Older pool, deteriorating grout.

[quinnstefanie]

So I purchased a house that has a pool. First time pool owner. it is an older pool. we heated it and today had our first swim. From the perspective of inside the pool, I can see that tiles around the top are badly deteriorated and missing grout. I realize that at some point I probably need to have the entire pool refaced. However, that cannot happen this year.

I am somewhat handy and have grouted tiles in bathrooms and kitchens before. I really don’t know if I am qualified to handle fixing these tiles around the pool and hoping someone can give advice.

Is it a job only for professionals? What are some of the differences in grouting pool tiles? Is it a special type of Epoxy grout? Do you have to grind out the old grout with an angle grinder and replace with new? Or can you just touch up? Any advice on how to keep dust and broken grout from falling into the pool or is that just part of the job, getting the debris out of the water?

As you can see from the pictures, the previous owners did some strange things and left grout on top of the tiles, and looks like at one point even tried to use silicone in place of the grout. i’m curious if anybody has any advice on how to get excess grout off the top of the tiles. I took some pictures of the worst areas. it seems like all the tiles below the waterline are in good condition. it is the ones above the waterline and where it meets the curbing that have bad problems. there are a few areas where tiles are completely missing. is there a special type of mortar used to put new tiles in?

Any help would be appreciated. This is all new to me. See the pictures. Any descriptions of the process of repairing tiles would be great and any special tools recommended.

 

[ajw22]

What you think is grout on the tiles I think is Efflorescence - Further Reading

Nothing special about tiling and grouting a pool. Just use the right materials. I use this thinset and grout for repairs…

Swimming Pool & Tile Repair Supplies - Underwater Pool Repair Company

At E-Z Patch, a swimming pool & tile repair supplies company in Phoenix Area, we have always strived to provide repair and construction materials that last longer, look better and are easier for you, our customers, to work with

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Putting new grout over crumbling grout will not make a lasting repair. I use an oscillating tool with a grout blade to remove old grout and thinset down to the gunite. Then apply thinset and grout to a clean surface.

Before you grout areas check if the tiles sound hollow when tapping on them. The tiles may be loose and you should pull them off and reattach them before you grout.

I float a plastic tarp over the area I am working on and duct tape the side to the wall. This catches a lot of debris and keeps it out of the pool water. It is not perfect and my pool cleaner gets the rest.

Getting grout to stay on the areas where silicone was applied is a problem. That is why silicone should never be used to patch pool tiles or grout.