If you want to bring some detail to the swimming pool, you need to add some ceramic tiles. Installing ceramic tiles in a swimming pool is an attractive way to give a stunning and outstanding look. Ceramic tiles can be used as a border. It can be used as a border when one installs a single row of tile at the waterline. Also, ceramic tiles can be installed to cover the walls and the floor of the pool.
We have a message for every contractor and professional tillers. If you want to have a great review and want people to patronize you for more jobs, you need to start thinking about using ceramic tiles to design swimming pools. Ceramic tiles have a unique way of adding a beauty that is beyond expression to every swimming pool. You might be wondering how you are going to make this work. Although installing ceramic pool tiles is not different from the usual way of installing tiles, there are some facts that one needs to note while installing ceramic pool tiles.
However, we are here to help you out. This article will give you a full explanation of what you need to do to install ceramic pool tiles. This write-up aims at dishing out answers on how one can effectively install ceramic pool tiles.
Therefore, if you want to install ceramic pool tiles, here are things that one must put into consideration:
The process of selecting the tiles
Ceramic tiles are clay tiles made of wet clay known as slip. These unique pool tiles are fired and glazed to give swimming pools a waterproof covering. Ceramic tiles are the best tiles suitable for wet areas like showers, swimming pools, and bathrooms. Although not all ceramic tiles are ideal for pools. Some ceramic tiles can allow moisture to penetrate the body of the tile if there is a crack in the glaze. We are saying this to let you know that selecting or choosing suitable ceramic pool tiles is expedient. Therefore, choose a pool tile that is water-resistant or transparent. That is, you need to select a tile that will not absorb water even if the glaze were to crack. However, we will advise you to make use of waterproof tiles. Impervious tiles are the best option for swimming pools because they can only absorb 0.5 percent of any moisture they come in contact with.
On the other hand, vitreous tiles can absorb nothing less than 3 percent of any moisture they come in contact with. Therefore, waterproof tiles are the best tiles that are advisable for every contractor and professional tilers. However, we are not saying that one cannot make use of vitreous tiles. But we believe that when it comes to installing pool tiles, it would be the best choice to use tiles that can retain and absorb water.
The process of cleaning and leveling
The next step to take after selecting the best ceramic pool tiles is to go through cleaning and leveling. It is expedient for you to know that you need to take some time to check if the pool is ready to receive ceramic tiles. One needs to wash down the pool walls and floor. You might be wondering how to do that. You can wash down the walls and the bottom of a pool by using a pressure washer to eradicate any dirt on the pool walls. Also, there may be pool chemicals on the pool walls; you need to use a pressure washer to eliminate them. Click here to read about the Benefits of installing mosaic tiles in your swimming pool.
Furthermore, you might be wondering why you need to remove every dirt and pool chemicals that may be on the walls and the floor of the pool. Doing that will expose the pool’s surface to the mortar, which will ensure a good and tight tile bond. Also, you need to scrutinize the pool. You need to check out for holes or cracks. Paint a waterproofing membrane onto the pool to give a further layer of protection to the pool tiles. However, once you are done with the curing of the membrane, then you can start installing the tiles.
Mortar and grout
The next step you need to take is to set the ceramic tiles in a latex-fortified thin-set mortar. Remember, you need to use mortar that is specifically designed for long-lasting use in wet areas. The mortar must be a water-resistant one because there are chemicals in the pool. Therefore, it is expedient to check the mortar manufacturer to ensure that you are using a mortar that is suitable for pools. Also, one needs to consider some things before selecting grout for pools. Make sure the grout you are choosing for ceramic pool tiles has no epoxy. Epoxy can discolor and as well weaken pools when chemicals are available in it. Therefore, we implore you to select a grout that has been polymer fortified for strength and maintain a minimum of a 1/8-inch grout joint between the tiles to allow for movement.
Set the tiles
The final step in installing ceramic pool tiles is installing the tiles on the pool just like you would install them anywhere. Remember, we said earlier that installing ceramic pool tiles is not something new. The process of installing it is not different from the usual way of installing tiles. Now, you can lay out the tiles ahead of time to regulate the pattern and the placement on the pool. Spread the mortar on the walls and floors of the pool. Set the tiles into the mortar at a slight angle, then twist them straight into place. Ensure that you make use of tile spacers to maintain a consistent grout joint.
Final words
Dear readers, installing ceramic pool tiles effectively has to do with following the above steps provided. With the above-listed efforts, we believe that you will be one of the best pool tiles installers that everyone will like to work with.