Retiling the waterline of a swimming pool

[Marian Smith]

Tradesmen are understandably reluctant to share....so I will. The replaster team removed the old tiles while prepping the pool. I assume the tool they used was an air chisel...Youtube has videos. My tile looked like it was imbedded in concrete and had remained sound for 40 years....but it popped right off and the revealed substrate was in great shape. The tile guy cut what looked like black cardboard-like house sheathing into 2-3 inch strips and nailed it around the pool perimeter as a ledge/form. Then he used a busboy tub to mix mortar and then set the tile....dragging the tub around with him. The form kept the tile in place and straight. The nails were rather thick and about 2.25 long...not sure what they are normally used for. Just thought I'd post in case anyone is contemplating this as a diy. Save 2k...earn it actually.