Things You'll Need:
- Utility knife or curved bladed carpet knife
- Broom
- Wire brush
- Dust pan
- Foam backer rod
- Flat bladed screwdriver
- Caulking tubes or 96 oz. kits
- Caulking gun (optional)
- Tooth picks
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Step 1
Determine the amount of self-leveling caulking and foam backer rod needed by measuring the entire length of the expansion joint. Find the average width of the joint by taking a measurement in several places around the pool and averaging. See the Resources section for a chart to calculate the amount of caulking and the width of the backer rod you will need.
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Step 2
Remove all the old caulking by cutting it out with a utility knife or a curved bladed carpet knife. Run the blade along each edge of the joint, cutting through the old caulking a section at a time. Angle the blade to remove as much of the caulking where it bonds to the concrete edges as possible.
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Step 3
Pull out the old filler material, called underlayment, beneath the caulking. Clean the edges of the entire joint with a wire brush to remove the bits of caulking clinging to the sides of the joint to insure a good bond with the new caulking.
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Step 4
Sweep the joint and the surrounding surfaces all the way around to remove dust and debris for a clean, dry joint. Pick up all loose material with a dust pan to prevent it from contaminating the new caulking as you pour it.
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Step 5
Push the round foam backer rod into the joint with a screwdriver as an underlayment all the way around. Make sure there are no gaps in the rod and that it is snug against both walls of the joint. The rod should be uniformly about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch below the surface of the joint.
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Step 6
Make sure the joint is dry before you pour new caulking. It won't bond well to wet surfaces. If necessary, let the joint sit for a day to dry out before pouring.
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Step 7
Use a two-part caulking kit, such as Deck-O-Seal, or caulking tubes, such as Vulkem. Keep the applicator moving to insure a smooth pour, and check behind you as you pour so you can use a tooth pick to burst any small bubbles that form and add caulking to any area that is sunken before it skins over. Allow the joint to dry for a minimum of 12 hours before using the pool.
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Step 8
Finish the joint by sprinkling fine crystal white sand over the surface of the caulking before it dries. This will give you a durable, uniform surface and will make the joint last longer. Sweep up the excess sand after the joint dries.
