To ensure a finished, polished pool in your backyard, it’s necessary to improve the surrounding area immediately after construction or installation. The pool edge must be prepared for tiling by first grooving it. The base must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust to ensure good adhesion of the tiles to the surface. Next, reinforcing plastic mesh must be applied. This reinforcing material acts as an additional bond between the adhesive mortar and the surface. The technology used for reinforcing mesh is suitable for outdoor construction. Of course, the easiest way is to hire pool deck paver sealing services. This will allow you to get fast and high-quality results. However, if you are confident in your abilities, you can do it yourself.
Basic Principles
Apply an adhesive mortar suitable for outdoor use, then lay the tiles. When using a tile cutting machine, be sure to wear safety glasses. They will protect your eyes from mechanical damage and excessive dust, as well as its harmful effects. Remember, laying tiles is a complex and painstaking job. Even the most expensive material will look unsightly and can quickly deteriorate if laid incorrectly or crookedly. At the same time, if the installation is done correctly and carefully, even modest and inexpensive tiles will be eye-catching. Once the adhesive has dried, fill the joints with special grout, then use a special cloth to remove any excess and clean the tiles. Sealing is vital, so special attention should be paid to this step. Otherwise, you risk encountering mold later.
Podium and Deck
Now let’s begin building the podium. First, we need to raise the floor level using joists. Joists are the crossbeams on which the floorboards are laid. After measuring the area for the podium, we adjust the joists to fit. Then, we treat the future wooden frame with a special antibacterial impregnation to protect the timber from insects and rot. We lay this structure, maintaining a 0.6 m spacing between joists to prevent the floor from settling. We secure the joists to the base with special dowels.
One of the most suitable flooring options for a podium is the deck method. This method is used to lay planks on ship decks, which are constantly exposed to water, and they last a very long time. In our case, the floor is close to the ground, meaning moisture will always affect the material. With the deck method, the planks are laid parallel to each other, like an endless plank. In addition to the unique pattern, the deck method is also durable, as the fastening pattern of each plank holds each others together. This means that if moisture gets on the floor, the wood does not lift.
During installation, only a small amount of treated wood is trimmed, thereby avoiding additional costs. When choosing this type of floorboard, make sure it is well-dried. Otherwise, the floor may dry out or crack. It is also essential that the boards are not infested with fungus or insect larvae, as waterproofing will be pointless.
Once the boards are laid, we trim the edges with end capping made of the same material to smooth out any uneven edges and further decorate the floor. Now we can prepare the floor for painting. First, we coat it with a special waterproofing treatment. This will protect the wood from moisture. The next step is to sand the boards to remove lint and conceal any unevenness. To fill any gaps that have formed where the boards meet, we apply a filler coat. Once the filler has dried, we sand the seams smooth. Then, we sand the entire floor a second time to ensure an even paint application. This will leave the wood floor perfectly smooth.
Which Tile to Use
For a permanent pool, tiles used for bathrooms, floors, and even outdoor tiles are not suitable. Their use will not only lead to rapid deformation of the finish but can also cause injury. To avoid this, use special tiles explicitly designed for indoor or outdoor pools. They should be:
- Have the lowest possible water absorption rate—no more than 6%. If this property is ignored, the lining will quickly absorb water, crack, and deform.
- Frost-resistant and unaffected by temperature fluctuations. These lining properties should be considered when choosing a material for an outdoor pool.
- Resistant to aggressive environments. Disinfection of water and cleaning of the tank walls require the use of fairly aggressive agents that can destroy a low-quality lining.
- Non-porous. Porous tiles easily harbor various microorganisms, leading to mold and slime on the walls and the bottom.
- Highly durable and impact-resistant. The volume of water in swimming pools is enormous, constantly pushing against the walls of the tank, so they must withstand increased loads.
- Non-slip. Pool tile manufacturers coat them with a special coating that prevents slipping in the water.
The tile can be chosen in virtually any color, and different shades can be combined to create patterns and geometric designs.
Conclusion
For tiling, it’s vital to select not only the right tiles but also the right consumables. The adhesive must provide a secure hold and resist water and chemical exposure. It should also contain antifungal components. When tiling outdoor pools, frost-resistant adhesives that won’t degrade with temperature fluctuations are used. When installing swimming pools, experts recommend using two-component epoxy grout. These grouts offer optimal elasticity and water resistance, are resistant to chemicals, and contain antibacterial agents.
It’s best to tile outdoor pools during the warmer months. Before tiling, clean the pool of any dirt and debris, dry it, and prime it. Finishing begins with the walls, ensuring the evenness of each tile and row. Grouting is applied at the final stage of the tiling process.