Patio and pool deck cleaning that restores the grip
A pool deck is a barefoot surface, so traction matters more than appearance. The slickness is algae growing in the concrete, and killing it is what restores grip. We also keep runoff and solution out of the pool, which is the part of this job that gets done carelessly most often.
Reviewed
The problem this solves
A pool deck slick enough to be dangerous, a patio gone black in the shade, or pavers with growth in every joint.
Why a pool deck turns slippery
Constant moisture and shade grow a biofilm of algae in the pores of the concrete. That film is what your foot slides on, and it is not removed by hosing or by letting the deck dry out. The cleaning has to kill the growth in the surface, not rinse the top of it.
Patios, and why shade is the problem
A patio under a canopy or on the north side stays damp for days after rain and holds leaf litter that stains as it breaks down. Oak and magnolia leaves leave tannin marks that need a separate treatment from the general clean, and those are what remain when a patio is simply pressure washed.
Keeping the work out of the pool
Runoff is directed away from the water, coping is rinsed toward the deck rather than into the pool, and solution is kept off the waterline tile. Chemistry that lands in a pool has to be corrected afterwards by someone, and it should not be you discovering it the next morning.
Travertine, pavers and stamped concrete
Pool decks are often not plain concrete. Travertine and natural stone need low pressure and a neutral solution, stamped concrete has a decorative coating that pressure will strip, and paver joints lose sand if the water is aimed into them. Each is identified and handled differently before anything starts.
Screen cages, furniture and the surround
Most pool decks sit inside a screen enclosure that holds as much growth as the deck does, and cleaning the floor while leaving the cage green only half finishes the job. Furniture is moved rather than cleaned around, and the screens themselves are cleaned with solution, never pressure.
How often it needs doing here
Annually for most shaded pool decks in Leon County, and more often where a canopy sits directly over the water. Traction is the reason to keep to a schedule rather than appearance: a deck that is visibly dirty has usually been slick for a while already.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Patio and pool deck cleaning questions
Will cleaning make my pool deck less slippery?
Yes, because the slickness is living algae in the surface and the cleaning kills it rather than moving it around. It returns over a season or two in shade, which is why a shaded deck is worth cleaning on a schedule instead of waiting until someone slips.
Can you clean around a pool without affecting the water?
That is a specific part of how the job is planned. Runoff is directed away from the water, rinsing runs toward the deck rather than the coping, and solution is kept off the waterline tile. We would rather work more slowly than hand you a pool that needs rebalancing.
Can travertine and natural stone be cleaned safely?
Yes, with low pressure and a neutral solution. Both are softer and more porous than concrete, so aggressive pressure pits the surface and an acidic cleaner can etch it permanently. If your deck is stone, tell us when you call so we bring the right setup.
Do you clean the screen enclosure as well?
We recommend it in the same visit, since the cage holds as much growth as the deck and cleaning it restores a surprising amount of light. Screens are cleaned with solution and a gentle rinse, never with pressure, which would tear them.
How long before we can use the pool deck again?
Once it is dry, which is usually a couple of hours in sun and longer in shade. There is nothing left on the surface that needs to cure or wear off, so the wait is about footing on wet concrete rather than about the cleaning itself.
Get patio and pool deck cleaning scoped properly.
We inspect before we quote, so the price answers a defect we can show you rather than a guess.