How to seal our pool waterline tile

Handmade Clay tile is not rated to withstand freezing conditions. Generally, the more porous a tile material is, the more susceptible to damage it will be, especially under wet and/or freezing conditions. Porosity in Clay Imports’ pool waterline tile is relatively low. That said, when installed correctly, pool waterline tiles are suitable for pool and waterline application in non-freezing environments. Please follow these steps for optimal results.

Disclaimer: Since the installation of tile greatly determines the integrity of the project and the tile itself, Clay imports does not warranty this product and is not responsible for dissatisfaction of material following installation. Please inspect all tile upon receipt and notify us immediately if you have any quality concerns. This guide is meant to serve as a general resource. Because each project is unique, consult your tile installer before installing your tile.

1. Confirm that the surface that you will be installing your sealed clay tile on has been properly waterproofed. We recommend waterproofing with Laticrete Hydro Ban Cementitious Waterproof Membrane.
   
   
2. Prior to the installation of your pool waterline tile, seal every tile piece with an adequate penetrating sealer. We recommend Prime-A-Pell 200 or Miracle Seal Porous Plus. The most effective method for sealing your tile is to dip the entire body, one piece at a time, into a bucket of the sealer. Please review our video on How to Seal Clay Imports’ pool waterline tile. Leave the tile submerged for approximately 5 seconds, then remove and lay it face-up on a flat surface. Allow the tile to dry for at least 1 hour.
   
   
3. Adhere the tile with a latex/polymer, fortified thinset mortar. Ensure that you evenly spread the mortar on the back of tile, leaving no air pockets. The TCNA (The Tile Council of North America) does not specify the types of tile that latex/polymer-modified mortar is most suitable for, but it does say that latex/polymer additives allow “specific properties to be imparted to the cement; commonly, freeze/thaw resistance, improved flexibility, and improved adhesion. There are also polymers used to make the cement waterproof or sufficiently elastic so that it acts like an anti-fracture membrane.”
   
   
4. We recommend installing the clay tile with a 3/16” grout joint. Grout the joints with a polymerinfused mortar, Mapei UltraColor Plus.
   
   
5. Keep in mind that this is a fast-drying grout, so do not allow the grout to rest on the tile surface, when applying it, for too long. To be safe, apply the grout in small sections to reduce the risk of over-drying.
   
   
6. Once your Clay Imports’ pool waterline tile has been installed and fully dried, apply 2 to 3 additional coats of the penetrating sealer to the finished surface. Make sure to wipe away excess sealer from the surface prior to drying. We recommend regular upkeep of clay tile by resealing it at least once a year.
   

Following the recommended steps will ensure a successful installation. If you, or your installer, have any remaining questions or concerns, please feel free to contact or visit us during our hours of operation.