Hello -
I had an extensive pool remodel completed around March of 2019. Pool builder did all the work save the decking, which we had a separate contractor do. The concrete guy was previously a pool builder himself, had done hundreds of pool decks and was very knowledgeable. Now, three years later, I've noticed a couple significant issues:
1. Tiles in multiple places are separating from the epoxy grout as seen in attached image.
2. In one stretch of tile, the top row of the tiles are pushed forward so that that they are proud of the bottom two rows.
3. In one (seemingly isolated) area, water is leaching out into the surrounding planter bed. The shell of the pool below the coping is wet, and then the adjacent soil is wicking it out. It is not a lot of water, but it is leaking.
I've read the forums and articles around this, and it strongly suggests the pool deck is pushing on the coping. However, the concrete contractor was very vocal about ensuring separation through a proper expansion joint. His foam is 1/2 thick and extends four inches down. That is seen in the other two attached photos pre-pour. I've been in contact with both contractors and they've both inspected. Unsurprisingly, neither feel their work is responsible.
1. Pool guy. Deck pushing is the only way this happens. Not my problem. End of story.
2. Concrete guy. More willing to try to find the root cause, working in industry for 50 years, never had another complaint like this. He feels the mortar bed below the coping is delaminating. I have read about this as a possible cause also.
Other notes:
1. The pool tile is separating most aggressively in areas where there is no deck abutting. About half the pool only has gravel around it - no adjacent deck. Could the deck on the opposite side really be causing the tiles there to shift *towards* it?
2. The area that is showing a leak is the *same* area that was leaking before we did the remodel. In fact, the main reason we did the remodel is because the pool had cracked tiles everywhere, many had fallen off completely, and the crack at the waterline was completely visible. Our pool contractor was confident that the remodel would address this problem.
3. I've only noticed the tiles separating in the last couple months. The leak I described has been present for at least a year. I called this out to the pool builder when I first noticed it, and he said it was not a big deal, water was catching a grout line. I trusted him and moved on.
Pool builder says this is outside the scope of warranty because it's the concrete deck causing it. He did offer to regrout the tile, but I'm concerned that is not going to address the true problem. I appreciate any insight or suggestions people have before I seek legal counsel.
Thanks,
Brandon
I had an extensive pool remodel completed around March of 2019. Pool builder did all the work save the decking, which we had a separate contractor do. The concrete guy was previously a pool builder himself, had done hundreds of pool decks and was very knowledgeable. Now, three years later, I've noticed a couple significant issues:
1. Tiles in multiple places are separating from the epoxy grout as seen in attached image.
2. In one stretch of tile, the top row of the tiles are pushed forward so that that they are proud of the bottom two rows.
3. In one (seemingly isolated) area, water is leaching out into the surrounding planter bed. The shell of the pool below the coping is wet, and then the adjacent soil is wicking it out. It is not a lot of water, but it is leaking.
I've read the forums and articles around this, and it strongly suggests the pool deck is pushing on the coping. However, the concrete contractor was very vocal about ensuring separation through a proper expansion joint. His foam is 1/2 thick and extends four inches down. That is seen in the other two attached photos pre-pour. I've been in contact with both contractors and they've both inspected. Unsurprisingly, neither feel their work is responsible.
1. Pool guy. Deck pushing is the only way this happens. Not my problem. End of story.
2. Concrete guy. More willing to try to find the root cause, working in industry for 50 years, never had another complaint like this. He feels the mortar bed below the coping is delaminating. I have read about this as a possible cause also.
Other notes:
1. The pool tile is separating most aggressively in areas where there is no deck abutting. About half the pool only has gravel around it - no adjacent deck. Could the deck on the opposite side really be causing the tiles there to shift *towards* it?
2. The area that is showing a leak is the *same* area that was leaking before we did the remodel. In fact, the main reason we did the remodel is because the pool had cracked tiles everywhere, many had fallen off completely, and the crack at the waterline was completely visible. Our pool contractor was confident that the remodel would address this problem.
3. I've only noticed the tiles separating in the last couple months. The leak I described has been present for at least a year. I called this out to the pool builder when I first noticed it, and he said it was not a big deal, water was catching a grout line. I trusted him and moved on.
Pool builder says this is outside the scope of warranty because it's the concrete deck causing it. He did offer to regrout the tile, but I'm concerned that is not going to address the true problem. I appreciate any insight or suggestions people have before I seek legal counsel.
Thanks,
Brandon
what do you mean get him? I am in talks with both contractors separately to address.
