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—Renovation and tiling

Retiling a pool

Retiling is not just new tiles. Most of the work, and most of the long-term result, is in what happens beneath them.

A full retile starts with draining the pool and removing the old tiles and adhesive. The surface beneath is then inspected: hollow render is removed, cracks are assessed and repaired, and the substrate is made sound and level. Where the waterproofing has failed or cannot be verified, a new waterproofing system is applied and tested.

Renovation guides cover work on a pool that already exists: its surface, its waterproofing and sometimes its structure.

New tiles are fixed with adhesive suited to permanent immersion, and grouted with a pool-grade grout, often epoxy. Time is allowed for adhesive and grout to cure before the pool is filled. The finished surface depends on the preparation as much as on the tile chosen.

01Summary

What matters most here

  • Preparation is most of it

    A sound, level substrate.

  • Waterproofing is checked

    And renewed where needed.

  • Curing before filling

    Adhesive and grout need time.

02Detail

The retiling process

  • Draining

    Planned to avoid problems with groundwater pressure.

  • Stripping

    Old tiles, adhesive and loose render removed.

  • Repair

    Cracks and defects in the substrate fixed.

  • Waterproofing

    Applied and tested where needed.

  • Tiling and grouting

    Pool-grade adhesive and grout, then curing.

03Before you start

Before retiling

  • Choose tiles early

    Some have lead times.

  • Ask about waterproofing

    Whether it will be renewed.

  • Plan for the pool being out of use

    For the duration of the work.

—In practice

How to use this

Ask how the substrate will be checked once the old tiles come off, what happens to hollow render or cracks found then, and whether the waterproofing will be renewed and tested before new tiles go on. Agree the tile, adhesive and grout systems — all suited to permanent immersion — and the setting-out of lines, steps and the waterline before work starts.

Mistakes worth avoiding

Tiling over failed waterproofing
New tiles on a substrate that lets water through will loosen again. The layer beneath decides how long a retile lasts.
Using non-immersion products
Adhesives and grouts not designed for constant submersion lose their bond over time. Ask to see the product data before work starts.

04FAQ

Common questions about this

Can new tiles go over old ones?
Generally not for pools; old tiles are removed so the substrate can be checked.
Why renew waterproofing?
Old waterproofing may have failed, and retiling is the time to fix it.
What grout is used?
Pool-grade grout, often epoxy, resists water and chemicals.
How long until we can swim?
After adhesive and grout have cured and the pool is filled and balanced.

05Read next

More pool guides on this

Filed under pool renovation & tile replacement. Every pool guide is listed on the pool guides page.

—NEXT

Considering retiling?

Send photos of the current tiles. We will explain what the work would involve.

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