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Lake Mary, FL on Apr 24, 2012

Pool deck is sinking...what can I do?

I moved into a house where the pool deck was cracked and sinking...about and inch now since I moved in. I just discovered that the pool drains on either side of the deck were clogged and the water was running back under the deck and then out, leaving several inches of air space between the deck and the soil. I have repaired the drains, but the damage is done.

Short of removing deck and reinstalling, what can I do for the 20% of my pool deck that is unsupported? Cement injection? Will this "raise" the deck at the crack back to it's original height?

The pool itself, fortunately, is fine.

7 Comments

KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

This trick is also called "mud jacking" and this is about your only option short of deck demo.

on Apr 24, 2012 · Like 0
Miriam I New York, NY

This post about a sinking concrete patio has a lot of good info on the subject: http://www.hometalk.com/88155/my-12-x-14-ft-...

on Apr 24, 2012 · Like 0
James Lake Mary, FL

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas. I am sure there is not a VW buried under my deck! :o) I've fixed the drainage problem and it should not get worse, I just need to figure out the best way to support the deck area that is sinking. Is there any Do It Yourself ways to fill in the missing soil?

on Apr 24, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Mud jacking is not very DIY...the equipment is pretty specialized. I have never looked into whether or not this equipment can be rented? If so the learning curve might be pretty steep. I have done some minor versions where some animals had burrowed below a patio slab...in the case I worked on the "edge" of the slab was still accessible and I added some peagravel...Pea gravel being a bit like small marbles it tended to help fill the hole by just rolling down and stacking up. I used a narrow metal rock bar to tamp it in place.

on Apr 25, 2012 · Like 0
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

If your speaking of an in-ground pool, it sounds as though one or two things can be happening.
If the soil was not properly compacted below the slab(s) then they will need to be pulled up and the soil re-compacted and then redone. If however your seeing pool water going down more then it should, you could have a leak either in a pipe to the filter system, or the pool itself. The water running under the slabs can cause all sorts of erosion. ...»

I would steer away from mud jacking if its close to the pool area as the pressure could push the pool wall in.
If by correcting the water run off due to poor drainage, then you simply need to replace the cement slab. Not fun, but its the proper way to do this.

on Apr 25, 2012 · Like 0
James Lake Mary, FL

I am quite sure the loss of soil was only from the rain erosion and lack of proper drainage, Now that the drainage is repaired, I'd like to fix the sinking deck. I have found epoxy injection kits online and wondered if anyone has had success with these. I can live with the existing cracks and sunken portions...but certainly don't want it to get any worse. Thoughts??

on Apr 30, 2012 · Like 0
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

Do not waste your money on epoxy kits to seal the cracks. You can use a good quality silicone caulk and achieve the same results if all your looking to do is to hide the cracks. Fiberglass resin will do the same thing.
I would look into mud jacking first to make the slabs level again. Any slopes will draw water to the cracks which in return will cause additional settlement. Sealing the cracks will only allow ...»
water to pone until it dries from the sun. Winter you have a icy condition that someone could slip on.

on May 01, 2012 · Like 0