One of the main benefits of marble tiles is their excellent insulation properties.They don’t get hot in the scorching summer heat and retain warmth in winter. In addition, they are durable, waterproof, and classy. But can you put marble tiles in a pool?
You can put marble tiles on a pool deck to achieve a durable and classy look, but you should not polish them to avoid getting slippery. Use marble with a tumbled finish and ensure the concrete floor is level and flat—clean dust and debris before installation.
Marble is highly porous and can be destroyed by continuous exposure to acidic chemicals when treating the pool. However, you can put it on a pool deck to add a durable and luxurious finish to your pool.
Use tumbled or honed marble instead of polished marble to avoid slips and falls, especially when you have children playing in the pool. Tumbling and grinding marble retains its grip, making it less slippery and safer.
Lay marble tiles on a smooth, flat, and water-resistant surface for the best results. Use a level to determine the slope of the surface and sand out any uneven surfaces. Remove dust and debris from the surface before installing marble tiles.
Should You Put Marble Tiles In a Pool?
Installing marble tiles in your pool can give it a beautiful new look and significantly increase your property value. However, the process has a few challenges. The section below identifies the common problems when installing marble tiles in a pool and how to overcome these challenges.
When putting marble tiles in a pool, you will likely experience acid etching, spalling, efflorescence, cracking, scratching, and staining. Install on a flat surface and allow the substrate to cure. Seal the tiles and use a soft mop to clean the deck to avoid these problems.
Marble is prone to etching when it reacts with acids from pool water. You can prevent it by maintaining proper water pH and sealing the tiles during installation. Additionally, marble is porous and may absorb salts. When the salt crystallizes near the surface, it can cause flaking on the marble tile surface. Seal the tiles properly during installation to avoid this problem.
Efflorescence is a common problem when installing marble tiles. It occurs when a mixture of water and salt seep through the tiles onto the surface, causing a white or dark film and ruining the appearance of the tiles. Efflorescence can also occur when you don’t allow the substrate to cure or put too much water when mixing mortar. To avoid this, seal the tiles with a high-quality sealant and allow enough time for the mortar to cure.
Marble tiles may crack when you install them on an uneven surface or leave dust or debris on the surface. Likewise, improper curing of the substrate can cause this problem. Install marble tiles on a flat surface and clean dust and debris to prevent this problem.
Although marble hardly wears, it can scratch due to sand particles or use abrasive brushes to clean it. Similarly, pulling heavy objects such as furniture can scratch the surface. Hence, use a soft mop to clean your pool deck area and avoid pulling chairs over it to prevent this problem.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Marble Tiles In a Pool?
The best thing about installing marble tiles is you don’t need special skills. However, you should have the right tools to complete the DIY project successfully. Read the section below to learn the tools you should have to complete the project.
To put marble tiles in a pool, you should have a tape measure, a pencil, a bucket, a tile cutter, a broom, a flooring trowel, a grout float, a sponge, and a rubber mallet. Rent or buy these tools from your nearest home improvement store or order online.
You should have a tape measure to take your pool area measurements and calculate the number of tiles you will need for the project. A pencil will be handy when marking the tile layout lines, while a broom will be helpful to sweep leaves, dust, and debris from the surface.
Get a bucket to mix thin-set mortar and a tile cutter to cut tiles. You will need a flooring trowel to spread thin-set mortar over the surface before installation and a rubber mallet to tap the tiles for a firm fix gently.
It would help if you had a grout float to spread the grout over the marble tiles and a sponge to remove the excess before it dries. You may have these tools if you have done other DIY home improvement projects. However, you can purchase or rent what you don’t have from your nearest home improvement store.
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Marble Tiles In a Pool?
Installing marble tiles in a pool is a simple, straightforward process, but you should adequately prepare for it. The section below details the preparations you need to install marble tiles in a pool.
To put marble tiles in a pool, gather the necessary tools, measure the area to calculate the tiles you need, and order from a hardware store. Clean the surface and install a layer of cement board over the subfloor. Plan the layout and measure and cut tiles ahead of the installation process.
Before installing marble tiles in a pool, ensure you have all the necessary tools, as discussed above. You should install marble on a flat and waterproof surface, and thus you should ensure the surface is level. Sand the raised areas and use a floor leveling agent for the dips.
Use a tape measure to establish the decking area dimensions and calculate the number of tiles to complete the project. Sweep the surface to remove dust and debris, to ensure the tile adhesive sticks properly.
Cover the subfloor with a layer of cement board to prevent moisture accumulation, mold growth and create a solid tile backing. Reinforce the joints using mesh fiber tape. Plan the tile layout depending on your pattern of choice. Use a tape measure and pencil to draw the layout lines and test their practicality with actual tiles. Measure and cut the tiles depending on your layout ahead of the actual installation.
How To Put Marble Tiles In a Pool
You can save time and money used to hiring a professional when you install marble tiles in a pool by yourself. However, you should do it correctly or risk a failed project. Please read the section below to learn how to get it right.
To put marble tiles in a pool, mix mortar and apply it on the decking surface. Place tiles along the layout lines, tap gently, and leave to cure. Clean the surface and apply grout. Allow to dry, and use the seal to complete the process.
You can put marble tiles in a pool by following the steps below.
Step 1: Mix the thin-set mortar according to the manufacturer’s instructions and spread it across the surface using a flooring trowel.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on October 28, 2022.
Step 2: Lay the tiles along the layout lines and tap gently. Use a rubber mallet to tap and fix firmly. Remove excess grout using a utility knife.
Step 3: Insert tile spacers as you lay the tiles to achieve a uniform layout and avoid lippage. Leave to dry for at least 48 hours.
Step 4: Remove tile spacers and grout the tiles. Mix unsanded grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions and spread it across the surface using a grout float.
Step 5: Let the grout cure for 20 minutes and clean the excess using a sponge. Allow it to dry for 24 hours.
Step 6: Apply grout seal and allow enough time to dry, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Repeat this step every six months to reseal the grout.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on October 28, 2022.
You can put marble tiles on a pool deck to give it a sturdy and elegant appearance, but you should wait to polish the tiles to prevent them from becoming slick. Make sure the concrete floor is level and flat and use marble with a tumbled finish. Before installation, clear the area of dust and debris.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on October 28, 2022.