How long should pool tile last? Pool tile should last an average of 5 to 10 years if the water chemistry is well maintained and the pool is cared for.
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.
Mosaic pool tiles are the highest-priced option that starts at $75 per square foot. So, how much will it cost you to retile or tile an entire swimming pool? The ideal range of tiling an entire swimming pool in the U.S. in 2021 is anywhere from $2,000 to $70,000, depending on how large your swimming pool is.
Repairing a fallen pool tile isn't rocket science and can be done by just about anyone. We've found a handy step-by-step guide that will help walk you through the process if you get stuck. Here it is!
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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.
It costs an average price of $25 per linear foot to replace waterline tiles, with respect to the additional cost of materials.
Tiling your pool has numerous benefits over other surfaces. Tiles are generally much more durable than other types of surfaces. Tiles are also easier to replace and repair. If your plaster surface develops significant cracks, you may need to resurface the whole pool.
Freezing weather causes a surface to contract and hot weather causes it to expand. Apply that concept to the area where your tiles are applied and you have a solution. This problem most often presents itself when ice builds up underneath the pool.
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.
Well, pool tiles are available in various materials, and they all differ when it comes to their longevity. Waterline tiles can stay good for a good 5 to 10 years if they are well maintained. Glass tile will last a bit longer, averaging between 8 and 12 years when cared for properly.
Fully tiled pools can be refilled 24 hours after the completion of the pool tiles, however in some circumstances such as cold weather we recommend up to 5 days.
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.
Ceramic and Porcelain have traditionally been the 'go-to' choice in swimming pool tiles and are great for those with a strict budget. The tiles can be hand painted with intricate designs or formed into a mosaic.
Ideally, pool tiles should be ¼” to ⅜” thick. The hardness and water-resistant properties of pool tiles matter the most.
According to Swimming Pool Tiles: 5 Types, you'll generally have five different types of pool tile to choose from: porcelain tile, mosaic tile, glass pool and spa tile and brick swimming pool tile. Not all tile can be used in a swimming pool.
Epoxy grout is durable, waterproof, and requires no sealing. For these reasons, waterproof epoxy grout is a great choice for swimming pools. It's resistant to staining, cracking, and crumbling, making it ideal for areas where there is a likelihood of high traffic.
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.
If there are sizable cracks, enlarge them and remove any loose material with a disk grinder or chisel, and fill them with hydraulic cement (if deeper than 1 inch) or EZ Patch #1 (less than 1 inch). Fill in any holes to create a flat, even surface for the new tile.
Ceramic. Ceramic pool tiles cost between $1 and $35 per square foot. This type of tile is one of the more affordable options while still coming in plenty of different attractive color combinations to suit any style.