There is always a reluctance to specify admittedly more expensive epoxy grouts for swimming pools over cementitious grouts – however in many cases the cost saving of a cementitious grout comes with a price attached in terms of performance. Epoxies have been seen as the ideal choice for swimming pools in comparison with grouts as, although many cementitious grouts can provide satisfactory durability, this can depend on the nature of the water used to fill the pool – soft water is more corrosive than hard – and on the quality of the regime employed to monitor and maintain the water’s condition.
On the other hand, the use of an epoxy grout may be more expensive, but it can ensure a long life without any need to close the pool for joint repairs. Joint repairs are expensive, usually carried out with epoxy anyway, and are likely to be more than matched by the lost revenue, to say nothing of the problems that can result from emptying a pool. A typical 25m x 10m pool contains around 400 tonnes of water, and emptying it can have unexpected effects on the surrounding structure.
On the other hand, the use of an epoxy grout may be more expensive, but it can ensure a long life without any need to close the pool for joint repairs. Joint repairs are expensive, usually carried out with epoxy anyway, and are likely to be more than matched by the lost revenue, to say nothing of the problems that can result from emptying a pool. A typical 25m x 10m pool contains around 400 tonnes of water, and emptying it can have unexpected effects on the surrounding structure.
Ancillary areas
The deck of a surround has a harder life, in some respects, than the pool itself. Subject to foot traffic, to often aggressive cleaning procedures and to wetting and drying (which can cause a build-up of salts in a water-permeable grout), it requires screeds to be laid to appropriate falls, the tiles to be solidly bedded and the joints to be epoxy grouted.
Foot baths are another case where epoxy grout is apparently the only wise choice; the passage of many feet will cause discolouration of the floor and, possibly, subsequent attempts at cleaning with stronger agents than were originally envisaged.
Tiles in changing room showers collect a fascinating mixture of dead skin, body oils, cosmetic residues and other contaminants. As with footbaths, desperate measures are sometimes employed to clean them. Once again, epoxy grout provides a good defence.
The alternative to epoxies
So why even consider specifying a cementitious grout when looking at the whole-life costs involved? The answer is a high performance alternative to epoxy grout technology for swimming pools – PCI’s Durafug ® NT for joint widths of 5-20mm. Performing like an epoxy, Durafug ® NT has excellent chemical, acid and abrasion resistance, making it ideal for swimming pools and leisure facilities where previously only epoxy grouts were specified.
Clean-up time is always a downside with epoxy grouts, however, tiles grouted with Durafug ®NT can be cleaned off quickly and easily, minimising tile damage and reducing overall contract costs. As Durafug ® NT is epoxy free it also avoids the skin sensitisation problems often associated with epoxy grouts – a real bonus for tilers.
As Durafug® NT is watertight and frost resistant, it can be used both inside and out, of particular benefit for swimming pool facilities that incorporate both indoor and outdoor areas. Importantly in terms of maintaining hygiene, it will withstand cleaning by high pressure water jet (up to 150°C and 100 bar), as well as resisting attack from acid and alkali cleaning products.
Specifying cementitious grouts for wet leisure areas may have meant a compromise on performance in the past. In the future, it need not be so as advanced products such as Durafug ® NT offer a real alternative to epoxy grouts.
For more information, contact PCI’s Techincal Services Department on 0161 794 7411