How To Put A Deck Over An Inground Pool

Best Selling Pool Deck

Having a swimming pool in your backyard is a good idea if you or your family regularly enjoy a refreshing swim. While you may have fond memories with family and friends by the poolside, it becomes a liability if you no longer use the pool. Local ordinances dictate you keep it fenced and have a pool cover over it when it’s not in use for safety purposes.

Transforming the space occupied by the swimming pool can provide you with an outdoor entertaining spot, dining area, or kids can run around and have fun.

Let’s get started on how to put a deck over an inground pool.

Is It Time For Your Pool Retirement?

When you buy or move into a house with an inground pool usually seems like a good idea initially. But as time goes and you have to pay for it month after month, you find yourself wondering if you made a mistake. The disappointment is compounded by the fact that you no longer use your pool. Maybe you used it often when the kids were young, but now that they are no longer around, you don’t see the need for a pool.

Pool retirement does not necessarily mean you have to destroy your old pool. There are plenty of ways you can convert an old inground pool, such as building decking over the old pool, turn the empty pool into kids playing space, or turn the old swimming pool into a skateboard park.

The first solution that comes to the minds of many is demolishing and filling up the pool. But this can be a costly affair. Remember filling your empty swimming pool with soil will result in a mud pit. the process requires the lining of the swimming pool to be destroyed to ensure there is proper drainage in the area. All this work can run into thousands of dollars.

Benefits Of A Deck Pool Cover

Installing a swimming pool raises the resale value of your property, but you may choose to refill it when it is no longer in use. But if you decide to sell your house according to real estate laws, you have to disclose it to potential buyers. The cost of excavating and building a new pool is off-putting to many buyers. Many of them would rather buy a property with a functional swimming pool.

Demolishing your pool and filling it is a permanent solution. There is no going back, unlike decking it. Here are some of the benefits of decking your pool over refilling it:

1. Save On Costs

Maintaining the swimming pool is an expensive affair. You need to purchase cleaning and treating chemicals, pay for labor, and service the electricity bill accrued due to heating and pumping. One needs to pump the water to maintain circulation unless you want to end up with algae-infested green water. Also, neglecting daily and weekly cleaning allows algae and insects to thrive in the water.

Building a deck over it saves you money in the long run while still maintaining your swimming pool. We estimate you should have a return on your investment in about four years.

2. Storage

You can transform the space below the deck into a storage area. If the deck is watertight, you have plenty of room for dry storage. But do not worry because even if the space is wet, you can store your things in waterproof containers or use hanging storage. Or better yet, make use of hanging storage ideas. Many families keep Christmas decorations and other seasonal things in their newly acquired storage space.

3. Safety

The local laws require you to fence the pool in and use a pool cover when the pool is not in use to protect young children and pets from drowning. You will no longer have to worry about the safety of your children and pets when you deckover your pool.

4. Resale Value

since you will not be destroying your pool, you maintain the resale value. The house remains attractive even to potential buyers who wish to have a swimming pool. They can remove the deckover and refill the swimming pool with water. Having a deck up the value of your property on its own.

5. Extra Outdoor Living Space

When the deck is all set up, you will have extra space in your backyard where you can choose to set up an outdoor dining area or a kid’s play area. Or you can use the space to entertain guests.

6. Reversible

If you wish to have your swimming pool back, you only need to remove the deck over and refill the pool. This is unlike a completely demolished and refilled pool which can only be excavated and installed again.

7. Home Insurance

Adding to the liability costs is home insurance. The premiums for a property with a functional swimming pool are higher for one without. You will see a significant drop in insurance costs if you choose to deckover your pool. Any saving, no matter how small, is welcome.

8. Beauty

When well constructed, a deck adds a beautiful addition to your backyard. You can place planters with flowers and other plants for a container garden. Or an outdoor dining table for the days when you want to enjoy your meals outside. Entertaining in your home is never going to be the same with the new deck.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Deck Over A Swimming Pool?

The cost of covering your pool depends on several factors, including the size and shape of the pool. A professionally built deckover will be more expensive compared to a DIY one. Although it is possible to build your own deckover, we recommend having professionals do it as the structural soundness could lead to disastrous results if it is poor. Here are the factors that affect the cost of a deckover;

1. The Surface Area Of The Pool

It is obvious the larger your pool, the more expensive it will be. This is because it will require more material to cover the pool. Also, the more expansive your pool is, the more labor and time you will need.

2. The Shape Of The Pool

Pools come in different shapes, from rectangular and curved and everything in between. Depending on the space your swimming pool is installed, it can take any beautiful shape. But when it comes to installing a deckover curved shapes are more difficult to fit and could be more costly due to material wastage.

It is prudent to have a professional install your deckover if the swimming pool is odd-shaped. The width of the pool also affects the cost as it may require more support.

3. The Span Of The Members

The span is a structural engineering term that refers to the length between two intermediate support structures. The wider your swimming pool is, the more support beams you will require for a sound structure. But if all this seems confusing, do not worry, as you can get a structural engineer to do it for you. The design needs to be right, or you could end up with disastrous results.

4. The Materials Used

There are several materials used in making a deckover, such as composite, PVC, and wood. A wooden deck brings out a natural appeal and is very beautiful but can be quite expensive. The maintenance cost of wood is also high, and over time, it may warp and splinter. Wood is liable to rot due to moisture. But if you diligently take care of it, your wooden deck should maintain its shine for a long time to come.

On the other hand, composite is cheaper and produces an excellent finish. It is moisture-resistant and does not warp like wood, and though it is a bit heavier than the wooden deck, it is a good option if you do not prefer wood. Also, it does not easily fade and remains to look new for a long period.

The cheapest material to build decking is PVC. It is rot-resistant like composite due to its synthetic nature. It may peel and fade over time, leaving your deck looking worn out in no time. Sometimes it gives off a cheap vibe.

5. Aesthetics

Elaborate designs are going to be an engineering challenge. Due to the time spent on the design and building, they can be costly. While a simple deckover will cost around $2000, these can go as high as $12000. But if you have the budget for it, they turn out so beautiful.

How To Build A Deck Over A Pool And Spa

A deckover is constructed in the same way as a deck that is attached to a house. Before you install, there are some factors you should consider, including;

• A deck should have the right support at the right points if it is going to be sound. Considering how wide most pools are, the best option is to have a structural engineer design it for you.
• Budget for a sump pump if your deckover is not watertight. If water accumulates, it may become a health hazard by breeding mosquitoes and other water bugs. You can first check if your current pump can be altered to serve as a sump pump.
• Depending on how you will be using it plan the right support. For example, you need more support beams distributed throughout your pool if you will be driving over it.

If you do not feel confident in your skills to build a deckover, we advise you get a professional to do it for you. The process can be quite simple, and with just a few tools, you will have a brand new deck. The following is a step-by-step guide to building a deckover for those who are not afraid of a little hard work and a bit of sweat.

1. Safety Check

Check the bottom and wall of the pool for signs of any structural weakness that could lead to collapse. You want to check for cracks and take care of them before you start the actual construction. Ensure you thoroughly check the empty swimming pool as a small weakness could lead to disastrous results.

It is also wise to check the pump’s condition to ensure it can be used as a sump pump. Runoff rainwater will make its way to the swimming pool, and as you know, stagnant water leads to mosquitoes. The sump pump comes in handy when you need to remove the water. Make all necessary changes and if it is not in good condition get yourself a new one.

2. Check The Pool’s Dimension

Pools come in different shapes and sizes. You need to observe yours and figure out where the joists should run. Preferably they should run across the shorter length of the pool to make work easier. The next step is to take measurements. Ensure you measure way into the concrete patio past the edge to avoid the risk of crumbling.

We will be cutting one joist for every 16 inches of the pool’s length and laying them out, spanning the pool. For those using composite decking to accommodate the extra weight, lay the joists every 12 inches.

3. Frames

we’ll need 2 by 8 frames. Run them the entire length of the pool. It may be difficult to get a single piece of lumber but make sure you use as few as possible. At the point of every joist, add a double joist across the pool. We will use joist hanger brackets to attach the joists to the outside frame.

The best way is to attach one side of the bracket and set the joist into the bracket and attach. Do not skim on screws and use the maximum each bracket allows.

4. Legs

We will add the legs in the center of the pool from the bottom to the top. Remember, we are using 2 by 8 and attaching every third hoist. Since you do not want to damage the pool, add 2by8 square to the bottom of the legs. You should attach them to the joists with screws.

This helps to distribute the weight more evenly. For wider pools of more than 8 feet, consider adding two rows of legs or more depending on how large your swimming pool is.

5. Decking

we start placing the decking on the corner of the swimming pool. If you are using wooden decking, we advise placing at least two screws on each board. But for composite decking, screws leave unsightly holes, and clips are recommended.

Fix the first four or five rows and use them as a platform to work on the rest. It would be best if you staggered the end joints between strips of decking for added strength. Spacing is usually 1/8 to 1/4 inches, but you should consult the manufacturer of the brand you use for the best results.

Ensure all the board ends meet at the center of the joist or as close as possible for maximum strength. Use full-length boards and leave cutting the overhang when you finish decking.

6. Cut The Overhang

carefully mark with chalk at each end, and using a circular saw, cut off any overhanging board in one motion. This saves you time, and the result will be neat and straight. You can use the waste boards to make rails, benches, or planters to place on your new decking. You now have the space to try out that landscaping design you were itching to try.

Take Away On Deckover Pool Cover

When your swimming pool has outlived its usefulness, it quickly turns to liability, and you may be tempted to demolish and fill it up. But before you actually demolish it consider other options such as decking over the pool. This solution lets you reclaim your backyard and leaves you with an option to remove the decking and refill the swimming pool again if you so wish.

You can either have a professional do the job for you or do it yourself. If you possess the required skills and are not afraid of hard work and sweat, gather the materials, bring out the tools and build yourself a deckover.