Renovations for 30 yr old pool

[Toni Russell]

We have had 3 pool companies come to our home to check out our 30 year old pool & give us an estimate to refinish/renovate. We have 3 separate answers from the as for choices on how to do this. #1. Says since we have a ton of tile we could keep that & they would acid wash to soften then remove grout from tiles, regrout & then put a finish in the pool that would be an aggregate. #2. Says tile needs to be replaced then they would refinish rest of pool with aggregate. #3 Says they would lay tile directly on the existing tile & go over the finish with a new aggregate. If a tile is loose or comes loose during the process they would just re do that area to the thickness of the other tiles. They all talk about 'soft spots' so we are prepared for this event.

My question is this; 1. There are existing stains on the finish at this time. If they don't remove the old finish completely will it eventually come through?; 2. If they install the tile over existing tile, if the old tile for some reason begins to lose its ability to stay put what happens then? New & old tile have to be removed & redone? We thought getting 3 quotes was reasonable to help us decide which to do, but they all have different processes & ideas as to how to completely renovate. We are a bit confused now. Can you help. This is not a cheap procedure any of the options provide so we are willing to invest but would like to make the best decision.

Thank you.

 

[reggiehammond]

Can you first explain what you think is the issue? Just staining? Damaged tile?

Post some photos of the pool in its current state.

 

[kimkats]

Hi and welcome to TFP! I am so glad you found us so we can help you decide how to best move forward.

I will start off saying to NOT do #3. NO tile on top of other tile. You already thought of one of the many reasons why it would not be a good idea.

#1 while interesting I am not sure that is such a good idea. Why do they think the grout needs to be removed/replaced? Please take a good pic or 3 of the grout so we can see what you are dealing with.

 

[Toni Russell]

The reason #1 was going to redo the grout because we really don't like the grouped look. He would remove the tile his point was keeping the cost down of replacing all the tile. #3 is a very reputable company & I thought they would give me another option but I really don't feel, nor does my husband, that is not a good option to save a few bucks. He did say that regardless if we put tile over or have it removed it was all the same to him. It just shocked us with the tile over option. He did not give us a quote yet.

 

[kimkats]

Okay so #1 grout removal would be to change the color of the grout. Got it! I will also tell you they may (will really) chip and case some damage to the tiles when they remove the grout. It is just the nature of the beast. Saying that it will save you some money and almost no one will notice the chips or such so long as they are careful when they do it. Ask them what tools will they be using to remove the grout.

 

[Toni Russell]

Since we are so thoroughly confused (& my husband is a person who really understands these issues as I do for all 3 different options), we still have one more hope that another contractor is supposed to contact us about the reno & come out to review & give us an estimate. I really think, at this point, #1 has the right option but we would prefer to remove all the tile so that it is not so busy & with larger tiles see less of the troublesome grout. We had already had a figure in our heads so that really isn't the issue. Now we just have to get someone who makes sense of this entire thing. I need to get a quote from #1 about the removal of the tile completely & go from there. They have very good ratings & the others are almost equally up there & all have longevity in this city/county.

 

[kimkats]

So long as you do NOT put tile on top of tile then it is all good. I just wanted to make sure you know of the possible problems with removing the grout.