Hi All,
Just took the winter cover off my concrete plaster pool here in Massachusetts and discovered a number of tiles have fallen off at the waterline and a previously patched crack has reappeared with a vengeance! I've only had this house with the pool for a couple of years so I'm new to the concept of the expansion gap/joint around the pool and I think this pool damage is probably caused by my neglect of the crumbling caulk and water seeping in over winter, causing the deck to push against the coping, beam, etc.
I've decided to re-tile, patch the plaster, and recaulk the expansion gap to see if it will hold up for at least a few years before a major overhaul down the line.
A couple of questions:
1) I was thinking of rigging a makeshift scaffold in the water like I did last year when I plastered a smaller version of the crack. Do we think that's wise? I was hoping to avoid draining the pool completely and the hassle of getting it refilled, but if I'm going to be working with power tools over water... maybe not such a good idea? Also, there's already a fair amount of debris in the water, cracked tiles, plaster, etc. If I don't drain, how can I get all that stuff out of the water when the repairs are done?
2) It looks like the crack appears in the concrete underneath the plaster/tile thinset as well, what should I use to patch the crack in the concrete layer? What can I use that will strengthen and stabilize that layer?
3) Underneath the crumbling caulk in the expansion gap is a couple inches deep band of foam. I was planning to replace it all with backing rod, should I double decker the stuff to make up the depth difference? Or should I pour sand in the gap as some places have suggested? Thoughts?
4) Any thoughts on Vulkem 116 caulk vs. Vulkem 45 specially designed for pool expansion? Is the 45 worth the added expense?
Images of the damage:
Thanks! Appreciate any thoughts!
Just took the winter cover off my concrete plaster pool here in Massachusetts and discovered a number of tiles have fallen off at the waterline and a previously patched crack has reappeared with a vengeance! I've only had this house with the pool for a couple of years so I'm new to the concept of the expansion gap/joint around the pool and I think this pool damage is probably caused by my neglect of the crumbling caulk and water seeping in over winter, causing the deck to push against the coping, beam, etc.
I've decided to re-tile, patch the plaster, and recaulk the expansion gap to see if it will hold up for at least a few years before a major overhaul down the line.
A couple of questions:
1) I was thinking of rigging a makeshift scaffold in the water like I did last year when I plastered a smaller version of the crack. Do we think that's wise? I was hoping to avoid draining the pool completely and the hassle of getting it refilled, but if I'm going to be working with power tools over water... maybe not such a good idea? Also, there's already a fair amount of debris in the water, cracked tiles, plaster, etc. If I don't drain, how can I get all that stuff out of the water when the repairs are done?
2) It looks like the crack appears in the concrete underneath the plaster/tile thinset as well, what should I use to patch the crack in the concrete layer? What can I use that will strengthen and stabilize that layer?
3) Underneath the crumbling caulk in the expansion gap is a couple inches deep band of foam. I was planning to replace it all with backing rod, should I double decker the stuff to make up the depth difference? Or should I pour sand in the gap as some places have suggested? Thoughts?
4) Any thoughts on Vulkem 116 caulk vs. Vulkem 45 specially designed for pool expansion? Is the 45 worth the added expense?
Images of the damage:
Thanks! Appreciate any thoughts!
