Thoughts Granite coping stone cracked over skimmer first month

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DASpool

Active member
Aug 26, 2024
32
Central NJ
Pool Size
36000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Still in progress of renovation remediation and pool water will have to come out for next phase. Yesterday we noticed that the NEW granite coping stone over the deep end skimmer has a crack in it. We will have a new stone cut and would like thoughts on how to reinstall the 12 x 24 x 1.5" granite stone. Any ideas on why this may have happened and how to prevent it from happening again? The stone was set in Platinum 254 and Permacolor Grout between stones. You can see the grout has hairline crack which may speak to movement and / or expansion - contraction. Should we use a soft joint material like Latasil instead of the grout next time to allow for movement? What are your thoughts on having a bridge across the skimmer opening when the stone is removed to replace it? Thank you for your thoughts Pictures below.skimmer view of cracked granite stone 5.15.25.jpg
 

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I cannot see the crack in the picture you posted.

Where is your expansion joint?

A skimmer in a gunite pool is part of the pool structure and needs to be able to move with the pool. The expansion joint isolating the pool structure from the deck must include the skimmer. Skimmers are connected with rebar to the gunite structure.

Expansion Joints and Coping - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
The expansion joint should have been placed around the skimmer gunite box...

1747422233623.png
 
I hope this shows the crack between the orange lines. There is a Vulkem expansion joint in the picture and a saw cut in the concrete patio just laid. As to the Stainless steel bridge under the granite stone how would someone keep water from getting between the stone and the stainless steel. Is there a special way to make the stainless steel bond to the granite stone? Thank you
 

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DASpool said:
Still in progress of renovation remediation and pool water will have to come out for next phase. Yesterday we noticed that the NEW granite coping stone over the deep end skimmer has a crack in it. We will have a new stone cut and would like thoughts on how to reinstall the 12 x 24 x 1.5" granite stone. Any ideas on why this may have happened and how to prevent it from happening again? The stone was set in Platinum 254 and Permacolor Grout between stones. You can see the grout has hairline crack which may speak to movement and / or expansion - contraction. Should we use a soft joint material like Latasil instead of the grout next time to allow for movement? What are your thoughts on having a bridge across the skimmer opening when the stone is removed to replace it? Thank you for your thoughts Pictures below.View attachment 646683
Click to expand...
We have been advised that over time even marine grade stainless steel (314) will corrode (need replacement). Is anyone familiar with using a piece of porcelain or a piece of slate as the bridge over the skimmer and under the granite coping stone as some structural support?
Any thoughts on the sizing that would be best to go with - when the coping stone is 12" wide and 24" long? How deep and wide would we make the bridge to provide support?
Also would like to ask about using soft joint - Latasil - instead of modified polymer grout - Permacolor grout to provide some room for expansion / contraction and movement. I keep reading about EJ171 Change of plane movement joints but it does not seem that pool builders - make these soft joints every 8-12 feet. Or maybe our stone just had a slight crack in it when it was mortared down and in the 3 weeks it just became more obvious with some minor movement. No one stood on the granite stone that is 1.5" thick but would think it would hold body weight?
Any thoughts - can't find any videos on all the searches and engineer says the metal won't hold over time. Thank you
 
DASpool said:
We have been advised that over time even marine grade stainless steel (314) will corrode (need replacement). Is anyone familiar with using a piece of porcelain or a piece of slate as the bridge over the skimmer and under the granite coping stone as some structural support?
Click to expand...

Will the stainless steel evenytually corrode? Sure.

Will good quality stainless steel last longer than your plaster - probably.

Pools are a consumable asset that nature looks to reclaim.

DASpool said:
Any thoughts on the sizing that would be best to go with - when the coping stone is 12" wide and 24" long? How deep and wide would we make the bridge to provide support?
Click to expand...

I would think 12" wide and 48" long so it overlaps under the neighboring stones.

DASpool said:
Also would like to ask about using soft joint - Latasil - instead of modified polymer grout - Permacolor grout to provide some room for expansion / contraction and movement. I keep reading about EJ171 Change of plane movement joints but it does not seem that pool builders - make these soft joints every 8-12 feet. Or maybe our stone just had a slight crack in it when it was mortared down and in the 3 weeks it just became more obvious with some minor movement. No one stood on the granite stone that is 1.5" thick but would think it would hold body weight?
Click to expand...

No one does that for residential pool construction.

It is more important you have high-quality workmanship with good installation products.
 
Last edited:
DASpool said:
We have been advised that over time even marine grade stainless steel (314) will corrode (need replacement).
Click to expand...
Over time meaning what?

In my opinion, it is the best choice.

It should not corrode for a very long time like over 20 years.
DASpool said:
Is anyone familiar with using a piece of porcelain or a piece of slate as the bridge over the skimmer and under the granite coping stone as some structural support?
Click to expand...
You need something very strong and those are not strong enough.
 

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