In the process of having a 30 year old pool demoed to remove plaster and replaced with another surface. There is about 40 feet of damage to the beam which is being repaired as well. Got the news today that a large amount of the coping needs to be replaced even though no visible signs of cracks or damage. Contractor went around coping and tapped on it with a hammer and some spots sound firm and others sound hollow - is this a sign I need coping replaced? I live in the desert and when the pool deck was laid there does not appear to have been an appropriate expansion joint laid and the contractor indicates that with heat expansion the pool deck has pushed against the beam and the coping causing damage. Is there any solution other than removing the coping and repairing what is underneath it (I guess it is mortar or something?)? The coping style is mid century and no longer available and the contractor could not guarantee that they could remove, repair underneath and replace the existing coping without breakage. I am wondering if it is an option to instead remove the pool deck and come in from behind the coping to do the repair then replace the pool deck which I don't care for? Either way $$$$.