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Caulking and Expansion Joints
A 3/8" to 1/2" gap should be present between the perimeter coping stones and between concrete pads. This gap, allows for the expansion and contraction of the deck in hot and cold temperatures. In the gap will be a foam expansion material covered with caulking sealant to keep out water.
Common Problems with Caulking and Expansion Joints
You may have noticed that many of the solutions for problems outlined in the other sections include the replacement or repair of the caulking. Far too often, this replacement is ignored because a pool owner has a false sense of security because the caulking has been replaced within the last couple of years. The purpose of a caulk joint is to keep the area below dry in an effort to protect the pool and deck from freeze damage.
Solutions
Replace perimeter caulking whenever cracked, split, or separated. Inspect below caulk joint when exposed for proper clearance between deck and coping. Hire only experienced repair contractors, with a history of proper craftsmanship.
A Note about expansion joints during construction or repair:
Another common problem occurs during construction and repairs. The expansion joint is designed to be clear of any mortar or concrete to allow the needed room for the expansion and contraction, which will occur with temperature changes from summer to winter. Far to often this design is overlooked by inexperienced contractors. During the construction of pools and the repair of coping stones the joint is not kept free of mortar or concrete. Once the scrap material hardens the necessary gap between the coping and the deck is compromised. In this condition, when the deck expands and contracts the coping and tile are broken free from the shell of the pool (bond beam). This condition has kept our construction crews busy with repairs for decades. It's that widespread of a problem.
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