Pool grout and tile problems

roy4eyes · Post by **roy4eyes** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 10:06 am

Our pool which was retiled 2 years ago now has large patches of tiles coming off. The installer has agreed to rectify the problem which he says is due to the cement/adhesive being affected by the chlorine in the water.
This in turn was due to the grout coming out. We consider this was due to faulty grout but the contractor tells us this is a big problem throughout the Algarve because of a change in the chemicals added to the water supply over the past few years.
Have others had this problem or is he telling us a big porkie ??
Any other similar experiences ? and how were they overcome ?
The tiles are the small ones which come in metre square sheets.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 11:02 am

well thats a great excuse blaming the pool water for making the tiles come off....no its poor workmanship plain and simple...except when you say small tiles on sheets do you means mosaics..if that is the case i have had many bad experiences with mosaics..very troublesome indeed..i think because there is too much area exposed to grouting where water can get in.

i think you will be plagued with problems...only solution would be to put a liner in pool or retile using large tiles

Calado · Post by **Calado** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 11:49 am

Try to use a product called FERMAPOXY. It's expensive but very good.
You can find it in SULCAVE ( Fatacil area)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:19 pm

Anonymous wrote:well thats a great excuse blaming the pool water for making the tiles come off....no its poor workmanship plain and simple...except when you say small tiles on sheets do you means mosaics..if that is the case i have had many bad experiences with mosaics..very troublesome indeed..i think because there is too much area exposed to grouting where water can get in.

i think you will be plagued with problems...only solution would be to put a liner in pool or retile using large tiles

This is not accurate information.. Having twelve years as a commercial swimming pool engineer looking after small teaching pools to olympic pools I feel the need to comment.

Whilst a poor installation of the grout could come out the most likely cause is possible if the pool water is unbalanced. The mains water used for topping up may be soft, but can be treated with a calcium based product to increase the calcium hardness. the minimum level you need is 250mg/l. It sounds as if the installer was trying to keep it simple and possibly does not know to the full details.
The thing to remember is apart from topping up the evaporation from the pool the system is a closed loop so the chemical make up is inportant if you want the make up of the pool to last. (As a comparision commercial pools only get retiled 10-15 years with minor regrouts when and if the pool is drained)

Try having a look at the following chlorine manufactures site has some good information and problem solver.
http://www.hth.co.uk/
http://www.hth.co.uk/no2/pools/trouble.htm

Hope this helps put your mind at rest.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:20 pm

Anonymous wrote:well thats a great excuse blaming the pool water for making the tiles come off....no its poor workmanship plain and simple...except when you say small tiles on sheets do you means mosaics..if that is the case i have had many bad experiences with mosaics..very troublesome indeed..i think because there is too much area exposed to grouting where water can get in.

i think you will be plagued with problems...only solution would be to put a liner in pool or retile using large tiles

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 9:40 am

Guest, wonder if you can put me straight on one thing re pools, you are obviously an expert.
Is it true that you should not empty a small pool as the water pressure helps to keep the pool sound, ie. if you drain it the pressure from the surrounding ground could make it crack and possible collapse? or have I just been given some silly information.
Your help would be appreciated as really we need to empty ours and repair some of the small tiles that have fallen off. the pool is about 15 years old and I don't think it has ever been repaired.
Thanks

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 11:14 am

The recommendation to emptying pools with regard to pool structure is to drain and fill slowly so as not shock the core temperature air to earth which could be 15c difference. This 'shock' can cause thermal expansion and hence cause cracks. The second stage can be if left empty for long periods the surrounding earth can move forcing the walls to move.
However don't be put off.
All pools need to be drained at some time for maintenance etc. So the best way to complete with the minimum risk is to drain over one day, carry out work in drained pool as quick as possible (aim for a maximum drain time of two weeks) allowing for cure times and fill over the course of a day. As a guide the heat should be at approx 1degc per 4hrs! (and will probably go nice shade of green - it is reservior water)
Best time of year would be end of main season as your pool could be out for three weeks based on a two week drain down.

Good luck but but don't worry(risk is low if you are careful) it needs to be done.

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:21 pm

Thank you so much, I feel a little more confident about doing it now.
Very grateful for your help.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 5:26 pm

Guest - it is always good to have an expert on here (beteween you and Chippy to name but two we are getting a great deal of skilled knowledge)

I must admit I understood that if you had a below the ground pool and the water table was very high when it was emptied, there was a chance of it 'popping' - i.e. a bit like a ship, it will only sink so deep under its own weight, and once the water ballast is removed it is much lighter and therefore can possibly try to 'float', causing no end of damage.

I don't want to worry anyone if this is not true so can you add your expert opinion please

Thanks

Graham

PS Though I guess the water table in the Algarve is never that close to the surface so it may not be an issue - but could well be for pools in the UK ?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:43 pm

well the advice about all this is ok if you are a swimming pool engineer..but most of us are not...the water is hard here...we dont have the ability to rectify water problems except by puttting in acid and clor..to say that tiles come off as a result of "the water" means that every tile on every pool must come off here in the algarve..they dont..the workers did not use the right stuff for stickiing the tiles on ..plain and simple

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 9:33 pm

Yeh....I agree ..all this technology..............my pool is 15 years old.....has been mucked about for years.never had any Ph..or other cutie stuff.we just use the thing..never lost a Tile (Mini type) never drained it...all that BS stuff........the answer is good old 'COLA'.......use the right stuff ..they dont fall off........
By the way at AFPOP (Exhibition) a company advertises a 25 Euro inspection with Scuba men.......full report etc...sounds good.....
but at the end of the long day.......its all about glue...forget the nonsense...gooy glui dont fall off.