1 x 4" Glass Waterline Tile Popping Off Left, Right and Center

[TygerDad]

Our pool is 3-1/2 years old. The waterline tile started popping off a couple of years ago with just 1 or 2 popping off, then a few more, and now with the freezing weather a bunch popped off. Pics are attached. These tiles were one of the options provided by the pool builder. I just saw the older thread in this forum about this type of tile not being recommended because they had to be installed correctly. Looks like that is possibly the issue on ours?

I would appreciate any recommendations about what can be done to repair this, and keep it from continuing to happen, if that is possible. Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

Your tiles were installed poorly with inadequate thinset. You can tell by how little thinset is on the wall or back of the tile.

That coupled with cracked grout allows water to get behind tiles and erode the thinset. Freezing water will pop tiles off the wall.

There is no quick fix. Maintain the grout and fix all cracks. Go over all the grout lines at least once a year and repair cracks. Smaller format tiles have more grout lines and require more maintenance.

The only way to stop tiles from coming loose is to strip them off the walls and reapply then using correct processes.

Waterline Tile Installation - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[TygerDad]

Your tiles were installed poorly with inadequate thinset. You can tell by how little thinset is on the wall or back of the tile.

That coupled with cracked grout allows water to get behind tiles and erode the thinset. Freezing water will pop tiles off the wall.

There is no quick fix. Maintain the grout and fix all cracks. Go over all the grout lines at least once a year and repair cracks. Smaller format tiles have more grout lines and require more maintenance.

The only way to stop tiles from coming loose is to strip them off the walls and reapply then using correct processes.

Waterline Tile Installation - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you for your quick response, advice, and the link to the article. Another learning experience!