When doing strips of accent tile on submerged plastered surfaces such as ledges, steps and benches, should the tile be grouted with the same grout used on the waterline or will the plaster be used as grout? I ask because I chose a dark grout for the waterline tile and the same tile will be used on the steps etc. My plaster is lighter than the grout used
Grouting tile on steps, ledges etc
- Thread starter GeauxTigerz
- Start date
You should use the plaster instead of grout for the steps/shelves/benches. It looks MUCH better!
TexasRain
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- May 19, 2020
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- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hi, I agree with Kim! Especially with the lighter plaster! If you put a charcoal grout between the tiles next to a light plaster it could end up looking like there is mold. My pool builder was hesitant about putting the plaster between the tiles, but I had him talk to the plaster guys and they had ZERO issues with it.
TexasRain
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- May 19, 2020
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If you are worried about the tile popping out too much with the light plaster you could always go with a lighter version of the same tile for the accent tiles. What tile do you plan on?
TexasRain
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- May 19, 2020
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Well..... just so happens that I have that SAME accent tile! I did not use it as waterline, but it is on my steps/shelf/bench. You can also go with a 2 strip band of accent tiles too.
I have blue surf pebble. It really depends on the sun angle how the tiles look. They either are super "blingy" or look black. I love both looks!
My build link is in my signature if you want to browse around
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Thank you for the pics! That gives me a good idea of what it will look like using the plaster as grout. I will be doing a 2 strip band. I love the look of the tile!! Especially when the sun hits it right!Well..... just so happens that I have that SAME accent tile! I did not use it as waterline, but it is on my steps/shelf/bench. You can also go with a 2 strip band of accent tiles too.
I have blue surf pebble. It really depends on the sun angle how the tiles look. They either are super "blingy" or look black. I love both looks!
My build link is in my signature if you want to browse around
So your builder was implying he normally uses grout in between the tile instead of plaster?
TexasRain
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- May 19, 2020
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They actually started grouting without asking me. I have a black waterline tile that I used black grout and they started using that black grout for the accent tiles. I called my PB immediately. super quick after that call the tile subs were scraping the black grout out from the tiles! I KNOW I talked about having the plaster as the grout in the design phase, because it is on my list, guess the super never got that memo.
So do you think it will be ok if I use the plaster instead of matching the grout even though I have large tiled spa ledge and waterline tile with the charcoal/black?
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TexasRain
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- May 19, 2020
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- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I think it will look great with the plaster! The accent tiles will all be under water and surrounded by the plaster. I'm sure any way you choose will look great, but I vote plaster
And the pool is look great!
NO one will even notice that you have a different color "grout". They WILL notice if you use the darker grout for the marker tile as it will stand out and not blend in with the plaster.
They came and did the plaster today. They used plaster to grout the tiles! I think it’s going to look great. Thanks for the suggestion!
I don’t think they have acid washed, pressure washed and cleaned everything up yet. Is it normal for them to come back on a second day to do that instead of doing it all in one day?
I don’t think they have acid washed, pressure washed and cleaned everything up yet. Is it normal for them to come back on a second day to do that instead of doing it all in one day?
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It DOES look great!!!
It is VERY normal for them to come back to do the acid wash. No worries!
Now run out there and tape a sock on the end of your water hose! You do not want to take any chances of the metal end messing up your plaster. It will also act as a filter for the water.
When the water starts flowing into the pool do NOT stop it until it gets to the middle of the waterline tile.
Kim
It is VERY normal for them to come back to do the acid wash. No worries!
Now run out there and tape a sock on the end of your water hose! You do not want to take any chances of the metal end messing up your plaster. It will also act as a filter for the water.
When the water starts flowing into the pool do NOT stop it until it gets to the middle of the waterline tile.
Kim
Thank you! Right now it looks like unfinished concrete to me 
Haha. I’m hoping after they come back and expose it and fill it with water it will look better!
Haha. I’m hoping after they come back and expose it and fill it with water it will look better!Definitely glad I took your suggestions of using the plaster as grout because I can see how it would have looked funny with the dark grout in there!
@TexasRain did you find that some of your equinox tile appeared to have some of the finish taken off of it during the plastering process?
Mine seem a little lighter in color or faded compared to the tiles I have on my water line and spa ledge which weren’t plastered over. There a few that don’t have any color left to them at all. I’m sure it was from troweling and wiping over them with the abrasive plaster.
@TexasRain did you find that some of your equinox tile appeared to have some of the finish taken off of it during the plastering process?
Mine seem a little lighter in color or faded compared to the tiles I have on my water line and spa ledge which weren’t plastered over. There a few that don’t have any color left to them at all. I’m sure it was from troweling and wiping over them with the abrasive plaster.
TexasRain
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- May 19, 2020
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- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Now that you mention it, yes it does look like some have the "iridescence" rubbed off of some. Maybe from the troweling/acid washing/polishing? I don't think it looks bad though.
TexasRain
Well-known member
- May 19, 2020
- 358
- Pool Size
- 13868
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
It still looks great! I just noticed it as I’ve been brushing the pool approximately 100 times per day it feels like haha
