
Why Do My Tiles Sound Hollow? What It Means and When to Worry
October 20, 2025We recently completed this outdoor Jacuzzi tiling project in Ponsonby, and we wanted to share a bit of the process behind the finished result.
From the outside, a tiled Jacuzzi looks clean and simple, but a lot of careful work goes into achieving that final look. Outdoor tiling requires the right preparation, the right materials, and attention to detail at every stage to ensure the installation performs well for many years.
Removing Existing Tiles
The first step was removing the existing tiles that were failing, and creating a good substrate to allow for waterproofing.
External Waterproofing Preparation
Because this was an
outdoor installation, the first step was waterproofing. For this project we brought in a specialist waterproofing company to carry out the external waterproofing. Currently, tilers cannot provide PS3 documentation for external waterproofing works, so this stage needs to be completed by a certified external contractor before tiling begins.
Once the waterproofing system was installed and approved, the surface was then primed, making it ready for tile installation.
Installing the Mosaic Tiles
For this Jacu
zzi we used black hexagon mosaic tiles, which give the finished area a modern and textured appearance.
Mosaic tiles usually come mounted on sheets, which helps with alignment during installation, but they still require careful placement to ensure the pattern stays consistent and the tiles sit evenly.
Using the correct adhesive and the correct trowel size is essential when installing mosaics. This ensures full adhesive coverage underneath the tiles and strong adhesion to the surface, which is especially important for outdoor tiled areas exposed to water and temperature changes.
Epoxy Grouting for Strength and Durability
After the tiles were installed, we moved on to epoxy grouting.
Epoxy grout is significantly stronger than traditional cement based grout and is often recommended for wet areas such as pools, spas, and outdoor Jacuzzis. It creates a very dense and durable joint between tiles and is highly resistant to moisture and staining.
This is particularly useful with mosaic tiles, where there are many grout joints and many small individual pieces. If a single mosaic tile ever loses adhesion over time, the epoxy grout can often help hold the surrounding tiles together and maintain the integrity of the surface.
Although epoxy grout is not a waterproofing system on its own, it provides a far more water resistant and long lasting finish compared to standard grout.
Fine Epoxy Finishing
One of the important finishing stages is shaping and smoothing the epoxy in the corners and edges. This creates a clean, professional finish that looks sharp while also improving the durability of the tiled area.
Epoxy requires precision during installation, and the finishing work is where experience really shows.
Cleaning epoxy grout is very different from cleaning cement grout. Normal water will not easily remove epoxy residue from the tile surface.
It requires a specific cleaning process and timing to remove any haze and leave the tiles looking clean and sharp. This stage is critical to achieving the final professional result.
The Finished Outdoor Jacuzzi
The final result is a striking outdoor Jacuzzi with black hexagon mosaics that give the space a modern and stylish look. Combined with epoxy grout and proper preparation, the installation is designed to perform well in an outdoor environment for many years.
Projects like this highlight the importance of proper waterproofing, correct adhesives, and skilled installation when it comes to outdoor tiling.
If you are planning a similar project and need an experienced Auckland tiler, feel free to contact us. We regularly complete outdoor tiling, pool tiling, spa tiling, and mosaic tile installations across Ponsonby and the wider Auckland area.






