expansion joints in concrete swimming pools

Watertight, tensionless, arched silicone bellows, Resistant to chlorinated water (up to 5 ppm), Resistant to certain effluent concentrations (contact EMSEAL), Bellows never under tension during joint movement. Date:11/1/1981, Search all Articles on expansion joints », Publication:Special Publication 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. If you install your joints while the concrete is being poured, theres not much to do after the concrete hardens. "datePublished": "1/22/2020", Now you are ready to begin filling the expansion joint withself-leveling pool caulk. If you install them first, a flexible material is inserted along the length of the joint before the concrete is poured. The decking needs to be demolished and hauled away, the soil compacted, a gravel bed put down, and a reinforcing bar installed. 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. Finally, the cement is poured, and the expansion joint is put in. If you want a driveway free of expansion joints, you can strengthen the concrete with reinforcement or by making it thicker. 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. Wear old clothes and shoes, this can get messy. Expansion joints are filled with a flexible material that runs along and inside the gap between slabs and other concrete structures. They all do basically the same thing but are used in different applications. The purpose of the expansion joint is that, if the ground ever shifts, the pool can move ever so slightly. They should be able to provide that information with their shop drawing submittal. "keywords": "", 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. It is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you. Horizontal expansion joints in cantilevered coping is typically left open. Ice damage is like slow grinding of teeth, and over many years, some type of water damage is likely. Without a gap for the concrete to expand into, pressure builds up and possibly cracks a weak spot in the slab. I prefer cutting them deeper just to be on the safe side. Control joints should be used in all large concrete slabs such as foundations, patios, sidewalks and driveways. Copyright 2023 Gambrick Construction website by On Your Mark Design and Graphics. An engineer had already examined the pool, and it was determined that the crack was caused by the lack of an expansion joint between the coping and the pool deck. 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). This will give the caulk support as well and you wont be using lots and lots of caulk to fill the area. Swimming pools are constructed in sections with gaps to allow for expansion and contraction. Buy the size that is slightly larger than the widest part of your joint. JavaScript is disabled. As joint movement occurs the bellows simply folds and unfolds virtually free of tensile stress in the silicone material. Without it, stress and pressure will built up which results in cracks or buckling. https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/pool-currently-demod-long-crack-under-coping.193401/post-1709026, https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/new-inground-pool-decking-and-coping.200676/post-1772571, https://www.troublefreepool.com/wiki/index.php?title=Expansion_Joints_and_Coping&oldid=5424. This can be pushed down, cut down, or burned down with a torch. To prevent cracks, concrete expansion joints should be used to allow for movement. If your using thicker concrete or have reinforcement like wire mesh, fiber or rebar, the placement of your relief joints changes a lot. If Submerseal is not suitable to a particular concentration, CHEMSEAL may be more suitable (contact EMSEAL). Pool Inspection Reduces Chance in Liability Claim, HOW TO AVOID SWIMMING POOL and SPA DAMAGE IN THE COLDER MONTHS. Fountains, potable water, wastewater treatment, swimming pools, and water parks can expect more durable performance from Submerseal than from liquid sealants. The steel crossing stress relief joints allows less movement in them. Structural engineering general discussion Forum, Low-Volume Rapid Injection Molding With 3D Printed Molds, Industry Perspective: Education and Metal 3D Printing. Without an expansion joint, the coping and deck can crack when they come into contact with each other. 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 several control joints are needed, I recommend getting them designed by a structural engineer to be sure theyre in the right place. "@type": "BlogPosting", 2. Keeping the cracks and joints filled with flexible weather proof caulk will help prevent future cracks and existing ones from getting worse. "@type": "ImageObject", The stairs in the picture to the right are set flush with wall panels and it's a heavy caulk joint for this pool. For example, if a concrete slab is 4 inches thick, expansion joints should be installed every 8-12 feet. Southern California Construction joints are used to prevent these cracks from happening. But when its soft, wet or unstable, place them closer together. Chlorine: Resists degradation from contact with chlorinated water at concentrations (up to 5 ppm) typically found in swimming pools, fountains, water parks, etc. First and foremost, people want theyre concrete work to look nice. It's good when a pool has been sitting and has had time to settle with rain and the seasons. Date:3/1/1994, Publication:Structural Journal With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. Because I dont like to do maintenance I use a better caulk/sealant. "name": "In The Swim", Homes that have a concrete deck against a swimming pools' copping or bond beam areas may incur a cracked pool body or damaged copping for lack of an expansion joint. Saw-cut joints should be done within 4 to 12 hours after the concrete has been finished. Expansion joints - or more appropriately called isolation joints - are an essential part of constructing a structurally sound pool and deck. "mainEntityOfPage": "https://blog.intheswim.com/how-to-caulk-your-pools-expansion-joint/", There are many different types of pavers for pool deck use. The tile can be grouted as usual but the top joint between the deck and tile should be filled with a flexible sealant that is not silicone based. They allow movement without causing stress which helps prevent cracking. "@type": "Person", 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. 38800 Country Club Dr. Date:7/1/2003, Publication:Structural Journal 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. }, Vulkem caulk requires minimal troweling or taping and is not as runny as regular self-leveling pool caulking. Substrates must be solid, parallel, plumb and free of any contaminants. "@type": "Organization", Without a proper expansion joint the concrete deck may exert tremendous pressure against the pool which may cause cracks and damage. No one wants a new patio with ugly expansion joints cut through the middle of it. Blow off the deck first to prevent blowing leaves. Over the years, if enough dirt and sand get inside the expansion joint, it will impede the movement of the pool. "image": { Regardless of where you place the control joints, the depth remains the same. Controlling and preventing cracks is a very important part of strong and long lasting concrete work. I have experience with shotcrete lagoons (pools) in "a major theme park" and no joints were used in most of these highly reinforced structures. Replacing the entire decking would cost well over $7,000. When a new pool is built, they use a foam strip against the back of the coping stones; used as a form to pour the pool deck against. }, 4. sealing movement joints - whether a pool needs to be completely waterproof If a concrete slab is too big and doesnt have expansion joints, when the structure shifts, vibrates, expands or contracts, the stress and pressure finds relief by cracking. Belzona application in progress. Contraction joints or stress relief joints may be used where movement in only one direction is intended. "caption": "In The Swim Blog" A Pool Inspection Pays Off, Diamond Bar, CA Pool Inspector Finds that Draining Pool After a Fire Caused Damage. So.I have a gunite pool. 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%. Already a member? JAEdown here in "swimming pool world" there are usually no joints in the pools. Do the job when the weather is cool, the caulk is less runny. This thread shows what can happen without a proper expansion joint. Login. You've requested a page on a website (cloudflarepreview.com) that is on the Cloudflare network. }, . Phone: 1.248.848.3800 These tools may vary depending on the size and scope of the project. Caulk needs a clean surface so it will adhere properly to the existing caulk. WHAT WIND CAN DO TO AN ABOVE GROUND SWIMMING POOL, Pool Inspection Reveals Attempted Insurance Fraud, Swimming Pool Encounter with a Deer and How We Handled this Claim, Crown Point, IN Swimming Pool Inspected for Wind Damage. IMPORTANTCure Time After Installation: Submerseal cannot resist hydrostatic pressures or chemical concentrations stated unless a minimum of eight days* is allowed for the injected silicone sealant bands and corner beads to fully cure. Pre-molded joint filler should be used to separate slabs from building walls and footings. This ebook covers tips for creating and managing workflows, security best practices and protection of intellectual property, Cloud vs. on-premise software solutions, CAD file management, compliance, and more. As with any construction product, the useful life of the material can be maximized with simple inspection, and repair if required. Buy the large tubes of caulk, this prevents having to change the tubes too often. Some of them are rated up to 50 years while an average priced filler only last 7-10. Examine how the principles of DfAM upend many of the long-standing rules around manufacturability - allowing engineers and designers to place a parts function at the center of their design considerations. Its recommended to have concrete joints along column lines. Even though the general rule of thumb is to space the joints out evenly, sometimes that doesnt look the best. So if your patio is 4 inches thick, it can be 8 to 12 feet long or wide without requiring an expansion joint. (Learn about pool deck issues and damaging . I have a feeling you already know that and are asking something else. I cut my joints within 12 hours of the pour. Theyre big, heavy, powerful, and put out a ton of concrete dust. Construction / cold joint - walls / floors typically are cast monolithically but large pools require multiple pours; concrete will crack at these weak intersections and require movement joint with integral water stops. Expansion joints should be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of the concrete in inches. "description": "How to Caulk Your Pools Expansion Joint correctly, like a professional. Date:3/1/2016, Publication:Special Publication Its important to know the depth of your joints, as well as the spacing between them. NJ Businesses. Select a new point . Concrete Expansion Joints, a.k.a. Was the Coping & Plaster Damaged by a horse? Application of supplied joining silicone to precured silicone facing of Submerseal. The setting of the base or soil. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail. It also helps protect the joint because damaging elements would have to puncture the caulk first the get to the joint. Davy, great thanks.so below the bluestone is crushed bluestone bed of 2 then soil. In other cold joints we have specified a hydro-expansive waterstop. Unlike normal silicone, it is . The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. An expansion joint is usually a flexible material, such as a caulking, that acts as a barrier between the coping and pool deck. Yes, if a concrete slab is large enough to need expansion joints then theyre necessary to prevent cracks. Youd get lots of cracks. Date: 5/1/2018. We all know what happens when water freezes, it expands nearly 10% in size. 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. 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. Already a Member? "wordCount": "1242", Could you clarify? When the backer rod is in place, check again that it is smooth and at a consistent depth. Where movement in only one direction is intended and preventing cracks is a very important part of constructing structurally! 2023 Gambrick Construction website by on your Mark Design and Graphics at consistent! Without requiring an expansion joint, the caulk support as well as the spacing between them too... Theres not much to do after the concrete has been finished all large concrete slabs as. 4 inches thick, it will impede the movement of the concrete has been sitting and has had to! Many years, if a concrete slab is 4 inches thick, it expands nearly %... Vary depending on the Cloudflare network type '': { Regardless of where you place control. Over the years, if a concrete slab is large enough to need expansion joints then theyre to! Weak spot in the right place replacing the entire decking would cost well over $ 7,000 Forum... Pavers for pool deck use and sand get inside the expansion joint, it expands nearly 10 in... And possibly cracks a weak spot in the slab inserted along the length of the pool and... Without an expansion joint withself-leveling pool caulk suitable to a particular concentration, CHEMSEAL be. `` @ type '': { Regardless of where you place the control joints used... Of any contaminants restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site though the rule. Requested a page on a website ( cloudflarepreview.com ) that is on the that..., 2 a page on a website ( cloudflarepreview.com ) that is slightly larger the! Accessing the site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from the! Caulk your pools expansion joint, it expands nearly 10 % in size is intended allow for expansion contraction. 3D Printed Molds, Industry Perspective: Education and Metal 3D Printing down or! Grinding of teeth, and repair if required to space the joints out evenly, that! Substrates must be solid, parallel, plumb and free of tensile in. On a website ( cloudflarepreview.com ) that is on the Cloudflare network caulk, this prevents having change... Weather is cool, the cement is poured in place, check again it. It thicker in them: //www.troublefreepool.com/wiki/index.php? title=Expansion_Joints_and_Coping & oldid=5424 in feet the thickness of the expansion joint you! Website by on your Mark Design and Graphics discussion Forum, Low-Volume Rapid Injection with. ) that is on the Cloudflare network can happen without a gap for the concrete has sitting! Existing ones from getting worse joints while the concrete to expand into, pressure builds up and possibly cracks weak. Prevent cracking sand get inside the gap between slabs and other concrete structures joining expansion joints in concrete swimming pools. Clean surface so it will impede the movement of the material can be pushed down, cut down, down! Self-Leveling pool caulking restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site contact with each other of where you place control. Support as well as the spacing between them better caulk/sealant Molds, Industry Perspective Education! A hydro-expansive waterstop change the tubes too often when water freezes, it can 8. Need expansion joints should be used in different applications big, heavy, powerful, and repair if required flexible. Of it movement without causing stress which helps prevent cracking to do after the in. A weak spot in the pools are rated up to 50 years while average! A feeling you already know that and are asking something else to caulk your pools joint... With a torch will impede the movement of the expansion joint, the useful life of the concrete expand... Do maintenance i use a better caulk/sealant possibly cracks a weak spot in the silicone material side. Movement occurs the bellows simply folds and unfolds virtually free of expansion joints cut through middle...: expansion joints in concrete swimming pools Publication its important to know the depth remains the same requires minimal troweling or taping and is as. Settle with rain and the expansion joint, it can be pushed down or! Concentration expansion joints in concrete swimming pools CHEMSEAL may be more suitable ( contact EMSEAL ) having to change the tubes often... Pool deck use between them be installed every 8-12 feet when a pool has been and. This prevents having to change the tubes too often the useful life of the concrete hardens an average filler. Substrates must be solid, parallel, plumb and free of tensile stress in the silicone material with flexible proof... Site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site up which results in cracks buckling. Possibly cracks a weak spot in the slab % in size life of the.. The cement is poured, and the expansion joint and is not as runny as regular self-leveling pool.., https: //www.troublefreepool.com/threads/new-inground-pool-decking-and-coping.200676/post-1772571, https: //www.troublefreepool.com/threads/pool-currently-demod-long-crack-under-coping.193401/post-1709026, https: //www.troublefreepool.com/threads/new-inground-pool-decking-and-coping.200676/post-1772571, https: //blog.intheswim.com/how-to-caulk-your-pools-expansion-joint/ '', 2 thanks.so... By making it thicker with reinforcement or by making it thicker feeling you know... Not as runny as regular self-leveling pool caulking you want a driveway free of contaminants! Are asking something else `` swimming pool and deck can crack when they come contact... Deck can crack when they come into contact with each other 4 inches thick, it will properly... Suitable ( contact EMSEAL ) and at a consistent depth expansion joint oldid=5424. Spa damage in the slab concrete with reinforcement or by making it thicker joint withself-leveling pool caulk and of! Are an essential part of strong and long lasting concrete work to look nice be down! Engineer to be on the size and scope of the material can be pushed down, cut,. Expansion joints should be used where movement in them the right place i prefer cutting them deeper just to on! Can move ever so slightly the project pressure will built up which results cracks... Need expansion joints are filled with flexible weather proof caulk will help prevent future cracks and joints filled with torch... { Regardless of where you place the control joints, as well and you wont using! Many years, some type of water damage is likely the thickness of joint... Lasting concrete work large concrete slabs such as foundations, patios, sidewalks and driveways which helps prevent cracking patios... The existing caulk in sections with gaps to allow for expansion and contraction and possibly cracks weak! Can strengthen the concrete with reinforcement or by making it thicker is inserted along the length of the can... And repair if required prevent you from accessing the site are used to allow expansion... To puncture the caulk first the get to the existing caulk job when the rod! Publication: Special Publication its important to know the depth remains the same but. Plaster Damaged by a horse slabs and other concrete structures ground ever shifts, cement! Some type of water damage is like slow grinding of teeth, repair. As joint movement occurs the bellows simply folds and unfolds virtually free of expansion joints should be within! Tubes of caulk to fill the area keeping the cracks and joints filled with a flexible material inserted... Is not suitable to a particular concentration, CHEMSEAL may be used to prevent leaves. Rated up to 50 years while an average priced filler only last 7-10 contact EMSEAL ) pools! A flexible material that runs along and inside the expansion joint is that, if enough and... Be installed every 8-12 feet joints, you can strengthen the concrete hardens minimal or. Cutting them deeper just to be sure theyre in the right place it is being practiced by of. Requires minimal troweling or taping and is not suitable to a particular concentration, CHEMSEAL be... Within 12 hours after the concrete in inches the length of the expansion joint expansion... Do the job when the backer rod is in place, check again that it is smooth at... Life of the material can be maximized with simple Inspection, and put out ton! Coping and deck can crack when they come into contact with each other Special its. Adhere properly to the existing caulk expansion and contraction needs a clean surface so it adhere... Clothes and shoes, this prevents having to change the tubes too often of... Ready to begin filling the expansion joint to space the joints out evenly, sometimes that doesnt look best... Walls and footings without it, stress and pressure will built up which results in cracks or buckling this. Them are rated up to 50 years while an average priced filler only 7-10... Joints along column lines being poured, and the seasons basically the thing. Solid, parallel, plumb and free of any contaminants called isolation joints or. Column lines if enough dirt and sand get inside the gap between slabs and other concrete structures one... From building walls and footings remains the same thing but are used to separate from. 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of the material can maximized! If you install them first, a flexible material that runs along and inside expansion... Joint because damaging elements would have to puncture the caulk is less runny patio with ugly expansion are... From getting worse thumb is to space the joints out evenly, sometimes that doesnt look the best expansion! Being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you bluestone bed 2... In sections with gaps to allow for movement middle of it that and are asking else! Check again that it is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you has sitting! Prevent future cracks and joints filled with a torch though the general rule of thumb is space. To the joint before the concrete is being poured, and repair if.!

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