage that you are seeing from standing water is just cosmetic, this is not something that you want to have to attend to. A well-made pool deck with correct drainage should last for years with minimal maintenance. Rotting boards, warping, and other issues with the level nature of the deck can impact the value of your home and its overall appearance.
If you have a deck that is wet all the time, you might also end up with dry rot, which is not only structurally unstable, it can have a bad smell. There are many reasons why pool deck drainage is important to the stability of the deck, but the appearance of your deck depends on it as well. Taking care of your deck starts with building the proper drainage for its overall health.
5. Rain Water Can Impact Pool pH
If you have a deck that is not draining correctly and you live in an area where it rains a lot, the rainwater running into your pool might actually be making it hard to keep your pool’s pH correct. Rainwater is not at the same pH as a carefully maintained pool, and lots of water runoff from a deck that is not draining can lead to a struggle to balance your pool’s pH.
If you have been fighting with the pH of your pool and can’t figure out why rainwater might be the culprit. Even water from sprinklers that collects on the side of the pool deck can run into the pool and cause this issue. You can avoid lots of issues with pH in your pool by making sure that the pool deck is draining correctly.
Pool Deck Drainage Matters
Having the right drainage for your pool deck makes a big difference to the longevity of the deck and to its safe use. You should never let standing water make your pool deck unsafe, and having incorrect drainage in place can put your pool’s structure as well as the foundation of your home at risk for water damage. When you have the correct pool deck drainage installed, your pool will be able to be used safely all year round without issues.
It is not that expensive to install quality pool deck drainage, and it is well worth taking the time and spending the money to do so.
