Building a jumping platform for the pool

[bruin27]

So I saw a dyi playhouse online and thought i could make a cool jumping platform for the pool. My question is, will the pool coping be strong enough to support the front posts? I was thinking to anchor them right into the coping but don't want to crack the copping drilling into it.

Thoughts???

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Truthfully, I'd worry about the damage to the stonework. And the risk to kids falling and hitting heads on the side of the pool.....and how deep is the pool there in that section??

I dunno.....just doesn't do it for me. I'm sorry. I think something so rife with risks should be engineered in during the construction phase.

My two cents....a worry wart trauma nurse.

Maddie

 

[bruin27]

The deep end is 7ft. I'm not worried about kids falling off, it's life, if they fall, they fall. I'm more concerned if the current concrete coping is strong enough to drill into so I can mount the front posts.

 

[bdavis466]

Mount the posts behind the decking and cantilever the platform over the coping. While it isn't a significant load, you do not want to place any addition stress on the pool shell or bond beam that it was not intended to have.

 

[bruin27]

Mount the posts behind the decking and cantilever the platform over the coping. While it isn't a significant load, you do not want to place any addition stress on the pool shell or bond beam that it was not intended to have.

Originally I was thinking of doing it this way, but there is plumbing running directly behind the decking (water features) .. what if I just placed the posts in concrete blocks on the decking instead of drilling into the coping?

 

[zea3]

7 feet is not deep enough to safely dive, so you would need to know you risk substantial liability if someone is injured jumping/falling head first off the platform, even if you tell them not to do so.

 

[bruin27]

7 feet is not deep enough to safely dive, so you would need to know you risk substantial liability if someone is injured jumping/falling head first off the platform, even if you tell them not to do so.

Yea no diving is allowed, just for jumping cannon ball style.. again, safety wise I'm not concerned, I just want to know if the coping can support the structure..

 

[bdavis466]

Originally I was thinking of doing it this way, but there is plumbing running directly behind the decking (water features) .. what if I just placed the posts in concrete blocks on the decking instead of drilling into the coping?

That would be fine

 

[bruin27]

That would be fine

I plan on digging holes for the back posts but do you think there will be any issues with those blocks moving since they aren't anchored in?

 

[woodyp]

X bracing and a bottom frame around the posts would certainly help stabilize it.

 

[tmurphy]

Your coping looks kinda high in the area where you pictured.. why cant you just to pavers/interlock behind your coping edge and let them jump from the edge of the pool?

Alternatively, I don't see why digging for the rear of the platform and then placing the posts in deck blocks right behind the coping and extending the deck out and over the edge wouldn't work. Personally, I think it would look kind crappy with the blocks on top of the coping. At least if they are behind, you can bury them a little and still not dig and interfere with your plumbing.

 

[bruin27]

Your coping looks kinda high in the area where you pictured.. why cant you just to pavers/interlock behind your coping edge and let them jump from the edge of the pool?

Alternatively, I don't see why digging for the rear of the platform and then placing the posts in deck blocks right behind the coping and extending the deck out and over the edge wouldn't work. Personally, I think it would look kind crappy with the blocks on top of the coping. At least if they are behind, you can bury them a little and still not dig and interfere with your plumbing.

It's an option, the ground really slopes down behind the coping, dramatically where the front left post would go compared to the right front post. I figured putting on top of the coping would just be easier as it's already level.

 

[MikeLWX]

All I see is one giant liability. Safety concerns aside, if something were to happen you're likely to lose whatever assets you have. Your insurance will claim you had an uninsured, unreasonable hazard and void your policy. That'll leave you twisting in the wind--and that gallows metaphor actually fits with your proposed platform.

 

[bruin27]

All I see is one giant liability. Safety concerns aside, if something were to happen you're likely to lose whatever assets you have. Your insurance will claim you had an uninsured, unreasonable hazard and void your policy. That'll leave you twisting in the wind--and that gallows metaphor actually fits with your proposed platform.

I appreciate the words of caution. I understand exactly what the risks are which is why I want to build this as safely as possible to avoid any issues structurally.

 

[MikeLWX]

I'm not talking about safety. Those concerns are obvious, and you believe them to be manageable. I'm just bringing up the point that building this will likely strip you and your family of the financial protection provided by insurance. It's something people often don't think about.

The other thing that often isn't considered is how online discussions have the potential to be used to prove gross, rather than simple, negligence. It's an electronic paper trail.

 

[bruin27]

I'm not talking about safety. Those concerns are obvious, and you believe them to be manageable. I'm just bringing up the point that building this will likely strip you and your family of the financial protection provided by insurance. It's something people often don't think about.

The other thing that often isn't considered is how online discussions have the potential to be used to prove gross, rather than simple, negligence. It's an electronic paper trail.

Ok I'm not building an atomic bomb lol... Thanks for your input..

 

[shanebo]

I wouldn't drill into your coping. Set your back two posts in the ground, and mount the front posts on decorative landscaping blocks/pavers glued to the coping. If you build it right with proper bracing, etc., it won't go anywhere. Plus, it will be removable if you decide to take it out down the road. Should be more than sufficient for a 2-3' high platform (I assume - hope - you're not going any higher than that with only 7' feet of water to jump into).