TactTiles will give a wonderful lift to a pool area and provide a safe, anti-slip surface.  These notes are intended as general advice for domestic type installations, as poolsides do vary widely.  Those of our clients that are competent DIYers choose to install the products themselves, others prefer Tact to carry out the installation.

Survey the area

Firstly make a detailed survey of the poolside area, if you can send us some photographs it really helps us to advise you.  We need to know: 

• Is the pool raised or inset?
• Is the pool indoors, outside or with a telescopic cover?
• What is the shape of the pool? eg. rectangular, with a Roman end, freeform, or circular.
• How is the edge of the pool formed?  eg. level entry, level entry with a drain, coping stones (if so are they level with the surround or is there a drop to the outside edge?)
• What is the poolside substrate composed of? eg. ceramic tiles, paving slabs, bare concrete, carpet, rubber crumb.

Drains

In an indoor pool room it is advisable to install drains in the floor to carry away excess water and allow the floor to be cleaned without contaminating the pool water.  Drains can be laid around the perimeter of the pool, around the edge of the room, or the floor laid to falls and the drain in one corner.  The type of drain selected depends upon the intensity of use and the budget available. When drains are fitted, the water will drain through the TactTiles and flow under the tiles to the drains. An outdoor pool does not normally require drainage as the water will evaporate naturally.

Existing Substrate

Some work may be required to the existing substrate to provide a clean and sealed surface underneath the TactTiles.  Some substrates will have to be removed entirely, these include rubber crumb, artificial grass and carpet.  These old substrates will be dirty and smelly with very high bacteria levels.  Removing them is hard work and specialist equipment may need to be hired.  Ceramic tiles may only require cleaning and repair of loose tiles. Paving slabs may need levelling and cleaning.  Bare Concrete and any polous material should be sealed to prevent ingress or pool chemicals and consequent deterioration and build up of moulds and fungi.  Tact recommend their Poolcoat to seal these surfaces and provide a clean and hygienic surface upon which to lay TactTiles.  This is particularly important for indoor pools.

Edging Finishes

When laying TactTiles the edging finishes are largely dictated by the construction of the pool.  We love coping stones with a 1cm to 1inch drop to the outside - this enables TactTiles to be laid up to the coping stone and cut to fit, creating a level floor - perfect.  However, we can also install Flexible Edging which enables us to bridge the gap between one level and another.  On straight sided, level entry pools, TactTiles own Edgetiles can be fitted in a matching or contrasting colour to give a little slope to the edge of the floor.

Talk to Tact

Getting the right look and having a safe and easy to maintain floor takes a little time and trouble.  Please Contact Us to discuss the options - we are very happy to help