Gap between tile and coping

[grottoguy]

My pool was built six years ago and they used what I think is concrete between my tile and my coping. Between the coping and the deck they left the 1/2 inch gap they were supposed to and filled it with foam and put sika flex over it. I now have two issues:

1) The mortar between the tile and the coping is deteriorating and water is getting under my coping (and raising some of my paver deck). See pictures below.

2) In one small area the deck seems to have moved such that there is a gap between the coping and the deck (see pictures). The deck is pavers and they were not installed with concrete under them.

My pool company says they are so busy they are not doing non warranty repairs and told me to hire someone. (I know ridiculous.) I called one company that is a landscaper and they said they would need to take off the coping to remortar between the tile and the coping or if they do it without removing the coping it will just crack. I am hesitant to use them because I don’t know if they have any experience with pools. Does the coping have to removed? Even if that is the best way can they simply remortar without removing the coping? Can they use something like sikaflex there to fill the gaps? Even if the remortar would only likely last three years or so if I don't remove the coping, Id rather do a short term fix now.

Thanks a lot for your advice.

Thanks,

 

[cowboycasey]

So the company that put your pool in did 1 thing correct and 1 wrong...

Using Sikaflex between the coping and deck is what they were supposed to do.. You can take the old Sikaflex out and install new.. You can also use Deck-o-Seal, those 2 products are the best..

As for between the tile and coping they did it wrong, really wrong.. That mortar needs to be removed with a Multi tool and Sikaflex used between the tile and coping or you can also use Deck-o-Seal one step...

SIKAFLEX 1A WHITE: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

SIKAFLEX 1A WHITE: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FM4E3SE

DECK-O-SEAL - Polysulfide-Based Joint Sealant

Seal all cracks and joints with DECK-O-SEAL two-part, elastomeric, polysulfide-based joint sealant. DECK-O-SEAL is used for caulking and sealing joints subject to concrete movement to provide a firm, flexible, weather-tight seal. It is ideal for sealing joints around swimming pools, and for...

www.deckoseal.com

DECK-O-SEAL ONE STEP - Polymer-Based Sealing Compound

#788 MasterFormat: 07 92 13 | 13 11 00 PDF Print Version Safety Data Sheet Request Sample […]

www.deckoseal.com

No, the coping does not need to be removed.. Use a Multitool to remove the grout between the tile and coping, clean out the joint really good then install the Sikaflex or Deck-o-Seal one step..

Expansion Joints and Coping - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

I agree with what @cowboycasey described but I think more needs to be done.

Water is getting under the coping causing the deterioration of the mortar in more areas then just your expansion joint. You have cracks in the mortar between the coping stones. And you have openings around your pavers. All that lets water get below the deck.

Once water gets below the deck it has to drain someplace. Sealing the gap between the tile and coping will accomplish little. The water will find it's way out eroding the mortar if necessary. If your coping and deck is properly water tight then little water will get below it and the gap should not be a problem.

So if you don't fix the other cracks around your coping and your deck any fix will not last long and water will continue to damage under your deck and coping.

I marked up your pic just showing some of the water ingress points. There are many just on that pic.

 

[cowboycasey]

the Sikaflex between the coping and the pavers when new stopped water from getting under the coping.. Now it is not... The Mortar between the coping pieces have also moved, great catch @ajw22 allowing water into the coping and bond beam...

All that mortar will also need to be removed and redone so no water gets into the coping/bond beam..

The water getting between the pavers is another event that will wash the sand away causing the pavers to move around and unlock from each other... They should also be redone with sand to lock in the joint....

 

[grottoguy]

As for between the tile and coping they did it wrong, really wrong.. That mortar needs to be removed with a Multi tool and Sikaflex used between the tile and coping or you can also use Deck-o-Seal one step..

Thanks for your insight. In one of the attachments you suggested I look at (which I include below), it seems that leveling mortar is used between the tile and coping. But I think you are saying that they never should have done that; rather, they should have used sikaflex or its equivalent between the coping and tile? It would be helpful if I could show my pool company that their mistake caused the problem. (They have fixed problems they caused in the past even when out of warranty). Could you attach some literature that supports your proposition. I realize I may be misinterpreting the attached picture, so if you can steer me the right direction I’d appreciate it.

One other question, if they need to remove all the mortar between the tile and coping, do they need to get in the pool to do that?

Thanks again

 

[cowboycasey]

On page 2 of this document it has the perimeter joint between the coping and the tile ( circle # 7 )... That is to allow the bond beam to move, the coping to move and the tile to move.. each will move at different rates as they are different material.. That is why the perimeter joint is used just like they used between the coping and your pavers because they move at different rates and different material...

 

[grottoguy]

On page 2 of this document it has the perimeter joint between the coping and the tile ( circle # 7 )... That is to allow the bond beam to move, the coping to move and the tile to move.. each will move at different rates as they are different material.. That is why the perimeter joint is used just like they used between the coping and your pavers because they move at different rates and different material...

Thanks for your help