Coping looks terrible

[Deleted member 312768]

Hi everyone my coping was installed a while back and I can’t help but look at it and think it looks absolutely terrible I don’t understand the discoloration around the seam lines or why the concrete almost has a checkered look from piece to piece. does your concrete coping look like this? it’s definitely not what I expected…
Our Gunite was poured in January so I’m beyond frustrated at this point…. (Everything is dry)

 

[PhillyRay]

The coping looks ok to me?

Is your decking stamped concrete? If so, It looks like maybe they could have done a better job stamping the pattern where the slabs meet

 

[Deleted member 312768]

The coping looks ok to me?

Is your decking stamped concrete? If so, It looks like maybe they could have done a better job stamping the pattern where the slabs meet

Thank you, yes it is stamped concrete . To be honest I’m so disappointed in the workmanship of this entire project as well as the delays! It’s been an absolute drain! The coping is pre cast concrete and the deck is stamped. Had I known pavers was an option prior would have definitely done that!

 

[Jimrahbe]

8,

If you are not happy with what is in the pic, then I doubt that you would be happy with pavers either.

I just can't see an issue..

Jim R.

 

[Deleted member 312768]

8,

If you are not happy with what is in the pic, then I doubt that you would be happy with pavers either.

I just can't see an issue..

Jim R.

No I would be happy with the pavers the concrete coping is a few different shades and the seaming and leveling isn’t great. The stamped concrete looks ok it’s just the coping that is an eyesore to me.

 

[Newdude]

Do you have more shots ? You probably have 29 places you are unhappy with but that one pic isn't showing us much, not being there.

 

[Deleted member 312768]

Do you have more shots ? You probably have 29 places you are unhappy with but that one pic isn't showing us much, not being there.

Shoot let me see, it’s hard to notice in the pic, maybe the coping will look better once the plaster is in?

 

[Newdude]

OK. I get it more. The pieces are staggered light/dark, not terribly different but enough to notice, and the seems are kinda splotchy and look half wet. You would have to talk to the PB for both of those. I like the stagger and it gives it some character IMO. (Feel free to hate it and call the PB)


But. Like we discussed originally. At every stage with plaster builds, wherever they are stands out like a big neon sign with nothing else to distract from it, or not enough things yet to distract from it. Like when they did the tile on the ugly Grey shell. Big FAT neon sign that says 'LOOK at ME'

Once it's all in, full of water, and landscaped with patio furniture, you'll learn what we all learned. That kids use 17 towels each, leave them everywhere, and you are so busy picking up towels you will NEVER see the coping until you remove the towel. But you still won't see the coping. No ma'am. not at all. Because you can't see over the stack of towels you are carrying.

 

[PhillyRay]

Thank you, yes it is stamped concrete . To be honest I’m so disappointed in the workmanship of this entire project as well as the delays! It’s been an absolute drain! The coping is pre cast concrete and the deck is stamped. Had I known pavers was an option prior would have definitely done that!

I understand the frustration as someone who’s going through a major renovation right now. I think you are within your rights to raise concerns where you see fit, but I think your coping is pretty good.

Before we demoed the pool, we had large concrete slabs that were cracking and the expansion joints were in terrible shape. I had visited some pools where they had stamped concrete and it’s nice except if and where it cracks, it’s just really daunting against the stamped pattern.

So we decided to go with pavers. I’m hoping they are installed next week and happy to share pictures if interested

 

[JamesW]

It doesn't look perfect but it also doesn't look horrible.

Stone always has some amount of variation.

Light sanding might help.

Using a penetrating sealer might help, but it also might make it look worse.

After 6 months, the color tends to even out some as the stone ages.

 

[Deleted member 312768]

OK. I get it more. The pieces are staggered light/dark, not terribly different but enough to notice, and the seems are kinda splotchy and look half wet. You would have to talk to the PB for both of those. I like the stagger and it gives it some character IMO. (Feel free to hate it and call the PB)


But. Like we discussed originally. At every stage with plaster builds, wherever they are stands out like a big neon sign with nothing else to distract from it, or not enough things yet to distract from it. Like when they did the tile on the ugly Grey shell. Big FAT neon sign that says 'LOOK at ME'

Once it's all in, full of water, and landscaped with patio furniture, you'll learn what we all learned. That kids use 17 towels each, leave them everywhere, and you are so busy picking up towels you will NEVER see the coping until you remove the towel. But you still won't see the coping. No ma'am. not at all. Because you can't see over the stack of towels you are carrying.

Thank you for this! I needed it! My PB keeps telling me it's just fine, but *sigh* such is life. Thanks for helping me look at it a bit different, you have a great outlook!

 

[Deleted member 312768]

It doesn't look perfect but it also doesn't look horrible.

Stone always has some amount of variation.

Light sanding might help.

Using a penetrating sealer might help, but it also might make it look worse.

After 6 months, the color tends to even out some as the stone ages.

Thank you, I may try a light sand - but you are right I think over time it will fade, especially since I'm in Northern CA where it will be over 100 all summer long! Thanks for saying it doesn't look horrible

 

[Deleted member 312768]

I understand the frustration as someone who’s going through a major renovation right now. I think you are within your rights to raise concerns where you see fit, but I think your coping is pretty good.

Before we demoed the pool, we had large concrete slabs that were cracking and the expansion joints were in terrible shape. I had visited some pools where they had stamped concrete and it’s nice except if and where it cracks, it’s just really daunting against the stamped pattern.

So we decided to go with pavers. I’m hoping they are installed next week and happy to share pictures if interested

Oh nice, yes I wanted pavers too, but decided too late and PB wouldn't change spec. - agree with the cracking! Alot of the frusteration stems from being so far past schedule, and the amount of money I am spending, I have a certain expectation - ugh....oh well!

 

[Cknitts]

Shoot let me see, it’s hard to notice in the pic, maybe the coping will look better once the plaster is in?

This looks great, i wish my coping looked like this!

 

[Deleted member 312768]

This looks great, i wish my coping looked like this!

Oh wow, thank you

 

[Deleted member 312768]

This looks great, i wish my coping looked like this!

Wow your pool and coping look stunning! Seriously !!!!

 

[JamesW]

Note that sanding only works with some stone and not all coping stone, so don't do it unless you're sure that it won't make it look worse.

Some stone can be damaged by sanding.

Sometimes, installers use grout wash water in a way that gets colored grout on the stone as a stain.

Washing the stone might help and maybe pressure washing might help but it can also damage some stone, so a few options, but be careful and try a test spot to see how any treatment will work.

 

[B.lu]

Hi! I understand your frustration because a pool build is so expensive and you want to end up loving each part. I think when it’s done, it’ll all sort of blend together and hopefully you’ll like the look as a whole. I have concrete pavers and there are variations to the coloring. Even after one pool season, the variations increased (spots with sunblock on it for example got a bit yellowed). I appreciate the texture that the variation gives now.

I tried to comb through my media tab for some pics for examples. When they first put the coping down I was heartbroken because I thought the grout was too dark. I contacted the PB almost nauseated saying ‘I thought I was going to be given choices’. He assured me it would fade and in the end I like the contrast it gives. Good luck with the rest of your build. Please share some pics when it’s done

 

[Decoy205]

Honestly it looks pretty good to me too. I like you when spending a lot of money on something over analyze everything. Sometimes it can get the best of us. As long as it’s structurally sound that’s the most important thing. With pavers especially in light colors there will also be variation. The idea is that it’s more like natural stone. I agree with others. It looks good as long as it’s put in correctly once the kids are swimming it won’t matter.

 

[kimkats]

I learned something from my husband that I apply to many things in life:
"Never judge or question an artist until they say the work of art is done." The pieces and parts may look like a mess while the work of art is being worked on. When the finial "picture" is done THEN everything will look good together. No one area/piece will stand out.