Central NJ renovation raised spa and pool decking considerations

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D

DASpool

Member
Aug 26, 2024
24
Central NJ
Pool Size
36000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Looking to do pool renovation and would value input from people with knowledge of frost- thaw locales ( NJ north) especially. Considering pulling out cantilevered concrete pool decking and need ideas on how to ensure that whatever material we use around the new (yet to be determined material) around the raised spa will not go sink down over time. 10 years into original pool, downward shifting of concrete, we tried injecting concrete to lift and would like to ensure on this renovation, the surface is prepared properly to drain off but not to sink down over time. Concrete piers under whatever pool decking we select? We are looking for materials durable over time ( function and then aesthetics). Thoughts on the step construction for the steps up to the spa would be welcomed.

Need to decide on pool decking material and whether we have a stand alone coping separated with an expansion joint to the pool decking surface or go with a cantilevered concrete 1 pour surface. Concrete or Pavers in frost - thaw area where we will get snow on our pool cover and I've seen too many brass anchors heaving on pavers.
 

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Welcome to TFP.

I would never do concrete slabs in an area with unstable soil or freezing. Pavers let you fix and adapt the area as the environment shifts. You can lift up pavers in sinking areas, put some gravel under it, and relevel them.

Accept that the ground will shift around the pool/spa structure unless you build another monolithic concrete structure for the deck.
 
Thank you. So any guidance between what I need to know with coping and pool decking options? So many paver options. How do you ideally set these concrete pavers? And to keep the anchors for the safety pool cover from pulling up on the paver they are sunk into - is the 16 inch deep anchor in the paver better than the 8 inch size. Thank you for you insights.
 
I have brick like pavers, laid on gravel 20 years ago when workmanship was better. Never has a pool anchor pull out from them.
 
A bit lost. How likely that the raised spa surface would sustain over time with pavers? How would you think the surface would be prepared so it didn’t slide back over time? Thoughts on best material for the spillway so that the water would spill out OVER and not down the tile in the pool. Your comments on workmanship today vs. 21 years ago are frightfully true. Searching for the right materials and the best installers. Thank you
 
DASpool said:
How likely that the raised spa surface would sustain over time with pavers? How would you think the surface would be prepared so it didn’t slide back over time?
Click to expand...

With pavers over gravel if the ground settles you lift up the pavers put some gravel down, tamp it down, relay the pavers, and level the area.

DASpool said:
Thoughts on best material for the spillway so that the water would spill out OVER and not down the tile in the pool.
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A piece of stone, not tile, that overhangs the spillover. Read Gunite Spas - Further Reading about the notch that needs to be under the ledge of a spillover stone.

You also need enough water flow over the spillway and that depends on the width of the spillway.

Do you have automation?

Does your spa spillway run all the time your pool pump is running?
 
ajw22 said:
With pavers over gravel if the ground settles you lift up the pavers put some gravel down, tamp it down, relay the pavers, and level the area.



A piece of stone, not tile, that overhangs the spillover. Read Gunite Spas - Further Reading about the notch that needs to be under the ledge of a spillover stone.

You also need enough water flow over the spillway and that depends on the width of the spillway.

Do you have automation?

Does your spa spillway run all the time your pool pump is running?
Click to expand...
Found today our spillway is 2 feet wide and Yes water flows consistently through the spillway except for when the spa is running. Not sure if this is significant but the existing surface is a 90 degree angle and was not pitched slightly toward the pool.
Hoping we can add a stone extended a bit so the water flows out and down and not run down the tile surface. Thoughts welcomed. Thank you.
 
Any thoughts or experience on Boxing in skimmers in the pool decking?
Deciding on pool decking materials still and have heard some PB's "box" in the covers in the pool deck surface to stop concrete from cracking.
Between pavers and concrete - as the Pavers in a "wet set" of concrete seems like we are going in circles. Thanks
 

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DASpool said:
Any thoughts or experience on Boxing in skimmers in the pool decking?
Click to expand...

I do not know what "Boxing in skimmers" means.

DASpool said:
Deciding on pool decking materials still and have heard some PB's "box" in the covers in the pool deck surface to stop concrete from cracking.
Click to expand...

The skimmers are part of your pool structure and need to be separated from the deck by an expansion joint.

The pool structure and the deck structure need to be able to move independently.

Expansion Joints and Coping - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

DASpool said:
Between pavers and concrete - as the Pavers in a "wet set" of concrete seems like we are going in circles. Thanks
Click to expand...

I don't understand what you are asking here.
 
Apparently there is a weak spot in the pool decking around the skimmer when it is set in concrete. Cracks emerge over time. It was suggested that the cover be “ boxed out” say like in a piece of Travertine and then an expansion joint to the rest of the patio concrete. Thoughts?
 
DASpool said:
Apparently there is a weak spot in the pool decking around the skimmer when it is set in concrete. Cracks emerge over time. It was suggested that the cover be “ boxed out” say like in a piece of Travertine and then an expansion joint to the rest of the patio concrete. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Provide a drawing of the design.

My thought is in post #11.

The devil is in the details of how the skimmer, pool, and deck structure are built.
 
Thank you the further reading on copings was helpful. No drawing available at this time. And the Devil is in the details comment is spot on. Looking to ensure a good outcome on a complex project with so many possible ways for PB’s and their sub contractors to do things.
 
DASpool said:
Any thoughts or experience on Boxing in skimmers in the pool decking?
Deciding on pool decking materials still and have heard some PB's "box" in the covers in the pool deck surface to stop concrete from cracking.
Between pavers and concrete - as the Pavers in a "wet set" of concrete seems like we are going in circles. Thanks
Click to expand...
“Dry set” versus “wet set” pavers. Apparently some set their pavers in sand “dry” and others set them in concrete “wet”.
 
DASpool said:
Thank you the further reading on copings was helpful. No drawing available at this time. And the Devil is in the details comment is spot on. Looking to ensure a good outcome on a complex project with so many possible ways for PB’s and their sub contractors to do things.
Click to expand...

If you want a good outcome have drawings made of what the PB and contractor intends to do. Much easier making adjustments on paper then after concrete has hardened.

No commercial construction is done without drawings. Builders take advantage of residential rookies with claims of their many years of experience and trust them. There should be no trust in construction.
 
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