New pool going in soon, have some questions...

[cssnms]

Hi new to the forum and a first time soon to be pool owner. We had an IGP growing up as a kid in FL but I was never involved in the upkeep etc. Anyway, just when I think I have researched everything, new questions seem to pop up in the 9th hour.

So we recently contracted with a well known and reputable pool builder in our area of MD. We will be installing an in-ground 15x30 rectangular pool, with WetEdge pebble plaster, electric heat pump, variable speed Pentair pool pump, salt generator, 3 water jets etc. The pool will have 1x2 square edge PA bluestone coping. We are in the pre-permit phase of the project now, so finalizing details, orientation etc. Think we got most of it sorted out to include equipment location, but there are some lingering questions details the PB is working to finalize.

For the deck we are going with real antiqued brick set in mortar in a herringbone pattern, this will largely be on one side of the pool where the other sides will be surrounded by grass. The brick will be set on base on top of a concrete foundation to help mitigate the effects of settling. We are not hiring the PB to do this part, but rather our landscaping company will handle that piece along with leveling and resodding our lawn. We plan to install the deck later and after the pool is built so it will not be part of the permit application. Bonding has been brought up and the PB stated they still do the bonding. My question is, does the PB need to understand the construction method of the patio in the context of the type of bonding they will install? I would guess our landscaper needs to know/understand (if they don't already) what the bonding is and how the bonding will need to be integrated into the patio installation?

My other question is, the proper way to tie-in the brick to the slate coping. I've read a few posts/recommendation on here, which discussed a flexible joint sealant designed for just this to match the mortar. Is that joint best left to someone who is experienced installing the sealant (pay the PB to come back and do it?) or is a brick mason more than capable of doing that as part of the patio installation?

Excited and little nervous about the entire process.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

The builder needs to know what is going in for the material of the patio, then he can set the proper elevation of the finished pool coping. The type of bonding material will be the same and locations on all four sides of the pool structure. Typically decking contractors know about bonding wires and how to integrate them into their work.
The expansion joint needs to be installed by a trade that is familiar with pool work, more importantly your deck crew needs to know what is expected of the void area between the coping and deck.
I haven’t seen too many brick masons who are familiar with Deck-O-Seal installations.

 

[PoolGate]

The builder will install a bonding ring around the pool. The deck installer should know what do to with that.

Your deck and your coping are two separate structures. They should have a gap between them that is typically filled with a flexible sealant that is replaced every so often.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Be aware that when the pool butts up to grass, one must take care to mow in such a direction that grass cutting aren't going to enter the pool. Especially if fertilizer is used. If that stuff gets into the pool it stains the plaster something awful!

Maddie

 

[Newdude]

Even mowing away from the pool, those clippings only need to blow a couple feet back. I have a couple feet of patio and a couple more feet of 3/8 gravel and the grass clippings thrown away from the pool still have no problems blowing uphill into the pool.

These pics show the hill better, but imagine grass on the outside of the brick border.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Any floating debris can easily be moved to the edges of the pool for netting by applying a soapy spray mixture to the surface of the water, this creates a tension on the surface and pushes all the floating debris away from the soap.

 

[cssnms]

Any floating debris can easily be moved to the edges of the pool for netting by applying a soapy spray mixture to the surface of the water, this creates a tension on the surface and pushes all the floating debris away from the soap.View attachment 534008

Looks great!

 

[cssnms]

Thanks all.

I guess I need to ask my PB about coming back out to do install the flexible sealant between the coping and the deck. I also need to clarify what it is exactly they need from the deck installer for purposes of installing the bonding.

 

[PoolGate]

Thanks all.

I guess I need to ask my PB about coming back out to do install the flexible sealant between the coping and the deck. I also need to clarify what it is exactly they need from the deck installer for purposes of installing the bonding.

The pool builder should install the bonding. The deck builder just needs to be aware of it and properly handle it with his decking material. For me, it was concreted over.

 

[PoolGate]

deck/coping foam transition.

If you zoom in on the 2nd pic you can see the bonding wire draped over the deep end where the diving board will go.

 

[cssnms]

So if the concrete slab the bricks are being laid on isn't going to have mesh or rear bar then the deck does NOT require bonding? Did I read that right?

In otherwords, there's not reason to bond just plain concrete and or brick?