When the weather is hot, and you’re looking to take a dip in your pool, safety should be a top priority. One way to make your pool deck more slip-resistant when wet is to apply a sealant or coating specifically designed for this purpose. There are many ways overall you can make your pool deck safer, and many of these tips overlap.

Swimming pool safety is a topic that should be taken seriously. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over ten thousand people visited the emergency department in 2012 due to non-fatal unintentional drownings. Healthy Children.org also cites that unintentional drowning is one of the top five causes of death for children under 14.

Pool decks are slippery when wet because water can accumulate on their surface or seep up through cracks in the concrete. If you’re looking to improve the safety of your pool deck, there are several things you should consider doing:

  • Keep grass and plants away from your pool deck. This is a big concern when it comes to slipping. If possible, avoid having vegetation near the deck. Also, be aware of any tree branches overhanging the deck and leaves that may have fallen into or near the pool.
  • If you have trees with low-hanging branches close to your deck, trim them back so they don’t hang too far over the pool area. Keep in mind, though, that anything within 10 feet of an outdoor swimming pool should not have overhanging branches at all.
  • A potential fire hazard can also occur if leaves pile up on or around a deck because of falling autumn leaves or brush fires near your home’s exterior during the summer months. Keep the deck and surrounding area free of leaves and other flammable objects such as twigs and paper.
  • If you’re going to be leaving your pool empty over the winter, it’s important that you drain it completely or cover it to prevent fall leaves from accumulating inside the empty pool.
  • If water is allowed to accumulate on your pool deck, use a squeegee or broom with stiff bristles to whisk the water away to eliminate slippery conditions.
  • Make sure all cracks and gaps in concrete are filled; this will make for an even surface when wet.
  • Most notably, keep young children away from swimming pools when unsupervised by adults!

Consider Changing Your Deck Material

If improving your deck’s safety measures doesn’t seem to be enough, you may want to consider changing the material of your deck. Non-slip materials for pool decks include concrete, tile, and textured coatings or sealants.

Many products on the market will help improve traction when wet. Concrete is a good option because it has a rough surface that becomes even more slip-resistant when wet. Another plus is that it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to repair or resurface. You can choose to have a contractor install a textured coating or sealant on top of your concrete deck or do it yourself. Just be sure to read the directions carefully and test the product in an inconspicuous area before applying the product to your entire pool deck.

Tiles are another great option for giving your pool deck a slip-resistant surface when wet. A benefit of tiles is that they can be easier to clean compared with concrete surfaces because you can remove them and hose them down. As long as the tiles are sturdy, larger than ¾ inch thick, evenly placed on top of the subfloor, and flat against each other, then they should form a fairly solid base that won’t become slippery when wet.

There are also textured coatings or sealants designed specifically for increased traction when used on pools. If you’re looking to avoid tile or concrete installations, this may be an alternative option for you if it’s done correctly. One important thing to keep in mind here is that some of these products must be allowed to cure for a minimum of 48 hours before being exposed to water. So make sure you read the directions carefully and don’t walk on it until this time has passed.

In addition, another way to make your pool deck slip-resistant when wet is by using non-slip tape or adhesive strips made specifically for keeping yourself from falling on slippery surfaces such as tile, concrete, and wood flooring. These types of products are usually placed at the leading edge of stairs and around swimming pool entryways.

Purchase a Pool Mat

If your pool’s deck is made of a surface that you can safely attach a mat to, then consider investing in a pool safety mat. These mats are specially designed to provide increased traction when exposed to water. The surfaces on these mats have channels and ridges that help increase the coefficient of friction between your feet and the mat’s surface when exposed to water or wet conditions. You also won’t need adhesive strips because these kinds of safety mats are designed to stay securely fastened to your pool deck as long as they’re appropriately installed using screws or anchors.

Wear Water Shoes for Traction

If you don’t want to wear pool shoes, you can choose to wear water shoes when in or around your pool. Water shoes do exactly what their name suggests; they allow you to walk in the pool without slipping and sliding on wet surfaces. They’re typically made of rubber with textured soles that prevent them from skidding across the pool’s surface when weight is applied.

As an added plus, most water shoes are designed for comfort and breathability with quick-drying materials that allow feet to stay cool when worn for extended periods of time. So next time you dive into your swimming pool, make sure you remember to wear your water shoes so your feet will stay safe and secure while treading throughout the depths of your pool.

In Conclusion

Several options are available for those who want to avoid falls when getting into or around their swimming pools. Those who need added traction when in the water should consider investing in slip-resistant pool deck materials, such as concrete with a textured coating, tiles, or safety mats. Those who don’t want to go through the trouble of installing these kinds of materials can also opt to buy slip-resistant pool shoes instead. Many types of shoes provide the necessary traction needed on wet surfaces, so you don’t find yourself or your loved ones at risk of experiencing life-threatening injuries due to slipping and falling on wet surfaces around your swimming pool deck.