Pool tile doesn’t only work to border the pool, but it also gives a more attractive touch to its overall look. You can find tons of beautiful tiles with various colors, patterns, and textures that you can pick based on your needs.
Just like the other parts of your swimming pool, tiles also need some regular maintenance. We’re dealing with water which contains some chemicals here, so you can’t just have a swimming pool without any willingness to keep its look and performance overtimes.
When it comes to tiles, the most common problem that you will have is stains (besides cracking and chipping that mostly happen by accident). Stains on your pool tiles usually look like greyish or white sand that stick on it. The stains are actually calcium build up as the result of the separation of calcium carbonate from the pool water.
There are some factors that can stain your pool tiles, such as:
- High levels of pH or alkalinity – That’s why it’s important to regularly check the chemical balance of your pool water.
- Hard water source – If your local water source is considered ‘high’ then you may experience this problem.
- Overheat – When your pool is overly exposed to sunlight, the water will evaporate quickly which leaves the calcium buildup on the tiles.
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If the stains are not severe enough, you can solve this problem all by yourself without any help from a pro. The tutorial on How to Clean Pool Tile below will guide you to deal with it.
How to Clean Pool Tile | Easy DIY Tutorial
The calcium buildup can get really worse when you don’t immediately remove them. Overtimes, they will get harden which may force you to eventually hire a pool pro which can cost you a lot. Therefore, follow these steps whenever you spot some stains around your pool.
Use Vinegar Mixture
The first effort that you can try is by simply mixing vinegar and water. It’s a quick cleaning attempt for new stains.
Prepare these supplies:
- Vinegar
- Water
- A used toothbrush or any soft brush
Follow these steps:
- Mix vinegar and water in a bowl or bucket.
- Pour a small amount of the cleaning solution on the stained tiles. You can also use a garden sprayer.
- Use the toothbrush to clean the stain.
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Use Muriatic Acid
For more severe stains, muriatic acid can be a good solution that you can try. Remember to wear rubber gloves since the chemical may harm your skin.
- Purchase muriatic acid in the local hardware stores.
- Repeat the same steps just like you use the vinegar mixture.
Use Pumice Stone
A pumice stone can be a harder tool to remove stains on your pool tile. It’s popular among DIYers since it’s so cheap and easy to use. However, you have to be careful not to scratch the tiles when you use it to clean the stains.
- Wear your rubber gloves.
- Pour the cleaning solution.
- Clean the stains with a pumice stone.
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Use Pressure Washer
The very last attempt that you can try is by renting a pressure washer to remove stubborn stains.
- Rent a steam pressure washer with up to 2600 PSI with 300 degrees F heat reach.
- Spray from 3 feet away for about 30 seconds or until you are sure that the stains are completely removed.
- Wear safety gear like eye goggles.
So those are the steps that you can try to remove the stains or calcium buildup on your pool tiles. If you notice that the scale is quite hard to remove, you may need to jump to the last step directly.
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As mentioned above, you may not be able to handle the sever calcium buildup on your pool stains. Besides it would be a losing battle, you may also end up damaging the tiles due to the use of harsh chemical or improper cleaning methods. That’s when you need to call a professional, they may offer you a more effective solution like bead blasting. Of course, you have to prepare more budget for it, but it’s guaranteed that you will have shiny clean tiles.
To avoid the worse case of pool stains, below we share some easy tips that you can keep in mind:
- Check the chemicals – Since one of the most common causes of stains on pool tiles is high chemical level, it’s always recommended for you to regularly check your pool water. Just simply use a test strip or kit, then take some action to balance the chemicals.
- Clean the tiles regularly – When you have free time and it’s quite sunny outside, take a quick brush on your pool tiles.
- Cover the pool – Quickly cover your pool when the day is too hot to prevent the water to evaporate quickly.
Swimming pool tiles can last for decades if you maintain them properly. Regular cleaning can help the tiles to look attractive overtimes, and you won’t have to deal with harsh chemicals in the near future.
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Remember, the quality of your pool tiles also determines their lifespan. Some homeowners even use the tiles which are not specifically designed for swimming pools like kitchen or bathroom tiles. Though they are water-resistant, the chemicals of pools may easily harm them. In other words, water-resistant is not enough for swimming pool tiles, they have to be durable enough to deal with the swimming pool chemicals.
Let’s add this How to Clean Pool Tile to your DIY projects list now and bring back the beauty of your swimming pool right away!
