Pool construction is hotly embracing a new trend: incorporating in-pool umbrellas with stands into pool steps, benches, or the pool deck. The purpose is obvious: to provide shade in areas of the pool and pool deck, and a cool look.
This article is about how to install pool umbrella holders or stands, either in the pool (for concrete pools) or on the pool deck, close to the pool edge. This allows you to get shade over a portion of the pool and pool deck for more comfortable relaxation – and because it looks really cool!
In-Pool Umbrella Stands
What to Consider
When using an umbrella in the pool, especially in a salt pool, be sure to use one that is stainless steel, aluminum or fiberglass, or some other material impervious to chlorine and salts. Another thing to keep in mind is that when a pool umbrella is in the pool, it may be lower (in height) than you imagine. Use umbrella pole extensions to elevate in-pool umbrellas above eye-poking level. The third thing is that you should consider placement carefully to provide the shade you want during different times of the year when the sun is higher or lower in the sky.
Installing an Umbrella in a Concrete Pool
The method we are describing today is how to drill into your pool (concrete pools only) and insert an umbrella holder (sleeve) into the pool step, bench or tanning shelf. Umbrella sleeves can also be added into the shallow-end floor but will require pole extenders to raise the umbrella about 4 feet above the water level.
The method used on existing pools to drill through the pool is to use a diamond-tipped hole saw on a powerful drill. On new pools, the builder will typically drill out the gunite or shotcrete and place the umbrella mounts during plastering of the pool. Install more than one sleeve for flexible placement options or to accommodate multiple in-pool umbrellas.
On existing pools, buy a diamond concrete hole saw of the right size, a bit larger than the umbrella sleeve that you are using, and attach to a heavy duty rotary hammer drill. Drain the pool (of course) and use a stud finder to find the rebar in the pool. Choose a location without rebar and drill. It may take a good 30-60 minutes of drilling, so let your drill (and yourself) rest every 5-10 minutes. Some pools can be extremely thick and will need a hole saw extension to continue drilling.
Once the hole has been cut through the pool shell, use a chisel to chip away 1 inch around the top of the hole, so the umbrella holder can sit slightly below the plaster level. Mix up a wet plaster patch material and pour in a thin slurry as you push the umbrella sleeve or pipe into the hole. Then pack a thick bead of plaster under the top lip of the ladder holder and over the top edge to prevent movement and leakage.
Pool Deck Umbrella Stands
For vinyl and fiberglass pools, or anyone who doesn’t want to drill holes in their swimming pools, you can place umbrella stands in the pool deck, right up against the pool, or just off the edge of the deck, depending on your sun exposure.
Before you jump right into installation, we recommend that you use a regular umbrella stand first for a few days, or even an entire season, to be sure of the location of permanent umbrella stands in the pool deck. The umbrella location depends on the location of the sun, which varies by time of day, and time of season. Experimentation can help you choose the best location(s) for in-deck pool umbrella stands.
Umbrella height is a personal preference, but remember that when in an 8-inch deep in-deck umbrella stand, your umbrella will be at least that much shorter overall. Install umbrella pole extenders if needed.
Installing an Umbrella Near Pool Deck
For concrete decks or paver decks that are tightly joined and set on concrete sub deck, use the same process as described above for drilling through the pool, only it’s not as deep to drill; most pool decks are about 3-4 inches thick, and most pavers only 2-3 inches thick. Using the AquaStar or Waterway Umbrella Sleeve will allow you to have a finished edge, the fluted top edge covering the hole that was drilled. You can also use steel pipes, CPVC or aluminum sleeves as pool umbrella holders in the pool deck.
On loose pavers or earthen areas, you may choose to pour a column of concrete in place of a few pavers or bricks, or just off the edge of the deck. After calling 811 to have underground pipes and wires marked, use a post hole digger or auger to dig a hole 18 inches deep or more. Fill the hole directly with mixed Sakrete or another aggregate cement mix, or use a forming tube to pour a neat column of concrete. While pouring the concrete, place your volleyball or umbrella sleeve in the concrete, with the top wrapped with masking tape to keep the surface clean.
Tips on Installing In-Pool and In-Deck Pool Umbrella Sleeves
- Experiment with placement and sun exposure before installing.
- Use a powerful rotary hammer drill and a diamond hole saw for masonry.
- Install a sleeve that is not too wide or too narrow, to fit your umbrella pole.
- Don’t use a wood pole for an in-pool umbrella.
- Do close your pool umbrellas during high winds!
I put a wooden umbrella on my pool shelf. The wood is swollen and now I can’t remove the umbrella. I have tried a clamp and that doesn’t work. Have you heard of this issue? Hoe would I remove the pole?
Hi Megan, I have not heard of this before, and cannot think of a good solution. Other than very large channel pliers or pipe wrench, try to twist it out? Maybe someone else may have another idea. If nothing else, I’d probably cut it off, then use a cordless drill and long drill bit to core it out in 2-3 spots, then chisel/hammer to break it up, and yank it out, piece by piece.
I am interesting in adding an umbrella sleeve on the step of my inground pebble-tek pool. I don’t know anything about pool construction. My pool professional advises against drilling a hole, citing the risk of cutting rebar and more importantly, plumbing. How can I be sure that the return lines were not laid underneath the step? Should I be worried? Thanks.
Hi Craig, no plumbing is put into the steps. You know where all of your return lines are, and unless your pool is very unusual there is no return line on the top step.
So, forget what he says. but, there may be a piece of rebar dead center on the top step, so I’d go off to the side of the apex, if your ocd can handle that! A core drill will cut better than a hammer drill, for such a large hole. If you can get it positioned so it is level and stationary, and won’t move around…?
I need help.. My pool just got finished and I noticed the 3 sleeves installed at on the “baja” ledge are all cut othe bottom and exposed to the shotcrete shell. I guess the PB was too lazy to jackhammer out the remaining 2″ of shotcrete so they would fit and decide to just cut them. My PB is not going to come back and fix these and I don’t want them back either. What options do I have? Should I drain the pool and try to fill them so the pool shell is protected from water?
Hi Mark, if I understand correctly, the bottom of the sleeves are open, and you can see gunite in the bottom? I would add 1/2″ of pool plaster mix. You can use EZ Patch #1FS, Fast Set, which can be used underwater. Just mix up a bit, into a golf ball size, drop in there, and use something just the right diameter and flat on the bottom, to press it firmly into the bottom of the sleeve.
Thank you so much… I’ve researched this and it’s definitely what I plan to do. I have another problem that came up yesterday. I noticed one of my pop up heads wasn’t working and after I removed the head, I noticed the pipe has been filled with pebble/cement. I was able to remove the debris to the elbow but I can’t seem to get anymore now. When I plug up the other 2 heads on that zone, you can see a small amount of water moving through the pipe opening. Any ideas to remove the rest of the debris without having to drain the pool? The in floor head is at the bottom of the pool.
Mark, if it is loose debris, you can use a Drain King connected to a garden hose and inserted into the in-floor cleaner valve (aka head unit) pipe, the pipe that feeds those 3 heads, and swim down with a plug, and plug the clogged one for 2-3 seconds and release, repeat, repeat… to create kind of a ‘water hammer’ effect. If it is cemented and stuck in there, past the 90, I suppose you’d have to drain the pool, and maybe fill it with acid, to soften and loosen the pebble plaster mix.
Is there a pipe fitting that will fit on the head that can close off the pipes from water? If so, I can add acid to the one pipe when I need to adjust ph and hopefully that would work… thoughts?
Hi Mark, yes you can use a winterization plug, an expandable rubber plug. for 1.5″ pipe, use a #8 or #9 plug.
can I place my umbrella in its stand, inside my fiberglass pool. my small pool is so hot and i need help! thank you
Nancy, you could, but you would have to drain the water, to drill thru the shell, and set one in place. Or you could use Sun Sails, sun shade fabrics stretched over the pool. Or use a Chiller, heat pumps that cool pool water.
I have the opposite problem. The pool has 2 capped mounts for an umbrella and table on a shallow platform. The builders had filled the recessed parts of the caps with pebble tec surfacing material and they were never utilized. It has been 8 years. I chipped out the pebble tec from the cap and tried to unscrew them but they won’t budge. Do these have reverse threads? Is there a specific tool to remove them? I’m afraid to damage the cap and have them remain forever.
Joe, if it is a circular cap, with a line thru the center, it may be a hydrostatic relief plug, or it could be an umbrella holder, you would know better than me. Grab the plastic line in the center with straight pliers and turn normal direction, CCW to unscrew. You could also use a hammer and dull chisel to hit it in the CCW direction. If that doesn’t work, they may have glued the caps in place, which is not normal.
What kind of umbrella is best for my pool. I left my umbrella in the pool and next day pulled it out was rusty water coming out out umbrella pole.
Yes, it would be best not to put iron oxide in the pool. Most umbrellas have aluminum poles, and many are wood, both would be fine. You may be able to put an extension on your existing umbrella, of PVC or wood, to keep the steel out of the water? If not ,,, https://www.intheswim.com/c/umbrellas
I have a pool, likely built with house in 1997, and the pool deck has umbrella inserts, with the top part threaded to hold a cap. But a couple caps are missing and I’m having a hard time sourcing those. Anyone have an idea where to find those?
Hi Daniel, if they look like our umbrella sleevesumbrella sleeves, you could buy the whole sleeve, just for the cap. If the cap is about 2″ dia. – the Hayward SP1022B plugSP1022B plug might fit, I think that is what is used in the umbrella sleeves, but not sure.
I would try getting a bicycle inner tube and cut sleeves to put on the pole to get it more snug in the hole. It may take more than 1 layer of “sleeves” to acheive your goal.
Hello I have one of these sleeves but my umbrellas is still loose. Is there another sleeve I need to add so the umbrella stand doesn’t lean?
Hi, not that I’m aware of, but you can ‘shim’ the umbrella with a thin rod or plastic ‘stick’, or cut-open a Paul Mitchell shampoo bottle or something to make a sleeve, or wrap duct tape around the base of the umbrella pole, or wrap a shim with duct tape around the pole – something to make the pole bigger or the sleeve smaller…
I have used a piece of vinyl hose and then a drill with sander attachment to taper the end a bit for snug fit.