Need to regrout my tile

[troykristoffer]

Hello all...

We just bought a house with an in ground gunite pool... and...well the tiles in the decorative border around the top are falling out and need to be regrouted at the end of this season. I know how to grout ceramic tile, but I'm not too sure if any special process needs to be followed for tiles in chlorine pools.

Also, is there some kind of product or sealer I can use (I suspect they never used such a product if it exists, because they certainly didnt take good care of the pool.) that would help prevent or slow this problem in the future? (I can imagine that this problem is related to age and is inevitable really, but would like to avoid it if I can).

Any advice you have is appreciated.

[duraleigh]

You can use standard thinset and grout as long as it's latex fortified. Home Depot actually sells one of the best brands on the market....... Custom Products.

Wall tiles frequently fall off due to a shift or crack in the pool wall underneath. Sealant typically is not used on pool tile. Properly installed, they should stay there using thinset and grout.

[mas985]

Dave,

I am also in the process of fixing some grout and purchased a Custom Product grout from HD but I am not sure if it has latex. It is not on the list of ingredients (portland cement, limestone, chloride salt). The product name is "White Dry Non-Sanded Grount". Green label. Is this the one or another? If latex is listed as an ingredient, I will return this and get the other.

Thanks

[duraleigh]

Hi, Mark/Troy,

The Custom Building Products stuff at the Home Depots here in NC is called "Polyblend".....it says "polymer-modified" on the bag.

That's the name of the grout and I believe the thinset is called the same. I have used it a number of times and it seems to work well and consistently for me.

Mark, I can't make out some of the ingredients on this old chewed-up bag I've got but I don't see latex mentioned....I can make out only a line or two....the rest is rubbed off.

[troykristoffer]

Thanks for your replies!

Hmm... I think it was just badly grouted before, cuz theres no cracks or damage to the pool itself, and I think it has alot to do with the water line wearing away the grout, cuz underwater (near the floor of the pool) the grout is beautiful and no tiles are in trouble.)

But latex grout.... I'll look for that ! :) Thanks!