As most know we have had A LOT of rain in the Houston area over the last several months. My white travertine coping looks like it has dirt right down the middle of the coping. I tried everything to clean it with no luck (even went as far as to use straight bleach on a small portion). I sent pics to my pool builder and supposedly after him researching the issue he has advised it is actually moisture in the travertine and it should dry out. My question to him is how can it possibly dry out when it will be getting wet every time we go swimming. And why hasn't this happened to other travertine coping he has installed. Silence of course. I hate to have to replace the travertine coping that is less than a year old but it just looks 'dirty'. I do somewhat agree with him about the moisture as when the coping gets very wet, the 'dirty' areas are much less noticeable. Anyone else experience this and/or know of a solution other than demo and replace? Thanks!!!
Travertine 'holding water'?
- Thread starter MCF50
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,086
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
I talked to the place where the PB purchased it and they said the limestone is very porous and this will just keep happening. The coping was a nice white and I fully understand it will get less white with sun and use, but you can see the 'dirt' line right down the middle of the coping. I don't think there is anyway this can be removed if it is embedded in the stone itself. It goes all the way around the permiter of the pool, but not on the elevated hot tub or the water wall. What really stinks is EVERYTHING is this material. Coping, hot tub, water wall, etc. etc.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,086
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
It looks more like travertine than limestone.
In my opinion, limestone is a better stone than travertine.
If water just sits on the coping, the coping is probably not sloped correctly.
Using a penetrating sealer might be a good choice.
Some sealers can create a slippery surface, so try a sample spot before doing the whole thing.
In my opinion, limestone is a better stone than travertine.
If water just sits on the coping, the coping is probably not sloped correctly.
Using a penetrating sealer might be a good choice.
Some sealers can create a slippery surface, so try a sample spot before doing the whole thing.
- May 23, 2015
- 25,755
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
That’s the impression of the concrete bond beam. Essentially your ground is saturated with water and the gunite shell is acting like a sponge and wicking the moisture up to the lime stone. Limestone is porous and so it will show the moisture as well. Once the ground dries out, the gunite will dry and the limestone should be less visibly “dirty”. This happens all the time on natural stone coping. Pool builders can use poured-on-place coping or prefabricated coping to minimize this issue. But it’s not so easy with natural stone. The stone has to be sealed PRIOR to installation to avoid water transfer.
Is there exposed stone mortar at the waterline or is the gap the between the coping and the top of the bond beam sealed with a mastic compound ?
Is there exposed stone mortar at the waterline or is the gap the between the coping and the top of the bond beam sealed with a mastic compound ?
Thanks! So the stone should have been sealed on the bottom as well? And yes, the ground here in Houston probably is saturated. Around the coping we have plenty of deck so I guess the water is getting into the ground below the deck and then wetting the gunite.
With regards to your question about exposed stone mortar at the waterline, Not 100% sure what you are talking about. Are you talking about when you are in the pool and water line - coping interface?? I do not believe there is any gap, I believe it is limestone to limestone and a caulk like between. The water line tile is limestone also...WAIT A MINUTE! If the water line tile is limestone as well and was not sealed then would moisture constantly be leaking from the water line tile to the gunite?? If so I can drain the pool to just below the water line limestone and carefully seal it and be sure not to get any sealant on the plaster.
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Thanks...I agree with the assessment of Joyfulnoise....now the question is is it possible to minimize it / prevent it! Thanks!!!
- May 23, 2015
- 25,755
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
If the pool was properly constructed, there should have been a moisture barrier applied to the bond beam that covers the entire exposed surface of the bond beam and goes down the interior wall about 12”. Do you have any pictures from the construction phase that would show the bond beam just prior to tiling?
It sounds like your coping comes into direct contact with the waterline tile and there’s no gap.
A picture of the interior side of the pool with coping & waterline tile would help.
It sounds like your coping comes into direct contact with the waterline tile and there’s no gap.
A picture of the interior side of the pool with coping & waterline tile would help.
@MCF50
Your pool coping, waterline tile, and plaster look identical to mine...and you're in houston...i am thinking we might have used the same builder. I think we have the same stone, shell beach/beige i forget exactly...mine has that same discoloration/stain as yours and have been thinking of power washing and sealing
Your pool coping, waterline tile, and plaster look identical to mine...and you're in houston...i am thinking we might have used the same builder. I think we have the same stone, shell beach/beige i forget exactly...mine has that same discoloration/stain as yours and have been thinking of power washing and sealing
I am sure we used the same builder. Shell beach is his go to. If you did use same builder than you know Mike...the real meat behind the business. The owner is all talk no action...all he says is "I'm there for you" and "I appreciate you". I talked to Mike today and he gave me some information if you want to PM me..power washing won't do anything. It's moisture from the saturated ground getting into the gunite. Pool builders haven't been able to plaster for months due to the exessive rain we have had and the groud still be saturated.
Well this isn't the first pool they have built and the foreman was here every day during construction. Same company name and same owner for many many years. Here are some pics taken this evening...
Attachments
Here are some more pics putting limestone on....There is something put on the gunite (it appears green in second pic) before putting on the thin set but what has been done has been done. I know for a fact the PB isn't going to do anything to resolve the issue if something was done wrong. I would have to get an attorney and all that fun stuff. Now I did talk to the foreman and he is a pretty straight shooter and very knowledegable. He said they can't do anything right now because of how saturated the ground is.....he advised if I just wait until the ground dries out the coping will dry. I asked about sealing the waterline tile and he said I could but not really necessary.
Attachments
- May 23, 2015
- 25,755
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Looks like the tile company (maybe works for PB or is a separate masonry outfit) applied a water barrier.
I think your foreman has the right idea, you’ve got to wait it out to see what happens when it dries up. Not really anything you can do about it now. I would really stay away from stone sealers - they are not easy to work with, very easy to make a mess with, and you could do more harm than good.
I think your foreman has the right idea, you’ve got to wait it out to see what happens when it dries up. Not really anything you can do about it now. I would really stay away from stone sealers - they are not easy to work with, very easy to make a mess with, and you could do more harm than good.
Thanks....so from what you can tell the pool builder hasn't done anything 'wrong' other than saying I was getting travertine (which I assume this would not have occurred) and I ended up with limestone.