TRAVERTINE PATIOS & SALTWATER POOLS
IS TRAVERTINE THE RIGHT CHOICE AROUND A SALT-WATER POOL?
There are some recent updates which involve natural stone patios near salt-water pools. We have had several requests for the UNIQUE Warranty Department to inspect premature decay which is occurring in Travertine patios. This decay is noticeable within as little as 6 months from the time of installation for untreated & unsealed patios. And the decay usually is affecting about 3 – 5% of the patio and only in select pieces. During the sales process we try to educate our clients about all of aspects of their backyard and swimming pool, and this subject always arises when dealing with saltwater pools. There is always a certain risk associated with natural stone, but choosing cosmetics and aesthetics over durability is normally what creates this issue. It is the policy of UNIQUE to highly discourage the use of flagstone and cantera stone products around saltwater pools because of their inability to withstand the long-term effects of saltwater. During these recent job site visits, it has become clear that saltwater can have similar effects on select pieces of Travertine patio. Although we feel the beauty of Travertine around our swimming pools is unsurpassed, these recent discoveries have motivated us to recommend additional maintenance for this surface when installed in conjunction with a salt-water pool. This maintenance and care will help to preserve the longevity of the patio. There are many solutions which range from a simple do-it-yourself sealant to more complicated processes which involve removing the salt system from the pool. There is a lot to understand about this decision which is why we’ve created this information page, and we are always here to help.
Please click HERE for more information, pictures and updates on Travertine patios.
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
- Consider the benefits as well as the pros and cons of using a salt chlorination system before installing one. This thought process should go right down to the overall look and feel of the pool as well. Remember, salt chlorination is just a way to easily add chlorine to your pool on a daily basis – there are other sources of chlorination for your pool PENTAIR RAINBOW CHLORINATOR & PENTAIR INTELLICHEM.
2. If you choose a saltwater pool then be certain that you consider the potential issues when you are selecting a decking and patio surface. The most durable pool decking is concrete w/ acrylic “lace” overlay, or as most call it “cool deck”. Some of the UNIQUE upgraded options involve our amazing “rock deck”, which is a three color blended stone texture, using the same material as acrylic lace. This high strength overlay is durable, resists salt-water, is easy to clean and maintain and is almost as non-slip as cool deck. It is a very visually appealing alternative that will eliminate the potential for saltwater damage on your deck surface.
3. If you choose saltwater but can’t live without Travertine then be sure to also select a commercial quality sealer. A good penetrating stone sealer is recommended and you should also consider the added cost involved in the sealing process. The average cost of sealing a Travertine stone patio is around $1.25 to $1.50 /s.f. and the sealer should be applied every 2 years, as the Arizona sun has a tendency to break down sealers twice as fast as in other areas of the country. Contrary to popular belief, more sealer is not better. Don’t seal more than every two years. This can result in multiple layers of sealer building up which causes a while cast to appear on the Travertine.
