Efflorescence Damaging Coping

[JMPool99]

Thanks all. Any thoughts on best way to repair the pits? I tried grout, but it's not "fine" enough for how shallow those pits are. Bummer is that it continues to flake off as the efflorescence pushing up.
Also, I think the source on the side of the spa that's bad may be the water running through the stone fromt he spillway and saturating the concrete on that side.

 

[JamesW]

Try sanding it down.

Maybe screen the grout through a screen to remove the larger particles.

Maybe use a penetrating sealer after the stone is clean.

 

[JamesW]

https://laticrete.com/en/tile-and-stone-care-and-maintenance/stonetech-protect/stonetech-bulletproof-sealer

Penetrating sealer for stone

Long lasting penetrating sealer for stone and pavers interior and exterior applications

www.covertecproducts.com

SurfaceFinish CD80 Colloidal Silica Concrete Hardener And Densifier

SurfaceTreat CD80 is a fast-acting colloidal silica concrete hardener & densifier. Works on Green concrete 2-3 days old. Produces a dust free surface.

www.covertecproducts.com

StoneBlock SD125 Moisture and Efflorescence blocker for stone and concrete surfaces

https://www.covertecproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/STONEBLOCK-SD125_SDS.pdf

https://www.covertecproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/STONEBLOCK-SD125_TDS.pdf

RustOleum

www.rustoleum.com

 

[JamesW]

 

[JMPool99]

Try sanding it down.

Maybe screen the grout through a screen to remove the larger particles.

Maybe use a penetrating sealer after the stone is clean.

Sadly - it was sealed with a penetrating sealer a couple years ago when installed.

Like the idea on screening the grout.

 

[JamesW]

You can get unsanded grout and then you can screen it further if necessary.

A new application of sealer might help after you get it clean.

Using a very fine sanding disc might work or maybe a polishing disc with a polishing power or honing powder might work.

https://laticrete.com/en/tile-and-stone-care-and-maintenance/stonetech-transform/stonetech-polishing-powder

https://laticrete.com/en/tile-and-stone-care-and-maintenance/stonetech-transform/stonetech-honing-powder

 

[JMPool99]

I went out there today, the finish on this pre-cast coping is flaking off all over the place -- it's a real mess. So, as much as everyone is saying not a structural issue, it's a nightmare to deal with this mess. Worse, the flakes have sharp edges that cut into your feet, then stick to the bottoms anad gets tracked all over the yard.

I'm not sure grout is going to stop this. I read some reviews online for Pacific Stone and many others have same issue last 1-3 years. Seems their product is inferior and may actually be the issue. It's advertised as working with pools and they seal it "for pools" but clearly that's not the case if all these people are having the issue.

Anyway, real bummer. With how bad it's flaking I'm going to have bare concrete before long that will probably continue to crumble. Lame!

 

[ajw22]

I think you have quality issues with your coping.

You need to consider replacing the coping with a more suitable material.

I would pull off a few sections of coping and see if moisture is wicking up the top of the bond beam. Let the exposed bond beam sit in the open for a while and observe what is happening.

 

[JMPool99]

@ajw22 - I think you're right on coping quality. Seems like pulling this stuff off is going to be a major pain. Am I overestimating the effort? Also seems like a mess (ton of debris/dust going into pool)?

 

[ajw22]

Yes, it is some work and messy but necessary for the long term fix.