Pool Tile grout repair between til and pebbletec

The last picture shows the top of the deck. I continued your yellow line to the deck. I’m also attaching some pics of the surrounding area. At one point there was an issue with the irrigation. The drip system had supposedly been replaced prior purchasing the home 4 years ago, but it kept developing new leaks, so I eventually I replaced the whole irrigation system with some more durable stuff. The plants get watered, but there should not be excessive moisture from the irrigation.

There is a skimmer further to the right of the problem area. I guess if there was a leak in the skimmer area, the moisture could be migrating to the left, as that’s the direction of the grade. If the skimmer basket empties (it’s currently filled) while the pool is empty, that would indicate a leak? I have done the bucket test before, and could not detect any loss other than evaporation, but maybe not enough of a leak to be detectable that way?

In any case, I picked up a grout saw and Prism non-sanded grout from HD. I sawed a bit out, but I’ve been waiting for the area to dry before applying the grout. The space between the tile and PT is still damp…

It’s not exactly seeping, but yes, it seems the moisture is behind the tile. It appeared dry today, but when I ran the grout saw through it, came out with wet slurry again. We’re hitting 90 degree temps this weekend, and 95+ on Monday, so should I just grout and fill?

AQUA~HOLICS said:

If your waiting for the area to dry before grouting is that from water seeping out from behind the tile?

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Yes, I imagine there is moisture behind the tile, that got there from when the pool was filled. The fact that it is not drying quickly tells me there is a lot of moisture back there. Hopefully there isn’t any permanent damage, and I can just grout our epoxy this grout line, repair the deck, and live with the tile being slightly displaced.

Is it correct that it looks like my pool has a cantilevered coping? In that case I should remove the grout between the tile and deck, and replace with another type of sealant? In a lot of areas there is no grout between the tile and deck…but in this area, it appears to be solidly in place, and might explain why the tile seperated from the pebble tech.

I feel like I need to just get this area sealed asap, and fill then pool, due to the incoming hot weather. What is the best course of action?

AQUA~HOLICS said:

Best course of action is to let the soil completely dry before repairing if possible. If you are certain that the moisture is from filling the pool then go ahead with repairs, if not the source needs to be found and corrected or the tile and deck will continue to move. Yes that is considered a cantilevered deck.

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Well low and behold, the skimmer basket is empty, I can see a little bit of water in the two holes in the bottom. Oddly it looks like one hole has more water than the other. I though both holes went to the same pipe, so they should be at the same level. Maybe it is just an illusion that they are different levels. The other skimmer basket is still at the spillway level (not sure what’s called, but when the pool is empty it’s a spillway).

I’m probably going to use epoxy in the joint between tile and PB. Plan to put some fix a leak in the pool while I have the DE filter grids out. That will hopefully temp fix the skimmer leak, and a leak in the waterfall. I assume one of the scuppers are cracked. I’m a little concerned the fix a leak will clog the scupper itsel though, since its only 1/8” or less gap.

That should get me at least to the end of this season, then we can remodel.