Whether you are looking for an easily applicable pool grout or a quick solution to a small pool leak or a pool tile replacement, you’ve come to the right place. A pool tile grout or a joint grout can be just the right tool for that so we have recommended three of them.
Ideally you want a grout that looks good after application, is water-proof and most importantly, is easy to apply or mix. The goal is to have a quick, trouble-free, DIY session (for which you will need some dedicated pool cleaning shoes) and the end result should also not be every obvious. We’ve kept all these things in mind while recommending these three products.
Please note that most of the grout available in the market is not recommended by the manufacturer to be used in areas with prolonged water exposure. In such areas, epoxy grout should be used.
Best Grouts for Pools and Pool Tiles
Here’s an overview of the recommendations:
- Custom Simple Premium Grout (Editor’s choice)
- Red Devil Pre-Mixed Tile Grout
- Sashco Beige MorFlexx Grout Repair
- Pool Patch White Pool Tile Grout
1. Custom Simple Premium Grout (Editor’s choice)
Most suitable for grout joints…
Pros:
- Pre-mixed
- Stain resistant
- Water-proof
- Neutral color
Cons:
- Needs water occasionally
I have always recommended pre-mixed grout to the average joes and they do not get much better than this. They have the added convenience of not having to be mixed. This also avoids wastage as residual mixed up grout is bound to go to waste.
This premium grout from Custom is really easy to apply. If you are doing the application job for the first time then this might be the best way to go. We also highly recommend choosing from one of the best pool cleaning shoes for your own safety from slippage.
You will be able to use this grout for joint sizes between 1/16 and 1/2 of an inch. The water-proof rating and crack resistance adds to the peace of mind, as well.
The color is Delorean Gray which should be appropriate for most pools. Furthermore, the color darkens a bit as it dries so this is something you should keep in mind. The color has been rated as stain-resistant but it is not the most stain-resistant, from our experience.
One downside is that some users have had to add a little bit of water to the mix. This is still a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.
2. Red Devil Pre-Mixed Tile Grout
Extremely versatile…
Pros:
- Pre-mixed
- Perfect consistency
- Strongly adhesive
- White color
- Economical
Cons:
- Yellowish tint
- Packaging is not so good
This super-adhesive grout from Red Devil is suitable for both ceramic and mosaic tiles. In terms of adhesion, there are few pre-mixed grouts that can match the Red Devil.
All necessary checkpoints like water, strain and crack resistance have been checked. However, it is vulnerable to cracking if you try to fill huge gaps with it.
Color discoloration will never be an issue with the Red Devil but the color itself has been a cause of concern for some users. Originally claimed to be white, it has the slightest tint of yellow in it.
The consistency of Red Devil is something that other brands need to learn from. It is not overly gritty or too loose. This makes the application process a breeze and also significantly improves the results. To further ease the process, Red Devil offers this product in tubes for added convenience.
Red Devil is a family owned American brand that strives to bring value to its customers so the product is very reasonable priced. For this reason, a lot of pool contractors have it in their arsenal as well. The only thing that they really need to improve on is their packaging, as it is known to get loose during transit.
A word of caution, though: never apply this product with bare hands and always use latex gloves for this purpose. This grout as not skin-friendly at all. Also a dedicated pool cleaning work boot will protect your feet adequately.
3. Sashco Beige MorFlexx Grout Repair
Most easy to use…
Pros:
- Tube packing
- Very sticky
- Long-lasting
- Beige color
Cons:
- Repair looks obvious
Sashco has provided us with a beige grout repair which is hard to find. It looks almost like mortar which may be a good thing if you are trying to match it with mortar or stamped concrete.
The Morflexx grout repair show one of the highest levels of adhesion in the market. It sticks very well and will hold its own in even heavy showers of rain when applied outside.
The ease of application due the tube packing has propelled its popularity beyond measures. It fills the cracks easily and the tubing option makes it very easy to apply for beginners. The tube does appear to malfunction, at times.
Since it is similar to vinyl in composition, it does not absorb water very much. This causes it to appear lighter than its surroundings when they get wet. Also, it does have a bit of flex to it for the same reasons.
Perhaps, the biggest selling point is the price that Sashco has asked for. A pack of 2 tubes is available for 20 bucks over at Amazon which makes it extremely economical.
4. Pool Patch White Pool Tile Grout
Best for waterlines…
Pros:
- Superb adhesion
- White color
- Resists discoloration
- Economical
Cons:
- Not pre-mixed
Pool patch has designed this white tile grout for ceramic, glass and porcelain swimming pool waterlines. And the result is an effective yet economical grout that is suitable for a wide range of users.
The color of this grout is white which I deem to be the most suitable one. It also has some sort of enhancements to minimize discoloration over time due to contact with pool chemicals which are quite effective.
Coming to the application, it is moderately easy to set in. The adhesion is superb thanks to a special acrylic-polymer latex that reinforces the matrix.
This is not a pre-mixed grout so you will have to mix it up yourselves which does decrease the ease-of-use to some extent. If not for this reason, this one would have topped our list of recommendations due to the value for money.
The benefit of not being a pre-mixed grout is that it is extremely economical. It comes in a 3-pound jar good enough for almost 10 square feet of real estate and you can check the latest price here.
How to choose the best pool grout? Buyer’s guide
Ease of application
Even the professionals prefer a product with greater ease of use. Still, beginners are the ones that will benefit most from it.
Choose a grout that is easy to mix (ideally pre-mixed), easy to apply and easy to remodel. This not only makes life much easier but also prevents a lot of the mistakes that beginners are prone to commit.
Adhesion
Ideally, you want high levels of adhesion in your grout for maximum hold. Grouts with greater adhesion hold better, are easier to set in and are sturdier down the line.
You can, obviously, go overboard with that. A grout with excessive adhesives will set in rapidly which leaves a smaller time period for the user to flatten and shape it. This is especially not good for beginners.
Waterproofing
Grouts with added levels of waterproofing are more suited to areas where there is a constant exposure to water. Examples of such areas are the floor of a swimming pool and the shower area.
If you need grout for areas that are not as exposed to water, you do not need to focus as much on this aspect. For areas like bathroom walls, pool waterlines and lawn tiles, waterproof grouts are really not that necessary.
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