PRO: I have the privilege of bidding and estimating remolding and repair jobs for a really big company and we see A TON of pools (remodeled over 30,000). This is not a pitch for my services, but my advice would be to put in a pool grade waterline tile and grout it by professionals. Tile is not for looks, it acts as a system to waterproof your pool. As your water level raises or lowers (or stays the same if you have an autofill) at some point your pebble will be exposed to air. In a perfect world about 3 inches will be exposed if you keep up on your water. A cementitious surface for your pool is meant to be hydrated as it cures. Total cure time is debatable, but I've taken classes where some experts think total hydration can take years. I'm sure there are cases (like the one above) where pebble can last 25+ years exposed to the elements, but there are of other factors that might of helped this rare occasion and I'm sure its not just cement strengtheners being added to the mix either. I find cracks in pools and problems with pools that owners didn't even know exist, everyday. I show them, and they all say "Wow! Now I see it, never even noticed that before!" Most often (depending on installed coping) we see small hairline cracks form at the base of the coping, they can run vertically or horizontally. Our solution is always to reset any loose coping (if cantilever or poured in place install a silicone joint) choose a thin tile (if not doing a re-pebble/re-plaster) and get new waterline tile in. Just my take on it from what I've seen. Feel free to find me and private message me if you would like more information. Please do not let pool builders convince you it will be fine, we are the guys out there cleaning up their messes and fixing the problems they never see years later.

The coping is a custom poured concrete form with bull nose. Davis concrete color of Sandstone. The coping took 6 weeks to get. One of the project delays. The reason for the custom coping is for the inground concrete vault at the south end for the automatic pool cover (you can see the forms set up in the photo) which is also a custom size for my pool. Tomorrow is concrete day for my pool deck - hope I don't get stood up again. :(

smbnobles' pool was built by a member on this forum that is pretty active. His name is Kelly and goes by "huskyridor". I imagine he would know the tile used also - maybe shout out to him...

Is it possible to replace the water line tile in our pool without draining the pool? We purchased our home last year and drained the pool this winter so we could replace the water figuring the previous owners hadn't done it since they built the house 15 years ago. So we now have new water and a terrific salt system, BUT, the tile is stained from the previous owners. I hate the idea of wasting thousands of gallons of water so I'm hoping we can replace the water line tile without draining the pool again. Anyone have any knowledge in this area? I'd also love some advice on glass looking (not mosaic) pool tile that won't show a calcium stain at the waterline. Thanks!