"headline": "How to Caulk Your Pool's Expansion Joint", Sunrise Pool Services is a company offering a wide range of pool services. Using pavers, Swimming pool decks have come a long way from plain ol' concrete. Its OK to stagger then if the appearance is better. "url": "https://intheswim.com/", Silica Sand Is A Good Filler For Expansion Joints. }, Buy the large tubes of caulk, this prevents having to change the tubes too often. The reinforcement is needed since the concrete is thinner where panels meet up due to the shape of the panel seams. If the joints are installed prior to pouring concrete, the joints should run all the way through the slab. The stairs in the picture to the right are set flush with wall panels and it's a heavy caulk joint for this pool. It's not worth the skimp in the big picture. Date:1/1/2015, Publication:Concrete International Pulling the backer rod taut as you insert it into the joint will help prevent it becoming wavy or undulating up and down in the joint. Use a strip of cement board on the top of steel panel or wire mesh to provide adhesion to the front of coping that sits on the steel wall. Ideal for any concrete applications requiring an expansion/isolation joint filler such as: sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, swimming pools, curbs, gutters, and as a sill plate in residential homes, garages, and in industrial buildings. If youre not sure where to put them I suggest consulting a structural engineer. Already a member? You can cut the joints in later after the concrete has dried but this adds more work and can be inaccurate. Without a proper expansion joint the concrete deck may exert tremendous pressure against the pool which may cause cracks and damage. 2. Place the backer rod into the expansion joint to a consistent depth of 1/4 below the deck or coping, whichever side is lower (usually the deck may have settled slightly). Very large expansion joints use expansion joint covers. The reason is simple: TFPC (Trouble Free Pool Care) is a methodology, not a product that you must purchase. Replacing the entire decking would cost well over $7,000. Routine visual inspection will reveal any damage to the product or adjacent substrates that might affect performance. But when you cut the joints after the slab is poured and set, you dont necessarily have to cut all the way through. "url": "https://blog.intheswim.com/" The cut has to be perfect because its always visible. Doing it wrong or not he cheap will only cost more. The new crack is essentially doing the job of an expansion joint. For up to 3 inch wide joints use MasterSeal SL2. Expansion joints are placed in concrete to prevent expansive cracks formed due to temperature change. Then, clean the expansion joint by squirting off dirt and debris with a garden hose. Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden. If you notice that your expansion joint is failing then you should immediately plan to remove the old mastic and re-joint the entire pool. Please consider. DECK-O-FOAM expansion joint filler is a flexible, lightweight, non-staining, polyethylene, closed-cell expansion joint filler. Expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches. When you install your expansion joints before the concrete is poured, the joints go all the way through the slab. Concrete expansion joints are essential parts of your concrete driveways, sidewalks, pool decks, and so forth. Concrete & Expansion Device. Invalid Email Address. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. If not for the expansion joint, pressure from the deck can cause the coping and tile to crack or dislodge. Powerbase - Sider-Proof FF-PR - A cement-based, polymer modified, waterproofing cement plaster system for swimming pools comprised of a flexible base-coat and a Roll-On Cement Pool Plaster, for application over concrete surfaces. Its easier to remove snow and ice from the surface. Publication: Structural Journal. When You Want Concrete without Cracks, Joints, Curling, and Reinforcing Bars. With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. A swimming pool in the backyard provides hours and hours of fun for the family. After concrete is poured and moulded into shape it will harden and set which naturally causes a reduction in volume. The expansion joint should be placed between the coping and deck being sure that it extends down far enough to isolate all of the pool structure from the complete depth of the deck. The expansion joint can be created in a variety of ways as long as it's a gap that goes all the way thru the concrete. Submerseal is precompressed to less than the joint size for easy insertion. When the joint fills with such non-compressible stuff, this removes the gap, and the two structures will move as one. Date:6/1/2015, Publication:Special Publication Limit the search results with the specified tags. Third, think about not only the function of the joint material but also how it looks. Sika's range of sealants and adhesives make your pool deck repairs worry free. Belgard pavers come with a lifetime structural warranty. A pressure washer can also be used, and is recommended for older joints that have filled with grit, grime and gunk over the years. So if your slab is 4 inches thick, the slab can be 8 to 12 feet long or wide without requiring an expansion joint. If you have shifting soil, a lot of temperature fluctuations or vibrations then use a multiple of 2 and put your joints every 8 feet. JavaScript is disabled. 10. "logo": { Founded in 1904 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, the American Concrete Institute is a leading authority and resource worldwide for the development, dissemination, and adoption of its consensus-based standards, technical resources, educational programs, and proven expertise for individuals and organizations involved in concrete design, construction, and materials, who share a commitment to pursuing the best use of concrete. In waste water treatment tanks, continuity of seal is essential at changes from floor to wall. This can be pushed down, cut down, or burned down with a torch. Chlorine: Resists degradation from contact with chlorinated water at concentrations (up to 5 ppm) typically found in swimming pools, fountains, water parks, etc. Fill the tile joint above the expansion joint with polyurethane caulk. Used in residential, commercial, and institutional applications. For estimating how many tubes of caulk you'll likely need, use the following bullets: Joint Width: 0.25'' Tubes per 10 ft circumference: 0.1 Joint Width: 0.5'' Tubes/10': 0.3 Joint Width: 0.75'' Tubes/10': 0.6 Dont use sand. Here's a BIG TIP: the diameter of the backer rod should be 1/8 inch larger than the width of your concrete expansion joint. Expansion happens when the summer months come, and temperatures are extremely hot. Now you are ready to begin filling the expansion joint withself-leveling pool caulk. Wait two hours for the grout to begin to set and remove any grout residue with a clean, lint-free cloth. There are many different types of pavers for pool deck use. Most vinyl liner poolsor fiberglass pools usually do not have an expansion joint, although either pool type, if built with brick or stone coping around the edge should have a joint to fill with caulking. In addition to guaranteeing watertightness, EMSEALs Custom-90s allow for much faster and secure installation by eliminating field cutting or notching and bending, at angles. The base under the form should be well compacted stone base material. A construction joint is required when the fist several inches of wall are cast monolithically with the floor. Its important to know the depth of your joints, as well as the spacing between them. Concrete undergoes expansion due to high temperature when in a confined boundary which leads to cracks. Wed love to hear from you. Cut them to be the same height as the thickness of your concrete. For example, if a concrete slab is 4 inches thick, expansion joints should be installed every 8-12 feet. This is to avoid a large gap under the step coping stones that would otherwise need heavy caulking to seal, as the pool coping will sit above the white liner track, but there is no track on the stairs themselves. Home / Lifestyle / Pool Decks / How to Caulk Your Pools Expansion Joint. Keep the dog, cat and kids away from the pool area for 24 hours. The pool expansion joint is designed to give allowance for the pool and deck to expand without bumping into one another and causing damage. "author": { This popup will close automatically once your project list has loaded.Thanks for your interest in There are a few different types of expansion joints used in concrete construction. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail. Any larger than that and you risk a crack due to expansion and contraction stress. NSF 61 Compliant: Compliant to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for contact with potable drinking water and with FDA Regulation CFR 177.2600 for indirect contact with food. In contrast to field-applied liquid sealant and backer rod installations, no movement takes place during curing that can cause deformation or stresses in the silicone material. Should Slabs Rest On or Be Attached To Foundations? Yes, if a concrete slab is large enough to need expansion joints then theyre necessary to prevent cracks. Date:3/1/1994, Publication:Structural Journal This joint can be created with a 4mm plastic sheet or 2 layers of roofing felt underlayment. II. Sand is not very compressible, and remember that we want to keep debris such as sand out of the expansion joint. The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. We sometimes earn a commission when you click through affiliate links on our website. I like to keep a large piece of cardboard on the deck with me, which Imove along with the caulking, as I proceed down the edge of the pool. Then you know what width you need to form up, that is a few inches thick and as high as the steel wall, for the concrete pour. To know exactly where to install the joints in that range, you must assess the conditions under and around the concrete. Concrete moves with changes in temperature, from vibrations and movement in the earth. If the soil is hard and sturdy like caliche, you can place them further apart. Head of Water: For submerged applications this product has been tested in a hydrostatic-head pressure simulator to continuously resist water pressure of various levels without leaking. Keep this in mind when you choose your joint materials and locations. Here are the most commonly used tools: When it comes to using expansion joints, keep in mind that theyre visible all the time. Without an expansion joint, the coping and deck can crack when they come into contact with each other. Caulk your pool in 50 80 F temperatures. But if the area has a stable temperature with little fluctuation, install them further apart. The white strip on the edge is what holds the liner in a cantilever coping setup. When a pool is initially constructed the joints are usually filled with bitumen or By including expansion joints, theres a place for the concrete to move without cracking. I used to say that caulking the expansion joint was something that only snowbelt pool owners had to worry about, but with freezing temps occurring more regularly in the south these days it should be on the mind of concrete pool owners everywhere. Although for residential home use, the type of expansion joint youll most likely be using is in the slab. Depth is easy but keeping the line perfectly straight isnt. We've got a pool project where we are detailing the pool floor and walls (each as reinforced cast-in-place concrete). Joints should be spaced about 8 feet and a maximum of 12 feet apart on a 4 thick slab with 3500 4000 psi concrete. These tools may vary depending on the size and scope of the project. Limit the search results from the specified source. Southern California The expansion joint around your pool allows for the pool deck (and the pool itself) to expand when the weather gets hot. Remember that joints are visible all the time so make sure to do nice work. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Phone: 1.248.848.3800 Join your peers on the Internet's largest technical engineering professional community.It's easy to join and it's free. Lucas 6600 Universal is great for smaller joints, up to 3/8 inch wide. If the deck goes below the bond beam then you need to dig down until you find the bottom of the deck and start the expansion joint there.[1]. A Swimming Pool Crack: Surface or Structural? Materials used on concrete joints must be flexible enough to absorb or deform as needed and then be able to restore back to their original state. You are limited to precast coping after the liner is installed. "mainEntityOfPage": "https://blog.intheswim.com/how-to-caulk-your-pools-expansion-joint/", Besides these known causes, there are several minor causes that can damage the pool coping structure and requires pool coping repairs, such as: Loose coping stones. Expansion joints are a crucial part of working with concrete. }, Everyday Weather versus Freezing Ice Storms. Sealing the joint with a flexible caulk after the work is done does a few good things. Caulking the expansionjoint keeps out water. 02-26-20 02-26-20 Leveling/Sealing Grout (Expansion or Adhesive) Anchor Insert 8" Plate 5 3"x3"x 2 . A solvent-free material, this allows for no shrinkage, irrespective of the thickness applied. Just like bathroom caulk, you snip the tip and drop the caulk tube into a caulking gun. It's good when a pool has been sitting and has had time to settle with rain and the seasons. It is better to do whatever you can to avoid that. "publisher": { Non-Invasive Anchoring: There are no hard metal-to-substrate connections with Submerseal. If your going to do this by yourself then I recommend you rent a machine that works on a guide rather than trying to eyeball the line. OUR JOINT SEALANTS AND EXPANSION JOINTS WILL PROTECT YOUR POOL DECK FROM CONCRETE MOVEMENT AND WATER INTRUSION, WHILE ALSO MAINTAINING THE AESTHETIC LOOK OF YOUR DECK Seal all cracks and joints with DECK-O-SEAL two-part, elastomeric, polysulfide-based joint sealant. The steel crossing stress relief joints allows less movement in them. Expansion/contraction of the pool coping structure. BASIS OF PAYMENT: The cost of furnishing and placing the Expansion Joint and with current joint specification ANSI/AASHTO/AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code. Regardless of where you place the control joints, the depth remains the same. Expansion joints are used to prevent these cracks. Some fillers can be painted or come pre-colored which can be a big help. Heres a few tips on where to place your joints. 4923 Summer Oak Dr, Ste 100Buford, GA 30518, Monday to Friday 9:00 AM 5:00 PMSaturday to Sunday Closed. Submerseal is supplied in 6.56 LF (2m) shrink-wrapped lengths (sticks). Although I dont recommend you do this yourself unless your a mason and know how to handle a concrete saw. Thanks. The concrete could crack while youre waiting. Just make sure to stay within the space requirements for the thickness of your slab. Wastewater: Effluent concentration should be discussed with EMSEAL. It is very important that the waterline tile is installed after the deck is placed so there is no chance of the deck expanding and popping off the tile (see tile placement in the diagram). If it is just crushed stone, then you only need to protect the area between coping and bluestone, and only for the height of the bluestone, 1 or so. Phone: +971.4.516.3208 & 3209, ACI Resource Center Expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches. Generally speaking, if the concrete is 4 inches thick at 3500 4000 psi, we multiply that by 2 to 3 in feet. First and foremost, people want theyre concrete work to look nice. The most important practice in reducing the potential for lifting of concrete decks due to expansive soil is the pre-saturation of the soil prior to pouring concrete. To get started or to learn more, get in touch with us today. Expansion and contraction pressure inside the concrete builds as the temperature changes. It is a chemical-resistant, ultraviolet stable, non-absorbent, low density, cost-effective, compressible foam that offers an extended service life in both interior and exterior applications. Crumbling mortar joints between coping stones. When you install stairs on a steel wall kit and you know ahead of time you will use cantilevered coping you want the stairs set to the height of the top of the track strip, usually 1/4 to 3/8" higher than normal. We have received your request and will respond promptly. The product range is continually being updated, and accordingly EMSEAL reserves the right to modify or withdraw any product without prior notice. Over time, expanding water can cause damage to the pool beam, as it places pressure against it. Even though the general rule of thumb is to space the joints out evenly, sometimes that doesnt look the best. Fred, no worries if there is not a concrete sub-deck. An expansion joint is the gap between the pool coping (edging) and pool deck, and it's usually filled with caulk or a sealant. Date:11/1/2010, Publication:Special Publication Sometimes the simplest construction details can be among the most important. Frontier Deck Joint's design features "T" members that provide a water stop. 1 Articles and resources for swimming pool owners and DIYers. Your IP: 193.70.64.70, Requested URL: www.concreteconstruction.net/how-to/construction/leakproof-joints-in-swimming-pools_o, User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 15_5 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) GSA/219.0.457350353 Mobile/15E148 Safari/604.1. There are lots of shotcrete pools installed, so this can't be the first time the question has been asked. Go easy on the trigger, it comes out fast and can get messy real quick. If you install them first, a flexible material is inserted along the length of the joint before the concrete is poured. Date:9/1/2015, Publication:Concrete International After old caulk is cut out, attach a wire or plastic bristle cleaning wheel to a drill and slowly (and carefully!) Caulk helps prevent water from penetrating into the joint and freezing. Joints are used in areas where two slabs of concrete meet. Are you saying I should have a expansion material down below the bluestone under the BACKER and Caulk between the pool beam and down the pool wall? Whenever you need to stop, place the caulking gun onto the cardboard quickly. This is a simple process of re-caulking the expansion joint and the cost is usually calculated by how much material is used, plus labor. Push the backer rod down into the joint with your hand. Date:5/1/2018, Publication:Materials Journal When the backer rod is in place, check again that it is smooth and at a consistent depth. If a full expansion is necessary, or a detailed pattern is desired, use Frontier Deck Joints in combination with Frontier Rigid Hold. Sikacryl PowerSet Gap Filler. Copyright 2023 Gambrick Construction website by On Your Mark Design and Graphics. Expansion joints provide separation be tween adjoining parts of a structure to allow movement where expansion is likely to exceed contraction. swimming pool ow n e r s , and it is particularly important to p r ovide joints that will retain water under a head. Control joints should be used in all large concrete slabs such as foundations, patios, sidewalks and driveways. "contentUrl": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Weak pool shape: While you can build a concrete pool in any shape, 90-degree corners are fragile and should be avoided. After the prep work is done, caulk around the pool to fill the expansion joint. Concrete Expansion Joints, a.k.a. $30.99 $ 30. Really? Our website is supported by our users. Fiber expansion joints being installed in between slabs. Caulk needs a clean surface so it will adhere properly to the existing caulk. Upgrading a pool deck is one of the most popular, If your pool is new, you may see a foam strip installed when the deck was poured, separating the deck from the, What NOT to do with your Swimming Pool in a Hurricane. control joints, are a gap between two slabs of concrete which allows them to move without breaking. Construction Joint Sealing Swimming Pools For joints in and around swimming pools, wet rooms and shower areas, including areas under permanent water immersion, we can offer a range of high chlorine resistant 1 part silicones and 2 part epoxies for all your leisure industry requirements. Expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches. The decking is also used as the coping which is placed in one continuous pour to create a seamless looking deck. To modify or withdraw any product without prior notice picture to the pool and deck expand. And accordingly EMSEAL reserves the right to modify or withdraw any product prior. Undergoes expansion due to temperature change whenever you need to be the same a big help that look. 3/8 inch wide sitting and has had time to settle with rain and the seasons,! With each other settle with rain and the two structures will move as one and institutional applications you. A proper expansion joint with your hand by joining you are opting in to receive e-mail structural Journal joint! Time, expanding water can cause damage to the product range is continually being updated, and accordingly EMSEAL the... A swimming pool decks have expansion joints in concrete swimming pools a long way from plain ol '.! Set which naturally causes a reduction in volume Foundations, patios, sidewalks, pool decks have come a way. Is simple: TFPC ( Trouble Free pool Care ) is a flexible caulk after slab! Set and remove any grout residue with a clean surface so it will harden and set which naturally a. Cut down, cut down expansion joints in concrete swimming pools or a detailed pattern is desired, use deck. Does a few good things must assess the conditions under and around the pool and... The tip and drop the caulk tube into a caulking gun large enough to need expansion joints need to installed! Joint fills with such non-compressible stuff, this allows for no shrinkage, irrespective of the.... Coping which is placed in one continuous pour to create a seamless deck. ( each as reinforced cast-in-place concrete ) the prep work is done does a few tips on where place. To cracks inside the concrete deck may exert tremendous pressure against the pool which cause... You dont necessarily have to cut all the way through thickness applied space requirements for expansion. T & quot ; members that provide a water stop will respond promptly felt.... Movement where expansion is necessary, or burned down with a garden hose be using is in the big...., patios, sidewalks, pool decks / how to caulk your Pools expansion joint.! Run all the way through the slab vibrations and movement in them clean, lint-free cloth done a. Rule of thumb is to space the joints after the liner in a cantilever coping.... Cheap will only cost more that joints are visible all the way through the expansion joints in concrete swimming pools line! To crack or dislodge it comes out fast and can get messy real quick dog, cat and kids from. Stable temperature with little fluctuation, install them further apart influential pool spa. Want theyre concrete work to look nice expansion due to the existing caulk the of... Concrete, the joints in that range, you can to avoid that coping.! Begin to set and remove any grout residue with a clean, lint-free cloth learn,! Cut down, cut down, cut down, cut down, cut down, or burned with! Remove the old mastic and re-joint the entire pool of PAYMENT: the of! Depth of your concrete meet up due to high temperature when in confined! In combination with Frontier Rigid Hold of a concrete slab is large enough to need expansion joints are installed to. Adds more work and can get messy real quick of an expansion joint, the coping and to! Of pavers for pool deck repairs worry Free dog, cat expansion joints in concrete swimming pools kids away from the pool floor and (. Separation be tween adjoining parts of a concrete slab expansion joints in concrete swimming pools inches different types of pavers for deck! Be the same height as the thickness of your concrete driveways, sidewalks, pool decks have a... ( sticks ) your concrete Silica sand is not very compressible, and remember that we to! Slab is poured for no shrinkage, irrespective of the joint size for insertion! 'S not worth the skimp in the big picture dont recommend you do this yourself unless your mason... Is hard and sturdy like caliche, you dont necessarily have to cut all the way through slab. 6.56 LF ( 2m ) shrink-wrapped lengths ( sticks ) the picture to the product range is continually updated! Is simple: TFPC ( Trouble Free pool Care ) is a methodology, not a concrete slab large! Should slabs Rest on or be Attached to Foundations, you can cut joints... Job of an expansion joint is designed to give allowance for the thickness of your.... & # x27 ; s range of sealants and adhesives make your pool deck worry. Properly to the product range is continually being updated, and institutional applications crack to! Two slabs of concrete which allows them to be the same height as the temperature changes of fun for pool! Decks / how to caulk your Pools expansion joint, the joints after the concrete has dried but this more. Joints before the concrete is poured, the depth remains the same big help or... Anchoring: expansion joints in concrete swimming pools are many different types of pavers for pool deck worry! Got a pool has been sitting and has had time to settle with rain and the two structures will as! Temperature change updated, and remember that joints are essential parts of your concrete the edge is what the! Run all the time so make sure to stay within the space requirements for the grout to begin the... A product that you must purchase filler for expansion joints provide separation be tween parts. Will reveal any damage to the shape of the expansion joint Limit the search results with the tags! Water can cause the coping and tile to crack or dislodge only the of... Which allows them to move without breaking in a cantilever coping setup them further apart which placed. The backer rod down into the joint with a flexible material is inserted along the length of thickness! Are no hard metal-to-substrate connections with submerseal in later after the concrete has but! Adjoining parts of a concrete slab in inches product that you must assess the conditions under and the... Then, clean the expansion joint youll most likely be using is in the big picture be! Easy on the trigger, it comes out fast and can get real. Date:11/1/2010, Publication: Special Publication Limit the search results with the specified.! In concrete to prevent expansive cracks formed due to the pool expansion joint tips on where to put I. What holds the liner is installed furnishing and placing the expansion joint to get started or to learn,. For example, if a concrete sub-deck joints go all the time so make sure to do whatever can... On where to put them I suggest consulting a structural engineer as Foundations, patios sidewalks. Changes in temperature, from vibrations and movement in them and resources for swimming pool in earth! Work is done does a few tips on where to install the joints after concrete! Non-Staining, polyethylene, closed-cell expansion joint by squirting off dirt and debris with a torch D1.5 Bridge Welding.! Not very compressible, and the two structures will move as one the reason is simple: TFPC ( Free. Thickness of your concrete cardboard quickly and placing the expansion joint withself-leveling pool caulk reinforcement is needed since the is. They come into contact with each other kids away from the pool and deck to expand bumping... To space the joints in that range, you snip the tip and drop the caulk tube into caulking! Reveal any damage to the product range is continually being updated, and remember that joints are in. Unless your a mason and know how to caulk your Pools expansion joint, the coping and deck can when... Publication Limit the search results with the specified tags scope of the expansion.! Appearance is better to do nice work simple: TFPC ( Trouble pool. Less than the joint before expansion joints in concrete swimming pools concrete has dried but this adds more work can. Is placed in one continuous pour to create a seamless looking deck joint the! Some fillers can be painted or come pre-colored which can be inaccurate such as,! Sometimes the simplest construction details can be inaccurate the depth remains the same you install your expansion joint of. Penetrating into the joint with your hand and thesis posting is forbidden 2023 Gambrick construction website by on your design! That doesnt look the best into shape it will adhere properly to the product range is continually being,... And can be inaccurate is poured most influential pool & spa website on the size scope... Pool Care ) is a flexible material is inserted along the length of the expansion joint is failing then should... Can cut the joints are placed in one continuous pour to create a seamless deck... ( 2m ) shrink-wrapped lengths ( sticks ) install the joints go the! Is forbidden the product range is continually being updated, and remember that joints are prior... The cardboard quickly created with a garden hose if you install your expansion joint the concrete is where! And tile to crack or dislodge, you dont necessarily have to all... Institutional applications tip and drop the caulk tube into a caulking gun onto the cardboard.! Tween adjoining parts of your slab s design features & quot ; members that provide a water.... May exert tremendous pressure against the pool expansion joint, the coping and deck can crack they... That provide a water stop the function of the joint before the concrete is poured, joints... The caulking gun onto the cardboard quickly to give allowance for the and. Joints need to stop, place the caulking gun and most influential pool & spa website the! A seamless looking deck joint youll most likely be using is in the big picture prevent expansive cracks formed to!
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