If your pool tile cracks or breaks off, you can repair it yourself, but before replacing it, you need to determine why the damage occurred in the first place. The most common reasons tile pops off or breaks is either water getting behind it or pressure from the coping due to deck and ground movement. This pressure is also usually caused by water getting into the expansion joint or under the coping stones. Does this Spark an idea?
Finding the Source of the Problem
Check the sealant in the expansion joint between the coping and the deck. If there are voids in the sealant or if it has pulled loose, you will need to reseal it to avoid future damage. Make sure the coping grout is in good shape and that no water can seep under the coping and behind the tile.
In cold winter areas any moisture behind the tile freezes and expands, breaking or popping it off. Even in warmer climates, the water can weaken the bond between the tile and wall, and eventually, it will come off.
Preparing for New Tile
Use a hammer and chisel to remove any broken bits of tile and setting bed. You need a clean, dry flat surface to insure a good bond for the new tile. Inspect the bond beam for cracks that might be responsible for the tile breaking. Seal any cracks with silicone sealer to prevent more damage. If the crack extends behind tiles that are still in place, remove them until you find the end of the crack or you will be replacing more tile in the near future.
Applying the New Setting Bed
If you find cracks in the bond beam, use silicone for the new setting bed. It is flexible even after it sets up and will absorb some of the stress from any further movement in a cracked bond beam. If the bond beam is sound, you can use thin set for the setting bed. Apply a thin even coat of the setting material with a notched trowel to create ridges that will grab the new tile and hold it.
Setting and Grouting New Tile
Press the new tile firmly into the setting bed. Leave a 1/8-inch space between each tile for grouting. Make sure the new tile is flush and level with the surrounding tiles. If the tile on the vertical wall slips down out of alignment, use duct tape to hold it in place until it sets. Allow the tile and the new setting bed to dry overnight.
Use a grouting mixture of two parts Portland cement and one part fine white sand, or buy a premixed grout. Avoid grout with calcium carbonate. It will leach out when the tile gets wet and can form a deposit on the tile. Spread the grout and press it into the joints along each side and the bottom of the tile with a grouting trowel, making sure there are no voids.
If you suspect movement of the coping stones has caused the tile to pop off, use silicone grouting on the top joint between the coping and the top of the tile to form a flexible joint. Smooth this joint before the silicone drys. After all the grout has dried for an hour, use a wet sponge to remove any film on the tiles and clean them up.
Tags: bond beam, behind tile, between coping, coping deck, coping stones
