Expansion joint sealant

[crosby1612]

Our pool was built about a year ago and I just got an email from the builder that now is the time to have the expansion joint "enhanced". They want to charge $1695 to run a bead of self-leveling joint compound; the pool is 18' x 26' and there is only a joint on one short side and one long side, so that would be 44' of compound (about $38.50/ft at their price).

After going down the rabbit hole I see there are essentially 2 options: 1) Deck O Seal HS-1 SL and 2) Sikaflex self leveling sealant

I'm looking for thoughts and opinions on which is better for this application or are they both essentially the same? Deck O Seal is priced about 4x the cost of Sikaflex but I'm happy to pay that if it's the better product for this application.

Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

Either is equally good. Deck-O-Seal is not 4X better.

Quality of the surface preparation and application is more important to the outcome than product used.

 

[crosby1612]

Either is equally good. Deck-O-Seal is not 4X better.

Quality of the surface preparation and application is more important to the outcome than product used.

Thank you. It also seems as though Sikaflex might be easier to apply as it's in a caulk gun tube.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Why does your expansion joint need to be “enhanced” in the first place? Was it not installed completely? Is there no sealant there currently?

 

[SecoSteve]

Why does your expansion joint need to be “enhanced” in the first place? Was it not installed completely? Is there no sealant there currently?

Our builder put in a perforated styrofoam strip and said wait at least a year to put in the sealant. This would give the pool and decking time to settle. When ready to seal, pull half the foam away, leaving room for the sealant to sit in the gap.

 

[proavia]

Thank you. It also seems as though Sikaflex might be easier to apply as it's in a caulk gun tube.

Post a few pics from different areas along the expansion joint.