Pool Deck Repair

[SnoopysGirl]

Hello again. This is our second season with our in-ground pool. Last summer we had trouble with our automatic pool cover. The cover would stop about two feet short of the end of the pool. This problem began mid-way through the summer. The pool company fixed the pieces that inserted into the track and did some adjusting. It didn't work perfectly, but it got us through the summer. Since we live in the upper midwest, we close our pool down for the winter. Last year we closed in mid-October.

On opening in mid-May, we immediately had problems closing the pool cover. Again, it stopped about two feet short of the end of the pool. When the pool company came, they discovered that the motor burned out. We purchased a new motor, but prior to installation, I did some digging and found that the previous owners installed the cover in 2006 and began having the exact same problem we are having in 2008 - so the cover only worked properly for 2 years. I discovered a note from the previous pool company (who I was dissatisfied with, and who also installed the cover) that the track was the cause of the problems. The track was installed on top of decorative brick which surrounds the pool, and the brick is shifting.

In looking at our issue further, the brick is also degrading around the pool next to the coping. The coping was mortared in next to the brick. I have consulted with our current pool company plus a concrete contractor. Both say that the entire pool deck needs to come out, because the pool deck should have had poured concrete from the coping to three feet out from the pool, especially since we live in the midwest and there is significant freezing & thawing.

Of course, friends and family all come to visit and say the pool deck looks great, so why rip it all up? I would like to know another opinion - one that doesn't include someone trying to sell us something, and one that maybe sees the problems we see and therefore are not going to think we are crazy. I will post a few pics so you can see what we are up against. My gut tells me that the right thing to do is rip it up and do it right. Our plan is:

-Rip up pool deck
-Have the cover moved to the deep end by the diving board
-Remove the bumped-out step, reinforce that area with a straight wall, move steps to shallow curved end
-Have concrete poured around the entire pool area

This will be a significant financial endeavor for us, so any thoughts are appreciated. Again, my gut says that this should have been done years ago (I found a concrete bid from the previous owner that was obviously ignored). Photos to follow on next post.

[SnoopysGirl]

Here is an overview of the area. You can see the cover at the front of the pic by the shallow end. The cover extends over the steps. Steps would be removed, a wall put in their place, and moved to the shallow end. Cover would be moved by the deep end, next to the diving board.


Here are two photos of the brick next to the coping. When we receive rain, small pieces of the mortar or cement wash into the pool.



Here is a view of what is happening to all of the brick, especially underneath the track. We suspect that the brick that was installed is not supposed to be used as landscaping brick.


One more view of the concrete jungle, and why the whole project is going to bust the bank:

[SnoopysGirl]

I am wondering if anyone has any tips for us. Thanks again!

[Charlie_R]

We suspect that the brick that was installed is not supposed to be used as landscaping brick.

Correct.

Those brick appear to be "face brick", meaning they are intended to be stacked into a wall. I cannot be sure of this, because I can't see how thick they are. They should have been "Paver" brick, which are of different dimension and clay makeup than face brick.

If you like that look, you could have it redone with the proper pavers. Personally, placing the track directly on the (more stable) concrete would have been a better idea. I understand it was done by the previous owners, not something you would have done.

Unfortunately, the only option that makes any sense is to rip the deck out, and have it done right.

If you like the patterned look, that can still be done. Ask your contractor about embossing the concrete surface. I am sure he will have access to many styles of embossing plates. You can also use a concrete dye for great color variations. Honestly, the previous owners actually paid too much for that look, as embossing has been available for 20+ years, and is a LOT less expensive than the inlay.

[SnoopysGirl]

Thank you so much, Charlie. Now the trick has been to get a contractor to call me back so we can get some firm estimates.