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Pool Decking: Construction Method
Posted on 10/19/20 at 11:15 am
Posted on 10/19/20 at 11:15 am
Y'all helped me out a few weeks back with some pool equipment advice, so I thought I'd come back to the well.
We're adding a pool with travertine decking. The pool contractors I have spoken with have said that they generally do not pour an underlying concrete foundation. Instead, they use a combination of compacted sand and stone and then use polymeric sand for gaps.
I have a friend whose pool was built using this technique and, a few years in, it is a train wreck. He has weeds and grass growing between the tiles and settling that makes his pool deck look like my street in Lakeview.
My questions is this: For those with experience in construction and/or pools, are his issues likely related to construction approach or just poor execution?
For a few thousand more, I can add a concrete foundation. Just curious as to why doing so doesn't seem to be the mainstream approach and wondering if pouring a foundation might come with its own set of problems.
We're adding a pool with travertine decking. The pool contractors I have spoken with have said that they generally do not pour an underlying concrete foundation. Instead, they use a combination of compacted sand and stone and then use polymeric sand for gaps.
I have a friend whose pool was built using this technique and, a few years in, it is a train wreck. He has weeds and grass growing between the tiles and settling that makes his pool deck look like my street in Lakeview.
My questions is this: For those with experience in construction and/or pools, are his issues likely related to construction approach or just poor execution?
For a few thousand more, I can add a concrete foundation. Just curious as to why doing so doesn't seem to be the mainstream approach and wondering if pouring a foundation might come with its own set of problems.
6
Posted on 10/19/20 at 11:39 am to milksteak
Having a concrete foundation is "best", but that comes at a higher cost. Nothing wrong with compacted sand as a base, but you will be more acceptable to shifting and weeds. Kind of like the difference between a vinyl and gunite pool, you can fill both up with water and swim, but the gunite is going to last a lot longer with few issues.
Posted on 10/19/20 at 12:19 pm to milksteak
quote:
The pool contractors I have spoken with have said that they generally do not pour an underlying concrete foundation. Instead, they use a combination of compacted sand and stone and then use polymeric sand for gaps.
WUT?
I literally never built a pool deck that didn't have a concrete sub base. Doing sand and compacted aggregate was the super cheap way which always results in settling and weeds long term.
Do yourself a favor and get the concrete base with hidden channel drains instead of those ugly trench drain grates. If the mason is worth a shite he will know how to do it.
Also ask the mason to grout in the holes in the travertine. It will save from getting your feet ripped up and allowing spots for water to hold and cultivate algae.
Posted on 10/19/20 at 1:23 pm to milksteak
I have a travertine pool deck and the "base" package the builder offered had the compacted sand base. We opted to pour a slab first and it was the best decision we could have made. Like others said- without a slab you will have settling and weeds in every joint. Honestly I can't believe builders will even consider doing it without a slab underneath.
Posted on 10/19/20 at 1:32 pm to Geauxld Finger
We just finished ours and did exactly what Geauld Finger said. I wouldn't have done it any other way.
Posted on 10/19/20 at 2:11 pm to Geauxld Finger
Appreciate it, everyone. Sounds like the easiest decision I'll make today.
Special thanks to Geauxld Finger for the drain and grout tips. I'll definitely bring that up with my guy.
Special thanks to Geauxld Finger for the drain and grout tips. I'll definitely bring that up with my guy.
Posted on 10/19/20 at 2:53 pm to milksteak
quote:
Appreciate it, everyone. Sounds like the easiest decision I'll make today.
Special thanks to Geauxld Finger for the drain and grout tips. I'll definitely bring that up with my guy
You're welcome. All the trench drain is, is a depression in the slab that slopes to a subsurface drainage system. The water infiltrates though small holes in the grout. They are barely noticeable and not wide enough to catch a toe or a high heel. Its just a cleaner look overall. You're paying all this money to put in travertine. Make it look as nice as possible.
What blend of travertine did you choose?
Posted on 10/19/20 at 3:36 pm to Geauxld Finger
I’ve received no less than 7 quotes from contractors in the last three weeks and none have suggested pouring a concrete slab under travertine. They all actually oppose concrete because they said it will crack. Would you have the travertine laid with like a thin set and grouted like tile so it is stuck to the concrete?
Posted on 10/19/20 at 4:06 pm to milksteak
quote:
they use a combination of compacted sand and stone and then use polymetric sand for gaps.
This is the way mine was done about 4 years ago. No issues with settling or weeds at my place. They did beautiful work.
I didn’t even know concrete base was an option. I wouldn’t have even known to ask. We plan on moving in few years, so I guess I’ll look into the concrete foundation option when the time comes.
Posted on 10/19/20 at 4:26 pm to LSUlove
quote:
I’ve received no less than 7 quotes from contractors in the last three weeks and none have suggested pouring a concrete slab under travertine. They all actually oppose concrete because they said it will crack
If the concrete sub base is built properly, you won't have cracking issues. I've never designed pool decking on anything but concrete
. Compacted sand/aggregate was always the cheaper option
Posted on 10/19/20 at 8:33 pm to Geauxld Finger
We haven't officially spec'd a color, but it will be pretty close to white I am sure.
LSUlove, I had the same experiences. The contractors all said they could pour a concrete foundation, but didn't necessarily recommend doing so since problems would be more substantial if they occurred.
If I were being skeptical I might suggest that they are busy and just want to get in and out of the job quickly. It does seem weird that your 7 contractors and my 3 all said the same thing, though.
I'm going with concrete foundation. It's only $5 more per sq ft of decking and I won't have to worry about weeds.
LSUlove, I had the same experiences. The contractors all said they could pour a concrete foundation, but didn't necessarily recommend doing so since problems would be more substantial if they occurred.
If I were being skeptical I might suggest that they are busy and just want to get in and out of the job quickly. It does seem weird that your 7 contractors and my 3 all said the same thing, though.
I'm going with concrete foundation. It's only $5 more per sq ft of decking and I won't have to worry about weeds.
Posted on 10/19/20 at 9:22 pm to milksteak
What are they quoting you for travertine? I’ve received quotes from $12.50 to $15.50/sqft. With about 1000 sqft of decking. I’d love to know the name of what you pick that is white in color.
Posted on 10/19/20 at 10:43 pm to LSUlove
$15 per sq ft with only about 600-700 sq ft of decking.
Found a phone pic of what we may go with. Hope this link works -
Southern White Tumbleweed
Found a phone pic of what we may go with. Hope this link works -
Southern White Tumbleweed
This post was edited on 10/19/20 at 10:47 pm
Posted on 10/19/20 at 10:57 pm to milksteak
Paid $11/sqft in 2016. Almost 1000 sqft total I think. Next year I added another 600+ sqft IIRC for $12 per.
Square footage is close estimate. But the the sqft price is exact. $11 and $12 per.
Square footage is close estimate. But the the sqft price is exact. $11 and $12 per.
This post was edited on 10/19/20 at 10:59 pm
Posted on 10/20/20 at 1:30 am to milksteak
quote:
Instead, they use a combination of compacted sand and stone and then use polymeric sand for gaps.
Don’t you do it.
We used this method. Not a fan. Deck is 4 months old and silica sand has already washed out along with limestone and/or base sand in some areas. No weeds yet but it’s just a matter of time. A few large (24z24) tiles are now wobbly. Areas by the perimeter also have no well defined edge adjacent to sod, etc.
A sub we use for tile work said it wouldn’t be 3 years before we asked him to come rip it out and do it over with a concrete base and grout between. I thought he was nuts. Now I know he was right.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 2:21 am to LSUlove
quote:
and none have suggested pouring a concrete slab under travertine. They all actually oppose concrete because they said it will crack.
Oh no, it'll crack and not be seen, because it's covered by travertine. Now think of the terrible weed and washout issues you've seen discussed here. All concrete cracks, rarely will it just entirely let you down like sand being washed away.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 6:33 am to MoarKilometers
Just want to be sure I understand, so the travertine is laid like tile on top of the concrete? It is stationary with a thin set and grouted?
Posted on 10/20/20 at 7:15 am to Putty
Roger that. I'm going concrete slab for sure.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 7:26 am to habz007
I didn't see any quotes that low, but demand hasn't been this high in decades, maybe ever, from what I'm told. No surprise that prices have followed.
Posted on 10/20/20 at 8:59 am to LSUlove
quote:
Just want to be sure I understand, so the travertine is laid like tile on top of the concrete? It is stationary with a thin set and grouted?
I've seen it thin set in place and also lightly sanded/crushed rock under and around the joints. Both seemed relatively sound, with virtually no shifting when walking on.
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