Phase 6 — Coping & Tile • Subcontractor Scope of Work • DIY Pools & Spas

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Homeowner

Dig Date

Get Ready

Prep & Layout

Confirm all materials are on-site: tile, coping, thinset, grout, silicone.

Use frost-proof tile.

Confirm correct glass-tile thinset (cures slower, install over multiple days) and matching non-sanded grout are on hand.

Confirm waterproof membrane (Semco, Laticrete 9235) is on hand.

Set up level board / form board mounted to pool wall, leveled with transit, around the entire perimeter.

Cover skimmer interior, autofill, and any fittings to prevent thinset/grout intrusion.

Execute

During Work

Install cascades, scuppers, overflow line, fountains set into the gunite shell during this phase.

Coping: thinset for stone/porcelain/travertine.

Cantilever coping: form, pour, and score every 18"–24" to allow movement.

Waterline tile: standard 6" band, set on thinset, centered to the level board for true horizontal line.

On any raised pool wall backed by dirt or a planter: apply waterproof membrane on the back side to prevent efflorescence and shrinkage cracking.

Skimmer and autofill lids: finish with matching coping for seamless appearance.

On the spa dam wall (focal point): start with full tiles at the focal point, move cuts to far ends.

Use sanded grout for porcelain/stone (color per homeowner choice).

Glass tile: special non-sanded grout, light thinset to avoid show-through.

Wrap Up

End of Day & Handoff

Apply premium water-grade silicone bead at the seam between waterline tile and coping (allows movement without grout cracking).

Verify all fittings are clean of thinset/grout.

Walk-through with homeowner: color, grout joints, focal-point alignment.

Site clean.

Optional

Notes

Tile and coping scope complete.

Lines are level, focal point is clean, silicone bead is in. Walk it with the homeowner and hand the site off.