Need input What would you do to fix tile?

TuxATX · Nov 18, 2021

Hello,

We are at the tile stage of our new pool build and most everything else has gone fine up until now. I am concerned with poor spacing between the sections of mosaic tile seen on our raised infinity spa. We went with lighter grout which was meant to make the tiles pop but also is enhancing the uneven spacing.

Am I being too critical or would you make PB fix? Options could include redoing to a darker grout closer to tile color to blend in more or the expensive route of removing the tile and redoing it spaced evenly.

Note in the pictures the front side (viewed from inside the pool) has been grouted fully and also has a very thick top edge which bothers me. The other sides the line is more pronounced as the grout isn’t done yet. The very top seam and the line right in the middle are the 2 that stand out the most. The line about 3 inches below the top is annoying but blends in better when grouted. Maybe when water spills over this will be even less noticeable but concerned it distracts too much from the focal point of the pool and don’t understand why they didn’t notice

TIA

convan23 · Nov 18, 2021

Definitely bring it up with your builder and see what they’ll do. Grout will get a little darker with time. I don’t think they can regrout without popping off the tile, but I could be wrong. Do these horizontal lines line up with the edge of the mosaic sheets?

If you’re unhappy, ask them to fix it. Since these are mosaic sheets, you really want them to replace entire sheets since the backing helps keep individual tiles from popping off…however one solution might be to replace just the tiles around the horizontal lines and and “cheat” them by hand some so the uneven spacing is spaced out over a couple of rows instead of just one row. Still going to be a lot of work and you’ll risk individual tiles not lining up since they’ll have to place them by hand.

TuxATX · Nov 18, 2021

Thanks for the quick reply. The thick line in the very middle of wall is between 2 rows of full sized sheets. The thinner line 3 inches from top is between a row of full size mosaic sheets and the top row of 3” (1/4 of a sheet laid horizontally). They said they did it so the very bottom would line up with the edge of the pool. My comment was I would have rather had the very bottom a cm higher than the sides given it will be underwater anyways and no one will notice but they will notice the thick lines separating rows of tile

One more pic I just took from our house. Can’t unsee it lol.

Also they could replace the grout without ruining the tile but it would be tedious. To move the bottom row up for even spacing and keep light grout I’m sure means trashing all the bottom tiles.

Texasresident · Nov 18, 2021

I think the top thick grout is fine - looks more like border at end but the middle one needs to be fixed . I agree it draws attention there instead of beautiful tile

poolnoobgrandma · Nov 18, 2021

Texasresident said:
I think the top thick grout is fine - looks more like border at end but the middle one needs to be fixed . I agree it draws attention there instead of beautiful tile

Rather than wait for the grout to darken, you could try staining it. If it were a similar color to the tiles, maybe it wouldn't show...
You'll see it forever if nothing is done.

convan23 · Nov 18, 2021

A sealer will darken it too. Can you get a close up picture showing the grout line that's standing out vs the row above it? How much wider/thicker is that grout line actually?

Cena_sea · Nov 18, 2021

My grout seemed to lighten. It was darker at install.

I agree the top line border can be ok but the middle white line I’d want fixed.

Grout probably could be sealed or stained but I’d ask to see samples of the tile and stained grout if possible.

Grout color help

Trying to find a grout that works with my tile and it is difficult. I want to see the tile, not the grout. These are 3 grouts (same in all the photos. Laticrete Slate Blue in top left, Laticrete Sterling Silver in bottom left, and Custom Delorean Gray in bottom right. The sample was made this...

www.troublefreepool.com

convan23 · Nov 18, 2021

White grout tends to stain and get dirty which darkens it. Darker colors especially but even a lot of lighter grouts do lighten as it dries…you’re right. But this grout is already so white I can imagine after a year of use it’s going to look different. But it won’t look right, as everyone is saying.

TuxATX · Nov 18, 2021

convan23 said:
A sealer will darken it too. Can you get a close up picture showing the grout line that's standing out vs the row above it? How much wider/thicker is that grout line actually?

I’ll share a close up here shortly and measure it but it’s roughly twice as thick as the space naturally between the mosaic that’s fixed to the mesh backing.

Appreciate all the replies. They are going to test out some darker grout to see if that hides the overly thick middle line at which point I’ll have to either have them redo all the grout darker or figure something else out. Annoyed they didn’t just space it properly so I could have the light grey grout (makes the tiles pop more IMO) but at this point I’ll settle for a solution that masks the issue like a darker grey grout might.

convan23 · Nov 18, 2021

Man if it’s twice the thickness I’d make them redo it all…but I understand the desire to meet in the middle with them, I’d be considering the same. As long as you’re happy with the results!

TuxATX · Nov 18, 2021

1/4” gap on the thick one right in the middle vs 1/8” normal between tiles on the mesh so twice as thick. This is measured on the side they haven’t grouted yet but should be the same on all 4 sides given how they all line up. The line 3” from the top is 3/16” so not quite as bad as the middle

Bradenpool · Dec 15, 2021

I don’t think you’re being too picky. You chose a beautiful tile and it distracts from it.

Taylor1584 · Dec 17, 2021

It is not a quality installation. You should never see individual sheets, they did OK side to side but just needed to fiddle with it more. Looks like they stopped for lunch and then restarted, or someone else took over. This is a late reply and you probably have come up with a solution. Your tile was I'm sure expensive and the install should match.

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