Building fire pit on pool deck

I would like to build a fire pit on top of my existing pool deck, which is 4" stamped concrete. It is sealed etc. My question is how to prepare the surface to ensure the mortar will adhere to the deck best. Do I need to anchor it in some way as well??

Any help appreciated.

Thanks
Jan

 

I think you should have some mechanical anchors. Additionally you should go for a good bond to the deck.

First MAKE SURE THE DECK IS CLEAN. Pressure wash it and wash it with real TSP and carefully etch it with acid. Make sure you rinse it well.

Before you set any mortar on the properly cleaned deck mix up a slurry of neat Portland cement and water to the consistency of paint and paint that deck with that slurry. Place the mortar before the slurry sets or dries. If it dries or sets before you get the mortar on it give it another dose of the slurry. Maybe you don't want it to bond that well. Maybe just clean it and place the mortar and then maybe if in the future you change your mind it will still come loose.

 

Removed, removed removed.........

 

Thanks so much for your advice. What would you recommend for mechanical anchoring?

 

I think you should drill some holes in the deck and put in some bolts or pins that will go into the empty spaces in the first course of blocks and fill those cores with mortar. If this is going to be made of bricks there is probably a better way but I don't know what it is. Someone here surely does