Need to caulk?

[zelmo]

My shotcrete pool was installed in 1992. We were told to use a contractor for the decking that was familiar with that type of pool so that they would know to use the foam spacer between the deck and the coping. Nothing was ever said about the need to caulk. After some years the foam disintegrated and that is the way it has been ever since. I now know that the reason to caulk is to keep water from getting in and creating problems.

This year the pool was replastered. Before the work was done the coping and tile was inspected and none of it was loose. So here is the question - if I have gone this long without the gap being caulked and haven't had problems, should I get it done or not worry about it?

[duraleigh]

Caulk it. The aesthetic value alone is probably worth the hassle. Secondly, any water getting under your decking is your enemy. It's possible it may last another twenty, but I'll bet it'll crack as long as the waer can get in there and continue to erode your base under the deck. :)

[dhale1]

I agree. I was suprised at how much better the pool looked after it was caulked. It was a major difference over the foam that the builder put in.

[bhelme]

Forget about esthetics - caulk it for the peace of mind. I got great advice on my thread on how to DIY.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=402