Pool deck/tile question

[Holey - Field of Dreams]

Pool deck has the 3/4" plastic joints from the pool to the outer part of the deck. They are broken and coming apart because of the age of the pool. Will the Techniseal or Alliance Poly sand work if I remove the plastic and put this in its place? Heard and seen it done, but I wanted some advice from you.

Tile along the top of the pool (waterline) has some pieces missing. If I replace them what do you suggest to adhere the new ones with?

Thanks, I really enjoy reading your post and gaining knowledge from your experience.

Mike Holeyfield

[cgland]

We use a product called Sikaflex to fill expansion joints. to adhere coping either use mortar or PL will work too.

[custom patios]

Pool deck has the 3/4" plastic joints from the pool to the outer part of the deck. They are broken and coming apart because of the age of the pool. Will the Techniseal or Alliance Poly sand work if I remove the plastic and put this in its place? Heard and seen it done, but I wanted some advice from you.

Tile along the top of the pool (waterline) has some pieces missing. If I replace them what do you suggest to adhere the new ones with?

Thanks, I really enjoy reading your post and gaining knowledge from your experience.

Mike Holeyfield

the plastic expansion should be taken out and replaced. A true fiber expansion board is not as attractive and so people have used wood and plastic as a material to serve the purpose, but not look too displeasing. Most caulks wont set up properly when used to fill a void that size. The best I know is Bostik. Chem-calk 900. If you must use a caulk for some reason ,replace the plastic expansion with an expansion board or the new rubber ones they have. Leave the expansion material a 1/2" max from the top of the concrete. Finish the joint with chem-calk.
The tile is popping off because the concrete deck around the pool is placing stress on the bond beam. waterline tile should be re-set with a modified thinset. Or an epoxy bonding compound. The tile is going to continue to pop off, or worse, the bond beam will develop cracks, if it has not already. Then you will have to do a more extensive repair. The joint between the coping and the decking needs to be removed as well. Somewhere thru this joint you will find contact with the beam.You can use a chop saw, with caution, and cut a new, true expansion joint. After the cut, install the expasion and seal with the Bostik calk. Now you have a working system again.

[custom patios]

here's a pic of a new expansion install on a beam repair

[Holey - Field of Dreams]

Thank you. I have told the home owner that there is an issue with the decking putting stress on the tile causing it to crack and fall off. They are having a wedding and want a quick fix for the problems stated. I will mention to them again that by just replacing the expansion joints and tile, you aren't fixing the problem. I doubt they will fix it correctly at this time. They are paying for their daughters wedding and just want to patch it.

Thanks for the picture. How deep do you cut with your saw before removing the excess material and replacing with rubber expansion boards? Have you ever used the "Deck-o-Seal" product?

Mike