Look, I’ll be straight with you – epoxy takes about 3 days to fully cure, so you can’t use your pool area during that time, which can be a pain in summer. It’s also not a DIY job if you want it done right – the surface prep is critical and most Sutherland homeowners who try it themselves end up calling us to fix it anyway. In really high traffic areas like commercial pools, you might see some wear after 7-8 years, especially with our harsh coastal conditions. But honestly, compared to tiles that crack or paint that peels within a year, these are pretty minor issues.

For most standard pool surrounds in Sutherland Shire, you’re looking at between $50-80 per square metre, depending on the condition of your existing concrete and which system you choose. A typical family pool area (around 80-100sqm) usually runs between $4,000-8,000 fully installed. Yeah, it’s more than slapping on some paint, but when you consider it’ll last 10+ years versus repainting every couple years, it actually works out cheaper in the long run. We offer free quotes and can break down exactly what you’re paying for – no hidden extras.

If you’re purely talking upfront cost, painted concrete is cheapest – but here in Sutherland with the salt air and UV, you’ll be repainting every 18 months. Epoxy coating sits in the sweet spot for most of our clients – more affordable than pulling up and laying pavers (which can cost $150+ per sqm), but way more durable than paint or basic sealers. For a typical Shire family who uses their pool regularly, epoxy gives you the best bang for your buck over 10 years. Tiles might last longer but with regrouting and repairs, they’ll cost you more overall.

No way – pool deck paint is basically just a surface coating that sits on top of your concrete, while epoxy actually bonds chemically with the concrete to become part of it. Paint might last 12-18 months in Sutherland’s conditions if you’re lucky, while epoxy systems we install are 3-4mm thick and last 10+ years. Paint also gets slippery when wet (dangerous around pools), while proper epoxy has aggregate mixed through for grip. Think of paint like putting a sticker on concrete, while epoxy is more like adding a protective armor layer.

Yeah, you can pressure wash it, but keep it under 2000 PSI and hold the nozzle at least 30cm away – we don’t want you blasting the coating off! Most Sutherland pool owners find they don’t even need a pressure washer though – just a regular hose and soft broom does the job. Once a year, maybe after winter, give it a proper pressure clean to get rid of any built-up grime or mould in shaded areas. Just avoid those super aggressive rotating tips – they’re overkill and could damage the surface if you’re not careful.

Basic concrete sealers might last 2-3 years tops around Sutherland pools, especially with all the chlorine and salt water exposure we get here. Epoxy pool deck coatings? We’re talking 10-15 years easy, and I’ve got clients in Gymea and Caringbah with 12-year-old epoxy decks that still look great. Sealers are basically a temporary band-aid that needs constant reapplication, while epoxy is a permanent solution. Sure, sealers are cheaper upfront, but you’ll spend way more resealing every couple years than just doing epoxy once.