Help please! Liner pool, CP-2 type (Aluminum) coping separating from concrete. No liner/track separation issues to date.

[f18eject]

Extensive internet search found very little in actual aluminum CP-2 bullnose repair. For background i consider myself a modest DIY'er, most typical pool equipment upkeep, I perform. Avid researcher and info junkie. Im a former military jet maintainer and former powerplant maintainer and now graduated to a desk job. I'm 50 something and pretty attentive to maintaining my property and everything on/in it. What I am not is a concrete guy or knowledgeable about the finer points of pool structures. I have learned a lot about basic pool construction of the last couple days but far from confident in attacking thos issue. I have a friend that is a pool guy, but he's more of a builder than a maintainer. Our Pool was built approx 2003. We purchased the property in 2015 (we are the 3rd owner) no inspection possible as it was winter. Liner professionally replaced Sep 2016 (was told no need for coping replacement at that time). Concrete deck was "resurfaced" by local contractor Mar 2017. (Thin layer ground off, cracks v-cut and filled, smoothed skim surface installed, and new cool deck layer applied. Then painted with concrete-type paint.)

Current state, coping has one segment separating, while the remainder of the coping is in good condition and liner has at least a few years before, in my estimation, needing to be replaced. For these reasons, I am looking toward repair, not replacement of entire coping assembly. The other problem/worry is not knowing the timeframe of increased possibility of major failure of coping/liner retainer.

Initial indications were noticeable 2020 swim season. See attached photos for progression, if interested.

Root cause appears to be the crack extending from edge of concrete to pool's edge combined with central mid-west freeze thaw cycles. Resulting in what i assume to be detachment of coping anchor points thus the weight of water/liner pulling coping inboard at increasing increments through winter seasons but more gradual in warmer seasons. My ignorance delayed my remediation of the crack. Hindsight 20/20 and money saving measures gone ugh! The affected coping segment aligns with pool structure area that transitions from shallow to diving depth. It goes without saying that addressing cracks should be and will be a priority.

Best case - Hoping to manipulate coping back into position and secure.

Question - Is it possible to cut back just enough (a few inches) re-secure coping anchors, then backfill with concrete repair material? If so, is this possible with liner in-place and water up to typical level. What are the drawbacks and risk associated.

Worst case - replace deck

I'm aware of the typical repair of cutting concrete deck back approx 12" removing existing coping and concrete material (in conjunction with liner replacement). Install different style liner retention track, install stone/brick in cutout section around entire pool. Again existing liner and remaining coping serviceability weighs into options.

Looking for:
- experiences in evaluating options
- attempted repairs and lessons learned
- professional opinions on different possibilities and ramifications of each.

Thanks in advance for any helpful info anyone can provide.

Please look past the water conditions on photos as these are typically taken soon after pool cover comes off.

 

[Texas Splash]

Good morning and welcome (officially) to TFP! Since you first posted this on Sunday, have you received any input locally on how to repair? Do you still need some help from the forum?

 

[f18eject]

Hi Texas.
Unfortunately no, I haven't had a response and still looking for input. I have my friend (pool guy) coming to take a look, but still would like to hear from folks that have any experience/info.

Thanks!

 

[Texas Splash]

I wonder if @MAPR-Austin might have an idea for us. Stand-by .......

 

[Pohouse]

Hello. Nice pictures. I have done coping repair on my own IG pool along with concrete deck replacement. There is no easy solution. Are the pool walls metal or poly? Is the top of the pool wall bowing or just the coping? Can you pull the coping back into place by hand? Is there movement? If there is any deformation of the pool wall panel, the repair is more significant requiring pool to be empty, deck section removed and wall panel problem addressed. If only the coping is the issue, once you dig into it, you may find the top of the pool wall, where the coping attaches, has deteriorated allowing the fasteners to come loose. An undersized liner will contribute to coping failure, but not be the primary reason. Yes, 12" of the deck can be removed, coping refastened and deck repoured. Pins into the existing deck concrete will minimize patch movement, but there will always be potential at cold joints. The biggest concern I would have is if the top of the wall panel is deteriorated making reattachment problematic.

 

[f18eject]

Hello. Nice pictures. I have done coping repair on my own IG pool along with concrete deck replacement. There is no easy solution. Are the pool walls metal or poly? Is the top of the pool wall bowing or just the coping? Can you pull the coping back into place by hand? Is there movement? If there is any deformation of the pool wall panel, the repair is more significant requiring pool to be empty, deck section removed and wall panel problem addressed. If only the coping is the issue, once you dig into it, you may find the top of the pool wall, where the coping attaches, has deteriorated allowing the fasteners to come loose. An undersized liner will contribute to coping failure, but not be the primary reason. Yes, 12" of the deck can be removed, coping refastened and deck repoured. Pins into the existing deck concrete will minimize patch movement, but there will always be potential at cold joints. The biggest concern I would have is if the top of the wall panel is deteriorated making reattachment problematic.

Thank you! Please forgive the over-documentation but hopefully this will help someone in the future. I was just looking for a little hope. My research seemed to point me to exactly what you said so I thank you for confirming!

Are the pool walls metal or poly? I am fairly certain they are metal, but i wasn't knowledgeable/experienced enough to document that at the time of liner replacement.

...the top of the pool wall bowing or just the coping? Wall doesnt appear to be bowing

Can you pull the coping back into place by hand? Is there movement? Yes to both, the liner doesn't appear or feel overly stretched/stressed.

If there is any deformation of the pool wall panel, the repair is more significant requiring pool to be empty, deck section removed and wall panel problem addressed. If only the coping is the issue, once you dig into it, you may find the top of the pool wall, where the coping attaches, has deteriorated allowing the fasteners to come loose. An undersized liner will contribute to coping failure, but not be the primary reason. Yes, 12" of the deck can be removed, coping refastened and deck repoured. Pins into the existing deck concrete will minimize patch movement, but there will always be potential at cold joints. The biggest concern I would have is if the top of the wall panel is deteriorated making reattachment problematic.
AGAIN @Pohouse and @Texas Splash I REALLY appreciate you both taking the time to weigh in and help in getting opinions. I try to refrain from posting as i dont want to bother people. I also have been bad about weighing in, but this has taught me that sometimes folks just need a little reinforcement or opinion to ease the panic of a major situation. I'll keep updating with progress, lessons learned, and photo documentation for future reference for myself and to possibly assist others in the future.
Thanks everyone, sounds like we'll live to float another day lol!

 

[ckh1980]

If you have the budget, perhaps cut the coping and 1' or so of the pool deck back and install paver or stone coping? I've got the same coping and the company that replaced my liner said it's possible. I don't care for the white coping but it came with the house when we bought it.