Pool tile should last an average of 5 to 10 years if the water chemistry is well maintained and the pool is cared for. However, it's important to consider factors such as the type of tile and overall pool maintenance when estimating or trying to determine the expected useful life of your pool tile.
Lining a pool with tiles has long been regarded as the premium finish for swimming pools. Tiles are regarded highly due to their appearance and superior durability. On a practical level, they are easier to clean than cement based rendered surfaces such as pebblecrete used in concrete pools and require less maintenance.
To withstand the extra stress, pool tiles are coated with a specially formulated glaze that makes them acid and fade-resistant.
Tile Finishes
Though tile is the most expensive pool finish and takes longer to install than plaster and aggregate, it's the longest lasting pool surface. With proper application and minimal maintenance, tiles should never need to be replaced. Tile pool finishes come in ceramic, porcelain, glass and stone.
A tile pool might cost between $75,000 and $150,000 or more on average, depending on the pool size and the type of tile that you choose. In comparison, a regular plaster pool may cost $50,000 to $100,000 or more.
Many pool owners find that they need (or just want) to retile their in-ground swimming pools. While this can be a big job, most people can perform all the tasks needed if they follow some basic instructions. The following will give you an idea if you want to tackle this job or have retiling professionals do it for you.
Step 3 – Tile and Masonry
This process can take anywhere from 1 to 3 working days.
The better you take care of your pool, the longer your swimming pool finish will last! In general, pool resurfacing tends to last anywhere from 15-20 years.
It varies depending on the type of pool, with plaster or cement pools needing to be resurfaced every 3-7 years while fiberglass pools can sometimes go as long as 15-30 years.
Pebble Tec®
While it is more expensive than plaster, it is the highest quality pool resurfacing material available due to its longevity and ability to hide chemical residue.
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If you're only replacing a couple tiles along a top edge, you'll only need to drain enough water to expose the area and keep it from being splashed. If you're redoing your entire pool, drain all of the water and let it sit for a day or 2, until it's fully dry.
Typically the water level should be kept at a height where half the tile is underwater. The tile is easier to clean than the rest of the pool's surface so the tile surface helps prevent permanent water lines around your pool.
In most cases, well-kept pool tiles can last around 20 years before a full re-tiling is necessary. Here are a few good places to start before you commit to the investment of a total pool tile replacement.
A tile that will either add a pop of color to the pool or a neutral color that blends into the surrounding environment. To enhance the pool's water color, a blue or teal colored tile is best. For a more natural look or to compliment the pool deck, a tile with colors found in natural stone works nicely.
All concrete pools require some sort of tile or stone edge vertical border around the top perimeter. There are hundreds of tile options to choose from, including: porcelain, slate, ceramic, granite, and glass. However, not all are advisable to use in certain regions where frost climates exist during winter months.
Do I really need waterline tiles at all? If you are not fully tiling you don't absolutely need to have waterline tiles. However, you would be hard pressed to find a pool builder who hasn't got tiles on their waterline. If you don't have waterline tiles, the surface above the water often looks chalky, faded and unclean.
If you don't resurface the pool, which is necessary because it is always exposed to weather, cracks and an unevenness in the pool surface will occur and this could lead to algae stains, water leaking and injuries from the uneven surface.
Gunite. Gunite pools are among the longest-lasting pools on the market. When gunite pools are properly installed they could potentially last 100+ years. They are extremely durable and totally customizable.
On Average, Replastering is Every 10 Years
So how often do you need to replaster a pool? The short answer is about every 10 years. However, it's important to consider the factors mentioned above, as they are typical signs that your pool needs to be replastered.
On average, gunite swimming pools last 7 to 10 years before they need to be resurfaced. When that time comes, it's important to know what options are available so that you can pick the best choice for your backyard space.
One common cause of plaster deterioration is improper pool-water chemistry. In some cases, chemical balances may be off when a new pool is filled with water for the first time. In others, chemistry is disrupted when a large amount of water gets added to an existing pool—usually to address loss due to evaporation.
Cleaning the existing tile and scoring marks in it would probably take as long as knocking off the old tile and browncoating (the right way) before installing the new tile and it will last a whole lot longer. If you're going to retile, use the best materials and methods possible.
Use a hammer and chisel to remove any damaged tiles. Place the tip of the chisel in the joint of the cracked tile, then tap it with the head of the hammer to break the tile away from the mortar. Keep tapping until the whole pool tile design comes away, then repeat on any other damaged cement tiles.