Tiles in a properly winterized pool should not pop. Something is wrong here. Lets narrow it down some if we can. Its usually due to one of two main culprits.

I am assuming you have a concrete deck. Is the seal for the expansion joint between the deck and coping intact or is it split and letting water in between the two? Water can then wick in the thin set, not unlike oil in a Tiki torch. The water freezes and pops a tile when it expands.

Is the water level, at closing kept below the tile line? Surface water in the pool, when frozen, expands. This can cause the tiles to pop off or form cracks. A snow load on the cover can also bring lowered water up too! An automatic submersible pump on the 1st step or if you have a swim out with a step in the deep end (usually better because it's tile line usually has an extra inch or two of space to the step) keeps water off the tile. I like the Little Giant ACP-500 for this task. It has a low profile and can be completely submerged which makes it ideal when the pool hasn't been lowered at closing, making life a little easier for you.

Tiles are used at the water line because the sun and air would have a detrimental effect on the plasters used if constantly exposed at the water line. Tile is impervious to the effects. You have seen the effects of Winter when the situation is otherwise.

If the situation is not as I surmised, all the tile needs to be replaced. That 15% annually is excessive.

Scott

Are you talking about the little tiles in a mosaic tile?

My brother has had this problem every couple years with his mosaic tile. He's in the process now of having it all re-tiled with 6" tiles.

Or are you saying you already have 6" tiles and THOSE are popping?

Thank you poolguy and banana. Poolguy, the seal between the deck and coping may very well be the culprit. Is this something we can seal ourselves with a particular sealant?

We do drain the water well below the tile line. There is snow depending on the year but never enough on the cover to pop the water up.

Banana, our tiles are the smaller tiles. We may look into having it retiled at somepoint. Last time we checked, our pool company charged $80 per hour and would only guarantee their work for 1 season.

Freezing weather causes ice. Ice expands.

If moisture got behind the tile and then froze, pop!

Any weight that press on the water level in the pool will make it rise by the amount of space an equal amount of water would take. Example: 64 lbs of anything press on the water's surface and the water will rise a total of one cubic foot. This is called displacement. A three inch snow load on a cover is going to press on the surface and cause the pool to rise in order to support the weight.

These are two ways tiles can pop off.

Whether you can do it yourself depends on your handiness and knowledge of masonry and self leveling caulking. A pro's fee is generally by the foot and will vary in both different markets and material used. I wouldn't have my Grandma doing it.

Scott

No one answered the question. Everyone is trying to fix the problem. I have the same question. Looking for an out of the box alternative.

The tile falling off is just a symptom of the problem.

It all starts from the beginning with the proper steps when preparing to set your coping stone then your tile.

The surface must be thoroughly cleaned and it's advisable to use a material to make the surface watertight. This hold true for both the tile and the coping. Water or moisture can creep in behind coping stones in cold temps and create problems for both the coping and tile.

Laticrete, for instance, a company that makes setting materials for tile and stone, has a particular process of multiple layers of material to prevent water intrusion. Special thinsets for particular tiles must used.

There are competitors materials that are available. They basically recommend a similar process. The idea is to prevent water or moisture intrusion.

Once tile starts to fall off, it will never stop. Especially in freeze/thaw areas.

The true fix is to strip the tile, prep the surface properly and reset new material.

Omg no actually answered the question! Is there any other thing or product that can replace tile at the waterline of a pool*? Is time the only finish that will protect platter from the elements?

Brainstorming, I came up with a pebble finish coat, like what is used in garages and surface costs concrete. Would that work? Is there a product similar for pools?