Is this something I can do? Tile my whole pool that is.

[FloridaLWR]

My resurfacing was a disaster, is coming off and there is no way to fix that so I will need to pay to do it all over again.

No point in asking why, already discussed this with the company that did the job and it is a waste of time.

Now I’m thinking in removing the blue thing they put in (pebbletec or something like that) and just tile like I’ve done on many bathrooms and floors before, is this wrong? Will you recommend against doing that?

If this is something that can be done what grout should I use for this?

Thank you!

 

[kimkats]

I am not sure so am going to calling in some that may know. I do know a tile pool is oh so pretty!!! @ajw22 @bdavis466 @jimmythegreek

 

[ajw22]

Have you priced out what fully tiling a pool will cost?

What size pool?

Show us pics of what you have now.

Use epoxy grout.

 

[kimkats]

Here is a link to their other thread about their plaster. It is a VERY sad story that will make anyone mad Help Needed

 

[PoolGate]

You need a super stable pool foundation to do 100% tile. Otherwise you'll be looking at lots of settlement cracks in the tile. With FL soil not sure that is a good idea. It sounds like you are going to do it yourself? I am with Kim, I love a fully tiled pool.

 

[FloridaLWR]

Yeah, don’t get me wrong, we can do it again but we are SO tired of paying and not get what you pay for that we are evaluating doing it ourselves.

I have to admit that we have never done anything like that before, we have tiled several hundred sqft of regular bathroom and floor tile so is not new but not sure if the same type of technique is applied to a pool.

We know that the tile might be a little bit expensive and that plays a big role in why we decided to do it ourselves, the quotes we got are around $7k to 11k to resurface it, is not a big pool (12000 gallons) I will say the typical Florida pool but the tile we have been eyeing is like $2 per sqft and we think it should end up looking really nice.

Just testing before we decide to pull the plunge and buy everything before we empty the pool which is something we won’t do anytime soon as it has been raining for the past month or so.

Mostly asking if this is Ok other that a price constraint. Will I need a special mortar? Special kind of grout?

Thank you so much for all the help with this, it makes us feel not alone on this particular issue that has been giving us such a hard time.

I think I should add updates photos so you can see how this thing keeps getting worst by the week

Thanks!!!

 

[d_red1]

$2/sf seems cheap for tile that is able to be submerged. There is a good Waterline Tile Installation thread floating around that details the process and recommended products. All products (thinset, tile, grout) will need to be rated for submersion. The data sheets for your product will tell you if it can be submerged or not. Tiling pools can be done and has been done a lot. I think every resort I ever stayed at in Mexico had their pools (small, big, and huge) tiled with 1"x1" tile. Cost will depend on the tile used and if you spring for the epoxy grout or not, but I would be surprised if you could self-perform for under $10/sf (and that would be for a cheap tile, non-epoxy grout and would not include any plaster demo or surface prep)

 

[PoolGate]

Are you figuring on around 800 sq feet total (20x15x7 pool)?

 

[Flying Tivo]

This is my fully tiled pool, down here is Mx we have cheap labor so it wasn't that bad. I will fully recommend Latticrete products. If you use
Platinum 254 together with SpectraLock Pro they will give you extended warranty, something like 20 years. Plenty of videos on how to install. The guys i hired never had used the product and called out to Latticrete and a specialist arrived to show them how to do it. The guys were very happy to learn and they said it was a piece of cake applying it.

 

[Flying Tivo]

 

[FloridaLWR]

$2/sf seems cheap for tile that is able to be submerged. There is a good Waterline Tile Installation thread floating around that details the process and recommended products. All products (thinset, tile, grout) will need to be rated for submersion. The data sheets for your product will tell you if it can be submerged or not. Tiling pools can be done and has been done a lot. I think every resort I ever stayed at in Mexico had their pools (small, big, and huge) tiled with 1"x1" tile. Cost will depend on the tile used and if you spring for the epoxy grout or not, but I would be surprised if you could self-perform for under $10/sf (and that would be for a cheap tile, non-epoxy grout and would not include any plaster demo or surface prep)

Your response seems to be very knowledgable I can’t argue with that. I’ve been eying tile so far and for sure haven’t seen any details about the tile so it is probably wrong.

I’ve seen some tiles that are glass (not sure if they are submersible) and I agree it might be more than that but I honestly prefer to pay that money to myself than to pay it to someone else and then realize that they didn’t install what I paid or they did it incorrectly. Of course I can do the same mistakes but in that case I can kick myself and shrug and try to fix it.

 

[FloridaLWR]

Are you figuring on around 800 sq feet total (20x15x7 pool)?

I think the size is 18x8x6 (the deepest is 6’) so that sounds a little bit larger than mine but still I was thinking in a 1000sqft for quoting purposes (tile, cement, grout, etc.)

 

[FloridaLWR]

You need a super stable pool foundation to do 100% tile. Otherwise you'll be looking at lots of settlement cracks in the tile. With FL soil not sure that is a good idea. It sounds like you are going to do it yourself? I am with Kim, I love a fully tiled pool.

Not doubting your comment but wouldn’t the same finish I have show cracks as well if the surrounding area isn’t super stable?

 

[PoolGate]

Not doubting your comment but wouldn’t the same finish I have show cracks as well if the surrounding area isn’t super stable?

I could be wrong on that but plaster itself has some give while the solid tiles do not. My tile line on my pool has a couple cracked tiles but no cracks in the plaster.

 

[FloridaLWR]

View attachment 116043

That is lovely, I was wondering what type of tile you used. I appreciate you sharing the products you used! that is super helpful.

That pools looks phenomenal! Congrats!

 

[jimmythegreek]

Laticrete 254 is great stuff but 50 to 70 a bag depends on your buying power. It's all we use around pools and coping too. This is a huge job. You would need to chip all the bad out and then smooth coat it. Then waterproof it. Then tile it. Lots and lots of labor. I wouldnt do it personally but I'm not in your shoes. If the shell is moving and cracks the membrane waterproofing you are back at square one

 

[Flying Tivo]

That is lovely, I was wondering what type of tile you used. I appreciate you sharing the products you used! that is super helpful.

Kolorines Cancun 30

 

[duraleigh]

+1 what jimmythegreek said. That job will require some deep pockets.

I have tiled quite a few different projects and I would not attempt this.

"Easy to do" is easy to say.

 

[Winger 03]

There was a guy here several years ago - from Europe I believe - who tiled his own pool. And then he had to rip it all out and start over because the adhesive he used failed. He was extremely detail oriented and the pool was amazing.

Someone smarter than I can probably link his thread into here.

 

[FloridaLWR]

Ok, I think I hear what you guys are saying, so I should just give up and pay for someone to do it for me but am terrified of thinking I will pay that much money and be on square one even thinking they are supposed to be done right.

By the way, can I do such a bad job on tiles worst than this (attached pictures)? It is getting worst and worst.