Table of Contents

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Preface

1.2 History of Tile and Stone in Swimming Pools

1.3 Why Use Tile and Stone in Swimming Pools and Fountains?

1.4 Summary of Manual Content

SECTION 2 TYPES OF POOLS AND FOUNTAINS

2.1 In Ground

2.2 Above Ground

2.3 Suspended Pools

2.4 Spa/Therapeutic

SECTION 3 TYPES OF POOL CONSTRUCTION

3.1 Poured Concrete

Type of Concrete

Floor Flatness

Age of Concrete

Cracking

Contamination

3.2 Gunite/Shot-crete

3.3 Concrete Masonry Units

3.4 Steel Shell

3.5 Fiberglass Shell

SECTION 4 POOL PROJECT DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

4.1 Tile Industry Standards

Tile Council of North America (TCNA)

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

4.2 Structural Considerations

Loads

Requirements of Design

Deflection

4.3 Types of Structural Movement

Thermal Movement

Moisture Movement

Differential Movement

4.4 Movement Joints

Controlling Stresses With Movement Joints

Guidelines for Movement Joints

Movement Joint Treatment

4.5 Swimming Pool/Fountain Construction Considerations

Layout and Positioning

Excavation

Hydrostatic Pressure Relief Valve

Vapor Retarder

Water Stop

Plumbing

Lights and Electrical

Observation Portals and Windows

4.6 Pool Deck

Pool Deck Substrates

Slope to Drain

Movement Joints

Cure Time

4.7 Building and Safety Code Considerations

Building Codes

Safety Codes

Solid Barrier

Fence Made Up Of Horizontal and Vertical Members

Chain Link Fence

Fence Made Up of Diagonal Members

Above Ground Pools With Barrier On Top of Pool

Gates

Standards

SECTION 5 SELECTION OF POOL TILE OR FINISH

5.1 Considerations for Tile Selection

5.2 Placement of Tile in Swimming Pool and Pool Decks

5.3 Types of Tile for Submerged Applications

Paper Face Mounted

Plastic Face Mounted

Rear Dot Mounted

Rear Mesh Mounted

Rear Paper Mesh Back Mounted

5.4 Non-Tiled Pool Finish Types

Plaster

Pebble Tec

Paint

Epoxy Paint

Chlorinated Rubber Base Paint

Water-Based Acrylic Paint

Vinyl Liner

SECTION 6 TILE INSTALLATION PREPARATION AND EQUIPMENT

6.1 Installation Equipment, Substrate Preparation and Installation Procedures

Substrate and Finish Material Surface Preparation

Adhesive Compatibility

6.2 Inspection and Evaluation

Site Visit and Pre-Construction Conference

Job Site Conditions

Contamination

Surface and Ambient Temperatures

Weather Conditions and Substrate Protection

Hot Weather Applications

Cold Weather Applications

Dry, Windy Conditions

Wet Conditions

6.3 Moisture Content of Concrete

Concrete Curing and Age of Concrete

Cracking

Treating Shrinkage Cracks

Structural Cracks

6.4 Potential Bond Breaking Materials

Laitance

Curing Compounds, Sealers and Form Release Agents

6.5 Substrate Preparation Equipment and Procedures

Contamination Removal

Methods of Removal

6.6 Substrate Tolerances

Flatness and Levelness

6.7 Final Surface (Residue) Cleaning

6.8 Finish Material Preparation

Types of Finish Materials

Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles

Stone

Glass Tile

6.9 Adhesive Mixing Equipment and Procedures

Types of Adhesives and Equipment

Latex Portland Cement Based Adhesive Mortars

Epoxy Adhesive

Mortar Beds, Screeds and Renders

6.10 Installation Equipment and Procedures

6.11 Grout and Sealant Materials, Methods and Equipment

6.12 Post Installation Cleaning

6.13 Mechanical Means and Methods

Power Screeds

Power Grouting

Mortar Mixers and Pumps

Spraying Liquid Applied Waterproofing Membranes

SECTION 7 POOL/FOUNTAIN/SPA TILE INSTALLATION

7.1 Adhesive and Mortar Performance and Selection

Criteria

7.2 Methods of Installation

Thin Bed Method

Medium Bed Method

Thick Bed Method

Templates

Gutters and Special Forms

7.3 Waterproofing

Importance

External “Sandwich” Type Roofing Membrane

Direct Bond

Sheet Membranes

Peel and Stick Membranes

Trowel Applied Membranes

Latex Cement Based Membranes

Epoxy Based Membranes

Liquid Applied Membranes

Detailing of Penetrations/Railing/Steps

Flood Testing

7.4 Tile Setting Mortars

Types of Adhesives

Liquid Latex-Fortified Cement Mortar

Types of Liquid Additives

Epoxy Resin Adhesives

7.5 Grout

Importance

Latex Cement Grout

Latex Cement Grout

7.6 Sealant

Importance

Backup Strip (Backer Rod)

Silicon

Urethane or Polyurethante

Acrylic

7.7 Post Installation

Cure Times

Inspection

7.8 Typical Renders and Details for Swimming Pools and Water Features

7.9 Warranty

SECTION 8 POOL DECK AND NATATORIUM TILE INSTALLATIONS

8.1 Tile Installation Materials Performance Selection Criteria

8.2 Methods of Installation

8.3 Waterproofing/Anti-Fracture Membranes

8.4 Tile Setting Mortars

Redispersible Polymer-Fortified Cement Mortar and Liquid Latex Fortified Cement Mortar

Epoxy Resin Adhesives

8.5 Grout

Importance

Epoxy Grout

Cement Grout and Latex Cement Grout

8.6 Sealant

8.7 Typical Renders and Details for Swimming Pool and Natatorium Deck Applications

SECTION 9 SPECIFICATIONS FOR SWIMMING POOL/FOUNTAIN/SPA INSTALLATIONS

9.1 Specification Sections 1 and 2

9.2 ES-P601 Concrete – Swimming Pool Tank

9.3 ES-P601D Concrete – Swimming Pool Tank – Direct Bond Thin Bed

9.4 ES-P602 Steel/Metal – Thin Bed

9.5 ES-P603 Steel/Metal – Thick Bed

9.6 ES-P604 Fiberglass – Thin Bed Epoxy

SECTION 10 SWIMMING POOL/FOUNTAINS/SPA DETAIL DRAWINGS

ES-P601 Concrete – Swimming Pool Tank

ES-P601A Concrete – Swimming Pool Gutter

ES-P601B Concrete – Swimming Pool Roll out Rim

ES-P601C Concrete – Pool Deck/Trench Drain

ES-P601D Concrete – Swimming Direct Bond

ES-P602 Stainless Steel – Pool/Spa Thin-Bed

ES-P603 Stainless Steel – Pool/Spa Thick Bed

ES-P604 Fiberglass – Pool/Spa Thin Bed

ES-F101 Concrete – Slab-On-Grade – Bonded Thick Bed

ES-F101B Concrete – Slab-On-Grade – Bonded Thick Bed with Waterproofing/Anti-Fracture Membrane

ES-F102 Concrete – Slab-On-Grade – Thin Bed

ES-F111 Concrete – Slab-On-Grade or Suspended – Unbonded Thick Bed

ES-F111B Concrete – Slab-On-Grade or Suspended – Unbonded Thick Bed With Waterproofing Membrane

ES-B417A Concrete Tub – Tubs, Fountains and Curbs

ES-B417B Wood Form Tub – Tubs, Fountains and Curbs

ES-W244 (E) Cement Backer Board – Steel Framing – Exterior

ES-WP300 Typical Pipe Penetration

ES-WP301 Typical Drain Detail

ES-WP302 Drain Detail – Exploded View

SECTION 11 POOL WATER AND TILE INSTALLATION MAINTENANCE

11.1 Fill and Drain Rates

11.2 Opening and Closing Seasonal Swimming Pools and Water Features

11.3 Water Treatments and Tile Installations

11.4 Pool Water Chemistry and How It Affects Tile or Stone Installations

11.5 Repairing Tile or Stone Installations for Submerged Installations

SECTION 12 TROUBLESHOOTING AND CASE STUDY

12.1 Troubleshooting

12.2 Case Study

SECTION 13 APPENDIX

13.1 Swimming Pools/Fountains/Water Features/Frequently Asked Questions

13.2 Glossary

13.3 Resource Guide