Need Help with Ideas for Tiling the waterline a fiberglass pool with an auto cover tr

danrey11 · Jun 6, 2018

Hi Everyone!!

I have a new fiberglass pool installation and i was hoping some of you guys would share pictures with me.

The fiberglass pool had the autocover tracks mounted to the top of the pool wall, and then a 30" wide concrete apron was poured around the pool flush with the top of the track.

The coping stones were then glued to the top of the exposed track, and the concrete apron.

The pool wall is not perfectly straight so there are gaps in-between the track and the pool, the contractor is going to caulk the gap but i am considering tiling the wall to cover the lower part of the track to give the pool a more finished look.

So basically looking for some feedback, and ideas thru some pictures you might be willing to share.

I want to thank everyone that contributes on this forum

Picture attached below

YippeeSkippy · Jun 6, 2018

Personally I'd go without any tile. IMO it looks better, and for sure is easier to keep up.

Just my two cents.

Maddie :flower:

danrey11 · Jun 8, 2018

Hi Maddie,

I noticed you have a fiberglass pool with an autocover as well.

Do do you have gaps between your autocover track and the top of the pool?

In my case it looks like the pool itself (top of wall ) was not built straight so in some parts the autocover track sits nice and tight, and in other areas can have a 1/2” gap. I don’t think caulking it is going to look good, and that’s why I was considering tiling to conceal the gap.

Thank you,

Daniel

sktn77a · Jun 9, 2018

If you use a non-contrasting caulk (ie not white, but blue or grey/beige) that matches one of the adjoining surfaces, you probably won't notice it. But just looking at the picture you posted, it looks fine to me as is. I probably wouldn't tile it (just a new set of problems!)

YippeeSkippy · Jun 9, 2018

My cover has on deck tracks, not built in. (see pic). I agree with SKTN77a that a colored caulk filler might be best if it really bothers you?

Maddie

danrey11 · Jun 10, 2018

Thank you...

It only bothers me because because the size of the gap fluctuates so much...the photo I attached does not show the problem areas. Some areas are wide enough where you could trap your fingers in the space, and I also feel like it will harbor some nasty stuff. I don’t like the idea of having to use a toothbrush or something to clean it out.

What do do you think the new set of problems would be if I did the waterline tile?

YippeeSkippy · Jun 10, 2018

Would the tiles lay flat against the two surfaces (the bottom white part of the track, and then the top of the pool itself)?

You'd still have the PB caulk the gap, right? Cause otherwise water is going to get behind those tiles and cause problems, or efflorescence could appear in the grout.

I think your pool edge looks fine, but I can't see the gap. I like the simplicity of one color edges.

Maddie :flower:

sktn77a · Jun 10, 2018

danrey11 said:
What do do you think the new set of problems would be if I did the waterline tile?

A perfect tile job shouldn't have any problems......... but show me one! Poor cuts, alignment, adhesion, grouting, calcium deposits, discoloration, freeze cracking, the list goes on and on. You may have none of these, or you may have some bad luck.

If you're concerned about the gap, then a quality colored caulk is what I would use.