Cracking cantilever coping

mrm1682 · May 8, 2022

Pool was built last year and concrete patio with cantilever coping poured in August. I sealed it with penetrating sealer towards the end of Sept to allow proper curing of the concrete. I opened a couple of weeks ago and noticed these cracks in part of the coping yesterday. I know concrete will crack no matter what but wanted to know if there’s anything to do with these areas before it gets worse. Or is it easier to deal with after it cracks further?

ajw22 · May 8, 2022

That looks like cracking due to water freezing in the area and cracking the concrete. Basically the process that causes pot holes in the winter.

The expansion joint routed water into the area to pool and freeze.

I think that type of construction was a poor choice for freezing areas.

mrm1682 · May 9, 2022

The deck is slightly pitched away from the coping though so water naturally goes away from the pool so I would think this is opposite what you’re thinking.

Looking more closely today and comparing to the other joints these don’t seem to be “filled” as nicely as the rest. These were the last two joints of the deck when they poured it so I wonder if that affected it somehow.

RodB · Aug 3, 2022

mrm1682 said:
The deck is slightly pitched away from the coping though so water naturally goes away from the pool so I would think this is opposite what you’re thinking.

Looking more closely today and comparing to the other joints these don’t seem to be “filled” as nicely as the rest. These were the last two joints of the deck when they poured it so I wonder if that affected it somehow.

Hello, I was wondering what you decided to do? I have a new cantilever pour this year and already have cracks even before going through winter. I’m very disappointed with the cracks. My contractors said he wants to wait until spring to address the issue. Have you made any decisions on what to do. My cracks are very similar to yours and I have them all around the pool. Thanks Rod

Jaffles · Aug 5, 2022

Cold it possible to use a screw driver to hook out that cracked poorly finished bit. Then do some shaping with a grinder before applying Sikka-Flex to the whole joint to allow expansion but stop water ingress. Not the perfect solution and probably would need re-doing every 3 to 5 years.

mrm1682 · Aug 11, 2022

I didn’t do anything and it still looks the same. No further cracks and it hasn’t spread. I was tempted to pick it out and smooth it out with some filler of some sort but decided against messing around with it. Concrete cracks and it’s just a matter of when. My neighbor has the same pool builder and is getting close to getting his patio poured so I may grab the mason to take a peek when they’re here.

Cracking cantilever coping

mrm1682

ajw22

mrm1682

RodB

Jaffles

mrm1682