How to Clean a Concrete Deck Around a Pool
Cleaning the concrete deck from winter season's stains takes some effort. Leaves, bird droppings and other stains will detract from the landscape around the pool. Maintaining the concrete deck can become part of a monthly plan, as some of the materials causing the stains may run off into the pool during heavy rains.
Cleaning the concrete may take a few hours, but the results will be stunning as you bring the finish back to life.
Things You Will Need
- Garden hose with sprayer attachment
- 5-gallon bucket
- Mild soap with degreasing agent
- Scrub brush with long wooden handle
Tip
Using a pressure washer will speed up the process. Keep the nozzle 8 to 10 inches away from the surface of the concrete. The high-pressure water can permanently scar the concrete if the stream is held too close. Tough algae and bacteria stains can be spot-removed by pouring 1/4 cup of household bleach over the stain. Scrub the bleach into the area with the scrub brush. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with fresh water. Wear gloves and shoes, because bleach will irritate exposed skin.
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Wet a small section of the concrete deck. A 6-foot-by-6-foot square area is manageable. Keep the area wet with a garden hose as you proceed.
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Fill the 5-gallon bucket half full of clean water. Mix mild soap with degreaser into the water. Follow the package labeling directions for the quantity of soap to use with 2 1/2 gallons of water.
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Plunge the scrub brush into the soap and water mixture. Slop the brush onto the deck. Scrub a 2-foot by 2-foot square area. Keep the area wet.
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Continue until the 6-foot square is completed, cleaning 2-foot squares at a time. Rinse the area with clean water from the hose.
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Proceed to other areas of the deck in the same fashion. You can push the old soap residue ahead of you with the garden hose spray. In this manner, pre-wet and pre-soap the area you're cleaning next.
The Drip Cap
- Cleaning the concrete deck from winter season's stains takes some effort.
- Maintaining the concrete deck can become part of a monthly plan, as some of the materials causing the stains may run off into the pool during heavy rains.
- Wet a small section of the concrete deck.
- A 6-foot-by-6-foot square area is manageable.
References
Photo Credits
- swimming pool image by apeschi from Fotolia.com
- swimming pool image by apeschi from Fotolia.com
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