The pool is one of the most critical aspects of your property. It welcomes you at home after a tiring day at work. It also acts as a freshener for your family and friends. That is why it is only right to ensure your pool and its features look its best. When it comes to improving the functionality, safety, and beauty of the pool area as well as proper paving of the domain is a vital factor. Fortunately, Oak Wells Aquatics is here for you. Our well-skilled pool designers and constructors serve clients in the Jacksonville Area. We will help you transform the dreams you have for your commercial and residential pools into a reality.
What are Pavers?
A paver is a tile brick, stone or any other material used to make outdoor surfaces smooth or hard. Pavers are used in the construction of patios, outdoor steps, driveways as well as pool decks. There are two major types of pavers stone - pavers made of clay or bricks, and those made of concrete. A pool deck is an area that makes up the immediate surroundings of your pool. Proper paving of the area will increase the appeal of your home. A Pool deck paver can be of any shape, size, and color, depending on your taste and preference.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Material for Your Pool Deck Paving
Regardless of the design or appeal, you have in mind; it is essential to consider other needs and requirements when choosing a material for paving your pool deck. You need to consider the following factors before installation of pool deck pavers
- Safety: before any other aspect, you should ensure that the material you choose is safe. The flooring should be safe to prevent slip and fall accidents.
- Convenience: You should choose a material that is convenient for you. For instance, you should consider using stone concrete and brick pavers since they are more durable and easy to maintain. As for wood, it can rot quickly and cause accidents.
- Cost Effectiveness: There is a wide variety of pool decks at different prices. You should choose a material that you are comfortable to pay for and maintain.
- Space Considerations: before selecting a material for your pool deck, you need to consider the amount of space you are hoping to cover with the layer and the size of your pool.
- Personal Preference: When choosing the right material for your pool deck, you should select a material that fits the appeal you want for your pool. You should also ensure it matches other aspects of the landscaping of your property.
- Climate: you will not just pick material for your pool deck. The content that’s best for your pool must endure temperature, exposure, and water during rainy seasons. This will help cut the cost of constant maintenance and replacement.
- Aesthetic Enhancement: The pool deck should enhance the look of your landscape. The color, texture, and design you use should preserve the natural feel of the area.
Materials Used for Pool Deck Paving
The area around your swimming pool is an essential part of your poolscape. This is the place you gather around with your friends and sunbathe after a good swim. There are various materials, both natural and manmade, that you can use to pave your pool deck. Each material has its benefits and setbacks, and you need a pool deck designer to help you make the right decision. These materials include:
Concrete Pavers
These pavers are made of concrete without stone. Concrete pavers are versatile and safe. Concrete is not slippery, thus protect you from slip and fall accidents. These pavers are easy to install, maintain can withstand harsh weather conditions. Also, these pavers come in unlimited designs, colors, and styles.
Clay Pavers
Clay pavers give your pool area a warm and appealing look. They are flexible in that there is a wide range of designs. Clay pavers are durable and environmental friendly since they have no additive colors. They are a great choice due to their low cost and ease of maintenance.
Sandstone Pavers
Sandstone pavers are beautiful, easy to install, and elegant. They are durable, come in a wide variety, and are cost friendly. Also, they don’t require constant replacement since they can last a lifetime if properly maintained.
Bluestone Pavers
These are natural stone pavers; thus, they are safe, versatile, and durable. Bluestone pavers come in beautiful colors thus will create a magical effect around your pool. Their wide variety of design and colors will help your pool area blend well with other aspects of your outdoor landscaping.
Travertine Pavers
They have a beautiful and unique look. Even when wet, they are slip resistant. This makes the safe for use around your pool deck. Travertine pavers are freeze-thaw, and discoloration resistant thus makes them easy to clean.
Basalt Pavers
This material is natural and elegant. Its unique appearance and textures will complement a wide variety of designs. Basalt is a good investment for your pool deck since it is a durable stone.
Granite Pavers
Granite is a natural and gorgeous stone. It is slip resistant and safe to use around your pool area. It is non-combustible that’s why it is fire and heat proof.
Installation Process for your Pool Deck Pavers
A detailed structure of your swimming pool and its surroundings is drawn, to install the pavers on your pool deck. The edges and boundaries of the area to get covered by the paver are drawn using paint. Once the overall shape is established, you will choose the material and design you want for your deck pavers.
A crushed stone layer will be put to compact the surface where your paver will get laid. The stone end should be 4-6 inches, and the pavers should get sloped away from the swimming pool. Water is sprayed over the structure to create cohesion.
Edge restraints are installed to hold the whole structure in place. If your pool deck paver design has curved edges, a flexible edge restraint will be put in place. The installation expert will help you choose what best suits your structure. The rounded stone will be used to construct the deck paver edges.
Over the compacted stone end, sharp-angled sand will be placed. Rails may be put in place to ensure the structure is leveled up. Coping pavers are installed and put into place with mortar or heavy duty adhesive. Coping pavers can also be installed in the pool before placing the pool liner. This will help avoid a mess in your pool.
Water will be sprayed on the foundation, and pavers are laid on the surface one selection at a time to suit your desired design. A rubber mallet is used to help the stones settle together. After the pavers are installed, masonry sand is sprayed over the surface and worked in between the rocks with a hand brush. This sad layer is repeated occasionally to replace the one lost in heavy rains and wind.
Benefits of Paving your Pool Deck
Pool deck pavers are an investment worth your money. The following are benefits you accrue from installing pavers around your pool area,
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Classy and Sophisticated Look
Pavers create a beautiful and elegant look around your pool. You will never fail to be amazed by the sophisticated look they create. Besides basking in the sun after a swim, you can hold an outdoor party around the area.
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Safety
Kids will always play and walk around the deck area. Most pool deck paver materials are not slippery, which makes it safe around the pool and prevents slip and fall accidents.
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Variety
Pool deck pavers come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. This gives you an option to put them according to your personal preference as to style. You can choose a color and design that will blend in well with other aspects of your landscape. The availability of a wide variety allows you to ensure your pool area stands out.
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Affordability
Most pool deck paver materials are cost-effective, and most pool owners can afford. Natural paving materials like stone and bricks are available in the market. Most Pavers can last for a lifetime at this saves you the cost of constant replacement
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Strength
Pool deck pavers are durable enough to withstand the effects of foot traffic, effects of saltwater, and splashing. They are also easy to install for a great feel of your pool area. For maintenance, repairs are cost-effective, and you can remove the old damaged pavers and replace with new ones
Setbacks of Pool Deck Pavers
If you decide the pave you want to use you can make your design as simple as possible. Pavers can easily be replaced. However, as the pool deck ages, you may experience a few problems that you need to watch out for to maintain the appeal of your pool area. These problems include:
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Sand Tracks into the Pool
When pavers get installed, the stones or bricks get laid on the sand, and the place is also secured to compact the structure. As the pavers begin to settle, the sand will make its way through to the swimming pool. You can prevent this by applying a sand lock made of fine sand granules and polymeric adhesive over the pavers. This will save you from adding the final sand layer on your pavers.
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Ant Burrows in the Sand
You may notice little dunes that begin to pop up from your pavers. This is a result of ants burrowing into the sand. These ants will be a nuisance by stinging you and your children as you try to enjoy free time. Also, they will make your pool deck their home and destroy the aesthetic appeal of the area. You can also apply a sand deck, in this case, to keep away these insects.
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Black Fungus and Green Mold
When moisture accumulates between the paver decks, green mold and black fungus will start to grow. This will destroy the appearance of your pool deck and will require constant cleaning and maintenance to prevent their growth. If cleaning does not deter the growth, you should contact a professional to ensure the drainage does is not causing the problem for your pavers.
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Weeds Growing between the Pavers
As your paver ages, the sand between these pavers is washed away by rainwater or blown away by the wind. This exposes the soil underneath and allows the airborne seeds to grow around your pool. Weeds grow very fast, and a few seedlings can spread throughout your pool deck. This will increase the cost of maintenance or need to replace your pavers. You can get rid of these weeds by application of the spot weed killer. However, you need to ensure the week killer is not oil based to avoid staining the material of your paver. Choosing the right material and getting proper installation will help prevent the growth of the weeds
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Unevenness and Sinking of the Pavers
Florida experiences a period of hefty rains. As the rain prolongs, your pavers tend to sink in and become uneven. You should first check to determine if the rain is the cause of the unevenness and sinking or a much bigger problem with your pool deck. If you notice sinking around the pool shell, it may be a result of a broken pipe. However, if it is happening in other areas, you should consider removing the pavers and adding more filling material.
Find A Jacksonville Pool Builder Near Me
We would all love to spend time around the swimming pool to bask under the sun and share good times with family and friends. However, your pool is not complete without a deck. If you want to pave your pool area, it is crucial to contact a professional to help you make the right decision and do the construction. At Oak Wells Aquatics we create desirable pool decks for our customers in Jacksonville, Florida. Our team of experienced designers have successfully installed pool pavers for our many satisfied customers. Call us today at 904-619-3281 and allow us to do the same for you.