Reasons Why You Should Consider Caulking the Pool Expansion Joint
While owning an in-ground pool is a blessing, it does require a lot of work and knowledge. Novice pool owners are often taken aback by all the additional costs involved in pool installation. Expansion joint caulking is one of the optional yet highly important factors meant to prolong your pool’s lifespan.
In this guide, we’ll explain what pool caulking is and why it’s beneficial.
What is a pool expansion joint?
An expansion joint is a line between the top of the pool itself and the pool’s deck. An expansion joint separates the deck from the lip of the pool to protect materials from wear and tear as they expand and contract. Most properly constructed in-ground pools have an expansion joint, though it may be missing in some cases. Typically, an expansion joint is filled with some kind of sealant.
What is caulking?
Caulk is a waterproof filler and sealant commonly used in repair and building jobs. Its main distinction from other sealant types is increased rigidness in a dry state. Usually, the expansion joint is filled with caulk no earlier than 30 days after pool installation. This gives the concrete surrounding the pool time to settle and ensures proper alignment. It’s crucial to clean up the joint area thoroughly before caulking for accurate alignment.
Benefits of caulking an expansion joint
Caulking is necessary to seal all gaps that water may potentially infiltrate. While water is natural, it may be very harmful to your pool’s surroundings. Assume water gets under pool decking or behind the tile surround, and the temperatures drop below freezing. The water will expand as it freezes and will contract when it thaws. In the meantime, the decking or tile is damaged.
Replacing the tiling around a pool or the deck is costly. Caulking is meant to prolong your investment’s lifetime. Apart from water, tiles and concrete tend to crack due to extreme temperature swings that cause the pool edge to expand and contract.
Another reason for caulking an expansion joint is to prevent weeds and grass from growing in the gaps between the decking and the pool. Not only do they ruin the visual appeal of a pool, but they may also cause tiles and concrete to crack, leading to high repair costs.
Often, sand is used as a cheaper alternative to caulking. However, sand tends to wash away over time and doesn’t expand and contract with the structure, leaving gaps. On the other hand, caulk is flexible and remains in place for up to 20 years. Therefore, it’s a smart long-term investment.
Furthermore, caulk is an environmentally friendly material. Harsh chemicals aren’t involved in its production. Unlike many other sealants, caulk can be painted over to achieve a seamless look. Caulking is also used to repair existing concrete and tile cracks to prevent further damage. It’s better to fix a small crack when it has just occurred than to replace the entire decking at a future juncture.
If you have a pool need, whether it’s service, renovation, repair, lighting, or something else, call Magic Matt’s Pools at 623-255-2239 today!
