Thanks for all of the good advice I've been reading in theses forums. I am wondering if anyone ever heard of, or used, plaster in between waterline tile. My contractor is suggesting the use of Diamond Brite instead of grout. Is this recommended, or would it cause problems because some of the waterline plaster would not be fully submerged. Thank you.
Plaster over Existing Tile
- Thread starter spool16
- Start date
Hello - I am in the middle of a pool renovation and have posted several questions. Thank you for all of the good advice so far.
My current question is whether it is ok to plaster (Diamond Brite) over the old gloss ceramic tiles in the pool stairs and vertical spa decoration? My contractor says he will sand them down and plaster over. Will plaster placed over the tile last? Thank you!
My current question is whether it is ok to plaster (Diamond Brite) over the old gloss ceramic tiles in the pool stairs and vertical spa decoration? My contractor says he will sand them down and plaster over. Will plaster placed over the tile last? Thank you!
Attachments
As a former pool builder, I would remove the tile, but that is my opinion based on experience. Of course, cost is a factor in this kind of decision
Thank you for the advice! Does leaving the tile make it more likely the plaster will delaminate over time? I'd rather pay to get it right now, then pay to fix it later. 
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,634
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Remove the tile for plastering.
Putting plaster over tile even with sanding is sketchy if the plaster will get good adhesion.
Your builder is trying to take the cheap approach and by the time you have problems he will be long gone.
Putting plaster over tile even with sanding is sketchy if the plaster will get good adhesion.
Your builder is trying to take the cheap approach and by the time you have problems he will be long gone.
Last edited:
My real concern is that the tile under the plaster could become lose and then you would be in a world of troubleThank you for the advice! Does leaving the tile make it more likely the plaster will delaminate over time? I'd rather pay to get it right now, then pay to fix it later.
Thank you both for the helpful replies! I am so glad I asked. What is the process for removing the tile? How do they get it out and then do they simply fill the void with a bit of extra plaster or something more?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,634
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
They hit the tiles with a power chisel. Some will crack and some will pop right off. I would clean out the thinset down to the gunite with an oscillating tool with a grout blade.
Are you going to have a pool with no waterline tile line? That is really not good for longevity of the plaster at the waterline.
16,
Not having a tile waterline is a mistake.
I assume you are talking about all the tile, not just the tile on the steps.
Why are you not replacing the tile?
Thanks,
Jim R,
Not having a tile waterline is a mistake.
I assume you are talking about all the tile, not just the tile on the steps.
Why are you not replacing the tile?
Thanks,
Jim R,
We will have waterline tile. They did remove all of those old tile and plan to replace, which was why I initially wondered why they left the rest behind. But, since you raised it here, I hope you don't mind if I ask another question that I also posted in a separate thread. The contractor is proposing to use Diamond Brite plaster instead of grout at the waterline, and I'm not sure how durable that would be, given that the waterline is not fully submerged. Thank you for all of your time and comments.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,634
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
What color are you doing?
Smooth epoxy grout is the easiest to clean and longest lasting grout.
Diamond Brite is an exposed aggregate finish and the exposed aggregate can trap dirt and be hard to keep clean. So it depends what color you are doing and the look you want to maintain.
Your contractor seems to like to suggest the easiest things for him.
Smooth epoxy grout is the easiest to clean and longest lasting grout.
Diamond Brite is an exposed aggregate finish and the exposed aggregate can trap dirt and be hard to keep clean. So it depends what color you are doing and the look you want to maintain.
Your contractor seems to like to suggest the easiest things for him.
Plaster is not designed to be exposed to air for a long period of time without a failure of the material.
Thank you again for your time and comments. We are doing white with light blue accents. In other words, very light so dirt would be an issue. And, I did have the same worry about plaster exposed to the air. How worried should I be about this series of suggestions? Would a new contractor typically take over a job where tile has been removed and cement has been applied around the water line, but not much else done?
Most contractors taking over a job like this one would remove the prior work performed to insure the quality of future work is done at their standards.
May I ask another question about the guide tiles in the stairs. If this process is followed to remove them, what is used to fill the void? I understand that plaster should not be used in the void. Is that correct?
