Crack in Coping-New Pool Build

PJM2 · Sep 29, 2021

First post... new pool build.. The pool plaster was done 30 days (8/28/21) ago and we just had the city sign off on the pool completely this week! However, this unsightly crack is in a very visible place. The crack showed not long after the coping was poured, but it has gotten bigger (not the hairline that it started out to be) a few weeks ago, which is disappointing. We reached out to the pool builder. The message we got back was as follows. "spoke with the concrete installer about that area - we are not concerned about it moving too much because of the 2 rows of rebar we have in that area. "
Does this crack look concerning to you? I know all concrete cracks, so I guess this shouldn't be a surprise? I guess I was assuming the cracks would be more hairline, not like this.
Everything else about the pool we love, but then my eyes go directly to this

What would you do? See attached pictures. Thanks!

BigPapaSmurf · Sep 29, 2021

If this was mine I would be concerned and it needs to be fixed, in my opinion.

Poolbreh · Sep 29, 2021

I’m curious where the rebar is in the concrete. Do you have pictures of the rebar before the pour? I’m also curious why they did contraction lines instead of separating the bonding beam from the decking. I’m not a concrete guy, but it doesn’t look like hydration issues. Hopefully someone here has knowledge to share.

AQUA~HOLICS · Sep 29, 2021

That is unacceptable. Was the concrete mixed on the job site or mixed at a yard and delivered? Mixture may have had too much water added or too many spins in the barrel prior to unloading of the product. Hydration of concrete is important to proper curing, both what’s added during mixture and after it has been finished. It’s still green enough that the replacement concrete would match in color to existing coping. The finished product in your pictures are not of industry standards, Ray.

sktn77a · Sep 30, 2021

They need to cut that section out and replace it. It will continue to crack and crumble. I don't believe they put rebar in poured coping (?)

PJM2 · Oct 3, 2021

Poolbreh said:
I’m curious where the rebar is in the concrete. Do you have pictures of the rebar before the pour? I’m also curious why they did contraction lines instead of separating the bonding beam from the decking. I’m not a concrete guy, but it doesn’t look like hydration issues. Hopefully someone here has knowledge to share.

Thanks for your reply. They did not put rebar on the decking. I attached a picture just prior to the pour. You can see the molding for the concrete coping. That's it.

PJM2 · Oct 3, 2021

PJM2 said:
Thanks for your reply. They did not put rebar on the decking. I attached a picture just prior to the pour. You can see the molding for the concrete coping. That's it.

Poolbreh said:
I’m curious where the rebar is in the concrete. Do you have pictures of the rebar before the pour? I’m also curious why they did contraction lines instead of separating the bonding beam from the decking. I’m not a concrete guy, but it doesn’t look like hydration issues. Hopefully someone here has knowledge to share.

AQUA~HOLICS said:
That is unacceptable. Was the concrete mixed on the job site or mixed at a yard and delivered? Mixture may have had too much water added or too many spins in the barrel prior to unloading of the product. Hydration of concrete is important to proper curing, both what’s added during mixture and after it has been finished. It’s still green enough that the replacement concrete would match in color to existing coping. The finished product in your pictures are not of industry standards, Ray.

I agree, Ray. I believe the concrete was mixed at a yard and delivered. That is encouraging to think that the replacement concrete may match as it hasn't been that long.

PJM2 · Oct 3, 2021

sktn77a said:
They need to cut that section out and replace it. It will continue to crack and crumble. I don't believe they put rebar in poured coping (?)

You are correct, they did not put rebar in the poured coping. Here are a couple of pictures showing the process: trenches of the gas lines then they leveled the dirt on top and placed the coping molds and rocked it before the pour.

PJM2 · Oct 3, 2021

The pool builder had us sign a disclaimer which states:
"Concrete cracks. For this reason we install crack control joints (also known as expansion joints)
where cracking is most likely to occur.
Cracking typically occurs soon after the pour is done - sometimes even the same day. Despite
the precautions, your concrete may crack in places other than the control joints. There is no guarantee that it won't crack. But we do use a 6-sack cement mix, crushed rock/ or AB mix as a base, and add fiber mesh reinforcements, etc to try to avoid cracking."
So by signing this we have lack of warranty on concrete finish as well as color... ugh!

PJM2 · Oct 3, 2021

PJM2 said:
You are correct, they did not put rebar in the poured coping. Here are a couple of pictures showing the process: trenches of the gas lines then they leveled the dirt on top and placed the coping molds and rocked it before the pour.

View attachment 375566 View attachment 375567 View attachment 375568

After looking at the 3rd picture, I do see one rebar running along the coping area...

AQUA~HOLICS · Oct 3, 2021

Do you have possession of the concrete batch paperwork for that load?

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Crack in Coping-New Pool Build

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