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When should I replace or repair pool caulk?

Plan on repairing pool caulk about every five years, and sooner if it is pulling apart or cracking.

Pool caulk is the flexible joint between your pool coping and your deck. It absorbs the movement as concrete expands and contracts through freeze cycles and extreme heat, which is why it wears out on a schedule rather than lasting the life of the pool.

When to repair or replace

As a rule of thumb, plan on repairing your pool caulk about every five years. Some sections can wait closer to ten years, but keep an eye on them.

Repair or replace sooner than that if the caulk is pulling apart, cracking, or has fractured anywhere along the joint.

Why it is worth staying ahead of

Neglected fractured caulking can cause your deck to pull away and crack, and that is expensive to fix. The joint is a great deal cheaper to maintain than the deck it protects.

Repairing a section yourself

If only a small part or section needs fixing, it is not difficult to do yourself. Cut out the damaged section with a sharp razor knife and fill it with new self-leveling caulk.

  • Use self-leveling caulk. It is much easier for a first-time do-it-yourselfer than gun grade caulking, which is what professionals use and has to be mixed on site.
  • Measure how much caulk the run needs, then buy extra.
  • Clean the joint and the deck first. Remove any dirt or debris before adding new caulk.
  • If the joint is deeper than half an inch to an inch, fill most of the void with a backer rod before you caulk.
  • Keep children and pets away. The joint must not get wet or be walked on for 24 hours.
  • Expect the new caulk to look fresher than the weathered caulk around it. The original will have dulled with age.

For the full walkthrough, including diagrams of what fractured caulking looks like, read our blog post on repairing or replacing pool caulk.

Still need help?

Didn't find the answer you were looking for? You can always contact us at support@royalswimmingpools.com or choose the category below to see our most frequently asked questions for that topic: