How to Fix Unstable Soil Under Pool Decks

What are the signs that you have unstable soil under your pool deck?

Homeowners want a smooth and even pool deck for many reasons. Slanted, sloped, cracked, and settling concrete surfaces can be a dangerous tripping hazard to all using the pool. In addition, pool deck damages are also aesthetically displeasing.

Signs pointing to unstable pool deck soil include a protruding concrete edge where one section of the slab has settled below another, your water level is uneven, and a crack or multiple cracks in the surface.

What is the cause of pool deck cracks?

The initial pool construction can often cause settlement issues to form over the years due to soil disruption. When the pool is filled with concrete during the installation, loose soil in the area can compress due to the pool slab weight. This can cause sections of the pool concrete to settle or sink. Most soil in the country is considered expansive soil. They’re generally made up of clayey materials that can absorb water. These soil types swell or shrink depending on the moisture content of the soil. Soil movement can cause cracking of the pool shell, uneven heaving or settlement, and damage to below-grade piping systems.

So, you have the weight of the thick steel-reinforced concrete shell to think about, and you also have the thousands of gallons of water added to that. The soil beneath the pool is required to support this concentrated weight. The settling results from the underlying soil having insufficient strength to support the weight imposed by the pool. The pool is causing the underlying soil to consolidate, which is causing the pool to sink.

What is involved with pool deck stabilization?

Luckily, there are many newer solutions available to homeowners today that address pool deck stabilization without involving heavy machinery or pouring new concrete.

Injecting expanding foam beneath a settled pool deck will raise the concrete back to the proper level and strengthen the soil so the problem won’t occur again. Concrete lifting and leveling is faster and more affordable than pool deck replacement. Crack repair services are also beneficial for extending the lifespan of your pool, as it ensures the structural stability of the pool and can be fixed or altered to make it aesthetically pleasing.

Another option is to utilize helical screw piles as a permanent solution to pool settling problems. The pool weight can be transferred to the pile when the pile is embedded into competent load-bearing soil below the consolidating soil under the pool. Then, this distributes the pool weight into the dense soil below the surface. Although this structural repair is a bit more costly, it offers great value for long-term results because once the pool is supported correctly, there can be no more pool instability or settlement.

Our experts can help you identify your pool deck stabilization issues, the best course of action, and preventative methods that meet your family’s budget and situation. Find a local contracor near you with My Foundation Repairs to discuss how we can help you repair your pool deck.