Concrete pool decks in Hawthorne CA - a surface that grips wet feet and drains well

A basic concrete pool deck in the Los Angeles area usually costs about $7 to $15 per square foot. Where yours falls depends on the size, the finish, whether an old deck comes out first and how many drains the pool needs. I measure on site and write an estimate that spells out what's included and what isn't, so the price on paper is the job we build.

A broom finish, swept with a stiff broom so it has a grippy texture, or exposed aggregate, with small stones showing at the top, is usually the best choice for bare feet. One finish guide suggests running the broom texture across the way people walk and choosing small or polished stones for aggregate, and it warns that a glossy film sealer cuts the grip on either one. Very dark finishes can get uncomfortable in sun, so we look at grip and color together before you decide.

One finish guide puts broom and exposed aggregate decks at 25 to 30 years or more, as long as the base is properly prepared and the deck drains well. The same guide says to reseal them every 3 to 5 years with a penetrating sealer, one that soaks into the concrete instead of sitting on top. Because that lifespan rests on the base and the drainage, both are written into my estimates, and we offer satisfaction guaranteed on every job.

In California, home improvement work goes to licensed contractors, and state law counts building or replacing pools, patios and terraces as home improvement. The Contractors State License Board, which licenses home improvement contractors, including pool contractors, says a license is needed even on a job under $1,000 if the work needs a permit of any kind or the person hires helpers. Liberty Hawthorne Concrete is fully licensed and insured, and I'm glad to go over that with you at the estimate.

Start with a packed base, a slope that sends water away from the house and control joints, shallow cuts that give the concrete a straight line to crack along where it won't show. The deck and the pool shell can move differently, so it's fair to ask whether the crew follows the pool designer's joint details, and I settle those with the pool side before we form. Once the deck is in, a California soil guide advises sealing gaps and cracks promptly to reduce water seeping in.

You can check the disclosures from when you bought the house, ask the local building department, or hire a soil engineer or geologist. It's worth knowing, because swelling soil can make patio slabs, walls and pools around a home lift, tilt or shift sideways. If you have those disclosures, please bring them to the estimate so I can plan the base and drainage around what they say.