What to Use to Clean Swimming Pool Tile

Best Selling Pumice Stone

A dirty swimming pool can ruin the pristine condition and purpose of your pool. It’s difficult and unsafe to swim and enjoy yourself in a pool with debris and dirty, stained tiles. Moreover, dirty pool water is highly irritable and can cause severe infections and health complications.

Therefore, pool tile maintenance is crucial to the hygiene and safety of the pool water. In addition, a well-maintained and clean pool is readily available to the user and makes swimming fun and enjoyable.

Pool Tile Types

There are five different types of pool tiles. Therefore, some pool tiles might need unique products or professional cleaning due to their fragility and complexity.

Therefore, identifying the type of tile in your pool helps with easier decision-making on the product and method to use when cleaning a swimming pool.

The five different types of pool tiles include:

• Ceramic
•  Porcelain
• Glass
• Brick
• Stone

Why a Clean Pool Tile?

Swimming pool tiles provide an aesthetic and functional element. Keeping the pool tiles clean is a mandatory hygienic procedure to be observed by every pool owner or swimming facility.

Pools are cleaned as soon as any discoloration appears for easier maintenance. Minimal levels of calcium buildup on the walls are much easier to clean than waiting until the scum is heavy.

If the buildup thickens, removal can take several days or weeks.  Henceforth, proper cleaning of the pool tile helps prevent blockage of the filtering system and maintains the chemical balance of the pool’s water.

Calcium Buildup on Pool Tile

It is entirely normal to find deposits on your tiles because all water contains minerals. Calcium deposits are one of the most common problems facing swimming pool owners.

Calcium deposits are mainly caused by PH imbalances in the pool water and temperature changes. Consequently, two calcium compounds are formed. The calcium deposits are characterized by whitish-grey lines, scum, discoloration, and scaling on the pool tiles.

However, in case you notice any aggressive algae growth, seek professional help immediately.

The Two Types of Calcium Buildup

There are two types of calcium buildup found in pool water.

1.    Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate is the most common type of deposit found in pools and is the easiest to clean. White flaky scales around the water line characterize the deposits.

If minimal calcium carbonate deposits are not cleaned, the chances of permanent staining of the pool tile are high.

2.    Calcium Silicate

Calcium silicate is characterized by greyish flaky scum that takes time to build up. If the silicate deposits are visible on the waterline, the filtration system is clogged, causing pipe scaling.

Therefore, mandatory cleaning of the whole pool is required to clear the calcium buildup.

What to Use to Clean Your Pool Tile

1.    Pumice Stone

If you are looking for what to use to clean swimming pool tile, go for a pumice stone. It is regarded as nature’s pool tile cleaner. The pumice is a natural rough stone that

uses abrasive action to scratch and remove calcium scales and stains off the tile.

The Pumice stone is effective at clearing build-up from:

• Calcium silicate
• Lime
• Carbon
• Rust stain
• Paint stain

The natural stone is safe to use and does not alter the appearance and condition of the pool tile.

In addition, the pumice stone is budget-friendly and can easily be found at the local supply store. If you have concrete tile, use a pumice stone.

However, if you have glass and vinyl tiles, the pumice stone is a restricted option. The abrasive action might damage the fragile glass or porcelain tile material.

2.    Pressure Washer

The pressure washer uses water at high levels of pressure to remove stubborn stains, and algae growth.The washer is convenient, especially for big swimming pool owners, since it covers a large surface area. Cleaning such dirt and stains consumes so much time and energy hence the reason for pressure washing.

The water jet exerts high pressure that makes it possible to remove calcium and stains even in the most incrusted corners and joints of the pool tile. In addition, the pressure washing is mixable with cleaning agents like pool tile soap and accessories.

Most swimming pools have ceramic or porcelain tiles. Therefore, using too much pressure on the tile can lead to breakage. In addition, the pressure washer might be costly to purchase, which is a discouraging factor to pool owners.

3.    Use of Chemicals Like Muriatic Acid

Muriatic acid is a solution of diluted hydrochloric acid. The acid is an effective cleaner used by pool owners to:

•  Remove calcium build up in filters
• Clear the pool’s waterline
•  Remove strong stains like rust and grout
• Restore the PH of the pool water

Even though muriatic acid is an effective cleaning agent on gunite walls, the solution is harsh on vinyl tiles. . Vinyl tiles are extremely fragile; hence using muriatic acid will burn the material.

4.  Vinegar

Calcium buildup from hard water is problematic to remove. Strong pool chemicals are discouraged because they might ruin the tile material and appearance. Therefore, vinegar is a safer yet effective alternative for keeping your pool clean.

The molecules of vinegar break down calcium components hence erasing the scum and scales on the pool tile. Although effective, the chemical reaction is a slow process that consumes so much time.

Although effective in removing mild scales and stains, vinegar rarely clears resilient and robust dirt and stains. Therefore, if the walls have stubborn stains, a stronger and effective alternative is practical.

5.  Scrubbing

Use an old toothbrush or a firmly-bristled scrub brush to scrub calcium scale, scum, and persistent stains off the tiles.

If you have fragile material like glass, a soft-bristled scrubbing brush is a better choice to prevent scratching the glass. For small swimming pools, an old toothbrush works well.

Conclusion

Like any other engaging chore, pool maintenance is a tedious task. However, effective pool tile cleaning is very possible.

There are various ways to maintain a clean pool. Some are more effective than others. The most important aspect is identifying the type of pool tile and impurity in the water to select the best pool tile cleaning method.

Choosing the suitable method of cleaning your pool tile will help create a strategic cleaning routine for regular pool maintenance. Therefore, investigating and inquiring about what to use to clean a pool tile alleviates the decision-making process.