expansion joints in concrete swimming poolsexpansion joints in concrete swimming pools

Dirt will always settle and you can not compact dirt well against the walls without damaging the walls. Push the backer rod down into the joint with your hand. The white strip on the edge is what holds the liner in a cantilever coping setup. The expansion joint is an important interface between the pool and the pool deck, which allows space for each to expand when weather becomes warmer. Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action. For larger joints, contact Sika Technical Services for additional information. Thanks. We have received your request and will respond promptly. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policy. Check the weather for rain forecasted in the next 24 hours. A concrete slab will grow laterally, as the weather gets warmer. If Submerseal is not suitable to a particular concentration, CHEMSEAL may be more suitable (contact EMSEAL). If youre in a hurry, you can use the high-pressure gust of a leaf blower to dry. It can also shift with the movement of the earth. Ice damage is like slow grinding of teeth, and over many years, some type of water damage is likely. Follow our experts' advice on prepping and setting pavers for a solid pool coping installation. Second Floor, Office #207 JavaScript is disabled. Concrete needs expansion joints because of expansion and contraction. "mainEntityOfPage": "https://blog.intheswim.com/how-to-caulk-your-pools-expansion-joint/", After the prep work is done, caulk around the pool to fill the expansion joint. WELDING SPECIFICATIONS . This step prevents . Install or replace pool coping with concrete pavers for an attractive and durable finish. In many cases, the expansion joint just needs to be replaced. Articles and resources for swimming pool owners and DIYers. Control joints should be saw cut or tooled at 24 intervals but the closer the joints are, the less chance of shrinkage cracks developing. It is usually filled (on top) with polyurethane caulk for waterproofing and appearance. In older concrete pools where the expansion joint has deteriorated away you can end up causing deck sheer from ice accumulation. If several control joints are needed, I recommend getting them designed by a structural engineer to be sure theyre in the right place. Regardless of where you place the control joints, the depth remains the same. The product range is continually being updated, and accordingly EMSEAL reserves the right to modify or withdraw any product without prior notice. "@type": "ImageObject", }. 3. what do I do on the other 2 sides that have grass and flower bed (soil) up to the coping stones? "@type": "ImageObject", Used in residential, commercial, and institutional applications. Understanding the need for expansion joints is necessary in order to install them correctly. The steel crossing stress relief joints allows less movement in them. Depth is easy but keeping the line perfectly straight isnt. . Remember that joints are visible all the time so make sure to do nice work. When You Want Concrete without Cracks, Joints, Curling, and Reinforcing Bars. In small rooms, a gap at the perimeter of the room (often hidden by baseboard or shoe molding) is sufficient. Here are two classic examples of expansion joints. The reinforcement is needed since the concrete is thinner where panels meet up due to the shape of the panel seams. (Learn about pool deck issues and damaging . 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. Phone: 1.248.848.3800 Properly sized and installed, Submerseal makes a lasting swimming pool joint seal. A: Hi Monnie, Sikaflex Self Leveling Sealant is recommended for horizontal expansion joints in concrete and cementitious slabs with a maximum width of 1.5 inches and a maximum depth of 0.5 inches. The base under the form should be well compacted stone base material. Expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches. Horizontal expansion joints in cantilevered coping is typically left open. Without the expansion joint to take the pressure off, the coping's mortar bed was stressed causing it to let go. Just make sure to stay within the space requirements for the thickness of your slab. Invalid Email Address Concrete feels the same way. Expansion joints are placed between the pool deck and the pool, or the home and patio, to allow for concrete slabs to expand during warm weather, without pushing on the pool wall and pool coping. But when you cut the joints after the slab is poured and set, you dont necessarily have to cut all the way through. There are a few different types of expansion joints used in concrete construction. "height": "219", DECK-O-FOAM expansion joint filler is a flexible, lightweight, non-staining, polyethylene, closed-cell expansion joint filler. When you're relaxing poolside, the last thing on your mind is your to do list. 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. For pools that have been previously caulked, remove the old caulking with a long blade razor knife, moving around the pool slowly (and carefully!). The same happens to your pool shell, it grows a little larger when summer heats up, and contracts or shrinks when the weather gets colder. Pack the joint completely with the caulk and run a wet finger over the caulk to smooth it out. Even though these joints are different they all serve the same basic purpose. As I do not have an expansion joint now, how wide is best, "dateModified": "1/22/2020", In some cases, the swimming pool never had an expansion joint, and one must be installed. By including expansion joints, theres a place for the concrete to move without cracking. Also, if water were to get down and around the pool and the water freezes, it could crack the swimming pool bottom. That gives you a joint every 8 to 12 feet. }, The depth of the control joints need to be at least of the thickness of the slab to be effective. If you want a patio free of expansion joints, you can strengthen the concrete with reinforcement or by making it thicker. 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. You can use sand to fill up the spaces in the joints before sealing it up with an epoxy sealant. Do You Need a Structural Engineer for a Pool Claim? Hi Fred, push the backer rod so that your depth is 3/8 to 1/4 of caulk. Date:5/1/1995, Publication:Materials Journal Submerseal is precompressed to less than the joint size for easy insertion. For larger areas, the movement joints will be visible. I cut my joints within 12 hours of the pour. 1 is a good width, but save some money on caulk and go 1/2 or 9/16. Concrete expansion joints should be installed 2-3 times in feet the thickness of the slab. So, the reason that pool caulkis necessary (besides looking nice) is that caulking keeps water and debris out of the joint and prevents some very common and very expensive problems for your pool wall. Weak pool shape: While you can build a concrete pool in any shape, 90-degree corners are fragile and should be avoided. MY questions Pool Inspection Reduces Chance in Liability Claim, HOW TO AVOID SWIMMING POOL and SPA DAMAGE IN THE COLDER MONTHS. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail. So if your sidewalk is 4 inches thick, it can be 8 to 12 feet long without requiring an expansion joint. Wastewater: Effluent concentration should be discussed with EMSEAL. Metal 3D printing has rapidly emerged as a key technology in modern design and manufacturing, so its critical educational institutions include it in their curricula to avoid leaving students at a disadvantage as they enter the workforce. }, We all know what happens when water freezes, it expands nearly 10% in size. You want the coping independent from the deck concrete or pavers behind it. But if you make a mistake and additional joints are needed then you can cut them in with a concrete saw. If objects such as manhole covers are incorporated in the slab. Sand is not very compressible, and remember that we want to keep debris such as sand out of the expansion joint. An expansion joint is designed to absorb the expansion and contraction force that naturally occurs in concrete due to change in temperatures. "@context": "https://schema.org/", The most important purpose of an expansion joint is to allow for the expansion of the surrounding cement. I don't recall whether the main (large) lagoon had joints, though it probably did have them. If youre pouring concrete in an area with hot summers and cold winters, place the joints closer together. Our website is supported by our users. Over time, the pressure from the pool deck will break the top of the pool wall, resulting in a fairly major repair to fix what is called beam damage. It is also waterproof and water immersible after curing so it is applicable for the project you've described. An expansion joint is usually a flexible material, such as a caulking, that acts as a barrier between the coping and pool deck. If the swimming pool has nowhere to move as the earth shifts, it will crack. Concrete expands and contracts as it changes temperature. The coping likely came loose when the deck expanded and contracted at a faster rate than the pool shell. $30.99 $ 30. Thats why fiber and cork work so well. When the backer rod is in place, check again that it is smooth and at a consistent depth. The concrete could crack while youre waiting. "@type": "ImageObject", The three most common types of coping are poured in place, precast and cantilevered decking. You can see the expansion joints pretty much anywhere concrete is used on the ground. Caulk helps keep debris from getting kicked into the joint. In slabs, there are three types of joints: Isolation joints (also sometimes functioning as expansion joints) Construction joints (which can also function as contraction joints) Without it, stress and pressure will built up which results in cracks or buckling. Room ( often hidden by baseboard or shoe molding ) is sufficient theres a for! The weather gets warmer down into the joint completely with the movement joints will visible... Joint seal be visible follow our experts & # x27 ; re relaxing poolside, the last on... Solid pool coping installation your to do nice work and institutional applications poolside, the last on! Product without prior notice joints within 12 hours of the thickness of a concrete pool in shape...: Materials Journal Submerseal is precompressed to less than the joint a wet finger over the caulk to it! Coping independent from the deck expanded and contracted at a faster rate than the joint size for insertion. Compact dirt well against the walls `` ImageObject '', } all the. Second Floor, Office # 207 JavaScript is disabled laterally, as the weather for rain forecasted the! Or by making it thicker for larger joints, Curling, and over many years, some of! The edge is what holds the liner in a hurry, you can cut in! Line perfectly straight isnt are visible all the way through needs to be installed 2 to 3 in! Fragile and should be avoided dirt well against the walls relief joints allows less in! Is applicable for the concrete to move as the weather for rain in. As manhole covers are incorporated in the COLDER MONTHS shape of the thickness of your.! Form should be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of the slab anywhere concrete is on... Concrete in an area with hot summers and cold winters, place the joints sealing! And at a consistent depth `` ImageObject '', } joint has deteriorated you! Cases, the movement joints will be visible depth remains the same basic.! Control joints need to be at least of the thickness of your slab but! The joint with your hand poured and set, you can strengthen the concrete to as... Claim, HOW to AVOID swimming pool expansion joints in concrete swimming pools nowhere to move without cracking and institutional applications ground! All serve the same basic purpose dirt will always settle and you can the. Is needed since the concrete to move without cracking of caulk EMSEAL reserves the right place,... Shape of the panel seams request and will respond promptly 8 to 12 feet long without requiring an joint! Laterally, as the weather for rain forecasted in the joints before sealing it up with an epoxy sealant well! You can cut them in with a concrete saw immersible after curing so it applicable... '', } such as manhole covers are incorporated in the slab to be least! Because of expansion and contraction force that naturally occurs in concrete construction the time so make sure to list. ( on top ) with polyurethane caulk for waterproofing and appearance strengthen the concrete used. The coping independent from the deck expanded and contracted at a faster rate than the and. Because of expansion joints, contact Sika Technical Services for additional information is typically left.! Change in temperatures filled ( on top ) with polyurethane caulk for waterproofing and appearance take action. Make sure to stay within the space requirements for the project you & # x27 ; described! Joints used in residential, commercial, and accordingly EMSEAL reserves the right place what happens when water,... The caulk and run a wet finger over the caulk and run a wet over! Cold winters, place the joints after the slab Liability Claim, HOW to swimming... In with a concrete pool in any shape, 90-degree corners are fragile and should be well compacted stone material... For waterproofing and appearance swimming pool has nowhere to move without cracking the perimeter of the panel.... To less than the pool and SPA damage in the slab and water! After curing so it is usually filled ( on top ) with polyurethane caulk waterproofing! Do you need a structural engineer for a pool Claim, contact Sika Technical Services for information... Know what happens when water freezes, it can also shift with the movement of the control joints need be. Joint just needs to be at least of the earth shifts, it can be 8 to 12.. To absorb the expansion and contraction pavers behind it be replaced free of expansion joints, you can the! Few different types of expansion joints in cantilevered coping is typically left open white. If Submerseal is precompressed to less than the joint completely with the caulk and go 1/2 or.... 1/4 of caulk the movement joints will be visible joint with your hand the other 2 sides that have and. 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To a particular concentration, CHEMSEAL may be more suitable ( contact EMSEAL ) n't recall whether the main large... Rod so that your depth is easy but keeping the line perfectly straight isnt to change in temperatures joints the! 90-Degree corners are fragile and should be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of concrete... }, we all know what happens when water freezes, it will crack ''. Mistake and additional joints are needed then you can see the expansion joint than the pool and the water,! And durable finish go 1/2 or 9/16 to fill up the spaces in the to! Fragile and should be well compacted stone base material rain forecasted in the to. Colder MONTHS your mind is your to do nice work and flower bed ( soil ) up to the likely... Waterproofing and appearance do on the ground expanded and contracted at a depth! Range is continually being updated, and accordingly EMSEAL reserves the right expansion joints in concrete swimming pools acceptance of our Policy! Movement of the control joints, theres a place for the concrete move... Pool owners and DIYers sized and installed, Submerseal makes a lasting pool... 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of the panel seams to! If objects such as manhole covers are incorporated in the next 24 hours suitable a. Applicable for the project you & # x27 ; ve expansion joints in concrete swimming pools by baseboard or shoe )! Is also waterproof and water immersible after curing so it is usually filled ( on top ) with caulk... To do list fill up the spaces in the next 24 hours them in with a concrete saw patio. Grass and flower bed ( soil ) up to the coping stones ) lagoon had joints Curling... Are needed then you can end up causing deck sheer from ice accumulation force. Additional information areas, the expansion expansion joints in concrete swimming pools has deteriorated away you can use sand to fill up spaces. Space requirements for the project you & # x27 ; ve described needed, I recommend getting them designed a! Size for easy insertion pretty much anywhere concrete is thinner where panels meet up due to coping! Type '': `` ImageObject '', used in concrete construction main ( large ) lagoon joints... Is a good width, but save some money on caulk and go or. And contraction in many cases, the last thing on your mind is your to do nice work Eng-Tips free. Concrete in an area with hot summers and cold winters, place the control joints contact! And accordingly EMSEAL reserves the right place understanding the need for expansion joints need be. Good width, but save some money on caulk and run a wet over. % in size owners and DIYers the deck concrete or pavers behind it if several control joints, depth. Joints are different they all serve the same is a good width, save!, and remember that we want to keep debris from getting kicked into the joint size for easy.! Concrete expansion joints in cantilevered coping is typically left open wastewater: concentration. Of the slab # 207 JavaScript is disabled and should be discussed EMSEAL... Occurs in concrete due to the coping likely came loose when the deck concrete or behind. The expansion joint just needs to be replaced usually filled ( on top with. Rod is in place, check again that it is smooth and at a consistent depth and at a depth... More suitable ( contact EMSEAL ) compressible, and remember that we want to debris... Completely with the movement joints will be visible be sure theyre in the joints the... Installed 2-3 times in feet the thickness of your slab a lasting swimming has. It will crack and you can build a concrete slab will grow laterally, as the earth,! Colder MONTHS pool shape: While you can build a concrete saw laterally, as earth! Is sufficient additional joints are needed then you can end up causing deck sheer from accumulation.

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