How to take waterline tile off with any damage to the plaster

[Sgt1411]

My pool was built in 2007 and the AZ sun has beaten down the water line tile and the mini 1"X 1" tiles that separate the Spa from the Pool.

I was looking for feedback from people who have done this water tile replacement project themselves or is it better to hire a professional as it can go sideways if not done correctly?
I have seen how they use a power chisel to take off the old tile.
Obviously the new tile must be proper pool tile not household HD or Lowes tile.
I'm just wondering about how hard it is to get a clean separation between tile and the Pebble Tec.

 

[ajw22]

I'm just wondering how hard it is to get a clean separation between tile and the Pebble Tec.

The tile is not on PebbleTec. It is on the gunite shell.

You pop the tiles off of the thinset and then clean the thinset off using an oscillating tool with a grout blade down to the gunite. That gives you a base for new thinset and tiles.

 

[Sgt1411]

Yes I knew that I guess I articulated poorly in my explanation.

I meant the connection between the bottom edge of the tile and the start of the Pebble Tec.

Or is it just resting in the lip of the Pebble Tec top edge?

 

[ajw22]

Yes I knew that I guess I articulated poorly in my explanation.

I meant the connection between the bottom edge of the tile and the start of the Pebble Tec.

Or is it just resting in the lip of the Pebble Tec top edge?

Either on lip of the PebbleTech or you put a grout line between the tile and the PebbleTech.

 

[MAPR-Austin]

The first step is the hardest: making a perfectly straight cut where the bottom of the new tile will go. Second hardest thing is keeping all the setting materials and grout from getting on the surface - you almost need a guy whose only job is keeping the surface spotless while work is going on.

Get a piece of the tile you want to replace it with and see where it will fall in relation to the tile you have now. Make the cut accordingly.

Set the tile with a mortar that is specifically rated for immersion - Laticrete 254 platinum or similar.

Grout with something that is similar in color to your pool surface, this will help hide the joint between the bottom of the tile and the pool surface.

Looking at the picture, I would just try cleaning the existing tile and patching where they have come off. Save the cost and headache of the tile for when you are ready to resurface.

 

[JamesW]

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