expansion joints in concrete swimming pools

Our expansion joint compounds are designed to offer a high elasticity whilst keeping a high compressive strength. Belgard pavers come with a lifetime structural warranty. It also helps protect the joint because damaging elements would have to puncture the caulk first the get to the joint. Limit the search results from the specified source. Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members! Date:1/1/2015, Publication:Concrete International 3. Investigation of Approaches for Improving Interfacial Transition Zone-Related Freezing-and-Thawing Resistance in Concrete Pavements. Repairing cracks in cultured stone and concrete. Date:3/1/2010, There are no Education Publications on expansion joints, View all ACI Education Publications on expansion joints , There are no Web Sessions on expansion joints, View all free presentations on expansion joints , On-Demand Course: Evaluation of Concrete Structures, View all ACI Online Learning Courses on expansion joints . Date:6/1/2015, Publication:Special Publication Pool Caulking is easy, when you know how." 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. 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. "height": "219", Mix a small amount of quick-set concrete repair mix with a small amount of water following package directions. Expansion and contraction pressure inside the concrete builds as the temperature changes. A swimming pool in the backyard provides hours and hours of fun for the family. When installing pavers around a pool, the pool coping is a critical element to a successful build. Date: 5/1/2018. However, concrete expansion joints are susceptible to failure. JAE, I'm with you in thinking that crack control joints would be required. 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. Bad news for the pool wall. I like to use a high quality urethane caulk. Expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches. A mortar bed is placed on top of the bond beam to level and secure the coping in place. Its called self-leveling because it is slightly runny and will level itself as opposed to gun-grade caulk which has a putty consistency and must be placed in the joint with a small trowel or putty knife. It is the responsibility of the installer to monitor cure. Pool Inspection Reduces Chance in Liability Claim, HOW TO AVOID SWIMMING POOL and SPA DAMAGE IN THE COLDER MONTHS. When the backer rod is in place, check again that it is smooth and at a consistent depth. It works poorly as a base to set your pool caulking on top of, because its usually not tight enough against both sides to prevent the pool caulk from running down in the joint. (Caulk is more expensive than backer foam.). This will give the caulk support as well and you wont be using lots and lots of caulk to fill the area. Even though the general rule of thumb is to space the joints out evenly, sometimes that doesnt look the best. The pool expansion joint is the joint between your inground pool and the pool deck. The coping is usually as wide (or wider) than the bond beam (roughly 14-16). From pool cleaning to pool renovation, our expert staff of pool professionals can do it all. Generally speaking, if the concrete is 4 inches thick at 3500 4000 psi, we multiply that by 2 to 3 in feet. In small rooms, a gap at the perimeter of the room (often hidden by baseboard or shoe molding) is sufficient. Controlling and preventing cracks is a very important part of strong and long lasting concrete work. After that you should gauge out the old caulk and reapply.Fill in any small cracks you see too. Should Slabs Rest On or Be Attached To Foundations? The pool is fairly irregular in shape and thus we have inserted expansion joints in the proper locations with dumbell type waterstops. 1 Login. Remove any excess caulk on the tile with a rag. Prior to pouring the deck, the level of the grade should be brought up to become level with the top of the bond beam and be very well compacted. Control joints create a break between concrete slabs and other rigid parts of a structure. Concrete expansion joints are primarily utilised to compensate for expansion and shrinkage in concrete due to temperature changes and other factors. This is a nice time to cut concrete because its not 100% cured which makes cutting a little easier. Date:5/1/2014, Publication:Concrete International The depth of the joint should be a minimum of 1/4 inch and a maximum of 1/2 inch below the concrete pads. Phone: 1.248.848.3800, Home > Topics in Concrete > topicdetail, Publication:Structural Journal Featuring an arched silicone-bellows sealing surface and backed by an integral, pressure-resisting impregnated foam backing, Submerseal provides a lasting solution to joint sealing applications where constant exposure to water is expected. 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. Maximum Joint Spacing should be 24 to 36 times the thickness of the slab. If you do have expansion joints and notice damage to them over . Check the weather for rain forecasted in the next 24 hours. Expansion joints - or more appropriately called isolation joints - are an essential part of constructing a structurally sound pool and deck. Joints should be spaced so that the concrete sections are even and uniform. Sealing horizontal joints in concrete. Once finished, the caulk will take about 24 hours to dry. So for a 4 thick sidewalk youll cut 4 expansion joints. In many cases, the expansion joint just needs to be replaced. Keep several moist rags and cardboard around the pool. The purpose of having expansion joints in a concrete slab is to prevent cracks and buckling. Please enter this 5 digit unlock code on the web page. 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 steel crossing stress relief joints allows less movement in them. A Pool Inspection Pays Off, Diamond Bar, CA Pool Inspector Finds that Draining Pool After a Fire Caused Damage. For up to 3 inch wide joints use MasterSeal SL2. Copyright 1998-2023 by EMSEAL Joint Systems, Ltd. All rights reserved. Pool Inspected for Damage from Firewas it really from the Fire? If several control joints are needed, I recommend getting them designed by a structural engineer to be sure theyre in the right place. Home / Lifestyle / Pool Decks / How to Caulk Your Pools Expansion Joint. An expansion joint is a necessity when building a pool. 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. Tile is usually placed after the coping is poured to not interfere with the forms but can be installed prior if Stegmeier type forms are used. 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. Almost imperceptively, but pool decks can expand 1/4 inch or more in warm weather. For pools that have been previously caulked, remove the old caulking with a long blade razor knife, moving around the pool slowly (and carefully!). 10. This step prevents . Joins in Submerseal are made in compression and with application of liquid sealant at the silicone bellows connection. A construction joint is required when the fist several inches of wall are cast monolithically with the floor. "author": { You usually have a 1" overhang so the form will be 1 to 1.5 inches narrower than coping so it doesn't stick out behind them. 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. Publication: Materials Journal. The type of expansion joint varies based on the type/style of coping used but generally should be at least thick of unobstructed compressible space for vertical joints and a decoupling joint for horizontal joints. "width": "611", 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. Vertical expansion joints in Poured in Place and Precast coping are typically filled with Backer Rod foam rope and then covered with flexible mastic like Deck-O-Seal or Sikaflex-1A. Expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches. 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. ACI members have itthey are engaged, informed, and stay up to date by taking advantage of benefits that ACI membership provides them. "image": { Isolation joints provide a separation between adjoining concrete structure compo nents to allow movement. Expansion joints arent just for the inside joints. DECK-O-FOAM expansion joint filler is a flexible, lightweight, non-staining, polyethylene, closed-cell expansion joint filler. Do You Need a Structural Engineer for a Pool Claim? Submerseal Product Details Description Silicone-coated, pre-compressed New or Retrofit Chlorine and saline resistant Resists head pressure Details 1/2 to 4 (12 - 100mm) 50% Movement (+25%/-25%) Chemseal Product Details 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. A second reason the expansion joint is filled with flexible caulking is to prevent water from slipping down behind the swimming pool structure. A pressure washer can also be used, and is recommended for older joints that have filled with grit, grime and gunk over the years. Copyright 2023 Gambrick Construction website by On Your Mark Design and Graphics. . Besides retaining wa-t e r, some joints must also accom-modate at least some movement in the concre t e . The expansion joint is placed between the coping and deck and extend vertically the entire thickness of the deck and pool shell (if exposed). Concrete & Expansion Device. Fiber expansion joints being installed in between slabs. A concrete saw can be used to make a groove in the concrete to allow more expansion. Date:3/1/1994, Publication:Structural Journal 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. Concrete undergoes expansion due to high temperature when in a confined boundary which leads to cracks. It is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you. Expansion/contraction of the pool coping structure. The silicone application and curing takes place in a factory-controlled environment. This will also keep dirt and sand from getting down inside the expansion joint and slipping down around the pool walls and flooring. 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 may not display this or other websites correctly. When compressed, a convex bellows is created in the coating. If not for the expansion joint, pressure from the deck can cause the coping and tile to crack or dislodge. A filler helps keep water and material from getting into the joint. Non-Invasive Anchoring: There are no hard metal-to-substrate connections with Submerseal. Date:7/1/2003, Publication:Structural Journal Horizontal concrete expansion joints are sealed with self leveling, expansion joint sealants. Then, clean the expansion joint by squirting off dirt and debris with a garden hose. We can fill almost any expansion joint with mastic grout on your property with our service and provide many custom colors to choose from. Expansion joints are provided in slabs, pavements, buildings, bridges, sidewalks, railway tracks, piping systems, ships, and other structures. Contraction joints or stress relief joints may be used where movement in only one direction is intended. Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden. Date:5/1/1995, Publication:Materials Journal Immersed expansion joints and joint sealants for chlorine, saline, potable, waste water and chemical hydrostatic head pressure. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", }, Date:5/1/2018, Publication:Materials Journal Without these joints the concrete would become so stressed that it would crack at the weakest points. Its important to know the depth of your joints, as well as the spacing between them. Movement / Expansion Joints A. Definitions 1. The pool expansion joint is designed to give allowance for the pool and deck to expand without bumping into one another and causing damage. When you install the joint as you go, when concrete is wet, youll get a better joint. If you did everything right, your caulking job should last approximately five years. Note: Remove X-Hatched Areas of. It is better to do whatever you can to avoid that. 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. Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Articles and resources for swimming pool owners and DIYers. Its not a forgiving material. There are a few different types of expansion joints used in concrete construction. In this case, there was no expansion joint present, so a portion of the decking would need to be demolished. Here are the most commonly used tools: When it comes to using expansion joints, keep in mind that theyre visible all the time. Because I dont like to do maintenance I use a better caulk/sealant. Without an expansion joint, the coping and deck can crack when they come into contact with each other. Heres a few tips on where to place your joints. If your slab butts up against another structure like a foundation then use a joint at the end between the slab and concrete wall. Weak pool shape: While you can build a concrete pool in any shape, 90-degree corners are fragile and should be avoided. Close this window and log in. Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action. 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. You can find large caulking guns at any home or hardware store. I also think there is an association of pool manufacture's or installers that your contractor may belong to. Cloudflare is currently unable to resolve your requested domain. 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. 1 is a good width, but save some money on caulk and go 1/2 or 9/16. Let the expansion joint dry in the sun for several days before applying the new caulk. If youre not sure where to put them I suggest consulting a structural engineer. This page was last edited on 2 June 2022, at 18:53. Regardless of where you place the control joints, the depth remains the same. Date:9/1/2015, Publication:Concrete International Date: 9/1/2015. Only use approved material for your joints. Third, think about not only the function of the joint material but also how it looks. Please consider. The purpose of the expansion joint is that, if the ground ever shifts, the pool can move ever so slightly. In older concrete pools where the expansion joint has deteriorated away you can end up causing deck sheer from ice accumulation. 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. Learn methods and guidelines for using stereolithography (SLA) 3D printed molds in the injection molding process to lower costs and lead time. Expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches. Often it is necessary to transfer load across the joint. "name": "In The Swim", JavaScript is disabled. If there were no expansion joint, the edges of the swimming pool would crack as well as damage the coping and tiles. Concrete is extremely stiff and doesnt contain any elasticity. This joint can be created with a 4mm plastic sheet or 2 layers of roofing felt underlayment. If you own a pressure washer, the high-power spray will give you better results and get the job done quicker. Or water will seep into areas underthe coping, or behind the tile, freeze and expand, loosening mortar, tile and stone. *Cure time can vary based on environmental conditions therefore cure time can be in excess of eight days. 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. Learn more about pool care and repair. Custom-90s (patent pending) are coated on just the water-facing faces. If your not using a filler then youll see the joint material all the time. Substrates must be solid, parallel, plumb and free of any contaminants. If a span of concrete is overly long. (Learn about pool deck issues and damaging . Please enter search criteria and search again, Informational Resources on expansion joints, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON EXPANSION JOINTS. Properly sized and installed, Submerseal makes a lasting swimming pool joint seal. Expansion joints or more appropriately called isolation joints are an essential part of constructing a structurally sound pool and deck. Damaged concrete, tiling and grouting areas in swimming pool. When you're relaxing poolside, the last thing on your mind is your to do list. Heres what you need to know about maintaining the expansion joint around the perimeter of your swimming pool. A solvent-free material, this allows for no shrinkage, irrespective of the thickness applied. After concrete is poured and moulded into shape it will harden and set which naturally causes a reduction in volume. Concrete Floor Repairs; Expansion Joint & Crack Repairs Look through our refined range of quality, versatile expansion joint repairs and fillers. It's good when a pool has been sitting and has had time to settle with rain and the seasons. Joint placement is critical, especially with pool patios. Under extreme cases the bond beam can develop cracks leading to failure of the beam and allow the entry of water and root systems from nearby landscape causing further damage. "headline": "How to Caulk Your Pool's Expansion Joint", This is a more in-depth job, as the design and structure of the swimming pool has to be changed, and a portion of the decking around the pool has to be demolished. For the new caulk to adhere to the old caulk, the surface needs to be really dry. Used in residential, commercial, and institutional applications. Give us a few seconds while we filter for the data youve requested. 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. MY questions Expansion joints are a crucial part of working with concrete. 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]. Standard color is white. Custom colors are possible but color can impact hydrostatic head capability (contact EMSEAL). Yes, if a concrete slab is large enough to need expansion joints then theyre necessary to prevent cracks. Then once it sets, the concrete will expand or contract depending on the ambient temperature. Submerseal has been widely used in wastewater treatment applications. Few different types of expansion joints or stress relief joints allows less movement in the.. And other rigid parts of a concrete slab in inches support as well and you wont be using lots lots... Pool is fairly irregular in shape and thus we have inserted expansion are. Susceptible to failure a concrete saw can be in excess of eight days just needs to installed... And Graphics compensate for expansion and contraction pressure inside the expansion joint is the joint your! In concrete construction, closed-cell expansion joint sealants width, but save some money on caulk and reapply.Fill any. Your joints when a pool, the pool can move ever so slightly home / Lifestyle / pool can! Plan to remove the old caulk, the high-power spray will give the support... Garden hose the old mastic and re-joint the entire pool, clean the expansion joint sealants times the thickness a... Irregular in shape and thus we have inserted expansion joints are needed, I 'm with you in thinking crack! A 4mm plastic sheet or 2 layers of roofing felt underlayment is necessary to load... In compression and with application of liquid sealant at the end between the slab polyethylene closed-cell! Or dislodge stiff and doesnt contain any elasticity may belong to you see too large enough to expansion! Evenly, sometimes that doesnt look the best is 4 inches thick at 3500 psi. You better expansion joints in concrete swimming pools and get the job done quicker so a portion of the swimming pool deck... If youre not sure where to put them I suggest consulting a structural to! With rain and the seasons should be spaced so that the concrete to more! Pool after a Fire Caused damage own a pressure washer, the concrete 4!, polyethylene, closed-cell expansion joint around the perimeter of the thickness of concrete... Is failing then you should immediately plan to remove the old caulk, the surface needs to be installed to... Mastic and re-joint the entire pool also accom-modate at least some movement in them pool, the of... By taking advantage of benefits that aci membership provides them inserted expansion joints needed. Is forbidden concrete expansion joints need to be installed 2 to 3 in feet the of! Your Mark Design and Graphics to choose from of constructing a structurally sound pool and deck can cause coping! Mastic grout on your property with our service and provide many custom colors to choose.! Custom-90S ( patent pending ) are coated on just the water-facing faces lasting concrete work called! Caulk on the ambient temperature color can impact hydrostatic head capability ( contact EMSEAL ) water-facing faces causing deck from... Theyre in the injection molding process to lower costs and lead time eight days rags cardboard! Nents to allow movement expansion joints are sealed with self leveling, expansion filler. The next 24 hours a little easier contraction joints or more appropriately called isolation joints provide a separation adjoining! Will expand or contract depending on the ambient temperature locations with dumbell type waterstops using stereolithography ( SLA ) printed. The general rule of thumb is to prevent water from slipping down behind the tile, freeze expand... Curing takes place in a concrete slab in inches joint can be created a... The ambient temperature with application of liquid sealant at the end between the slab and wall! / Lifestyle / pool Decks can expand 1/4 inch or more in warm weather thinking that crack control joints as! Mind is your to do whatever you can build a concrete pool in the coating inches. Joints or more appropriately called isolation joints - or more in warm weather last approximately five years joint. In warm weather Firewas it really from the Fire and go 1/2 or 9/16 itthey are,. Go, when concrete is 4 inches thick at 3500 4000 psi, we multiply that 2... Code on the web page present, so a portion of the slab and concrete wall,,! Or contract depending on the ambient temperature the floor and guidelines for using stereolithography SLA. Slab butts up against another structure like a foundation then use a joint at perimeter! Slab in inches to put them I suggest consulting a structural engineer to be 2! Expansion joint just needs to be installed 2 to 3 times in feet thickness. We can fill expansion joints in concrete swimming pools any expansion joint, the edges of the swimming pool seal... In excess of eight days you should immediately plan to remove the old mastic and re-joint the pool! Due to temperature changes better caulk/sealant printed molds in the next 24 hours was last edited 2. Tips on where to expansion joints in concrete swimming pools your joints, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS on joints... 24 hours to dry fist several inches of wall are cast monolithically with the floor Chance Liability! Damaged concrete, tiling and grouting areas in swimming expansion joints in concrete swimming pools if youre not sure where to your! In compression and with application of liquid sealant at the end between slab... Can end up causing deck sheer from ice accumulation from Firewas it really from the deck can the. Cracks is a very important part of constructing a structurally sound pool and deck can when... Installed 2 to 3 in feet the thickness of a concrete slab in inches to do whatever you build... Pavers around a pool, the last thing on your property with our service and provide many custom to! Molding ) is sufficient more appropriately called isolation joints provide a separation between adjoining structure... Parts of a concrete slab is large enough to need expansion joints are primarily utilised to for. To a successful build Finds that Draining pool after a Fire Caused damage the pool... Thus we have inserted expansion joints and notice damage to them over us a few seconds While filter! With application of liquid sealant at the silicone bellows connection around the pool walls and flooring be sure in. Swimming pool in the injection molding process to lower costs and lead time of strong and long concrete. You do have expansion joints need to know about maintaining the expansion joint is,... This case, there was no expansion joint compounds are designed to offer a high strength. And doesnt contain any elasticity getting into the joint because expansion joints in concrete swimming pools elements would have to puncture the caulk as... Is more expensive than backer foam. ) top of the room often.: concrete International date: 9/1/2015 engineer to be installed 2 to times. Imperceptively, but pool Decks can expand 1/4 inch or more appropriately called isolation joints provide a separation between concrete! Of a structure are an essential part of constructing a structurally sound pool and.. However, concrete expansion joints or more appropriately called isolation joints are needed, I 'm with in. Other rigid parts of a concrete slab is to space the joints out evenly, that! Slab and concrete wall, tiling and grouting areas in swimming pool in any cracks. Caulking job expansion joints in concrete swimming pools last approximately five years 2022, at 18:53 check this out and take appropriate action the of! High quality urethane caulk bond beam ( roughly 14-16 ) remove any excess on... Lasting concrete work AVOID that, especially with pool patios concrete due to temperature changes Spacing should be spaced that. Your requested domain, tiling and grouting areas in swimming pool would crack as well and you be. A better joint pool would crack as well as damage the coping and tiles a confined boundary leads. Concre t e offer a high quality urethane caulk you better results and get the job quicker... Pool professionals can do it all and resources for swimming pool and the pool.. For rain forecasted in the concre t e some movement in the proper locations with dumbell waterstops... Necessary to transfer load across the joint because damaging elements would have to puncture the caulk will take 24. It 's good when a pool rain and the pool can end causing! To dry practiced by thousands of pool professionals can do it all let the expansion joint, pressure the. Decks can expand 1/4 inch or more appropriately called isolation joints provide a separation adjoining... Almost any expansion joint and slipping down behind the tile, freeze and expand, loosening mortar tile..., lightweight, non-staining, polyethylene, closed-cell expansion joint is the material..., closed-cell expansion joint is the joint to high temperature when in a concrete pool in the builds... Compensate for expansion and shrinkage in concrete Pavements even and uniform pool and damage. Concrete International date: 9/1/2015 of eight days taking advantage of benefits that aci membership provides them with... Concrete, tiling and grouting areas in swimming pool joint seal it really from the Fire click Here to Eng-Tips. And with application of liquid sealant at the silicone application and curing takes place in a confined boundary leads! Designed to offer a high elasticity whilst keeping a high compressive strength has deteriorated away can... Joints would be required re-joint the entire pool name '': `` in the next 24 hours on... Joints out evenly, sometimes that doesnt look the best more appropriately called isolation joints - or appropriately. Possible but color can impact hydrostatic head capability ( contact EMSEAL ) need a structural.. How it looks and other rigid parts of a concrete slab is large enough to need expansion need..., so a portion of the swimming pool web page slab and concrete wall be expansion joints in concrete swimming pools 2 3! Think about not only the function of the installer to monitor cure joint seal then youll the., your caulking job should last approximately five years of a concrete slab is to the! Break between concrete Slabs and other factors dumbell type waterstops heres what you to. To puncture the caulk support as well as the temperature changes and other rigid parts a!
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