Concrete pool decks in Santa Maria CA - a deck that grips under wet, bare feet
Deck cracked, slick or too hot to stand on? We build one that grips when it's wet and stays comfortable under bare feet.
A concrete pool deck is the slab around your pool. It gets walked on wet and barefoot, and it has to shed splash water away from the house without washing dirt back into the pool. Most calls I get about concrete pool decks in Santa Maria start with a deck that's cracked, slick or too hot to stand on. I care most about the parts you won't see later, the base, the joints and the curing.
Price moves with the deck's size and shape, the finish, the drains and curves we form around, and whether an old deck comes out first. The schedule turns on that tear-out, any permit and curing, the wait while new concrete gains strength before you use it. Your written estimate shows your own figure.
What we do on a concrete pool deck
- Grip before looks. We steer pool decks toward a textured finish, like a broom finish brushed in for grip, in a color that stays comfortable barefoot, since very dark finishes get hot in sun.
- A flexible joint at the coping. We build a flexible joint where the deck meets the coping, the stones on the pool's edge, so the deck can move without loosening them or cracking the waterline tile.
- A dug-out, packed base. We dig out and pack the subgrade, what the slab sits on, the same way we would under a slab foundation, so the deck doesn't settle with loose dirt.
- Joints and drains planned first. Before the forms go up, we plan control joints, cut lines that give cracks a straight place to go, around the curves and drains, and slope the deck away from the house.
- I see every deck myself. I've run this business since 2017, and I come out to look at every job. Our own crew does the forming, pouring and finishing, and we're licensed and insured.
Problems we fix on pool decks
| Problem | What it looks like | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Slick surface | What it looks like: Feet slide on wet concrete near the pool and the steps | Usual fix: Textured coating over sound concrete, or a new broom finish |
| Too hot underfoot | What it looks like: Dark deck too hot for bare feet on sunny afternoons | Usual fix: A lighter color or coating, chosen for comfort |
| Loose coping | What it looks like: Edge stones rock or lift, and the waterline tile cracks | Usual fix: Rebuild the deck edge with a flexible joint at the coping |
| Cracking or sinking | What it looks like: Cracks across panels, or slabs that dropped and trip you at seams | Usual fix: Tear out, pack the base, pour with planned joints |
Resurface, reseal or replace
- Resurface. When the slab underneath is sound but worn or ugly, a coating over it can give you a new surface without a tear-out. I'll tell you straight if yours qualifies.
- Reseal the joint. When the deck is fine but the caulk at the coping has cracked or pulled away, we cut it out and reseal it before the edge stones start working loose.
- Full replacement. When the deck has sunk, cracked through or drains toward the house, we tear it out and start from the base. It's also a good time to add concrete steps.
How your pool deck job runs
- You call or write. Call (805) 268-7763 or use the form, and we'll get back to you to set a time for me to come see the pool and deck.
- I measure and price. I measure, check the drains, the coping, the ground and the access, then send a written estimate that lists each part of the job.
- Permits and forms. Once you say go, we handle any permit and its inspections, then set the forms and walk them with you before anything is poured.
- Pour, cure, clean up. Our crew pours early in the day, finishes for grip, cuts the joints on time and lets it cure, then we pull the forms and clean up.
Keeping your pool deck sound after the pour
Most of what keeps a pool deck sound is built in on day one, the base, the joints and the cure. After that, the joint at the coping is the one thing to watch. One coping maker advises checking it every year and recaulking whenever the caulk cracks, pulls away or breaks down.
We work for homeowners and small property owners in Santa Maria and the cities around it, from southern San Luis Obispo County down to Lompoc and Buellton, including Orcutt and Nipomo. If your deck needs a look, ask for an estimate.
Tell us about your deck
Send the deck's rough size, its condition and the finish you like. We reply within one business day to set a time for me to come look.
(805) 268-7763- Free estimate at your property
- No obligation to go ahead
- Each part priced line by line
Pool deck questions we hear
How much does a concrete pool deck cost in Santa Maria?
Installing a concrete pool deck usually costs about $10 to $12 per square foot across the US. That's a national figure for the work, not our price, and yours depends on what I find when I measure. Your written estimate shows where each dollar goes.
What is the safest pool deck finish for wet bare feet?
Choose for grip and a lighter color first, because the deck is walked wet and barefoot and very dark finishes get uncomfortable in sun. Broom, textured, exposed aggregate, coated and decorative finishes all differ in grip and heat, and on most decks I lean toward plenty of texture.
Can my old concrete pool deck be resurfaced instead of replaced?
It can be, when the concrete underneath is a good candidate. A coating is a cost-effective way to refresh the surface and fix small flaws, but a deck that's sunk or cracked through needs replacing. I'll tell you which one yours is when I see it.
What license does a pool deck contractor need in California?
California requires a license from the Contractors State License Board in the field of work being done for any contracting job of $500 or more. The board's pool guide says pools, spas and hot tubs can be built by contractors with a C-53 Swimming Pool license. Check current rules and any contractor's license with the board before you sign.
Do I need a permit for a concrete pool deck in Santa Maria?
Ask the city, since its permit list doesn't name pool decks either way. The City of Santa Maria says work involving electrical, plumbing, mechanical or new walls needs a permit, so call Building at (805) 925-0951 ext. 2241, and note the office is closed Fridays. If yours needs one, we handle the application and inspections, and the state board says that belongs in your contract.