Coping over the skimmer gap

17 years ago

Quick question for the tile/coping experts out there. I asked our pool builder via e-mail and he hasn't had a chance to respond yet. I trust him, but I'd like a second opinion first! :)

We are using slate coping that is 12" x 12". At the two skimmer gaps, the tilers spanned that gap with no bracing underneath. The 2 coping tiles are each supported on one side edge and then along the back edge. They seem like they're cantilevered over the gap pretty far, relatively unsupported. They are grouted together where they meet. They've been in for a couple days now and they feel pretty solid, although I didn't jump up and down on them. Is this a typical installation? I've read here somewhere about metal braces being used underneath at these gaps. Any opinions would be helpful. I have one picture of the worst one, although it looks worse in the picture. I could get a close-up underneath if anyone is curous. Thanks in advance for the help.

Featured Answer

Kiley Georgi

5 years ago

I have 2" travertine coping around my pool. I bought a piece of stainless steel, sprayed it tan, notched out the bottom of the travertine and liquid nailed it in. Gives it some support.

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Comments (8)

Rack Etear
17 years ago
Seems dicey to me to support a span with grout alone.

We will take an aluminum plate and have it support a span like that.
tfons1219
17 years ago
I used the same aluminum plate racket mentioned on mine - I used 12" x 12" Travertine bullnose - each piece was really heavy. I'd have it redone.
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poolguynj
17 years ago
I could probably karate chop that and I weigh 135 lbs.. It needs some sort of support under it. If a larger person happens to step there, OUCH.

Scott
space_man
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the feedback. Confirms my suspicions. Although I would say you'd be hard pressed to karate chop it. I weigh 220 pounds and I did everything short of jumping up and down on it (very hard...). It's pretty solid. Not enough to make me want to leave it that way of course...
renovxpt
17 years ago
It has to be supported with some sort of lintel.

If that stone is what is marketed as Riviera through Classic Tile, it will need to be sealed frequently or it will delaminate.
space_man
Original Author
17 years ago
Renovxpt (and everyone else), thanks for the feedback. That's what I figured about the support. As far as the slate, yeah, we understand we'll have to regularly seal it. We bought into that when we slected it. Tried to talk the wife out of it, but you know how that goes! It is pretty though.
space_man
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks everyone! Pool builder came and took a look at the tiles, agreed they needed to be supported underneath, and is having them re-done. Also agreed that they needed to be sealed and that he would do so. Great forum here!!!!