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Re-activateEvery year we hear of a few tragedies when decks collapse, often because of rotting wood and overload. It's a good idea to inspect your deck regularly for signs of decay or instability, and to be careful not to pile too much on it--especially not an inflatable swimming pool. The news media regularly highlight at least a handful of incidents where decks gave way under the weight of a swimming pool. On May 31st, a deck collapse in Brooklyn, New York plunged three children into the Mill Basin Inlet below when their pool crashed through the planks.
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When we calculated the weight of a typical 12-feet diameter pool that's 36 inches high, we were surprised by how much it would weigh when filled with water—14,855 pounds! That would create a load on the deck of 131 pounds per square foot. Common decks typically have a design load of about 50 pounds per square foot. This pool would put a deck well over its weight limit. Although decks can be designed to carry such a load, most aren't.
Learn how to stay on top of deck maintenance and the warning signs of a potential safety hazard from the Home Safety Council.
Among the telltale signs they list:
Also, check out our recently rated deck materials (for subscribers).
For more information about why we're not fans of inflatable pools, check out our past coverage of inflatable pool hazards.
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