Bringing ledger down into water - bad idea?

[Schneida]

I’ve seen some PB bringing ledger or split face stone down into the water, interrupting the waterline tile. I honestly prefer the look of this rather than the waterline tile running below it but wondering if it would be a maintenance nightmare?

My PB said they could do it but expressed concerns about algae etc. Maybe they are sealing it? Attaching a few pictures. Would love any insight on doing this.

 

[Jimrahbe]

S,

Functionality should be more important than looks.

I don't think it makes sense to have the stone in the pool water itself. I agree with your pool builder.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Bperry]

I’ve seen some PB bringing ledger or split face stone down into the water, interrupting the waterline tile. I honestly prefer the look of this rather than the waterline tile running below it but wondering if it would be a maintenance nightmare?

My PB said they could do it but expressed concerns about algae etc. Maybe they are sealing it? Attaching a few pictures. Would love any insight on doing this.

Sealed stone eventually becomes unsealed stone. There’s a reason tile is used at the waterline and not plaster/stone.

 

[RLP]

I like the look. I would look into a manufactured stone, or something synthetic with a glaze like tile.

 

[kimkats]

I like the look of both of them. The main reason is the very rough finish on the stone will make it a cleaning nightmare. With a flat, smooth surface all you may have to do is wipe it off. The stone will require a good, stiff brush to get into all of the nooks and crannies.

 

[Supersix]

I’ve seen some PB bringing ledger or split face stone down into the water, interrupting the waterline tile. I honestly prefer the look of this rather than the waterline tile running below it but wondering if it would be a maintenance nightmare?

My PB said they could do it but expressed concerns about algae etc. Maybe they are sealing it? Attaching a few pictures. Would love any insight on doing this.

Waterline tile will add a pop to your pool. I wouldn't build a pool without it.

 

[Toxophilite]

I have travertine split-face to below tile line on face of spa and on fountain. I've often wondered about the long term stuff, maintenance, etc.... but, the only cleaning and scale removing I've had to do has always been on the tile. The stone stays pristine.

 

[duraleigh]

Great place for algae to hide........that said, maintain the water chemistry and you will have little or no algae problems

 

[Schneida]

I have travertine split-face to below tile line on face of spa and on fountain. I've often wondered about the long term stuff, maintenance, etc.... but, the only cleaning and scale removing I've had to do has always been on the tile. The stone stays pristine.

Thanks for sharing. How long have you had your pool and would you mind sharing a picture?

 

[Toxophilite]

Thanks for sharing. How long have you had your pool and would you mind sharing a picture?

I'll try to scrounge one up when home. Second year coming up. I've had some light calcium form on tile that required removal but none on stone, so far. Now, it's lighter color, silver, but no line like on tile that ever seen. I do brush with tile. I've never had a hint of any algae so far, pool or otherwise, thanks to TFP, advice, methodology. So, I really can't attest to what will or will not be in years to come, but so far I've not come across another person, live or internet, that caused me to regret, yet. But, at the same time, I know it's natural stone, in water, so there's nothing majical about it staying as is either.

 

[W.J.Christy]

I have Turkish lime stone that goes below the water line. It looks nice. It's a pain to keep clean. I have one stagnent corner that all the floating gunk gets blown and then ends up on the stone and makes a hard to clean mess. I wouldn't do it again if I had to. I have started considering removing a 6 in section a replacing it with the waterline tile elsewhere on the pool.

My pool builder did this as a standard and I didn't know any better at the time. I vote no, don't do it.

 

[Supersix]

When you do choose a tile you don’t want to go neutral on the color. Again you want it to pop! I finished my pool last month here’s a photo.

 

[Schneida]

When you do choose a tile you don’t want to go neutral on the color. Again you want it to pop! I finished my pool last month here’s a photo.

Very pretty! Is that poured concrete coping? Wish I could do that here but PB only does stone.

 

[Schneida]

I have Turkish lime stone that goes below the water line. It looks nice. It's a pain to keep clean. I have one stagnent corner that all the floating gunk gets blown and then ends up on the stone and makes a hard to clean mess. I wouldn't do it again if I had to. I have started considering removing a 6 in section a replacing it with the waterline tile elsewhere on the pool.

My pool builder did this as a standard and I didn't know any better at the time. I vote no, don't do it.

Thank you so much for that insight! Is this picture when your pool was first built or now? Just curious to see the buildup

 

[W.J.Christy]

Thank you so much for that insight! Is this picture when your pool was first built or now? Just curious to see the buildup

That was last night. The below is what it looked like just after being installed and after first fill.

 

[Supersix]

Very pretty! Is that poured concrete coping? Wish I could do that here but PB only does stone.

Yes, it's poured coping with a broom finish

 

[darkrider]

I was initially worried about the boulder shelf for our waterfall extending all the way into the pool water, as I also thought it might be a cleaning nightmare. I figured I'd likely be scrubbing with a dive mask, but I haven't had to clean it yet. It's been almost a year since water was added, including a closing/reopening and with the water balanced, it has stayed spotless! You can see pics of it under my media.

 

[Schneida]

I was initially worried about the boulder shelf for our waterfall extending all the way into the pool water, as I also thought it might be a cleaning nightmare. I figured I'd likely be scrubbing with a dive mask, but I haven't had to clean it yet. It's been almost a year since water was added, including a closing/reopening and with the water balanced, it has stayed spotless! You can see pics of it under my media.

Wow your pool and outdoor space is amazing! Love the coping, landscaping and different areas. Do you have pebblesheen? If so I’d love to know what color. Thanks for the insight on the boulder shelf and how it’s performing in the water.

 

[darkrider]

Wow your pool and outdoor space is amazing! Love the coping, landscaping and different areas. Do you have pebblesheen? If so I’d love to know what color. Thanks for the insight on the boulder shelf and how it’s performing in the water.

Thanks! We're still working on the landscaping, adding a lot of plants, but are very happy with the way it turned out. It is PebbleSheen, and the color is Ocean Blue.