Getting a pool slide re-tiled

[InvaderZim]

I have a pool slide where the tiles have been damaged by the two big Texas freezes over the last two years -- guessing water got underneath the tile and lifted it, causing a hunk to fall off and cracks to appear. I contacted one pool remodeling company to come out and bid and they want $9,000 (!) just to re-tile the slide, and another $13,000 to replaster (that can wait a few years). I called two other similar companies that advertise in flyers and both said they'd have someone call back, but that never happened.

I also have a good tile guy, involved with a bathroom remodel, and he doesn't want to touch it because he has no experience with pool slides and he's incredibly busy work so he doesn't need the work (this might be the root of the problem). I'm thinking' he's also worried about maybe contaminating the pool, but I'm pretty sure we could lower the level maybe 6-9" and create some kind of floating dam at the bottom to catch any debris.

Has anyone managed to get a slide like this re-tiled? How did you find someone to do it -- was it a pool remodeling or service company,or just a tile pro?

Also, can someone recommend a tile? I found lots of stuff at "floor and decor" that looks similar to the photos but is there something better?

Some photos:

 

[ajw22]

You don't have the missing pieces that came loose?

Do you need the existing tile repaired or the existing tile stripped off and replaced with new tile?

I think you need to wait for the recession to arrive when tile guys will be wanting work to pay the bills.

 

[InvaderZim]

You don't have the missing pieces that came loose?

Do you need the existing tile repaired or the existing tile stripped off and replaced with new tile?

I think you need to wait for the recession to arrive when tile guys will be wanting work to pay the bills.

That's what I'm kind of afraid of -- everyone is so busy right now. The missing piece is gone, but we have patched other areas before and have some tile sheets in the attic, although they're a different color (don't care at this point). But this time, there are cracks (visible in the 3rd photo) that I'm afraid might cut someone if they drag their hands in the wrong spot, so I'm thinking retiling the entire slide is the way to go. In the meantime, we have to discourage guests from using it, or duct-tape the cracks which looks awful.

 

[ajw22]

Your other option is DIY tile repair or rebuild.

There is nothing difficult about tile work. It is just labor intensive. And a slide does not have to look perfect like tiling in other parts of the house.

Your slide is unique custom built and the pool builder at the time probably had some tile guys who could do that type of work. There are less of those craftsmen around now. I doubt any of those are being built now. If someone wants a slide now they get a prebuilt one bolted down.

 

[Bperry]

That's what I'm kind of afraid of -- everyone is so busy right now. The missing piece is gone, but we have patched other areas before and have some tile sheets in the attic, although they're a different color (don't care at this point). But this time, there are cracks (visible in the 3rd photo) that I'm afraid might cut someone if they drag their hands in the wrong spot, so I'm thinking retiling the entire slide is the way to go. In the meantime, we have to discourage guests from using it, or duct-tape the cracks which looks awful.

That’s a really interesting tile. I worked at a water park in my younger days and remember having to remove body filler from all the slide joints and reapply and sand it smooth or else people could really “feel” it sliding across joints. I’d imagine a broken tile would be even worse in that case. The round river-rock tile they used seems like a better option than square tile like you normally see around pools, since there’s less sharp edges.

 

[InvaderZim]

Thanks, all. When we contracted for the pool, we wanted a slide instead of a diving board (the deep end is 8 or 9 feet deep). And this is what they built -- didn't know there were other kinds and it's integrated into the hardscape. I guess I'll keep looking for local tile guys who want to work. The patches the last guy did are fine but the grout is a bit rough -- I think I probably bought the wrong kind. It doesn't look like it's a terribly difficult job. We have a guy tiling our bathroom/laundry room right now and he's doing a fantastic job -- but he's not interested in doing this because he's never done something like this before.