0Adding a few ceramic tiles to your Dallas home’s swimming pool may be an attractive way for you to bring some detailing to your swimming pool.
Ceramic tiles can be used as a border by getting a single row installed at the waterline or can even be used to cover the entirety of your swimming pool walls and flooring.
No matter how you design your layout, you must consider the numerous special requirements of a swimming pool tile.
Selecting the ideal tile
Clay and ceramic tiles are ideally made using wet clay, often known as a slip. Once completed, these tiles are fired and glazed to add an extra layer of waterproofing covering.
Though all ceramic tiles are ideal for areas that often get wet such as showers, not all tiles are perfect for swimming pools since any cracks in the glaze may allow moisture to penetrate the swimming pool easily.
It would help if you went for a tile that is either vitreous or impervious. All impervious tiles are ideal since they only absorb 0.5% of all moisture they come in contact with. Vitreous tiles, on the other hand, tend to absorb up to 3% of water.
Washing and cleaning
Before you start installing any ceramic tiles to your swimming pool, you need to take time to ensure that your surface is ready to have tiles installed.
It would be best to start by washing down the swimming pool floor and walls using a professional pressure washer to remove any pool chemicals or dirt on the pool walls or flooring.
This is done better to expose the swimming pool surface to the mortar, ensuring a better tile-to-surface bond. It would be best to scrutinize the swimming pool since any holes or cracks may affect the final installation result.
Apply a waterproofing membrane to the swimming pool if you wish to add a further layer of protection. Once this waterproofing membrane has been cured properly, you can install tiles over it right away.
Grout and mortar
It would help if you remembered that you should always set ceramic tiles in a thin-set mortar which is made to offer you prolonged use under wet and humid circumstances.
Since various chemicals are added to the swimming pool water, the mortar you use needs to be impervious to all these chemicals and moisture over an extended period.
If you are not sure about the mortar, you can always check with the manufacturer to ensure if it can be used in a swimming pool. You also need to select a grout to install ceramic tiles without epoxy or Portland cement.
Both epoxy and Portland cement may discolor or weaken when placed in the presence of swimming pool chemicals.
Installing the tiles
Installing tiles on your swimming pool is just like how you would install them on any other surface. Start by laying out your tiles ahead of time to better determine the final pattern and placement on the surface.
Spread the mortar onto your swimming pool floor and walls, combine it in a single direction until it is completely uniform.
Set your swimming pool tiles into the mortar at an angle, and twist them into place. You can even use a tile spacer if required to maintain consistent joints throughout the surface.
After installing some tiles, you need to place a beating block and tap the block using a rubber mallet to better drive the tiles into the mortar. Remember that it is essential to allow the mortar to cure for at least 24 hours before grouting the tiles.
Most people do not know that “ceramic tiles” are given to a large class of specific tile types, including glazed porcelain ceramic tiles.
Swimming pools and bathrooms sometimes have the same type of ceramic tiles applied to the surface. However, they need to be the right kind.
Any ceramic bathroom tiles used in a swimming pool need to be non-porous and floor grade in quality.
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are a broad class on their own, with many being soft and not acceptable for bathroom or swimming pool usage.
Moreover, ceramic tiles suitable for the swimming pool and bathroom need high durability and good water resistance.
Baking ceramic tiles at a higher temperature makes them capable of withstanding use in bathrooms and swimming pools.
Best type
If you wish to ensure that the ceramic tiles you use in your home’s bathroom can go into your swimming pool, you need to use glazed porcelain ceramic tiles.
These tiles are just another type of ceramic tile that offers fantastic durability along with excellent water-resistant capabilities.
Moreover, they can also stand tough against frost and cold temperatures, which you need to look out for if your swimming pool is outdoors.
Professional installation is the key to a longer-lasting pool
If you do not feel confident enough to make these decisions or are not sure if you will be able to install tiles on your own, you need to hire a professional swimming pool expert to do the job for you. Ensure that you do a background check before you hire any service provider.
Have any other questions? Feel free to get in touch with Fujiwa tiles today!
Fujiwa Tiles is a brand that is well known amongst professionals to come up with high-quality designs that will surely fit your taste, creativity, and individuality. We are the leading nationwide distributors of swimming pool tiles.
Our team knows everything there is to know about swimming pool tiles, so we can help answer all your queries. Give Fujiwa Tiles a call at 818-994-2439 or contact us online,, and we will be glad to assist.