Pool Inspection Finds Cause of Cracking in Pools

Swimming Pool Inspection Services was recently called on to provide an estimate for cost to repair a large crack in the decking of an inground swimming pool. An engineer had already examined the pool, and it was determined that the crack was caused by the lack of an expansion joint between the coping and the pool deck.

An expansion joint is a necessity when building a pool. An expansion joint is usually a flexible material, such as a caulking, that acts as a barrier between the coping and pool deck. Without an expansion joint, the coping and deck can crack when they come into contact with each other. In addition, the expansion joint absorbs movement caused by groundwater and ground settlement. Without the expansion joint, that movement is absorbed by the unforgiving concrete of the deck or pool, and results in cracking. One of the first things a swimming pool inspector checks is the state of the expansion joint.

Expansion Joint Repairs

In many cases, the expansion joint just needs to be replaced. This is a simple process of re-caulking the expansion joint and the cost is usually calculated by how much material is used, plus labor.

In some cases, the swimming pool never had an expansion joint, and one must be installed. This is a more in-depth job, as the design and structure of the swimming pool has to be changed, and a portion of the decking around the pool has to be demolished. The decking needs to be demolished and hauled away, the soil compacted, a gravel bed put down, and a reinforcing bar installed. Finally, the cement is poured, and the expansion joint is put in.

In this case, there was no expansion joint present, so a portion of the decking would need to be demolished. Replacing the entire decking would cost well over $7,000.