How to Restore and Protect Your Saltwater and Chlorinated Pool Decks


Luis De Simas, Prosoco, Inc.


If you’re managing a homeowners association in Southern California with a pool, whether chlorinated or saltwater, chances are you’ve started to notice some changes to your pool deck, and not the good kind. If your pool is chlorinated, the chlorine that tracks into a concrete deck, combined with chlorine’s reactive


nature, can ultimately cause stains, premature


damage, discoloration or etching if the surface is not properly sealed. If your pool is a saltwater pool, you may notice a change that starts as a light surface residue but quickly evolves into unsightly white or gray blotches that dull the deck’s clean, fi nished look. This is especially noticeable on unsealed concrete, where salt or chemicals from pool water, dripped and tracked across the surface by swimmers, begin to settle in and leave their mark. These surface stains may seem cosmetic at fi rst glance, but they’re more than just a visual nuisance. They can signal deeper issues that impact both the safety of your residents and the long- term health of your property.


While chlorinated pools can still be found throughout


Southern California, saltwater pools are gaining in popularity. This may be due to saltwater’s reputation for being gentler on skin, less harsh smelling than chlorine, and generally requiring lower maintenance.


There are also less desirable characteristics and effects of a saltwater pool. Salt can be a silent destroyer of unprotected concrete surfaces. As people exit the pool and walk across the deck, water drips off their swimsuits, skin, and feet. That salty water doesn’t just evaporate;


it leaves behind sodium


chloride crystals that penetrate the pores of unsealed concrete. Over time, this repeated exposure causes surface staining and can lead to chemical reactions within the concrete itself, known as effl orescence.


Effl orescence appears as powdery white stains on the surface and is often mistaken for mold or dirt. In some cases,


it’s


accompanied by a gritty texture that not only looks bad but can also be slippery when wet. If left untreated, it creates the perfect environment for algae, mold, and other biological growth to fl ourish, especially in shaded areas of the deck.


Aside from aesthetic problems, the bigger issue is safety. Algae and mold feed off moisture and salt and love warm, humid environments like Southern California pool decks. In the case of a chlorinated pool, chlorinated water can also lead to slippery conditions on unprotected concrete. Once this biological growth takes hold, a common result is slippery and hazardous conditions at your pool. This means one misstep on a slimy surface can quickly turn into a serious slip-and-fall accident, a major liability for any association.


A Two-Step Solution: Clean and Protect


The good news? There’s a straightforward and cost-effective way to solve this problem before it gets worse. A two-step approach, deep cleaning followed by protection, is the best route.


Step 1: Clean the Concrete Thoroughly


Start by removing any buildup of chlorination, visible salt deposits and biological growth using a professional-grade concrete cleaner designed to cut through tough surface contamination. A heavy-duty


concrete will do more than just clean off


cleaner made specifi cally for the surface.


It


penetrates deep below the surface to remove embedded salts and chemicals to help restore the deck’s original appearance. Make sure your contracted cleaners follow product instructions carefully, including dwell time and proper rinsing.


Step 2: Apply a Water-Repellent, Salt-Resistant Treatment


Once the surface is clean and fully dry, the next step is to apply a treatment formulated to protect concrete from saltwater and chlorine exposure. Look for a water-based water repellent designed to block salt and chlorine intrusion while allowing moisture vapor


to escape. This type of treatment creates


a barrier that prevents salt and other contaminants from entering the concrete pores without trapping water inside where it can cause even more damage. This protection doesn’t just help with aesthetics. It prevents the cycle of staining, algae growth, and concrete breakdown from recurring.


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