Pool Tile
Repair, replacement and new tile for Houston pools.
Loose, cracked and missing waterline tile is one of the most common calls we get.
Most pool tile does not fail on its own. It comes off because the mortar bed behind it let go, or because the bond beam under it moved. That is why sticking a few tiles back on rarely holds. We find out what moved first. Then we repair the tile so it stays put.
Express Pool Plastering & Repairs has served Houston and the surrounding area for over 17 years. We repair and replace waterline tile, and we install new tile when you want a fresh look.Have you always dreamt of transforming your simple pool finish with tile? We don’t just plaster pools; Express Pool Plastering can create your dream pool with tile.
Our Favorite Tile Distributors
Visit our showroom to choose the materials that suit your design and style. Our friendly staff is ready to assist in coordinating the perfect selections to compliment your swimming pool. We offer an endless array of color combinations from the following distributors:
What loose, cracked and missing tile is telling you
The way your tile fails tells us what is wrong behind it.
Tiles popping off in a row. The mortar bed behind that stretch has failed. The tile is fine; what it was stuck to is not.
A crack that steps through tile and shell together. That is movement in the bond beam, not a tile problem. Fixing the tile without addressing the movement just buys a few months.
Grout washed out between tiles. Water is getting behind the band. Left alone it lifts more tile every season.
A white crust along the waterline. That is calcium scale, not damage. More on that below.
Send us photos of what you are seeing and we will tell you which one you have.
When we repair the tile, and when we replace the band
A few loose tiles on an otherwise solid band is a spot repair. We pull the loose pieces, cut back to sound mortar, and reset them.
We repair when the damage is small and isolated — and when we can still get matching tile.
We recommend a complete retile when any one of these is true:
- damaged or loose tiles are scattered along the waterline rather than clustered in one spot
- the tiles sound hollow when tapped
- your tile has been discontinued and cannot be matched
That last one catches most people out. Tile lines are retired constantly, and once yours is out of production a spot repair leaves you with a patch that does not match. If yours is discontinued, we will point you to the local pool tile distributors we work with so you can choose a new tile you actually like — then we retile the band in one go.
We will tell you when a spot repair is throwing good money after bad. That conversation is cheaper than doing it twice.
Tile and coping usually come off together
Your coping sits directly on top of the waterline band. Same bond beam, same movement, same weather. When one lets go the other is usually close behind.
If your coping is lifting, or the joints between coping stones have opened up, new tile alone will not hold. We look at both before we quote either.
When they need doing together, we quote them together. See our pool coping repair in Houston.
Why Choose Tile for your Pool?
Tile Trends: While glass pool tiles are the hottest trend, they are also some of the most durable tiles available and classic enough to endure changes in style trends. Although beautiful, they’re also tough enough to withstand the elements and harsh chemicals. No matter your design aesthetic, we have the perfect tile for you.
Tile Maintenance
Cleaning tiles is a breeze compared to other pool finishes. Their smooth surface resists grime and algae growth, making maintenance simpler and ensuring your pool looks pristine with less effort. Use a soft brush or sponge with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner to gently scrub away any residue.
That white line above your tile is calcium scale. It builds as pool water evaporates and leaves calcium behind, which bakes onto the tile in the sun.
How fast it comes back depends partly on the water you refill with, and in the Houston area that varies a lot. Houston Public Works reported an average total hardness of 110 ppm for the main city system in 2024, ranging from 43 to 137 ppm. Some systems it reports run much harder — 175 ppm on Willow Chase, and 833 and 1,071 ppm on two utility districts. If you are on one of the harder systems, expect scale back sooner after a refill.
Light scale comes off with a pumice stone and patience. Heavy scale needs bead blasting, which we do as part of a tile repair or a replaster. We do not take standalone tile cleaning work.
Also, be sure to keep grout lines clean and sealed. Regularly check for signs of wear or cracking and reapply grout sealer as needed to maintain a clean look. If you notice any loose or damaged tiles, address them promptly to prevent further issues. For issues beyond simple fixes, contact us for swimming pool repair in Houston, TX.
Tiles Are the Perfect Choice
Today’s pool tiles are designed to withstand the elements, resist staining, and handle the rigors of pool chemicals. This durability means your pool will remain beautiful and comfortable for several years. The cool comfort of stepping on tiles is as refreshing as water makes each dip in the pool a reminder of the luxury you’re enjoying. Whether you’re upgrading your existing pool or starting from scratch, Express Pool Plastering ensures that your tile choice will be both stylish and practical. For any tile-related concerns, including Houston pool repair, we can help!
Planning a bigger refresh? Look at pool decking and water features while the pool is down.
Why Houston homeowners choose Express Pool
- Over 17 years on Houston pools. Plaster, tile, coping, decking and repair.
- Family owned and insured.
- One company, every trade. Tile, coping and surface work by the same crew, so nothing gets blamed on the other guy.
- We diagnose before we quote. You get told what actually failed.
- One-year warranty on a complete retile.
- Free quotes, and financing if you want to spread the cost.
Part of our Houston pool remodeling services.
Pool tile questions we get asked
Why is my pool tile falling off?
Almost always because the mortar behind it failed, or because the bond beam under it moved. The tile itself is rarely the problem. That is why re-gluing loose pieces usually does not last.
Do I have to replace all the tile if only a few are loose?
Not always. A few loose tiles on a solid band is a spot repair. Once the mortar behind the band is breaking down, replacing the whole band costs less than repairing it twice.
Can you replace pool tile without draining the pool?
No. The water has to come down below the waterline band before we can work on it. Waterline tile has to be set into dry mortar and given time to cure, so there is no underwater shortcut on tile the way there sometimes is on a plaster patch.
Can you match the tile I already have?
If your tile is still in production, usually yes. If it has been discontinued, matching it is hard and often not possible. In that case we send you to the local pool tile distributors we work with to pick a replacement you like, and we retile the whole waterline band so it looks deliberate instead of patched.
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