Sore Feet from Sharp Swimming Pool Tiles — Permanently Solved
A tiled swimming pool floor feels pleasant for the first few years, but after a decade of use, grout lines and tile edges change under the influence of chlorine, frost, and mechanical wear. The once smooth seams become sharper, glaze flakes detach, and visitors — especially children and those with sensitive feet — complain of an uncomfortable walking sensation or even minor cuts.
For commercial pool operators, this is not just a comfort issue but also a safety and liability concern. The solution is not in local grinding or touching up, but in a completely flat finish with epoxy mortar and ACRATON® Dolphin coating.
What Causes Sharp Tile Edges in Swimming Pools?
Three factors almost always work together. First, there's the chloride effect: chlorine-rich water slowly erodes cement-based grout, making the surface rougher and sharper. Next, frost-thaw cycles (in outdoor pools) cause micro-cracks at the edges of ceramic tiles. Finally, continuous cleaning with brushes and the mechanical stress from swimmers lead to the abrasion of the glaze.
The result is a surface that looks visually acceptable but feels painful and unsafe under a bare foot.
Why Grinding or Polishing Does Not Offer a Solution
Locally rounding off sharp tile edges feels pleasant at the moment, but it marginally reduces the tile and actually enlarges the surrounding grout opening — causing the sharpness to shift to the adjacent tile within one season. Additionally, lost glaze residues discolour under UV and chlorine, causing colour differences that permanently damage the pool's appearance.
A Continuously Soft Surface
During an ACRATON® Dolphin renovation, the entire sub-surface relief is filled with a 2-componenten epoxy mortar. The coating then forms a single, sealed film over walls, floor, and steps. What swimmers experience is a pleasantly soft, smooth, and hygienic surface without grout lines or sharp transitions — comparable in feel to a high-quality sports or industrial floor.
Case Study: Holiday Park in Brabant
A holiday park in North Brabant had been plagued for years by complaints about sharp glass mosaic tiles in the children's pool. After a renovation with ACRATON® Dolphin in colour 2043 Hemels Blauw, complaints about foot discomfort dropped to zero, and staff could thereafter brush clean the surface in a fraction of the time it used to take.
Calculate volume for your pool
Litres, pails and price estimate in seconds — pallet discount included.
Prices exclude VAT and shipping. Based on €40/L and the theoretical coverage from the datasheet (2.7 m²/L at 300 µm DFT).
Frequently asked questions
Does an ACRATON® Dolphin coating really feel softer than tiles?
Is the coating smooth enough and not too slippery?
How does it combine with anti-slip requirements for public pools?
Does this prevent cuts?
Is this finish also suitable for children's pools?
How long does the surface retain this comfortable finish?
Slight deviations between sample and final result may occur. No rights can be derived from this overview.
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