The Dangers of a DIY Permanent Pool Cover

In the quest for a solution to an unused pool, many Arizona homeowners search for a permanent pool cover. The idea sounds simple and appealing: a solid, walkable surface that makes the pool disappear, creating instant patio space. This often leads them down the path of hiring a general contractor or attempting a DIY project, believing it's a straightforward construction job. This is a dangerous misconception.

Building a structure designed to safely span an inground pool is a highly specialized engineering feat, not a standard deck-building project. The environment inside a concrete pool shell is uniquely hostile to traditional building materials, and the structural loads required are far beyond what typical contractors are prepared for. A poorly constructed how to cover a swimming pool permanently project isn't just a waste of money—it's a ticking time bomb that can lead to structural collapse, hazardous mold growth, and catastrophic failure. Before you build anything over your pool, you must understand the hidden risks that unqualified builders ignore.

The Flawed Foundation: Why Standard Deck Building Fails Over Pools

A general contractor might look at a pool and see a simple hole to bridge. An expert sees a complex engineering challenge with multiple points of failure.

Danger 1: The Myth of Simple Supports

The most common mistake is building a deck on posts that sit directly on the pool floor.

• Instability: The floor of a pool is not level; it has slopes and curves. Placing posts on this uneven surface creates instability from day one.
• Puncturing Risk: The weight of the deck, furniture, and people is concentrated onto these small post footprints, creating immense pressure. This can easily puncture the pool's plaster and gunite shell, creating leaks and compromising the entire structure.
• Moisture and Rot: Wooden posts sitting in the bottom of a pool shell, an area prone to collecting moisture, are guaranteed to rot. Even pressure-treated wood will fail prematurely in this consistently damp, low-airflow environment.

An engineered system, like the one from Freedom Decks, avoids this entirely. Our patented bracket system hangs the entire deck frame from the strongest part of the pool—the upper concrete bond beam. No part of the structure touches the fragile pool floor, eliminating instability, puncture risk, and rot.

The Materials Science Mistake: A Recipe for Corrosion and Decay

The enclosed space beneath a pool deck is a high-humidity environment, even in a dry climate like Arizona. Rainwater, condensation, and temperature swings create a perfect storm for material degradation.

Danger 2: Using the Wrong Hardware

This is where many unqualified builders cut corners to lower the price.

• Standard Galvanized Hardware: The screws, bolts, and brackets from a big-box hardware store are not designed for this environment. The thin galvanized coating will corrode and rust within a few years, weakening every connection point in the deck.
• Untreated Fasteners: Using shiny, untreated steel is even worse. Rust will appear within months, compromising the safety of the entire structure.

The Professional Standard:

A safe permanent pool cover requires materials specifically chosen for this application.

• Hot-Dipped Galvanized or Stainless Steel: All structural hardware must be hot-dipped galvanized or, ideally, stainless steel. This provides a thick, durable layer of protection against corrosion.
• Ceramic-Coated Screws: High-quality composite decking should be installed with specialized ceramic-coated screws designed to resist moisture and chemical corrosion for the life of the deck.
• UV-Protected Lumber: The wooden frame itself must be treated and coated with a UV protectant to prevent the intense sun from drying it out and making it brittle, even when it's not in direct sunlight.

The Engineering Blind Spot: Overhangs and Curved Pools

Curved, free-form pools are common in Arizona, and they represent one of the biggest challenges. General deck builders consistently fail to account for the physics of decking over a curve.

Danger 3: Unsafe Decking Overhangs

Composite decking manufacturers specify that a board can overhang its support frame by a very small amount—sometimes as little as one inch.

• The Curve Problem: When building over a curved pool edge, a builder trying to create a smooth, rounded deck edge will inevitably leave large sections of the decking boards unsupported.
• The Failure Point: When someone steps on that unsupported edge, the board can snap, creating a serious fall hazard. We have seen DIY and contractor-built decks where you can press on the edge with one hand and feel it sag dangerously.

Properly engineering a deck over a curved pool requires extensive, custom-built support framing that follows every inch of the curve. This is a time-consuming and expensive process that unqualified builders skip. Freedom Decks' patented system is specifically designed to provide this continuous support, ensuring the edge of your deck is just as strong as the center.

A Checklist to Vet Your Builder

If you're considering any form of permanent pool cover, ask your builder these questions. If they can't answer them confidently, they are not qualified for the job.

Don't Gamble with Safety

There is no such thing as a safe, simple, or cheap DIY permanent pool cover. The project is far too complex, and the consequences of failure are far too severe. The allure of a lower price from a general contractor can quickly turn into a nightmare of costly repairs, or worse, a dangerous structural collapse.

An engineered, professionally installed system from a specialist like Freedom Decks is the only way to guarantee a safe, durable, and long-lasting solution. Our patented technology, materials science expertise, and years of experience specifically in alternatives to filling in an inground pool eliminate the guesswork and the risk. Protecting your family and your investment is worth more than the few dollars you might save with an unqualified builder.

Frequently Asked Questions