Reinforced PVC for pool decks
The use of concrete, stamped concrete, wood, and flagstone have traditionally been the primary choices for surrounding pool and spa decks. However, like pool interiors, once these surfaces become worn and cracked, renovation is required.
Aquatic facilities can now look at reinforced PVC to renovate decks, as it provides a long-lasting waterproof solution that does not require recoating and comes with far less maintenance than traditional decking solutions. Reinforced PVC also offers safety benefits to aquatic facilities, as it is ideal for renovating decks experiencing cracking, flaking, delamination, and peeling.
In some cases, the decks around pools can be the most dangerous part of any pool. Older, cracked, or peeling decks can lead to injuries due to slippery surfaces. Some cracks can even cut bathers’ feet. Reinforced PVC encapsulates the deck, making the area slip-resistant and waterproof.
| Welding techniques in installation |
| A major benefit of the weld-in-place liner is its ability to be fabricated on-site. This allows the greatest degree of customization, and can help with current supply chain issues, as it removes a step from the manufacturing process.
To ensure proper fit, durability, and watertightness, installers use three different welding techniques in different parts of the installation process. The two basic techniques—spot welding and traditional overlap welding—are used by all contractors and achieve a watertight liner. Installers looking for a superior esthetic also use the “butt-welding” technique along the pool floor to make the welds virtually invisible. Spot welding This technique is used at the beginning of installation to help position and secure the reinforced PVC, ensuring it does not move through the rest of the process. Small, quick “pre-welds” are made between the overlapping reinforced PVC layers at intervals of around 117 to 203 mm Overlap welding The reinforced PVC layers overlap by approximately 50 mm (2 in.), and this overlap will ultimately turn into a 50 mm (2 in.) wide seam. Once the reinforced PVC is held in place with the spot welds, installers begin to apply the welding gun down the full length of the seam. They insert the welding nozzle under the overlap and heat both surfaces sufficiently to fuse the layers and form a lap. While the lap is still hot, they use a silicone roller to apply enough pressure to ensure the two reinforced PVC layers are pressed and fused together. For larger pools, robot welders are used to automate and speed up the process. Once the automatic welder is set up, Butt welding This technique is compatible only with 70 and 80 mil reinforced PVC pool interiors, and is generally used in more visible areas of the pool or deck where a seam would be easily detected, such as the horizontal pool floor. To do this, installers butt the reinforced PVC edges against one another, rather than overlapping them. When this technique is used, viewers cannot see the joints where the reinforced PVC meets on the floor. This particularly makes a difference at night when the water is illuminated by in-pool lighting. In the daytime, when the water is moving, the traditional overlap welding is not apparent. This technique is not required by any means, though it achieves absolute flatness with virtually invisible joints by day and night. Since it takes more time and will add to installation costs, it is only recommended for floor areas. Some installers stick with the overlap weld here as well. |
