How To Install Swimming Pool Tile

By Author: Wilber Whitfield
Total Articles: 72
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To bring new life to a boring pool add sparkling mosaic glass tile. This style of tiling is growing in popularity due their functional and versatile qualities. This design will not fade or warp and requires less maintenance than other styles such as porcelain or ceramic. They reflect light making them appear to be iridescent giving a much more inviting appearance. To install swimming pool tile there are a few things one should be aware of.

The first thing to do is to drain all of the water out of the pool. Grind down any high spots in the lining and around the pipes and lights. Using a pressure nozzle on your hose, wash all the chipped debris and allow it to dry until just damp, the is called a saturated dry surface.

Fill around light fixtures and pipe penetrations with hydraulic cement that is tightly packed. Level areas and fill in cracks. Follow manufacturers instructions making sure to allow the cement to dry for seven days to make sure that it is fully cured. When dry, install an elastomeric membrane and allow it to cure for six more days. After this is done, moisten the surface and allow to saturate dry. ...
... Clean the back of the sheets to remove any dust from the manufacturing process.

Mix tile adhesive using a three to one ratio with water until smooth and allow to sit for five minutes. After the time is up, stir and use right away. Do not mix more than will be used in a 15 minute period. In a small area spread the adhesive at the highest area of the pool. Use a notched trowel and lay a sheet of tile on it. Using a rubber grout float, hammer gently in place to make sure that the sheet is level and that there are no high spots. Wipe the excess grout immediately with a clean cloth and continue until finished. For areas around lights and pipes or if a smaller piece is required, the sheet can be cut with a utility knife.

Let the adhesive set according to instructions and cover the pool. Wind conditions, humidity, and temperature will affect the amount of time it will take to dry before grout can be installed. After it is dry, wet with a damp sponge. Use a rubber grout float at a 45-degree angle to apply grout with an epoxy grout. Gently remove any grout left on the surface using the grout float held at a diagonal angle.

After 45 minutes, scrub the surface with water using the scrubber that comes with the grout. Rub with a cloth to remove remaining grout. Cure for 24 hours and then rinse off with water.

Fill in and caulk all expansion joints. Clean caulk off of the surfaces and let set for 20 days. Fill with water at a rate of an inch an hour.

A swimming pool tile project should be done when the temperature is above 50 degrees, usually between May and October. This is not a job for do-it-yourself person, a thorough understanding of concrete and cement mixtures is needed.

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