waterproofing and crack-isolation membrane before tile installation. Choose a mortar specially designed for the tile chosen. For instance, make sure to use a mortar labeled for compatibility with glass or one noted for large heavy tile. To avoid surprises, build a mockup using the actual mortar, grout and tile to be installed. When using porcelain or glass tile for pool areas, proper keying and notch- ing of the mortar to achieve 95% to 100% coverage is important for a successful installation. Glass tile may require white mortar and 100% coverage. Check the tile manufacturer’s recommendations. Material manufacturers often pro- vide detailed instructions for pool installations online. You may ben- efit from extended manufacturer warranties by choosing an entire system from a single source. 3. Grouting tile Refer to the tile and grout manu- facturers’ instructions for grouting properly. When using tile mosaics with face-mounted paper or plastic sheets, verify with the tile manu- facturer when and how to remove these sheets. Today’s advanced- performance, modified grouts and epoxy grouts are stain resistant and can withstand the chemicals need- ed for pool health. Check with the grout manufacturer to see if the grout can be used in a submerged environment. With many colors and special effects available from some manu- facturers, grout can become an integral part of the pool tile design. Finally, make sure to caulk the expansion joints and changes of TECH TALK –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Choose a mortar specifically designed to work with glass or large heavy tiles. Follow the manufacturer’s recommenda- tions for tile setting. Glass tile makes a design statement. Be sure to select the proper grout for tile in submerged areas. 56 TileLetter | July 2017