Not to hi-jack your thread, but do some PB's make the gap smaller and not use anything? Is there a benefit to this besides dirt/junk getting in this crack? Is it strictly aesthetics?
The pool with it’s coping on top needs to move independant of the deck. If the deck is hard against the coping something is going to crack. The expansion joint needs to be filled with flexible foam and caulk.
Expansion Joint Caulking Around Inground Swimming Pools
I saw on a previous thread that a 1/4" joint will work and the reason some are 3/4" has to do with the fact many forms that are used to pore the concrete are 3/4" thick. I would prefer to use 1/4" because it will look better and require less caulking. I'm probably going with the deck o seal.
I saw on a previous thread that a 1/4" joint will work and the reason some are 3/4" has to do with the fact many forms that are used to pour the concrete are 3/4" thick. I would prefer to use 1/4" because it will look better and require less caulking. I'm probably going with the deck o seal.
The most important bit of information to remember is the expected expansion in concrete caused by temperature change. Between the heat of summer (pool deck surface at 130º to 140º) and the dead of winter (pool deck surface at 30º to 40º) we can expect at least a 100º temperature change. The critical number to remember is that a 100 foot wide section of concrete will expand approximately 3/4 of an inch with a 100º temperature change. The expansion in lesser widths of concrete can be easily determined by proportioning the 3/4“ per 100 feet. The force of expanding concrete is very high and can easily shear off the coping or bond beam without properly installed isolation joints.
Please pardon my ignorance, I’m not trying to hijack the thread. I’m new to this and don’t want to mess up my build. I’m doing an owner build and would like to know, if I have to put the expansion joint or foam on my pool deck and coping even if it’s travertine coping and decking ? Thanks in advance
UPDATE I went with 1/2" Poli Void. The top of the foam peals back after you pour the concrete and you then fill that void with caulking. I used spray adhesive on the back of the coping and the edge of the foam to get it to stay in place.