Absolutely
If the decking shifts,rises and moves it will push on the coping of the pool. Also, this helps keep water from under the pool and if the ground has moisture until it and freezes then it cause the deck to rise.
I assume the "gap" you refer to is the expansion joint between the coping and the concrete deck. The expansion joint is there to prevent damage from occurring in case of movement. There should be no reason for concern, unless you are replacing the deck.
A rubber expansion joint is designed to absorb movements in piping systems due to thermal expansion or vibration, while a dismantling joint is used to provide the ability to dismantle a pipeline into separate parts for maintenance or repair purposes. The rubber expansion joint helps to prevent damage to the piping system, while the dismantling joint helps to facilitate easy access to the pipeline components.
I have a feeling that what happened to you is exactly what happened to me, but it's not the gunite that dropped. Your pool deck rose. I wondered the same thing. It's kind of an optical illusion. The ground froze under the decking and caused it to push up. Thank goodness for that expansion joint between the decking and the coping, or my coping would have all broken off into the pool. We had a few little edges crack off which will require some minor repair, but like yours, our decking did go back down after a few days of warmer weather. Scared the you-know-what out of me when I first saw it, though. My pool guy said that the gunite is so thick, it's not going anywhere. Good luck!
An "expansion joint" is a joint left in between sections of the same material, like concrete or steel, that allows movement as the material heats up or cools down. Without it, concrete, for example, can expand and crack in hot temperature.
Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association was created in 1955.
in between existing concrete and the new concrete you need to place an expansion joint in between the two.
The process for performing expansion joint replacement in a structure involves the following steps: Assess the condition of the existing expansion joint to determine if replacement is necessary. Remove the old expansion joint by cutting or removing the existing material. Prepare the area by cleaning and smoothing the surfaces where the new expansion joint will be installed. Install the new expansion joint material, ensuring it is properly aligned and secured. Seal the edges of the new expansion joint to prevent water infiltration and ensure durability. Test the new expansion joint to ensure it functions properly and provides the necessary flexibility for the structure. It is important to follow manufacturer guidelines and consult with a professional to ensure the replacement is done correctly and effectively.
Because the expansion joint in cross-section looks like a dog bone.
I own a caulking company, we caulk over 200 pools a season in the mid atlantic. The caulking we use is a two part poly urathane caulk. You can use a one part polyurathane caulk as well it's just not as good. This joint is an expansion joint that seperates the coping from the deck (concrete, pavers, etc). When you use sertain caulking material in conjunction with their speciefied primer they are considered submersible.
allows for a better seal
Pipe Expansion Joint