Pool Coping / Tiles

Before

After

Before

Over the years, the coping on our pool had deteriorated. The coping is the material on the top edge surrounding the pool. We also had some tiles that had begun to fall off around the skimmer area. There was a question about whether to repair them or replace them, with the latter being the bigger and more expensive project.

Old Coping - skimmer closeup

Old Coping - near steps

There was also the plan to add a pool safety cover which made the current coping a bit problematic. Our existing coping was both sloped upwards at the end and was very rough. For a pool safety cover that is pulled tight against it, that would leave a gap for debris to get in as well and wear out the cover more easily from the abrasions.

We decided to replace both the coping and tiles and this project became a prerequisite to the Pool Cover Project. We would choose a smooth and flat coping to have the cover better fit, and would choose glass iridescent tiles that were particularly nice looking.

This was not much of a DIY project as it only required us to find the right contractor and pick out the coping and tiles. This worked out well as the contractor did good work and we were happy with the end result. It took a crew of 2 to 5 folks (depending on the day) a full week to complete the project.

Day 1 Progress - Demolition and Emptying

The first day was the demolition of the existing coping and tiles and beginning to empty the pool.

Day 1 - Coping removed - east closeup

Day 1 - Coping removed - skimmer

Day 1 - Coping removed - steps

Day 1 - Coping removed - stairs and skimmer

Day 1 - Coping removed - pump draining

Day 1 - Coping removed - skimmer area

Day 2 Progress - New Coping Begins

The second day saw the installation of the first pieces of coping, the pool finslly being emptied and the delivery of the boxes of new tiles.

Day 2 - New coping - northwest

Day 2 - New coping - closeup

Day 2 - New coping - end closeup

Day 2 - Coping removed - stairs

Day 2 - Pool empty - deep end

Day 2 - Boxes of tiles

Day 3 Progress - New Tiles Begin

This day most of the new coping pieces were all in place and the initial areas of new tiles were put in place.

Day 3 - First tiles installed

Day 3 - First tiles closeup

Day 3 - Tiles by stairs

Day 3 - Tiles by stairs (closeup)

Day 3 - Progress - view east (wide)

Day 3 - Progress - hoses and wires

Day 4 Progress

This was the day the new tiles would be mostly completed and coping was trimmed and smoothed.

Day 4 - New coping and tiles - view northwest (alt)

Day 4 - New coping and tiles - view northeast

Day 4 - New coping and tiles by stairs

Day 4 - New tiles with many spacers

Day 4 - New tiles - stair closeup

Day 4 - New tiles - sharp corner closeup

Day 4 - New coping and tiles - deep end

Day 4 - New tiles - rope hook

Day 4 - Closeup of uninstalled tiles

Day 4 - New tiles - return jets by stairs

Day 4 - New tiles - skimmer closeup

Day 5 Progress

The final work day for the crew saw them filling in the tiles that required more intricate cuts (around skimmer and returns). They also did a good job of cleaning up. I was able to beginning filling the pool again after this.

Day 5 - Shallow end

Day 5 - View northwest

Day 5 - View west

Day 5 - View east

Day 5 - View northeast

Day 5 - View north

Day 5 - Diving board closeup

Day 5 - Skimmer

Day 5 - Skimmer closeup (alt)

Day 5 - Skimmer and stair area

Day 5 - Re-filling started

Day 6 Progress

It took more than a full day to refill the pool using two hoses. Also a few hundred dollars in water charges form the city, not to mention the shaming email they sent about how I was using more water than the average person in Austin.