0Does your swimming pool have a few cracked tiles that are falling out all by themselves? Well, all swimming pool tile-related problems need to be rectified as soon as they are detected.
Any delay in these repairs may end up causing some seepage behind the wall, leading to even more damage along with increasing the chances of an accident whenever you use the pool.
Before the professionals from Fujiwa Tiles put back your swimming pool tiles to the surface or replace them together, there are a few things that you need to consider.
For example, you need to find out why your tiles fell off in the first place and if there is a problem in the foundation of your swimming pool that is not visible.
If you don’t find the appropriate answer to these questions, then the chances are that your repair will end up failing again in no time and will require you to spend all that money all over again.
In this article, our team from Fujiwa Tiles will give you professional insight into inspecting your failure and getting them fixed.
Potential causes of a fallout
Numerous factors play an essential role in helping your tiles to adhere to the walls properly. If there is any lacking of your materials, it can cause your pool tiles to fall off. For example, if your substrate fails, it will result in your tiles falling.
Nevertheless, if you are new to the concept of pool installation, you should know that substrate is the surface where you mount your tiles.
As soon as your substrate cracks, it is highly likely that the tiles will also form cracks. In addition to this, even improper installation can cause your pool tiles to delaminate.
If for some reason, water starts to seep and reach behind your tiles, it can cause damage with time. The coping lip of a swimming pool helps in protecting your tiles. With time, the urethane bead may start to collapse if you do not maintain it properly.
The vertical tile surface will meet your swimming pools underside and start coping at a certain point. This is why it needs to be flexible to ensure there is no transmission of water.
Some homeowners, by mistake, install grout beads, which is not fit for this purpose. Installing a flexible urethane bead makes sure that there is minor movement between the coping and tiles.
Cracked coping is another way water may find its way behind your swimming pool tiles and eventually cause delaminated and cracked tiles.
Many swimming pools have mortar set stone or cast concrete coping, which delaminatez and starts to form cracks as it ages.
Since these sections have a little movement when people step on them, it is very apparent that it causes cracking. Nevertheless, the reason may not be the same all the time, which is why you need to find out what causes the problem not just by visual inspection but also by testing them using sound.
Techniques such as hammering over your coping can reveal any detached sections from the surface of your pool. To fix any delaminated coping, Fujiwa Tiles professionals will cut your mortar joints on both sides during installation.
They will either grind down the top of your wall or chip down your swimming pool surface using a chipping hammer.
Last but certainly not least, improper installation of your swimming pool tiles is another reason why you may have a few cracks.
Different types of mortar and concrete have the ability to hold your tiles in place. Nevertheless, thinset can make this bond even more robust than any other form of mortar.
This is why you need to make sure that you hire professionals to get your swimming pool installed since you need to make sure that you do not get improper installation.
How to replace pool tiles
To fix your pool tiles, you need to follow the given steps after finding a tile that matches your original.
- It would be best if you start by lowering your swimming pool’s water level below your damaged tiles and allowing them to dry completely.
- Remove any grout around your damaged pool tiles by using a grout saw. This equipment looks like a screwdriver that has a saw blade on its end. Place the saw tip between the joint and press down as you move the blade back and forth to cut away the grout.
- Make sure to mix the swimming pool repair mortar according to the directions given in the package. Some thinset has a bonding agent, which helps in strengthening its adhesive quality. You need to mix equal parts of dry thinset and a bonding agent to get the perfect result. Add water to make the mixture look like mashed potatoes. Ensure that you stir the thinset properly to remove any lumps from forming.
- Use a little water to dampen the area where you are planning on replacing your broken tiles. Apply mortar and press your tile into position. Ensure that your tile is even with all its adjacent tiles.
- You can use the tape to help hold your tiles in position until they dry completely. Repeat the same process for all the tiles you plan on replacing.
An easier way to do this is by hiring professionals. Get in touch with Fujiwa Tiles today!
If you have any questions about pool tiles, contact Fujiwa Tiles. We have been providing home and business owners with premium quality pool tiles for the past 30 years.
Not only are all our products high quality, but they also offer various customization to bring out your creativity. Our experts will be more than happy to answer all your questions related to swimming pool tiles.