Tree cracked my pool - let's talk about rebuilding bond beam

[Drockfresh]

The entire wall crumbled on this side. Are you ready for the theory of what happened?

It looks like a previous owner planted a line of something on the edge of the pool. There was a plastic border next to all the roots that grew into the wall! A man-made pool disaster! This could have been a row of ivy or house plants. Once again - plants are the enemies of pools!

You can kind of see the roots in this picture.

Tomorrow we start rebuilding!!

 

[Drockfresh]

 

[Drockfresh]

 

[gwegan]

This is actually a curb on top of your bond beam. It's really not structural. It just sits on top of the bond beam. Because it's not tied to the pool it doesn't take much to move it. Trees even ivy may exert sufficient force to move it.

 

[kimkats]

Save that tile! LOL

What a mess but just think of what the end results will be!

Kim

 

[Drockfresh]

Wall is rebuilt !!!!!! Questions:

What do we use over the cement and under the tile ?

What do we use to patch the one little pice of plaster that cracked off under the tile line?

 

[Drockfresh]

I got pulled away on a work project and the guys used this stuff - instead of hydraulic cement - to build the front of the new wall.

They used rebar and wire mesh and did a great job with the form .. Then I read hydraulic cement is recommended

I hope that's ok .....

 

[tim5055]

If possible while everything is torn up you want to add an EQUIPOTENTIAL BONDING GRID. Note, this PDF is just a sample explaining what the grid is, not that you are n their jurisdiction.

 

[Drockfresh]

Do you think it will be ok we didn't use hydraulic cement for the front of the wall?!?!?!

Should we seal the concrete before adding the Thinset for the tile ??

 

[gwegan]

No hydraulic cement won't matter. You don't need to sea l the concrete.

Tim has a good point. Is your pool bonded. Do you have a bonding grid?
How old is the pool?

 

[Drockfresh]

Tim has a good point. Is your pool bonded. Do you have a bonding grid?
How old is the pool?

The pool is probably not bonded because it was originally built not three feet from the electric panel to the house (the electric company made us move the box - at great expense to us - when we purchased the house.) This was a crazy design decision so they probably weren't concerned with such things. You could actually put your foot in the pool and reach over and open the fuse box!

The pool is about 20 years old but we don't know for sure because we couldn't find a permit.

How do we learn more about bonding? What is the cost (we are pretty much out of budget right now that's why we are keeping the plaster and tile) and is it necessary, and how is it done?

 

[Drockfresh]

Is there a simple inexpensive way to do it?

 

[Drockfresh]

I called superior pool products in Austin to locate thinset and grout for setting the tile.

They explained that they can only sell the pool companies and that they'd be happy to recommend a local pool company.

What a joke.

What product should I use for the tiles?

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

How about contacting a pool company to just purchase the thinset and grout ?? Worst they can do is say no. I'd just say I'm doing it myself.

 

[Drockfresh]

Is this what you use for the tiles?: Amazon.com: E-Z Products EZP-132 White Thinset Pool Cement - 3 lbs

 

[JonnyB]

Fyi Blue Bottom can order from Superior pool products. But I responded to your PM about the thinset and grout.

 

[Drockfresh]

Fyi Blue Bottom can order from Superior pool products. But I responded to your PM about the thinset and grout.

JonnyB - thanks for all the help!!

 

[Drockfresh]

Salvaged tile ready for re-install. My leaf scoop skills are much improved - I'm an expert now - took me two days to clean out the pool. Scooped out about 20 pounds of debris.

 

[Marlahoutex]

But can you put them back in the right spots?? j/k

Love that tile and the pattern that was used. I can see why you wanted to save it.

 

[JamieP]

Great that you were able to save that pretty tile! Did any tiles not make it and will you have enough to redo the parts you want?