Why Your Home’s Flagstone Pool Coping May Need Repair
The pool coping is the space between the pool deck and the water tile. It meets up with the concrete, stone, or paving material surrounding your pool. Homeowners in your area have many options for pool coping materials, depending on their personal preference. The durability of pool coping depends on the type of material used. Many pool owners in the greater San Diego area choose flagstone pool coping, a lovely, natural, and locally sourced material that seamlessly integrates into many southern California landscaping styles.
However, due to its proximity to the water’s edge and its own natural tendency for flaking and pitting, flagstone pool coping may need repair from time to time. It may even crack if it’s arranged in the cantilevered pool coping style, where a small edge extends over the pool. The cracking and flaking from the flagstone pool coping is different from some of the cracking and flaking that can happen in the other structures of the pool and spa. When this happens, loose stones can become a safety hazard. This is why it’s important to have your flagstone pool coping inspected regularly and have sealant and preventative maintenance performed.
The Flagstone Pool Coping Inspection Process
Flagstone is made out of compressed sand, and as such, will wear down, crumble, flake, and crack over time. It’s not the most durable pool coping material, but its sustainability as a material and the fact that it looks natural and works well with a lot of plants and flowers in the area makes it an attractive choice for homeowners who want an organic feel to their pool and spa area.
To ensure that you get the best repair possible, choose a pool company that is experienced in the inspection and maintenance of flagstone pool coping. We recommend inspections of your pool and surrounding areas on a regular basis, including the flagstone. Part of the inspection process includes testing for structural stability and the overall condition of the flagstones themselves. The tech will look for cracking as well as flaking and small pinholes that can lead to larger cratering or greater damage. For example, if the stones are hollow, this may indicate that the flagstone pool coping has separated from the overall pool structure.
Your inspection also determines whether there are gaps between the flagstone pool coping or between the waterline and the pool tiles. This kind of separation can indicate a structural issue, whether from shifting soil beneath the deck and pool or nearby trees with invasive root structures.
In addition to testing the condition of your pool and flagstones, we’ll note any areas that need to be re-grouted. For the most pool coping repair, including flagstone coping, we prefer to use Deck O Seal, a sealant designed for wet areas and one capable of retaining its integrity even as the area around it expands and contracts. For flagstone pool coping that overhangs the pool, regrouting is needed more other than other styles. This not only maintains the lovely appearance of your pool but also reduces safety concerns.
The Flagstone Pool Coping Repair Process
To repair your flagstone pool coping, we may need to remove a large portion of the stones. Once these are removed, we’ll inspect the underlying area for damages. This allows our certified pool service experts to give you an idea of the damages that need to be fixed.
The process begins with the structural repairs and then move upwards from there. Once those repairs are completed and cured, the installation moves on to repairing and replacing your flagstone pool coping. The cost and timeline of these repairs vary by project, so you’ll receive a unique quote and we’ll work within your schedule to accomplish it. Your quote will rely on our visual inspection.
Some flagstone pool coping can simply be re-sealed and replaced, while older coping may need to be replaced entirely. If this is the case, you have the option to select another material or replace it with a newer flagstone. Our design team can help you determine the right look for your pool deck, working with your budget for the best material.