Swimming Pool Tile

It can be very expensive to install an in-ground pool in your backyard. Using tiling is the best option for the walls/floor of your pool because they’re very easy to clean, and the colors/materials to use are versatile, so it’s basically guaranteed you’ll find the look that you want.

Because a pool is an expensive investment, you should carefully choose your swimming pool tile so it best fits your needs; the type and color of pool tiles that you use will set the mood of your pool. Whether you’re going for something with ambiance and serenity, something that’s flashy and fun, or something elegant and classy, you must put a lot of thought into deciding which pool tiles are the best fit for you and your lifestyle.

While you can easily find pool tiles that are cheap and you should find something that is complimentary to your budget, it is important that you not sacrifice the look and quality that you want in your pool tiles, as you will likely have these times for at least a few years with the proper care, and you may as well splurge a little so you are most happy with the results.

Swimming Pool Tile Repair

Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons that you may need to repair your pool tiles. Sometimes the tile adhesive fails and the tiles will fall off–this is due to problems with the bonding of the glue used to set the tiles. Pool tiles may pop off if they aren’t installed with calk, as water may end up behind the tile and freeze during the winter, expanding the space behind and between tiles.

If your tile falls off but not the “mud” (glue), it may easily be put back into place, though this is temporary. Since isn’t difficult or complicated to replace/redo the pool tiling, this is something that you can do all on your own. To fix it, use waterproof tile grout or even Thinset mortar cement. If you’re interested in replacing pool tiles, you must first remove the glue completely when you remove the old tiles, so your new tiles don’t protrude. Once you have the area ready to insert your new tiles, you can mix up your mud–the best mud to use would either be a Thinset mortar or a Marcite plaster mix. Spread a very thin layer of your mud with a notched trowel, which you can purchase cheap at your local hardware store. Press your tile into place and knock on it gently with a wooden mallet (or a similar type of object) to ensure the tile fits cleanly where you want it, and to ensure there aren’t spaces or cracks for water to get into and freeze. The mud you used, though you want it spread thinly, should be thick enough so the tile is firmly place.

Tiles that are cracked may also be caused by the surface water of your pool freezing and expanding. The best way to avoid this is to purchase frost-free pool tiles from the start. This also happens when the tile isn’t bonded properly to the beam with the mud glue. When your tile cracks, you should immediately address the problem; otherwise, you risk the tile loosening further and falling off. Large cracks can easily be filled with waterproof tile grout to keep the problem from worsening. However, this is only a stopgap measure; if you want to actually solve the problem, the best thing you can do is remove the cracked tile completely and put in a new piece as carefully as possible, so as to avoid any problems happening in the near future.

Swimming Pool Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are very cheap (costing only $0.49 per square foot at Lowe’s, though you can find even cheaper shopping on Amazon.com) and are very durable and versatile. These tiles are basically maintenance-free, which is a huge plus. Ceramic tiles are a mixture of red and white clay and can easily withstand a lot of pressure without being damaged.
There are many options you face when you decide to use ceramic tiling for your pool. You can choose a decorative ceramic pool tile design mural, which is fancier and slightly more expensive than something that is simply done. The murals are created using glaze ceramic hand painting, where a pattern is put on the surface of each tile and then heated so the colors melt into the tile’s glaze. If this idea is something you find yourself interested in, check out armenianceramics.com for more information and ideas.

Swimming Pool Tile Cleansing

It’s easy to call a service to clean your pool, and if you can afford that then good for you. If you can’t afford a service, you needn’t fret; maintaining a swimming pool isn’t difficult or terribly time-consuming. Knowing how to properly take care of your pool will keep it clean, safe, and the pool tiles will last longer if they’re cleaned regularly. Of course, it’s important you check your pool’s chemistry regularly (about twice a week) to make sure the water’s pH and alkalinity are at normal levels.
Using chlorine often enough will prevent the risk of growing mold and algae. You must be careful not to use too much chlorine, as this may bleach your pool tiles. To keep your pool tiles clean, you must brush them down to eliminate the potential of any mold or algae problems. If you don’t take care of this and the tile gets calcified, you will need a specialist to remove the plaque. This is costly and time consuming; it’s much easier to simply keep the tiles clean.

Swimming Pool Tile Adhesive

If you are installing or replacing swimming pool tiles, the best adhesive you will find is something called Speedset, which is a fortified thin-set mortar, which you can purchase at Home Depot. If you want to get a job done quickly, this is for you. It works for many tile types, including ceramic tiles. It’s recommended that you not mix too much at one time because it lives up to its name; it will harden rapidly. This product is quite expensive, but keep in mind that it will virtually last forever.

Swimming Pool Tile Ideas

There are many, many swimming pool tile stores that will be willing to design or help you design tile for you. Aquatic mosaics are very popular, though they tend to be more expensive. Ceramic tiles, because they can be purchased in any color and with any design. They provide a very whimsical appearance to your pool. Tile can fit any size/shape of pool, and this flexibility will work in your favor when designing the tile look you want for your pool. You have every opportunity to completely customize the tiling you use for your swimming pool; let your artistic genius shine through!