Flagstone and salt water pool

[clw72]

Anyone have suggestions on whether it is a good idea to use flagstone on a tanning ledge in a salt water pool?

[PoolDoc]

Not without verifying that THAT flag stone is salt compatible.

There's a blog by a Texas pool service guy that absolutely 'hates' on salt systems because of problems with salt water damaging natural stone. Types of stone and porosity vary by locale, and it appears that some types of stone are much more susceptible to damage than others.

However, the problem seems to occur when salt water splash out lands on stone, and dries. Submerged stone seems to *not* suffer this sort of damage. Likewise, areas of the country with plentiful summer rain, like here, also seem to have less of a problem. Presumably, the rain keeps the salt washed out of the stone.

[CarlD]

Funny, that, Ben! We have some sort of SW desert stone on our house that the builder's wife loved...TERRIBLE in our nasty NJ climate--the stone literally ROTS and breaks apart. We had our entire fireplace and chimney redone--outside in white brick, inside in black slate and granite, because of leaks.. Only the hearthstones, which have sat outside for 14 years now, and are some sort of sand-colored granite have stood up to the weather, but they are not porous at all. You can also seal stone as well, and should, if you want to use flagstones.

[clw72]

Thank you for the reply, makes me feel better about using Oklahoma FS on our tanning ledge.

[clw72]

Thanks Carl, that's what our PB said is to just seal it every couple of years. I read some posts on here that had me second guessing our decision to us FS on the tanning ledge, but sounds like as long as we keep it sealed we'll be okay.