By lining your swimming pool with tiles, you are not just enhancing its appearance but also catering to the practical aspect. Tiles are easy to clean, require less maintenance and, provide superior durability. While undertaking your swimming pool tile installation, consider using ceramic tiles as they are hardy and stick well to the pool surface. Their size ranges from 23mm to 58mm.
You can choose to tile the entire floor and walls of your swimming pool. Alternately, you may even install ceramic tiles as a single row border that runs across the waterline of your pool. For your swimming pool tile installation, adhere to the following steps:
Choose Appropriate Tiles
Typically made from clay, ceramic tiles are glazed to provide a waterproof shield. The absence of cracks in the glaze determines the suitability of such tiles. Even a slight crack in the glaze leads to moisture penetrating the tile body. Choose from either vitreous or impervious tiles. The former absorbs 3% of the moisture these tiles come in contact with while impervious tiles soak up 0.5% of such moisture.
Make Your Pool Tile Ready
Before you begin the actual swimming pool tile installation, thoroughly wash the floor and walls of your pool. Use a pressure washer to knock off pool chemicals and hardened dirt stuck to the pool walls. A clean surface ensures the tiles bond securely. Seal any cracks or holes that may have developed in your pool. To give the tiles an added layer of protection, paint a waterproofing membrane on your pool. Once the membrane cures, install the tiles over it.
Use Conducive Material
The mortar used to lay the pool tiles must be cut out for use on wet surfaces and resistant to constant moisture. Fill the gaps created between the ceramic tiles with grout devoid of epoxy and Portland cement. Both these components tend to weaken and discolor when exposed to the pool chemicals present. To allow for movement, the grout joints between laid tiles should be a minimum of 1/8th inch thick.
Set Them Right
Preferably decide the pattern and placement of your pool tiles in advance. For a better understanding, layout your tiles such that you get the desired result. The mortar should be spread evenly in one direction across the surface where you intend placing your tiles. To begin with, place the tiles at a slight angle into the mortar and subsequently twist them into their final positions.
Tile spacers help maintain consistency in grout joints. Using a beating block and a rubber mallet, entrench the tiles into the mortar evenly. The mortar cures in about 24 hours so wait for it to cure completely before grouting the tiles. With this, your swimming pool tile installation stands complete.
The limitless tile design options available enable you to most certainly uplift the look of your swimming pool. It is recommended you tile your pool entirely as the smoothness of the tiles is gentle on your feet. This makeover will tempt you to take more frequent dips in your backyard pool.
