fbpx

Built to Last: A Guide on Maintaining Pool Tile

A pool is a place that relieves you of stress from a long, busy and hot day and gives you comfort as you enjoy swimming. However, it would be best if you kept it clean all the time to maximize the benefits that come with a well-maintained pool.

A cracked, dirty or broken pool tile needs to be cleaned or replaced to avoid more damages. The good thing is that pool maintenance is not a difficult task, and you can do it alone as long as you keep a close eye on it. Below are steps to guide you in cleaning your pool tiles.

Pool Tile Buildup

Various factors contribute to dirty tiles. The waterlines get subjected to stains buildup on the pool surface. This is due to a chemical imbalance or organic materials like soil and leaves staying on the pool tile for longer periods. As the pool water evaporates, calcium components attach to the sides.

The two components are calcium carbonate and calcium silicate. Calcium carbonate is the flaky white crust on the tile surface, although it’s not stubborn, and you can easily clean it using a pumice stain remover. Calcium silicate is the grayish or white harder substance. They are difficult to remove and won’t react to muriatic acid. Calcium silicate is best removed with elbow grease and pumice stone.

How to Clean Pool Tiles

Brush the Tiles

Start by cleaning the tiles, removing every organic substance on the surface. Use a stiff brush to remove leaves, grass, dirt and other components, cleaning in circular motions, removing all calcium carbonate. Also, use a toothbrush to clean smaller areas since it’s gentle on the outdoor tile.

Use Homemade Cleaners

Some tiles may not have much dirt, grime or scale. If that’s the case with your tiles, then use a homemade tile cleaner substance. This includes baking soda mixed with vinegar, water and vinegar, toothpaste of dish soap. When ready with your tile cleaner, begin scrubbing the tiles with a toothbrush.

Don’t forget that this process is only for minimal dirt and grime. If unsuccessful, you can use soda blasting, calcium eraser, or pumice stone. However, these are harsh elements, and you need to exercise caution when using them. To be sure of the best results, begin with a small portion of your tile to see how it reacts.

If successful, you can then proceed to the rest of the surface. Don’t forget to wear protective gloves to keep safe from the chemicals. Also, you’ll need to wait for a few days before using the pool. Additionally, do not use the substances regularly because they can damage the tiles in the long run, and they can also cause skin rashes with other body irritations. Therefore, try as much as possible to use home cleaning tile substances when you can.

Clean with a Pressure Washer

Another option is cleaning the tile using a pressure washer. You can purchase or rent a pressure washer from your local home improvement stores. Be careful to choose one that has the capability of reaching 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the pressure washer on minimum setting and avoid using it on cracked or loose tiles.

When pressure washing your tiles, you won’t have to consider treating them with a treatment or any other cleaner. You only need to remove loose debris such as dirt and leaves. Then pressure washes it away.

Keep a distance of at least 3 feet away and run the process, starting with a smaller part for about 30 seconds before proceeding to the remaining parts. This will help you avoid damages on the tiles by the pressure washer. Remember to exercise safety by wearing protective clothing such as boots or closed shoes, gloves, and goggles to protect your eyes.

Use a Pumice Stone to Clean the Tiles

Pumice stones can be found at the tile showroom Palo Alto. They are the miracle worker for your tiles, especially when cleaning stubborn calcium silicate. No element can withstand this substance within the pool surface. Pumice stones are safe for surfaces like concrete and some tiles. However, avoid using a pumice stone on fiberglass or vinyl pools. Instead, use a nylon bristle brush for the best result.

When using a pumice stone, scrub the tiles in a circular motion until you remove all the buildup, mildew and deposits. As you progress, ensure the stone and tile remains wet all the time to avoid scratching. If you’re not sure of the outcome, you may want to start with a small portion and go on to the other parts. Apart from removing stubborn stains, another advantage of pumice stones is that it’s easy to use and cost-effective.

Clean Tiles Using Acid Solution

Acid is a harmful substance. Therefore you need to protect yourself from the unforeseen circumstances. Wear protective clothing covering up your hands, feet, and the entire body. Once you wear the clothing, use the procedure below to clean the pool.

  • Mix a gallon of water with the same potion of muriatic acid in a bucket.
  • Let the mixture to fizz up and use an acid-resistant brush to apply the substance on the tiles in the deep pool surface.
  • Start with smaller sections before moving to the rest of the pool surface.
  • After removing the calcium silicate, use a hose and water to rinse the tiles.
  • Add soda ash and use a water pump to pump the neutralized acid to come out of the pool.

Once your tiles are clean, don’t forget about them all year round. Clean them at least twice a year to avoid dirt pile-up and stubborn stains. You can also be sure that regular maintenance helps your tiles prevent getting damaged, leading to costly repairs.

Ensure you keep things in place before the season when your pool is infrequent use. Remember, clean tiles equal a clean pool. So ensure you keep it clean at all times. You can keep checking the water PH and alkalinity level with an easy-to-use test kit available at tile showroom Palo Alto.