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careers4u

Cantilever Forms

careers4u
16 years ago

Our new stamped concrete deck is about to be poured this week. The contractor used the Stegmeir forms, but did not use the tile guard (the plastic strips between the form and the tile). He put tape across the seam and contends that this takes the place of the guard, and the deck will not touch the tile. I am worried that water will get behind the tile and cause an issue unless this guard is used or the joint gets caulked. Is a guarantee that the deck floats above the tile enough to prevent the tiles from falling off in the future? He says to call him next year if there is a problem but I am not sure that is enough for me if this strip should be used. He has been in business for 29 years and has no complaints and good recommendations. Am I crazy to doubt him?

Comments (5)

  • golfgeek
    16 years ago

    Careers4u,
    I use a plastic slip joint on top of the beam as well as the water stop joint that your contractor is omitting. I like the water stop because it covers the top edge of the tile and does help keep water from moving to the back of the beam. I also always caulk the joint between the deck and the tile when I remove the water stop after a re tile. I don't think you will like the small joint (crack) that will be visable. You can always caulk it in the future.
    It's hard to argue success if he hasn't had any problems. I just don't think this is a good construction practice.

  • poolcrazy_2006
    16 years ago

    Are those the styrofoam forms? If so, I would stay away. Our guy had so many problems with them. We didn't have our water line tile in before the coping, so he didn't use those plastic things. Anyway, those forms couldn't completely support the load of the concrete in some areas, especially on the raised spa. He had to keep cutting 2x4 the right hight to support them in areas they were sagging at. I've seen contractors use soaked 2x4's with cuts in the and they seemed to do a much better job.

  • huskyridor
    16 years ago

    quote" Our guy had so many problems with them. We didn't have our water line tile in before the coping, so he didn't use those plastic things. "quote

    The reason your guy had problems is because these forms are designed to be used on beams that already have tile installed.

    quote" Anyway, those forms couldn't completely support the load of the concrete in some areas, especially on the raised spa. He had to keep cutting 2x4 the right hight to support them in areas they were sagging at. "quote

    This is probably because he didn't use concrete nails into the beam with tie wire to them to help support the pressure of the concrete bearing against them.

    I've used these forms forever and have never had problems with them. I always use plastic, a starter shingle, or wax paper over the beam to keep the concrete separate from the beam and use the water stop.

    quote" I just don't think this is a good construction practice. "quote

    I agree with this completely.

    I'm not saying your man is wrong, I just wouldn't do it his way.
    I'm curious, do you have short deck dowels sticking up from the beam into the new deck and steel tied there going around the pool above the beam or is he just pouring the new concrete above it with no beam fastening and reinforcement running the perimeter of the pool?

    See ya,
    Kelly

  • careers4u
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    The forms are placed as instructed in the directions with the nails around the gunite and the steel ties going through the forms and around the nails. The only thing he did not do was place the plastic tile guards in the space between the form and the tile. Instead, he has run a strip of thick, opaque tape over this gap to ensure the deck doesn't touch the beam. He says the tile strip is for asthetic purposes only, which I know is not true, but that he'll caulk the joint for us, though. I just want to make sure he uses the polyuerethane caulk and not silicone. (This guy is a bit sick of my questions at this point and won't be happy to hear from me again.)

    I feel like I should trust my contractors, but it is a little scary when you see something not done that you have heard should be. I've talked with two of his customers with decks more than seven years old who are very happy and no tile issues, so I guess I need to just relax. Thanks for your help, as always. I'm hoping we'll be done next week!

  • ptbrunet
    11 years ago

    >polyuerethane caulk and not silicone
    Why not silicone? What are the pros and cons of each? What are some recommended products and sources? My PB is suggesting silicone between the cantilever coping and tile and based on my experience with silicone in shower stalls I am concerned about 1) life, 2) repair, 3) mildew.

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