Moisture seeping through coping

[jwlv]

Pool is almost 2 years old. A few months ago, for the first time, I noticed moisture seeping upwards through the coping mortar in about four places around the pool (see pictures below). In those spots, the mortar color is visibly darker between the coping stones, and between the coping stones and the water line tiles. Moisture could be wicking upwards from the pool behind the water line tiles, or upwards and sideways from the earth next to the pool and under the surrounding pavers. We’ve had nearly zero rain over the last few months here in Vegas. Any thoughts on what this might actually be, and how to resolve?

 

[mknauss]

Do you have irrigation near those areas? Drip,etc.

 

[jwlv]

Do you have irrigation near those areas? Drip,etc.

No, nothing in the area. It’s pretty much pavers and artificial turf. Closest irrigation is in above ground pots. The water lines for those are routed pretty far away from the pool.

Even though we haven’t had rain for months, when we do get rain it can be pretty heavy. I’m wondering if the ground could have been saturated through the turf, permeated outwards underneath the pavers towards the coping, and then slowly seeped through the coping mortar wherever it can find a way underneath them. Maybe the spots just weren’t visible during the warmer months due to greater evaporation?

Seems fairly unlikely the moisture would be coming upwards from the pool water, behind the water line tiles?

 

[mknauss]

Do the grout lines get calcium buildup in those areas? Many builders do a poor job of sealing the grout.