Section 8 – Pool Deck and Natatorium Tile Installations
8.1 Tile Installation Materials Performance and Selection Criteria
The information contained in Section 7 is applicable to the leveling mortars, floating mortars, adhesive mortars, waterproofing/anti-fracture membranes, grouting materials and sealant performance and selection criteria required for pool decks. Please refer to Section 7 for this information. Some natatoriums may include spas or steam rooms. For detailed information on how to design and install tile in these applications, refer to the Tiled Steam Room and Steam Shower Technical Design Manual published by LATICRETE International, Inc. and is available at www.laticrete.com
8.2 Methods of Installation
The same methods of installation outlined in Section 7 apply to pool deck tile installations as well. Tile and stone can be installed by utilizing the thin bed, medium bed and thick bed methods on pool decks. It is important to note that unbonded wire-reinforced thick bed mortars can be used on pool decks. The installation of unbonded thick bed mortars in areas not subjected to freeze/thaw conditions may be suitable for exterior use when appropriate precautions are taken, including proper expansion joint placement, proper slope to drain of 1/4" per ft (6 mm per 300 mm) and a waterproofing membrane.1 Unbonded thick bed mortar bed assemblies cannot be used within the water feature tank itself. Refer to Section 7 for in depth information on the following application method types:
Thin Bed Method
Medium Bed Method
Thick Bed (Bonded methods)
Unbonded Type (Pool Decks and other Non-Submerged Applications) – Unbonded floor mortar beds can be used on pool decks and other areas around water features that are not subject to continuous underwater submersion.
In the unbonded mortar bed type, a cleavage membrane is placed over the substrate. The cleavage membrane can take the form of 15 lb builders felt, 6 mil thick polyethylene sheeting or a waterproofing membrane. Half of the mortar bed thickness, consisting of LATICRETE® 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed or LATICRETE 226 Thick Bed Mortar mixed with LATICRETE 3701 Mortar Admix, is placed over the cleavage membrane. Next, a galvanized, welded wire mesh complying with ANSI A108.02 3.7 is placed as close to the middle of the mortar bed as possible. This will allow the mortar bed to achieve maximum tensile strength resistance. The rest of the mortar bed is then placed over the wire. At this point, the mortar bed is compacted, screeded, leveled, and pitched as required.
Figure 8.1 – Example of a non-bonded, wire reinforced mortar bed. Wire mesh is placed in the middle of the mortar bed and lapped together to ensure continuity.
Once the mortar bed is properly installed, it can either be allowed to cure, or the tiles/pavers can be installed (wet set) into the fresh mortar bed.
If a waterproofing or anti-fracture membrane is required, the mortar bed should be allowed to harden for at least 48 hours at 70°F (21°C)or until sufficiently dry. Refer to the specific membrane data sheet for more information on acceptable moisture levels. If the unbonded mortar bed is being installed in an exterior application, the mortar bed must be protected from rain and moisture, allowing the mortar bed to dry sufficiently prior to the application of a waterproofing and/or anti-fracture membrane. Cooler temperatures require longer cure time prior to installation of the waterproofing or anti-fracture membrane. Protection from wind and direct sunlight is also good practice that will lead to help promote curing of the mortar bed. Consult product data sheet for specific guidelines.
If the option to bond the tiles to the fresh mortar bed is desired, a slurry bond coat is required. A trowel applied slurry bond coat consisting of LATICRETE 254 Platinum or LATICRETE 211 Powder gauged with LATICRETE 4237 Latex Additive slurry is preferred over the conventional dusting with dry portland cement and wetting with water method. The preferred method provides complete contact with the bonding slurry and reduces the chances of hollow and drummy sounding areas.
Figure 8.2 – Tile mechanic screeding an unbonded mortar bed.
The tile is then placed into the wet slurry bond coat and tapped into place and leveled with adjacent tile.
Once the tiles are installed, they should be allowed to cure for a minimum of 24 hours at 70°F (21°C) prior to grouting. The use of a high performance epoxy based grout (e.g. LATICRETE SpectraLOCK® PRO Grout† or LATAPOXY® SP-100) is recommended for interior pool and natatorium decks.
LATICRETE Plaza and Deck System is recommended for installations of tile or stone on exterior pool decks located over occupied space. LATICRETE Plaza and Deck System incorporates LATICRETE Drain Mat placed over a primary roofing type membrane on a properly pre-pitched surface. A mortar bed consisting of LATICRETE 3701 Fortfied Mortar Bed; or, LATICRETE 226 Thick Bed Mortar gauged with LATICRETE 3701 Mortar Admix (minimum 2" [50mm] thick) reinforced with an ANSI A108.02 3.7 compliant wire mesh, is placed onto the LATICRETE Drain Mat and allowed to dry. The installation must be protected from exposure to water at this point to allow the installation of the waterproofing membrane onto the mortar bed. The mortar bed must be allowed to dry sufficiently prior to installation of the waterproofing membrane (e.g. LATICRETE Hydro Ban or LATICRETE 9235 Waterproofing Membrane). Check the installation instructions or product data sheets of LATICRETE Hydro Ban or LATICRETE 9235 Waterproofing Membrane for allowable moisture vapor emission rate levels. Once the mortar bed is dry the installation of the waterproofing membrane can commence. Once the membrane is cured, tile or stone can be installed using LATICRETE 254 Platinum and grouted using LATICRETE PermaColor Grout.
8.3 Waterproofing/Anti-Fracture Membranes
Many anti-fracture and waterproofing membranes can be applied over concrete, mortar beds, and cement backer board. Some waterproofing membranes serve as both waterproofing and anti-fracture membranes (e.g. LATICRETE 9235 Waterproofing Membrane or LATICRETE Hydro Ban™) and are ideal for use on decks, locker rooms, showers, steam rooms and other areas commonly found in natatoriums or recreational water facilities.
The installation of waterproofing is covered under ANSI A108.13, Installation of Load Bearing, Bonded, Waterproof Membranes for Thin-set Ceramic Tile and Dimension Stone, and crack isolation is covered under ANSI A108.17, Installation of Crack Isolation Membranes. The product standards for waterproofing can be found under ANSI A118.10 and the product standards for crack isolation membranes can be found under ANSI A118.12.
Membranes that are used on areas outside of the pool tank should also meet the same performance criteria outlined in Section 7 for submerged applications. Pool decks and other natatorium areas will be subjected to many if not all of the same conditions that the submerged areas are exposed to. In many cases, the waterproofing/anti-fracture membrane can be carried from within the water feature tank out onto the deck areas and then carried up the walls that surround the decks to create a totally waterproof application. Since the membranes must accommodate various transitions, thin load bearing liquid applied types are excellent choices for these applications (e.g. LATICRETE® 9235 Waterproofing Membrane or LATICRETE Hydro Ban™).
8.4 Tile Setting Mortars
Pool decks are exposed to unique factors not typically found in the submerged areas. The adhesive mortars must also be able to deal with potentially greater expansive forces than are typically found within the submerged areas. Therefore, the adhesive mortars and grouting materials must be able to withstand these demands in addition to providing all of the performance properties of the materials used in the submerged areas.
Redispersible Polymer Fortified Cement Mortar and Liquid Latex Fortified Cement Mortar – The use of high performance redispersible polymer fortified cement mortar and liquid latex fortified cement mortar designed for use in submerged applications and freeze thaw applications are the tile adhesive mortars of choice for these applications.
LATICRETE 254 Platinum mixed with potable water or LATICRETE 211 Powder gauged with LATICRETE 4237 Latex Additive are ideal choices for these applications. These products are formulated to have high adhesive strength while providing the flexibility, freeze/thaw resistance and other characteristics required of adhesive mortars used for ceramic tile and stone installations in natatoriums, and exterior and interior pool deck applications.
Epoxy Resin Adhesives – LATAPOXY® 300 Adhesive is also an ideal product for deck areas. LATAPOXY 300 Adhesive can not only withstand chemical attack, but can also provide the desired level of adhesion and strength to tiles and stones that cannot be installed with polymer fortified or liquid latex fortified mortars. Examples of these finish types can include moisture sensitive stone, resin backed tile and stone, and resin agglomerate stone types to mention a few. The tile or stone finish type should be suitable for the area of use.
8.5 Grout
Importance – As is the case in any tile or stones installation, the grout is the most visible and most scrutinized part of the installation system. The grout in pool deck and natatorium areas is subject to many of the same elements and factors that are found in submerged applications. In addition, the grout must also be able to remain colorfast and maintain its performance integrity when subjected to ultra violet rays and the thermal forces found in external applications (e.g. freeze/thaw and thermal shock resistance).
Epoxy Grout – Both LATICRETE SpectraLOCK® PRO Grout† and LATAPOXY SP-100 are ideal choices for interior pool decks, natatorium areas, showers, steam rooms, and bathrooms. These grouts offer both lower water absorption rates and improved chemical resistance when compared to traditional cement based grouts. Epoxy grouts are immune to the typical attack that traditional cement based grouts can face. Therefore, the life cycle cost for these materials is much lower than traditional latex cement based grouts which may require periodic re-grouting due to erosion caused by pH and mineral imbalances, and different forms of chemical attack.
Polymer Fortified and Latex Cement Grout – LATICRETE PermaColor™ Grout is an excellent product that is found in this family type. It is important to note that cement based grout products have limited chemical resistance and are generally only used where no exposure to chemical attack occurs. If a cement based grout is selected for a pool deck or other areas found in natatoriums, careful detail to the maintenance regimen is a must. At times the extra cost associated with additional maintenance of a cement based grout used in a water feature can be offset with the selection and use of an epoxy grout that will greatly reduce the maintenance required.
8.6 Sealants
Sealants used on pool decks and in natatorium areas are subjected to a host of movement related issues. Refer to Section 7 for more information. In addition, to the exposure outlined in section 7, sealants on pool decks must also be able to withstand movement associated with thermal stresses (e.g. freeze/thaw and thermal shock). Sealants must also hold up to ultra violet exposure while maintaining flexibility and retaining its performance properties.
LATICRETE Latasil™ along with LATICRETE 9118 Primer (if required) is an ideal choice for these applications. A suitable backer rod or bond breaker tape should be used along with the sealant. Section 7 contains much more information on how to install the sealant in conjunction with the waterproofing/anti-fracture membrane and the finish materials.
8.7 Typical Renders and Details for Swimming Pool and Natatorium Deck Applications
Adhesive Mortar – LATICRETE® 254 Platinum
LATICRETE 254 Platinum provides unsurpassed strength, far exceeding all ANSI A118.4 requirements. The performance of LATICRETE 254 Platinum is backed by the LATICRETE System Warranty, so there is no need to worry about tile or stone failure, even in the most demanding projects. LATICRETE 254 Platinum is ideal for interior, exterior and submerged applications on all suitable substrates. In addition, LATICRETE 254 Platinum provides easy workability and exceptional bond strength when installing difficult to bond porcelain or glass tile.
When mixed with LATICRETE 221 Powder, LATICRETE 4237 Latex Additive this latex, thin-bed mortar provides uniform, flexible and high strength performance. Ideal for bonding ceramic tile, porcelain tile, thin brick, and stone and is chemical, thermal shock and freeze/thaw resistant. LATICRETE 211 Powder gauged with LATICRETE 4237 Latex Additive can be used over concrete, concrete masonry units, brick, cement backer board, and gypsum wallboard.
LATICRETE 211 Powder gauged with LATICRETE 4237 Latex Additive makes an excellent slurry bond coat for use with thick bed mortars, and, is non-corrosive, non-hazardous and non-flammable.
Figure 8.3 – Thick Bed Floor / Waterproofing System with drain detailing.
Epoxy Thin-Bed System
For areas where the substrate is properly pitched, tile, stone or brick are economically installed using LATAPOXY® 300 Adhesive and grouted with LATICRETE® SpectraLOCK® PRO Grout† or LATICRETE PermaColor™ Grout^. To prevent damage caused by water infiltration use LATICRETE 9235 Waterproofing Membrane or LATICRETE Hydro Ban™.
Figure 8.4 – Tiled pool deck trench drain and pool tank transition.
1 TCA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation 45th edition. Tile Council of North America, Inc. Anderson, SC, 2007, page 19.
*United States Invention Patent No.: 6881768 (and other Patents).