Concrete coping- expectations too high?

[JessB412]

My concrete coping is incredibly rough -
Any way to smooth it out so it doesn’t tear us up next summer?

Also, is it normal to have cracks on a brand new pour? It did have fiber mesh but it was a large pour deck 12ft, 6ft, 8ft, 10 ft around 18x36 pool. Over 1500 sq ft. Of course contractor is like that’s normal you expect to much bah blah blah aka covering for himself but maybe he’s right? The joints are also way too far. I told them that as they were working but they hushed me away and said don’t worry they know what they’re doing. Apparently every contractor I read 8-12ft max is wrong in their book.

 

[d_red1]

Looks like they broomed it too early. You should be able to knock down those fins with a wet block and some elbow grease. This can usually be found in the tile section at HD: QEP Tile Sanding and Rubbing Stone with Dual Grit Surfaces-10022Q - The Home Depot
Test in a small area first to make sure it gets the desired results. Keep a bucket or hose nearby to maintain a wet block and working surface

What do you mean the joints are 8-12ft apart? Are these tooled or sawed joints? Post a pic so we have a better understanding. Control joints (sawed or tooled and used to control cracking) should be 24-36" apart. (edit: spacing is for a separate concrete coping and not a cantilevered concrete coping)

 

[JessB412]

Looks like they broomed it too early. You should be able to knock down those fins with a wet block and some elbow grease. This can usually be found in the tile section at HD: QEP Tile Sanding and Rubbing Stone with Dual Grit Surfaces-10022Q - The Home Depot
Test in a small area first to make sure it gets the desired results. Keep a bucket or hose nearby to maintain a wet block and working surface

What do you mean the joints are 8-12ft apart? Are these tooled or sawed joints? Post a pic so we have a better understanding. Control joints (sawed or tooled and used to control cracking) should be 24-36" apart. (edit: spacing is for a separate concrete coping and not a cantilevered concrete coping)

I mean control joints for cracking most sites say 8-12 ft max. I have 12-15 ft between mine and my concrete is cracking already

 

[kevreh]

I would get a second opinion from a well rated concrete contractor in your area. They can cut in control joints with a diamond blade to give the slab more relief.

 

[Funkatation]

Are you going with any type of spray deck?

 

[JessB412]

Are you going with any type of spray deck?

No even though my pool guy tried to talk me into it -- but I just paid $12k for concrete and we had so many people rob us blind on this project my bank account can't take anymore "add ons". However, my husband and I both agreed once we can't take it anymore in a few years we will either paint it or spray deck or something. Our concrete is just a mess and I just can't handle another huge project after building this pool for almost 2 years. It's usuable and that will have to be enough for now....such is life.

If you have any recommendations for future renovation though I'm happy to hear and keep it on the back burner. We are thinking in about 3 years or so -- we pay off the pool loan in 2 years. (we had it cashed out before this project started -- heaven help me lol).

 

[revitup]

We were very unhappy with the quality of our broomed concrete deck, both with color variations and surface finish around the deck and the sawed joints - though no cracks. Our PB, a very reputable and quality oriented one thank goodness, spray coated the deck at no cost. If I were you I'd insist on the same.

 

[JessB412]

We were very unhappy with the quality of our broomed concrete deck, both with color variations and surface finish around the deck and the sawed joints - though no cracks. Our PB, a very reputable and quality oriented one thank goodness, spray coated the deck at no cost. If I were you I'd insist on the same.

I tried -- every time we talked he gave me a different price -- I think he was down to $4k at the lowest. I asked him, "You want me to pay $4k extra b/c you screwed up?" and he just told me my expectations were unrealistic and I was getting a "deal". I have already been to court suing one contractor to get a fraction of our money back so I just dont have any more "fight" left in me on that one. He was the contractor that bailed us out b/c no other pool company would even touch our pool with how the last guy left it (long story). We are also installing our own liner lock soon b/c he left our liner completed with coins holding in the last corner. He said this is "normal". Then told me it would be a minimum cost of $300 to him to do liner lock and that was with him doing free labor. I found liner lock for $40 for 120 ft and we will be installing ourselves lol

To give you an idea of how I've been cursed with this pool....Beyond already mentioned we have already had our salt cell and our Hayward heat pump replaced under warranty after 1 week of use. What are the odds I'd get 2 defective parts straight off the line? If it can go wrong it will for us and this pool lol ....I'm trying to just enjoy now and be grateful it's usable at least and trouble free pool is literally the most enjoyable part of this whole process!

 

[DiverGirl1972]

Wow, just wow! I am so sorry for you!! What an absolute nightmare for what is supposed to be a source of fun and joy (for the most part!). I hope you can get those rough edges smoothed out, put this situation in your rear view mirror as best you can and enjoy the pool as intended!

 

[JessB412]

Wow, just wow! I am so sorry for you!! What an absolute nightmare for what is supposed to be a source of fun and joy (for the most part!). I hope you can get those rough edges smoothed out, put this situation in your rear view mirror as best you can and enjoy the pool as intended!

Oh I forgot to follow up -- My husband and I got a concrete block smoother, and for 3 hours from 9-12am we sanded the entire coping so it would be done before liner was installed (I was scared of getting concrete dust in brand new pool). Those things are magical (concrete sander blocks).