Advice needed for grout and expansion joint repair

[dfwnoob]

I've been a bit apprehensive to ask this, because I'm fearing that something here is going to cost a lot of money

I have a few spots around the pool that really need some attention. I'm not sure of the proper products to fix these deficiencies, so I'm hoping someone here knows a lot better than I do. Here are the pictures.

1. Expansion joint is ripping. This was "fixed" poorly by the previous owner by slathering it in silicone RTV. Obviously that did not hold. Is there something I can use to restore the flexible joint material?



2. The grout about the tile line where it meets the coping(?) is cracking in multiple places all around the pool. I'm worried this will allow water to get behind the pool shell and erode the fill.



3. Similar grout damage in one of the skimmers. Same fear here, I don't water getting behind that and causing problems. Obviously water gets splashed into the skimmer all the time when the pool is in use, and I'd like to prevent this from getting worse.



4. The spa has a few places where the grout between the bricks is failing. This section is normally hit with water when the spillover is on. I think that some of this brick got damaged when water seeped behind the brick and froze. There are a few spots on the spa like this.



Is there any DIY solution for these problems? I know absolutely nothing about masonry, so I'm not even sure where to start here. Any direction would be much appreciated!

 

[ajw22]

1. Expansion joint is ripping. This was "fixed" poorly by the previous owner by slathering it in silicone RTV. Obviously that did not hold. Is there something I can use to restore the flexible joint material?

View attachment 411709

Scrape out the old material and fill the joint with foam backing rod and then top it with Deck-O-Seal or SikaFlex 1A. It is labor intensive but doable.

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

Foam Backer Rods

W. R. MEADOWS provides two different types of backer rods: CERA-ROD and KOOL-ROD. Both are closed-cell rods, meaning they are dense and firm and intended for outdoors and heavy duty construction—however, one addresses hot application processes, and the other cold. Backer rods are used to fill...

www.wrmeadows.com

2. The grout about the tile line where it meets the coping(?) is cracking in multiple places all around the pool. I'm worried this will allow water to get behind the pool shell and erode the fill.

View attachment 411710

That is not grout. It is the Type S mortar used to anchor each coping stone.

That coping stone has a crack on the side and bottom. It is coming loose. The correct fix is to remove the stone, chip out the mortar, and re-mortar it.

You can fill the cracks and it will probably crack again.

These type of cracks indicate that your expansion joint is not working well and your deck may be coupled to your coping in some spots. You fix that when you repair the expansion joint.

3. Similar grout damage in one of the skimmers. Same fear here, I don't water getting behind that and causing problems. Obviously water gets splashed into the skimmer all the time when the pool is in use, and I'd like to prevent this from getting worse.

View attachment 411711

Lower the water level and fill those cracks with E-Z Patch Grout Repair.

E-Z Patch® 4 (White) Pool Tile Grout Repair

E-Z Patch® 4 (White) Pool Tile Grout Repair is our above water mixture. Grout repair products and tile grout repair.

e-zpatch.com

4. The spa has a few places where the grout between the bricks is failing. This section is normally hit with water when the spillover is on. I think that some of this brick got damaged when water seeped behind the brick and froze. There are a few spots on the spa like this.

View attachment 411712

Again, that is Type S Mortar used to anchor the stones.

Is there any DIY solution for these problems? I know absolutely nothing about masonry, so I'm not even sure where to start here. Any direction would be much appreciated!

They are all labor intensive DIY projects.

You will learn a lot about being a mason.

 

[dfwnoob]

Thank you! And thanks for setting me straight on the nomenclature!

Strangely, the crack I showed in picture #2 is up against the grass. There's no expansion joint on that side like there is on the concrete patio side. I don't think those pavers were installed too well from the very beginning, as I have one that is starting to sound "hollow" when you step on it.

For the expansion joint, do I need to remove the entire thing or can I remove a 2-3 foot section and redo it?

 

[ajw22]

Strangely, the crack I showed in picture #2 is up against the grass. There's no expansion joint on that side like there is on the concrete patio side. I don't think those pavers were installed too well from the very beginning, as I have one that is starting to sound "hollow" when you step on it.

Could be either.

I would examine the way the ground is up against the pool and coping and make sure nothing is putting pressure on the pool structure.

For the expansion joint, do I need to remove the entire thing or can I remove a 2-3 foot section and redo it?

I would be surprised if you don't have deterioration and separation in other areas of the expansion joint.

I don't know the shape of your pool. You can do as little or as much. The new is not going to match the old. So you may want to do one section or side if not the entire joint.