ServicesConcrete Pool Decks
Concrete Pool Decks in Laguna Hills
We tear out tired pool decks and pour new ones that slope away from the water, grip wet feet and stay cooler in summer. You get a clear plan before we start and a clean yard when we leave.
A pool deck built for bare feet and splashing water
A pool deck takes more abuse than most concrete around your home. It stays wet, gets hit with pool chemicals and sits in full sun most of the year. Kids run on it. Adults carry trays across it. So the slab has to drain well, give good grip and stay comfortable to walk on.
We handle the whole job: removing the old deck, preparing the base, forming, pouring and finishing. We work around your pool like it was our own neighbor's. That means protecting the water and the coping, keeping the mess off your plants and walking you through each step before it happens.
If you want a decorative look, a pool deck can also be done as stamped concrete. If the deck is part of a bigger yard plan, see our concrete backyards page too.
What goes into a new pool deck
Careful tear-out
We break out the old deck in sections and haul it away. The pool is covered first so dust and chips stay out of the water and the filter.
Base and soil prep
Clay soils in this area swell when wet and shrink when dry. We grade and compact the base so the new slab sits on firm ground and is less likely to shift.
Slope that drains away
The deck is pitched gently away from the pool so rinse water and rain run off instead of pooling or flowing back in. Where the yard needs it, we tie in deck drains.
Steel and control joints
Rebar or mesh goes in to hold the slab together. Control joints are cut so any cracking happens in straight lines where you expect it.
A flexible joint at the coping
The deck and the pool move differently. We leave an expansion joint along the coping and seal it with a flexible sealant so the two do not push against each other.
A finish made for wet feet
Salt finish, light broom, exposed aggregate or a heat-reflective topping. We help you pick one that grips well and stays easier on bare feet.
Signs it is time for a new pool deck
- Sections that have lifted or sunk
- Uneven slabs make trip edges where people walk barefoot. Once a deck has moved this much, a new pour is usually the right answer.
- Water runs toward the pool
- If puddles form near the edge or dirty water drains into the pool, the slope is wrong. That brings debris into the water and keeps the deck slick.
- Wide or spreading cracks
- Hairline cracks are normal. Cracks that keep growing, or pieces that rock when you step on them, mean the slab has failed.
- A gap or bump at the coping
- A dried-out joint lets water get under the deck. A deck pushing on the coping can damage the pool edge itself.
- Too hot or too slippery
- Some older finishes burn feet in July or turn slick when wet. A new surface can fix both.
How the job runs
- 1
Look and talk it through
We come out, measure the deck and check drainage, the coping and access to the backyard. Then we tell you plainly what we would do and why.
- 2
Plan and paperwork
You get a written estimate with each part of the job spelled out. When the city requires a permit or inspection, we take care of it, including any pool bonding checks.
- 3
Demo and prep
We cover the pool, protect nearby plants and walls, then remove the old deck. The base is graded, compacted and formed with the right pitch.
- 4
Pour and finish
We place the concrete, set the finish you chose and cut the joints. A crew stays until the surface is right.
- 5
Cure and clean up
We rinse the area, haul out debris and seal the coping joint. We tell you when it is safe to walk on, set furniture down and swim again.
What sets the price of a pool deck
Every pool deck is priced on its own. The size matters, but so do the yard, the finish and what is under the old slab. We give you a written breakdown so you can see where the money goes.
- Square footage and shape
- More area means more concrete and labor. Curves around a freeform pool take more forming time than straight runs.
- Access to the backyard
- If a truck or pump can reach the yard, the pour goes faster. Narrow side yards or steep lots can mean pumping or wheelbarrows.
- Removing the old deck
- Thick slabs, heavy rebar or old toppings take longer to break out and haul away.
- Finish and color
- A broom or salt finish costs less than stamped patterns, integral color or a heat-reflective topping.
- Drains and soil work
- Adding deck drains or fixing poor soil underneath adds to the job, but it is what keeps the new deck flat.
Pool deck questions we hear
- Do I need to drain my pool?
- Usually not. We cover the water and protect the coping during demo and the pour. If your coping or tile also needs work, that is a separate conversation we can have up front.
- How long until we can use the pool area?
- Most decks can take foot traffic in a few days. Furniture and grills should wait about a week. The pool itself can usually be used sooner, as long as nobody walks on the fresh concrete.
- Which finish stays coolest?
- Lighter colors and heat-reflective toppings stay noticeably cooler than dark or smooth concrete. A salt finish also gives good grip. We can show you samples so you can feel the texture.
- Does a saltwater pool affect the deck?
- Salt splash can wear on concrete over time. A good mix, proper curing and a penetrating sealer help a lot. Resealing every few years keeps it in shape.
- Will the new deck crack?
- All concrete can crack a little. We place control joints, reinforce the slab and prepare the base so cracks stay small and run where they are planned.
- Do you work outside Laguna Hills?
- Yes. We pour pool decks in Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest and the other nearby towns on our service areas page.
Ready for a deck you like walking on
Tell us about your pool, your yard and what bothers you about the deck you have now. We will set a time to come look and talk through options.