Any issues with leaving old backing rod in place and putting new one on top?

[03mustangdude]

The caulk around my pool was all cracked and plants were growing out of it and an ant farm sprouted. I read how to do it and the previous 4 owners didn't feel like doing it apparantly.

Anyways the company that did the pool didn't finish the cement or let it dry or something and old backerrod on a lot of parts has cement still on pieces of it. Otherparts its way too deep ( 4" or so below surface line). reading online it should be only 1/2" below. So Will I run into any issues leaving it in place and putting new one on top of it?

[ceyko]

Without pictures it's hard to know - but personally I always remove and replace just so I know what's going on behind the scenes of stuff.

edit: Never had to do this with concrete type work though - so take that for what it's worth.

[dcs13]

pull it out. That stuff is CHEAP. Fill the crack with sand. Make sure you get the sand to settle down in the crack really well. In other words, don't leave air gaps where the sand will drop out and cause a void. Smooth the sand at the top and level and install your back so you leave about a 1/2 inch gap at top. Then mix and apply your Deck O Seal. It's a suck ass job, but the people that will do it charge a bunch. Make sure you get all the old sealer off. I found that a carpet knife gets the bulk and then I used a grinder with a wire cup on it to clean off the rest of the loose stuff.

[03mustangdude]

pull it out. That stuff is CHEAP. Fill the crack with sand. Make sure you get the sand to settle down in the crack really well. In other words, don't leave air gaps where the sand will drop out and cause a void. Smooth the sand at the top and level and install your back so you leave about a 1/2 inch gap at top. Then mix and apply your Deck O Seal. It's a suck ass job, but the people that will do it charge a bunch. Make sure you get all the old sealer off. I found that a carpet knife gets the bulk and then I used a grinder with a wire cup on it to clean off the rest of the loose stuff.

Never heard of the sand trick. Thanks!

Tried a coat hanger and a putty knife to try to get the old backing rod out no luck. Any other tools that might be able to help get it out?

[03mustangdude]

I was going to use quikrete self leveling caulk since it says pool decks on front. I wonder why there such a big difference in price though...