How to Make a Fake Rock Facade in a Swimming Pool

Drain the area of the pool where the facade will be installed if along the water line. Let the surface of the facade dry and sand it down thoroughly with rough-grit sandpaper. Wipe it clean.

Spread waterproof-paper-backed lath over the facade area and drill holes through the lath and into the masonry behind it, using a hammer drill. Drill 3-inch holes and set a masonry screw with a large washer in each hole, tightening each one completely. Space these screws every 12 inches in a grid across the lath. Overlap all lath seams by 6 inches.

Apply waterproof mortar to the lath to a depth of 1/2 inch using a trowel. Cut off a piece of lath and scrape the mortar with it after the mortar has set for 20 minutes, leaving grooves over the entire surface.

Let the mortar sit for 48 hours. Protect it from water and weather.

Apply a 1/4-inch coat of waterproof mortar to the back of each stone veneer. Press each veneer into the mortar firmly for 30 seconds. Repeat to install all stones, working from the top of the area downward and using the large stones first, filling in gaps with the smaller.

Wipe away any excess mortar and fill in the gaps between the stone veneers with mortar to the desired depth for your preferred look. Let the mortar and grout dry for 48 hours.

Brush on a thorough layer of waterproof masonry sealant, making sure that the brush gets into all the little cracks and crannies between the veneers. Let dry for two hours and repeat twice more.