Grout Or flexible sealant between coping and tile?

[Jduchek24]

Hi All,

New to the TFP Forum and I’m a new in-ground pool owner in the Phoenix area. We have what I believe is poured in-place coping which cantilevers slightly over the wall. The grout between the coping and vertical decorative tile has fallen out in a few places. In addition, some of the expansion joints on the concrete pool deck are worn / missing. See attached photos for visuals.

Questions:
1) Based on a quick search it appears that grout is not the correct material for filling the gap between the vertical tile and the cantilevered concrete coping. Should I use a polyurethane sealant like Sika? Any recommendations?

2) The expansion joints are pretty beat up in a few places. Is there an article or info on how to properly replace these?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[ajw22]

Expansion Joints and Coping - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Usually a cantilevered expansion joint is left open. Mastic sealants like Dec-O-Seal or Sikaflex-1a are self leveling and can't be easily applied to vertical joints.

Replacing a cantilevered expansion joint requires replacing the coping above it.