skip to main content

Can I raise my bond beam on a pool remodel

17 years ago

We are demoing the whole back yard and remodeling the pool. I have a 3' retaining wall 6' from the pool edge. I would like to step the retaining wall starting at the pool by raising the bond beam 16-24 inches and run a paver deck to the edge of the property line where I will step up the remaining 12-16 inches of retaining wall. Here are the questions: Can i use block to raise the bond beam? Do I need to reenforce the existing bond beam. Any suggestions???

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

poolexpert
17 years ago
You will be loading the bond beam, when the pool was built your alternates ( steel size and spacing) were based partialy on the height of the wall. On a remodel the engineers have usually had me add 9" of gunite in the cove area and thicken the wall 2". You need engeneering.
caltropic
17 years ago
as pool expert says. Yes, it can be done, but you will need to get the engineering.

I am looking at the Pool Engineering, Inc. Detail #240 C.M.U. option and it looks like what you want to do. Will need to call them at (714) 630-6100 and tell them what you want to do. They will get you the proper plans. It will require some demo and reconstruction to the bond beam to get the proper steel over lap, but is very doable. i have done something similar in the past. Good luck this type of stuff is not for the weak of heart, but not rocket science either.

It would also be a good time to add waterfalls and or sheer decents to the pool.
Related Discussions
Bond Beam & Coping Question for the PB Pros??
Q
Comments (6)
I think that is why I was questioning it a bit - haven't seen very many people do the non-bullnose but tomorrow our deck goes in and I think this is going to really be the test. The more I looked at it today - I think it's actually going to come together really well once the deck is in and for $1K difference I think we made the right choice. I'll post up some pics in the next couple of days. Are you using the same PB? We are looking so forward to this summer with our pool!
...See More
Coping, Bond Beam, and Concrete Deck question
Q
Comments (2)
In regards to Pools94 comment, the builder should pour a small concrete ledge below the coping at least 6" - 8" deep and then to the copings edge. A band of rebar (tied to pools rebar) should also be considered as it will strengthen this ledge. Install the coping and then set up and pour the deck to this point, thus the expansion joint will then work properly. I have had to do this on many jobs even when the coping is 12" deep . . . on account of the gunite beam not being true to form. Saves cracking deck / coping problems later. Depending on your contract and material choices you may end up paying for this added work but it is well worth it.
...See More
Solid safety cover over bond beam? Pics?
Q
Comments (5)
Anchor in pipe assemblies with 2' of #5 rebar inside will give enough strength to deal with a flat pool and a raised wall or spa that is no more than 12" above the deck. Yours is too high, IMHO, for an up and over cover. It should likely be cabled with wall anchors in the wall every two feet supporting the cable (stainless 3/16" minimum) and the cover attached to that at just over deck height. If the wall has a facade cemented to it, long anchor bolts will be needed. The anchor should sit in either rock or gunite, not the facade. The longer anchor bolts need to reach the anchor and since it's in deeper, in this type of situation, works well. If the wall is tile, drill a 1/2" hole in a grout line at the desired height with a glass bit in a drill before taking a small rotary drill and making the hole. Fake rocks mad of dyed gunite should not be drilled more than an inch or so above the deck height. They may not have enough concrete backing them. When getting them built, specifying a 6" high by six inch depth base of concrete is needed to hold the anchor securely. I prefer mesh covers as they tend to be lighter, presenting less stress on the anchor. Scott
...See More
newbies-gunite pool in md-need any help i can get
Q
Comments (2)
If a sun shelf is done right, it can easily eat up a ton more gunite than regular pool floor. The shelf should be dug to below the frost line and filled in solid from there up. Otherwise you could easily have water freeze/thaw under the shelf and cause issues. 1. I am installing a heat pump on mine... but I have no real-world experience yet on this. Gas/propane will heat faster and earlier/later in the season. But will cost more. 2. I would just recommend that you insist that it is all on the engineering drawings and not just "off-the-cuff" by the PB. That way an engineer signs off on the whole thing. I'd really recommend the LED light. Add a second one if you want to be sure to get full coverage. An LED light draws about 30 watts... as opposed to a regular light that is hundreds of watts. I had 3 LED lights installed. Will not have them on for a while yet, but I would not go with anything other than 12V LED pool light.
...See More
glen123
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the input. The original idea was to use stackable retaining wall on top of the bond beam. One of the contractors seemed to like the idea and never mentioned engeneering. He suggested epoxying rebar into the bond beam to anchor the bottom row. I'm just assuming there are flaws in this concept. Comments??

The idea evolved into a block wall so it could be tiled (less pourous to support water features). Im I correct in assuming that with the proper engineering the raise in the bond beam that both of you are refering to is done with block?
solcris
16 years ago
I am planning on doing the exact same thing. Have you found out anything? I was planning on using cement block and anchoring it to the beam with rebar.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES 8 Natural Home Materials That Can't Be Beat

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

See how designing with natural stone, clay, wood and more can give a house luminosity, depth of color and lasting appeal

REMODELING GUIDES Raising the Bar for Vaulted Ceilings

Slanted Ceilings: Opportunities for Skylights, Desks or Sleeping Nooks

POOLS We Can Dream: 7 Things to Consider Before Investing in an Outdoor Spa

By Steve Taylor

Check out these tips and tricks for adding a luxurious outdoor spa to your landscape

MIDCENTURY HOMES Houzz Tour: Pools and Martinis Inspire a Palm Springs Remodel

By Mitchell Parker

Weighed down by black-heavy ’80s style, a California desert home gets a fun and lighthearted look just right for its midcentury roots

MIDCENTURY HOMES Houzz Tour: How Can We Get Invited to This Awesome Midcentury Home?

By Mitchell Parker

A redwood-clad gem in California’s Marin County features a dreamy outdoor oasis with an open-door policy for the homeowners’ friends

REMODELING GUIDES Design Details: Rustic Beams

By Lily Gahagan

Treat Your Eyes to the Warmth of Reclaimed Wood at the Ceiling

KITCHEN DESIGN The Cure for Houzz Envy: Kitchen Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Take your kitchen up a notch even if it will never reach top-of-the-line, with these cheap and easy decorating ideas

BATHROOM DESIGN 14 Design Tips to Know Before Remodeling Your Bathroom

By Mitchell Parker

Learn a few tried and true design tricks to prevent headaches during your next bathroom project

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Replaster (or Remodel) Your Pool

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Have an old pool? It could be time to update the plaster, landscaping and more for a pool that works swimmingly with your current style

HOUSEKEEPING Can-Do Cleaning Strategies for Busy People

By Laura Gaskill

While you dream of having a maid (to go with the cook and chauffer), this simplified cleaning routine can keep your real-world home tidy

Sponsored

More Discussions

Best outdoor furniture brand? And which type of Sunbrella?

1

Weighing the pros and cons of adding a swimming pool.

19

New Pool - Liner Properly Installed?

1

Pool shape help

3

Pool orientation - perpendicular VS parallel

2