If you have wide gaps in your expansion joints, you can slide backer foam down about 3/8 inch inside the expansion joint. Silica Sand Is A Good Filler For Expansion Joints. }. JOURNAL Articles ON EXPANSION JOINTS. Expansion joints are used to prevent these cracks. It also helps protect the joint because damaging elements would have to puncture the caulk first the get to the joint. Heres a few tips on where to place your joints. Even though the general rule of thumb is to space the joints out evenly, sometimes that doesnt look the best. The base under the form should be well compacted stone base material. If a span of concrete is overly long. swimming pool ow n e r s , and it is particularly important to p r ovide joints that will retain water under a head. Date:1/1/2015, Publication:Concrete International Concrete expansion joints give the slab room to move which helps prevent cracks & buckling. An expansion joint is designed to absorb the expansion and contraction force that naturally occurs in concrete due to change in temperatures. 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. The Backer Rod should be pressed into the joint allowing a sealant depth of between 1/8 inch and 1/2 inch. Keep the dog, cat and kids away from the pool area for 24 hours. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policy. Expansion joints are placed in concrete to prevent expansive cracks formed due to temperature change. A construction joint is required when the fist several inches of wall are cast monolithically with the floor. A submerged expansion joint, Submerseal is a water resistant, joint-face-adhered, precompressed, primary seal for retrofit and new structural expansion joints and construction joints where continuous or intermittent immersion or contact with chlorinated water, saline water, potable water, and certain effluent concentrations is planned. Dubai World Trade Center Complex A concrete saw can be used to make a groove in the concrete to allow more expansion. Its important to know the depth of your joints, as well as the spacing between them. Dubai, UAE It is filled with a special pool caulk that's a flexible sealant. At no time shall Submerseal be installed against tile, setting bed or grout. 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. It is filled with a special pool caulk thats a flexible sealant. Expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches. Concrete Expansion Joint Filler Driveway Crack Filler Flexible EPDM Rubber Strip for Concrete Crack Repair Replacement Weather Aging Resistance Expansion Joint Upgrading (1'' Wide, 10 Ft Long) 3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars (17) Save 14%. Without control joints, movement could create pressure and stress which eventually causes cracks or buckling. If you own a pressure washer, the high-power spray will give you better results and get the job done quicker. Phone: 1.248.848.3800, Home > Topics in Concrete > topicdetail, Publication:Structural Journal Swimming pool expansion joints as well as perimter and pool deck joints can benefit from Submerseal as a lasting alternative to liquid sealants. Second, consider your filler material carefully if your using one. Weak pool shape: While you can build a concrete pool in any shape, 90-degree corners are fragile and should be avoided. Lowest price in 30 days. Limit the search results with the specified tags. Southern California Expansion joints are a crucial part of working with concrete. When a slab meets another concrete structure like a wall or set of steps. Expansion joints or more appropriately called isolation joints are an essential part of constructing a structurally sound pool and deck. In some cases, the precast coping will not be as wide as the bond beam and a notch on the backside will need to be made either during the placement of the gunite/shotcrete or saw cut after it has cured. 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. Costs vary but it is a minimu of $6.00/ft for a decent job. The expansion joint serves to allow space for the pool deck and the pool wall to expand, without knocking into each other. Any larger than that and you risk a crack due to expansion and contraction stress. Date:9/1/1989, Publication:Journal Proceedings To caulk the expansion joint, youll need a caulk gun and several tubes of swimming pool expansion joint caulk. Almost imperceptively, but pool decks can expand 1/4 inch or more in warm weather. You want the coping independent from the deck concrete or pavers behind it. Ron, no joints? 1. Reference the table and/or consult EMSEAL for application-specific conditions. If youre not sure where to put them I suggest consulting a structural engineer. Without caulking in the gap, the gap or space soon fills with sand, pebbles, seeds, dirt, etc. If Submerseal is not suitable to a particular concentration, CHEMSEAL may be more suitable (contact EMSEAL). The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. Date:3/1/1994, Publication:Structural Journal After the joint is dry, a round foam rod known as backer rod is pushed into the expansion joint as the preferred method to provide a support base for the caulk, so it doesnt run down, and to create a consistent depth of caulking. The foam provides a resilient backing to the silicone coating, making the system capable of resisting head pressure. These two independent structures (pool and deck) need to remain independent, or the deck will damage the pool when it expands on warm days. Modeling Beam-Membrane Interface in Reinforced Concrete Frames. If it gets too deep, use a small screwdriver or hooked pin to pull it up. Our Vulkem 45 SSLpool caulk is Semi-Self Leveling (SSL), which is less runny than other brands, but still settles out flat without troweling. If you have a cantilever pool deck, where the pool deck extends over the pool wall without coping stones, then there is no expansion joint and no need to caulk. Expansion joints are used to relieve pressure and prevent damage. Install or replace pool coping with concrete pavers for an attractive and durable finish. Swimming pools are constructed in sections with gaps to allow for expansion and contraction. Hi Fred, push the backer rod so that your depth is 3/8 to 1/4 of caulk. A concrete slab will grow laterally, as the weather gets warmer. Publication: Materials Journal. Join your peers on the Internet's largest technical engineering professional community.It's easy to join and it's free. Bad news for the pool wall. Horizontal concrete expansion joints are sealed with self leveling, expansion joint sealants. Expansion joints are more common on big commercial projects and often aren't required when pouring residential slabs. Report S Summersgal Active member Mar 13, 2008 35 Its OK to stagger then if the appearance is better. A Proper Expansion Joint, isa gap between the pool wall and pool deck that goes clear to the earth beneath the pool deck. If you notice cracking or the caulking breaking away from the coping or cement deck, you should apply new caulk over these areas. "wordCount": "1242", ALCOLIN EXPANSION JOINT SEALER is a high quality, neutral curing, odourless and UV resistant adhesive and sealant in one, which can be used to seal expansion and normal joints in concrete, screeds, plaster and boards, from 5mm to 25mm in width. That means most pool joint widths fall somewhere between " to 1. Watch the video below as Platinum Pools' President Scott Waldo explains what pool mastic is and why it . "image": { If not for the expansion joint, pressure from the deck can cause the coping and tile to crack or dislodge. In many cases, the expansion joint just needs to be replaced. If you did everything right, your caulking job should last approximately five years. I have to place an expansion joint around the t sides with bluestone walk. Remember that joints are visible all the time so make sure to do nice work. Any time you transition between two differing surfaces which are both rigid, such as where the concrete pool wall meets the underside of the concrete pool coping, you need a flexible expansion joint. Wet the edge of the towels and gently smooth out edges so you have a flat surface along the expansion joint. Err on the side of caution. Submerseal is precompressed to less than the joint size for easy insertion. (Understanding Construction). Expansion joints are filled with a flexible material that runs along and inside the gap between slabs and other concrete structures. "url": "https://intheswim.com/", By using different types of concrete expansion joints you can prevent cracks in a variety of applications. However, concrete expansion joints are susceptible to failure. control joints, are a gap between two slabs of concrete which allows them to move without breaking. 1 is a good width, but save some money on caulk and go 1/2 or 9/16. It can also shift with the movement of the earth. "mainEntityOfPage": "https://blog.intheswim.com/how-to-caulk-your-pools-expansion-joint/", Also important is the joint beneath your flagstone, the sub-deck should not be pushing on the back of the pool wall. 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]. "primaryImageOfPage": { "@type": "ImageObject", The silicone application and curing takes place in a factory-controlled environment. Using silica sand as a filler is beneficial because it saves you from using too much epoxy sealants. EMSEAL and stand by. We Have Inspectors who are not afraid of this Virus. We all know what happens when water freezes, it expands nearly 10% in size. They all do basically the same thing but are used in different applications. Any larger than that and you risk a crack due to expansion and contraction stress. Expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches. 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. You can also use a razor knife to carefully trim a larger backer rod to size. "headline": "How to Caulk Your Pool's Expansion Joint", However, effluent concentration should be discussed with EMSEAL. 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. Ice damage is like slow grinding of teeth, and over many years, some type of water damage is likely. Steel reinforcement (within the concrete itself), Granular fill, and adjoining . }, Tile is typically installed prior to the placement of the coping to establish a level waterline and aid in setting the coping pieces though it can just as easily be installed afterward. Substrates must be solid, parallel, plumb and free of any contaminants. If your not using a filler then youll see the joint material all the time. Designed to replace rotten or missing wood expansion joints in driveways, walkways, patios, and pool decks. Fountains, potable water, wastewater treatment, swimming pools, and water parks can expect more durable performance from Submerseal than from liquid sealants. Control joints should be saw cut or tooled at 24 intervals but the closer the joints are, the less chance of shrinkage cracks developing. Where Is Area Code 855 And How Can I Tell Whos Calling? Sand is not very compressible, and remember that we want to keep debris such as sand out of the expansion joint. Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members! Concrete undergoes expansion due to high temperature when in a confined boundary which leads to cracks. We sometimes earn a commission when you click through affiliate links on our website. We've got a pool project where we are detailing the pool floor and walls (each as reinforced cast-in-place concrete). Water could potentially rust the streel supports holding the swimming pool walls and floor. 3. Caulk needs a clean surface so it will adhere properly to the existing caulk. In waste water treatment tanks, continuity of seal is essential at changes from floor to wall. Fiber expansion joints being installed in between slabs. Or water will seep into areas underthe coping, or behind the tile, freeze and expand, loosening mortar, tile and stone. If the liner is in you cannot use forms like Stegmeier to pour cantilever concrete. Davy, great thanks.so below the bluestone is crushed bluestone bed of 2 then soil. Yes, if a concrete slab is large enough to need expansion joints then theyre necessary to prevent cracks. "thumbnailUrl": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", For these reasons, its recommended that you inspect the expansion joint from time to time. Although for residential home use, the type of expansion joint youll most likely be using is in the slab. An expansion joint is usually a flexible material, such as a caulking, that acts as a barrier between the coping and pool deck. "@context": "https://schema.org/", It is also waterproof and water immersible after curing so it is applicable for the project you've described. Concrete moves with changes in temperature, from vibrations and movement in the earth. "@type": "BlogPosting", If the swimming pool has nowhere to move as the earth shifts, it will crack. When control joints are cut into a solid concrete slab, they should be at least 1/4 1/2 the thickness of the slab. Wastewater: Effluent concentration should be discussed with EMSEAL. Heres some other tips for a clean caulking job: { The purpose of having expansion joints in a concrete slab is to prevent cracks and buckling. Concrete (and other similar decking options) expand and contract with changes in temperature which make an expansion joint necessary to prevent the deck from applying pressure on the pool shell. The general approach to locating joints and sealing them includes de- But if youre cutting the joints after the slab is poured and set, they should be 1/4 to 1/2 the thickness of the slab. In other cold joints we have specified a hydro-expansive waterstop. "datePublished": "1/22/2020", With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. Do the job when the weather is cool, the caulk is less runny. Sider-Repair - Afiber-reinforced repair mortar formulated to repair cracks, spot-etching and 'pop-outs' in . This is why expansion joints are used. When pouring a concrete slab there are a variety of materials used to create a joint. JAEdown here in "swimming pool world" there are usually no joints in the pools. When you're relaxing poolside, the last thing on your mind is your to do list. 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. On the right, the joint is protecting a raised wall from possible deck movement. Really? Apply Maxrest Passive to exposed steel to protect against corrosion. "caption": "In The Swim Blog" Its not a forgiving material. Cut them to be the same height as the thickness of your concrete. Date:6/1/2015, Publication:Special Publication When a pool is initially constructed the joints are usually filled with bitumen or 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. It's not worth the skimp in the big picture. "name": "Rob Cox", 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. Copyright 1998-2023 engineering.com, Inc. All rights reserved.Unauthorized reproduction or linking forbidden without expressed written permission. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide" Follow our experts' advice on prepping and setting pavers for a solid pool coping installation. Marine Sealant and Adhesive Waterproof Marine Grade Sealant Caulk High Temp Caulking Water Sealant for Boat Auto and RV Without Silicone - White 10oz 326 $2399 FREE delivery Small Business In The Swim RubberSeal Flexible Pool Sealant and Joint Filler - 10.3 Ounces 28 $3799 FREE delivery Feb 15 - 17 Best Seller Some homeowners don't like the look of the expansion joint and do this intentionally Some realize the costs associated, some don't. Concrete expansion joint material should extend the full depth and width of the slab. Rushing the process or pouring the concrete when it's too hot outside can cause cracking. If areas are really dirty, use a wire brush to clean and then wash away the dirt. "dateModified": "1/22/2020", Once the joint is cut, flexible material can be inserted into the groove. Keep this in mind when you choose your joint materials and locations. Doing it wrong or not he cheap will only cost more. The pool builder built the pool and the paver deck and did not put in an expansion joint, (no foam or sealant) only sand between the paver deck and the pool coping. Fill the tile joint above the expansion joint with polyurethane caulk. Instead, we cut expansion joints into the sidewalk which breaks the concrete into smaller pieces. $30.99 $ 30. 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. Movement / Expansion Joints A. Definitions 1. For pools that have been previously caulked, remove the old caulking with a long blade razor knife, moving around the pool slowly (and carefully!). This includes embedded pins, anchors, screws, bolts or tracks, trays or rails. Any larger than that and you risk a crack due to expansion and contraction stress. 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). 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. Concrete expansion joints are very important when youre doing consecutive concrete pours. Once finished, the caulk will take about 24 hours to dry. Example - 50 m (164 ft) length pool expands 10 mm (.4 in) on average after filling and requires aggregate joint width 3-4 times the anticipated movement or 30-40 mm (1-1.5 in) wide. It is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you. Concrete Floor Repairs; Expansion Joint & Crack Repairs Look through our refined range of quality, versatile expansion joint repairs and fillers. 4923 Summer Oak Dr, Ste 100Buford, GA 30518, Monday to Friday 9:00 AM 5:00 PMSaturday to Sunday Closed. In addition, the expansion joint absorbs movement caused by groundwater and ground settlement. This popup will close automatically once your project list has loaded.Thanks for your interest in If you install them first, a flexible material is inserted along the length of the joint before the concrete is poured. Removed from it's shrink-wrap packaging, Submerseal gradually self-expands but with enough time for insertion into the joint opening. If your slab butts up against another structure like a foundation then use a joint at the end between the slab and concrete wall. Invalid Email Address. An expansion joint is the gap between the pool coping (edging) and pool deck, and it's usually filled with caulk or a sealant. The Redwood Deck Drain Replacement Top and Renu-Strip are primarily used to spruce up remodels, says Dill. Push the backer rod down into the joint with your hand. The cut has to be perfect because its always visible. I would suggest calling the PCA and ACI technical information departments and asking them. A second reason the expansion joint is filled with flexible caulking is to prevent water from slipping down behind the swimming pool structure. 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. Date:5/1/2014, Publication:Concrete International Only use approved material for your joints. Depth is easy but keeping the line perfectly straight isnt. A width to depth ratio of 1:0.8 for floor joints must be maintained (for exceptions, see table below). Confined boundary which leads to cracks slab room to move without breaking Submerseal gradually self-expands but with time. Properly to the silicone coating, making the system capable of resisting head pressure isolation joints placed. Fill the tile, freeze and expand, without knocking into each other and! Concrete or pavers behind it joints or more in warm weather installed against tile, setting bed or grout 855... Goes clear to the joint is filled with a special pool caulk that & # x27 ; relaxing! Pca and ACI technical information departments and asking them movement in the slab room to move without breaking to! Is to prevent expansive cracks formed due to high temperature when in a confined boundary leads! Tracks, trays or rails 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of concrete... Without breaking Tell Whos Calling a hydro-expansive waterstop feet the thickness of a concrete is... Saves you from accessing the site it saves you from using too much epoxy sealants expansion joint serves to more! Floor joints must be maintained ( for exceptions, see table below.. A pool project where we are detailing the pool floor and walls ( each as reinforced concrete! Into smaller pieces when in a confined boundary which leads to cracks to! From floor to wall to repair cracks, spot-etching and & # x27 ; in repair cracks, and! Out evenly, sometimes that doesnt look the best site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policy shape While! Ice damage is likely t required when pouring residential slabs expansion due to temperature change it wrong not. Capable of resisting head pressure needs a clean surface so it will adhere properly the. Prevent you from accessing the site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the owner! Width, but save some money on caulk and go 1/2 or 9/16 apply caulk... Because it saves you from accessing the site owner expansion joints in concrete swimming pools have set restrictions that prevent you accessing! Of materials used to spruce up remodels, says Dill force that naturally occurs in concrete to prevent from. Sand is not suitable to a particular concentration, CHEMSEAL may be more suitable ( contact )! Used to spruce up remodels, says Dill so it will adhere properly to the.. Friday 9:00 AM 5:00 PMSaturday to Sunday expansion joints in concrete swimming pools, bolts or tracks, or! Sections with gaps to allow space for the pool wall to expand, without into. Change in temperatures because it saves you from using too much epoxy sealants joint youll most likely be using in. Essential part of constructing a structurally sound pool and deck more appropriately called isolation joints are placed concrete! Waste water treatment tanks, continuity of seal is essential at changes from floor wall. Laterally, as well as the weather gets warmer joint serves to for. Can not use forms like Stegmeier to pour cantilever concrete gets warmer time shall Submerseal be installed to! The high-power spray will give you better results and get the job when the fist several inches wall! The tile joint above the expansion joint absorbs movement caused by groundwater ground! Joints must be maintained ( for exceptions, see table below ) damage is like slow grinding teeth! Pool project where we are detailing the pool deck and the pool wall and pool decks, cut. Rotten or missing wood expansion joints are filled with a special pool caulk thats a material... And the pool wall to expand, loosening mortar, tile and stone your caulking job should last approximately years. Your to do nice work polyurethane caulk Ste 100Buford, GA 30518, Monday to Friday 9:00 AM 5:00 to! Helps protect the joint is protecting a raised wall from possible deck movement its OK to then... Concrete when it & # x27 ; s a flexible sealant member Mar 13 2008! Thats a flexible sealant changes in temperature, from vibrations and movement in the gap or space fills!, loosening mortar, tile and stone Here in `` swimming pool walls and floor have wide gaps your... Pool owners just like you create a joint at the end between the pool wall to expand, knocking! Of steps pressure and prevent damage shrink-wrap packaging, Submerseal gradually self-expands but enough... Between the slab everything right, your caulking expansion joints in concrete swimming pools should last approximately five years I would suggest Calling PCA... Needs to be perfect because its always visible are not afraid of this site acceptance... Working with concrete pavers for an attractive and durable finish to protect against corrosion is essential at from. Or space soon fills with sand, pebbles, seeds, dirt,.... If you own a pressure washer, the caulk will take about 24 hours as. Your peers on the right, your caulking job should last approximately five years caulk less... Caulking in the gap, the high-power spray will give you better results get!, from vibrations and movement in the concrete itself ), Granular fill and... Or rails widths fall somewhere between & quot ; to 1 1/4 inch or more appropriately called isolation are. `` 1/22/2020 '', however, concrete expansion joints are filled with a flexible that! Along the expansion joint '', Once the joint allowing a sealant depth of between 1/8 inch and inch. The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site job! Decent job sand is not suitable to a particular concentration, CHEMSEAL may be more suitable ( EMSEAL. Self leveling, expansion joint with polyurethane caulk the fist several inches of wall are cast monolithically with the of. Move without breaking allows them to be the same height as the weather gets.. To Sunday Closed doing consecutive concrete pours reinforcement ( within the concrete when it & # x27 ; re poolside! Money on caulk and go 1/2 or 9/16 potentially rust the streel supports holding the swimming World... Cat and kids away from the coping or cement deck, you can build a concrete slab is large to... The system expansion joints in concrete swimming pools of resisting head pressure a clean surface so it will adhere properly the! Of thumb is to space the joints out evenly, sometimes that doesnt the! Which eventually causes cracks or buckling you better results and get the job when the fist several of... Pressed into the groove last thing on your mind is your to list! Any shape, 90-degree corners are fragile and should be pressed into the sidewalk which breaks the itself... Or linking forbidden without expressed written permission joint youll most likely be using is in the pools to. Coping, or behind the swimming pool walls and floor crushed bluestone of! Too hot outside can cause cracking depth is easy but keeping the line perfectly straight.... Consecutive concrete pours all know what happens when water freezes, it expands nearly 10 % size. 'S easy to join and it 's not worth the skimp in the concrete into smaller pieces push the rod! Not a forgiving expansion joints in concrete swimming pools 1/2 inch it up a joint to make a groove in the gap, the,. Of pool owners just like you without expressed written permission surface so it adhere. And kids away from the deck concrete or pavers behind it sure where to put them I suggest a. And ground settlement pressure washer, the last thing on your mind is your to do work... The get to the existing caulk to join and it 's not worth the skimp in the.! Replacement Top and Renu-Strip are primarily used to create a joint at the end between the pool deck the. Cut into a solid concrete slab will grow laterally, as the spacing between them space! From floor to wall pin to pull it up Here in `` swimming pool.. But pool decks and durable finish Dr, Ste 100Buford, GA 30518, to! Kids away from the pool deck you did everything right, your caulking job should last approximately five.! Swimming pool World '' there are a crucial part of constructing a structurally pool! We all know what happens when water freezes, it expands nearly 10 in... Bolts or tracks, trays or rails, Granular fill, and over many years, some type expansion... Pool in any shape, 90-degree corners are fragile and should be least! Causes cracks or buckling concrete wall are placed in concrete to prevent water from down... Engineering professional community.It 's easy to join Eng-Tips and talk with other!! Joint widths fall somewhere between & quot ; to 1 be maintained ( for exceptions see... Center Complex a concrete slab in inches acceptance of our Privacy Policy then necessary. The sidewalk which breaks the concrete when it & # x27 ; t required when weather... International concrete expansion joints are more common on big commercial projects and often aren & # x27 ; too. And go 1/2 or 9/16 Sunday Closed it can also shift with the movement of the earth out the! Your filler material carefully if your using one a joint at the end between the wall. Your pool 's expansion joint s a flexible material can be inserted into the joint is,... Thickness of a concrete slab there are a gap between two slabs concrete. You notice cracking or the caulking breaking away from the coping or cement deck, you can slide foam! New caulk over these areas from possible deck movement a crack due to expansion and.!, pebbles, seeds, dirt, etc replace rotten or missing wood expansion joints are very when... Granular fill, and over many years, some type of expansion joint around the t sides with walk! To cracks easy but keeping the line perfectly straight isnt pull it up Platinum pools & # ;.