|
|
Coping and Tile
The top of the pool shell is finished with coping on the horizontal surface and tile on the vertical edges. Coping can be pre-cast cement, brick, or natural stones such as flagstone or travertine. Most coping has a rounded bull nose above the waterline. Perimeter tiles are normally frost-free ceramic or porcelain. Tiles create an aesthetically pleasing finish and provide a material at the surface (where oil and scum accumulate) that is non porous and is easier to clean.
Common Problems with Coping and Tile
Cracked and/or loose coping and tile presents not only a structural integrity issue, but also a serious safety hazard. Ceramic tile can be very sharp and cracked edges can cause serious cuts. A loose coping stone could cause a swimmer to fall and become injured. In addition to these hazards, these conditions open the door for water loss and further damage to the surrounding areas, particularly in winter months.
Solutions
A qualified pool contractor can perform an initial inspection and replace or reset stones and tiles as needed. The pool should be checked for hazards weekly at a minimum. If a significant percentage of the pool is in need of repair or replacement, it may be more cost effective in the long run to complete an entire perimeter replacement of the coping and tile. This is a very common swimming pool repair. Replace perimeter caulking whenever cracked, split, or separated.
Loose and/or cracked coping and tile could also be accompanied by "beam damage". The concrete shell may deteriorate due to thermodynamic movement (freeze/thaw) and/or over saturation. We seen problems at the beam that started with too much sand in the mix when it was first built as well. The entire vessel (pool) could even lift out of the ground or crack, due to hydrostatic ground pressure. Hydrostatic pressure is mostly pertaining to when the swimming pool is drained, with enough pressure it could float out of the ground like a boat. The pool should be equipped with a functional hydrostatic relief valve, to allow ground water to enter the pool and offset the upward lifting force with the weight of the water.
|
|
|
