I am having a pool/spa that is currently being tiled and coping installed. The rear bond beam is raised and is topped with 2x12x24 silver travertine. The bond beam is actually 14-15 inches wide. The back side will be landscaping and flowerbed with no decking so nobody will really be behind the pool. My concern with this is that I thought the coping was to protect the bond beam and should overhang instead of the last 3 inches filled and troweled with "plaster". Seems like PB is just saving money instead of buying 16" wide coping. My other concern is on the front side of the pool with the same issue. The deck is supposed to be concrete and this seems like it would "couple" the decking and the bond beam and the expansion joint would only protect the coping. Feel like their are conflicting opinions on this forum of the correct method. Also there is rebar that came out of the bond beam and will connect into the decking so what is the difference. Main confusion is that it seems like there are a billion stories of pools having to be repaired because of the coupling of the pool deck and bond beam causing tiles popping, cracking, etc. Any consistent opinions would be much appreciated.
Question about Pool coping width
- Thread starter makingbirdie
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,170
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
Coping is for esthetic purposes and directs water runoff around the pool. The top of the bond beam is roughly finished.
I doubt plaster is being used on top of the bond beam. We need to know what material is being used? Mortar? Hydraulic cement? Yeah, I agree your builder should use the correct width coping. @AQUA~HOLICS ?
There are no conflicting opinions here that the deck needs an expansion joint to separate it from the bond beam.
www.troublefreepool.com
That should not be done.
There should be bonding wires connecting the pool rebar with the deck rebar.
I think the opinions here are consistent.
Coping is for esthetic purposes and directs water runoff around the pool. The top of the bond beam is roughly finished.
I doubt plaster is being used on top of the bond beam. We need to know what material is being used? Mortar? Hydraulic cement? Yeah, I agree your builder should use the correct width coping. @AQUA~HOLICS ?
Yup. Was this discussed during the pool contracting or planning?
There are no conflicting opinions here that the deck needs an expansion joint to separate it from the bond beam.
Expansion Joints and Coping - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
That should not be done.
There should be bonding wires connecting the pool rebar with the deck rebar.
I think the opinions here are consistent.
The coping should overhang on the water side of the pool for a safety grip.
Plaster of any type is not designed to be above the water line.
If the rebar that comes out from the B/B connects to the decking to make them as one, the expansion of the deck may push on the coping and tile.
Plaster of any type is not designed to be above the water line.
If the rebar that comes out from the B/B connects to the decking to make them as one, the expansion of the deck may push on the coping and tile.