5 Simple Tips on Pool Tile Cleaning and Maintenance
LayorCare Blogger • November 17, 2019
Cleaning your pool tiles is just as important as cleaning the pool itself. Learn how to do it with our tips on pool tile cleaning and maintenance.
Your home's pool
is everyone's favorite spot. It's where the children splash and play, where you relax poolside with a book, or where your guests gather around during your backyard BBQ parties. Because it's such a popular place to be, it's essential that you keep the entire area sparkling clean year-round.
You know how important it is to keep your pool cleaned and well-maintained, but do you take the time to clean your pool tiles as well? If you're not already spending time cleaning your pool tiles, then it's time that you start pool tile cleaning. Think about the times when you're exiting or entering your pool and your hand brushes over a slimy tile.
Yuck!
In other situations, the tiles might be rough and sandy to the touch. These are issues related to tile maintenance. Continue reading below to learn how to clean and maintain your pool tiles today!
Types of Buildup Around the Pool
Pool tiles become dirty due to a couple of different reasons. There are calcium silicate and calcium carbonate. Calcium silicate is
the white or grayish substance that's harder of the two because this is something that's been on the tiles for quite some time now.
If a muriatic acid doesn't clean the substance, then it's most likely calcium silicate and you will need a pumice stone to get the tiles clean. Calcium carbonate is not as stubborn and will start to bubble when greeted with muriatic acid. However, you can use a pumice stone to clean this as well.
Below is a list of several different ways you can clean your tiles
no matter what type of scaling you have.
1. Clean Off and Brush the Tiles
The first thing you want to do is clean off your tiles. Any organic matter that's on them should be removed. This might include leaves, dirt, grass, and more. Then, take a stiff brush and clean off all of the calcium carbonates by using circular motions.
You might also want to try using a toothbrush if the area you need to clean is small. Toothbrush bristles are gentle on pool tiles.
2. Clean Tiles with a Cleaner
If your tiles are only experiencing minimal dirt, scale, or grime on them, then you can consider using a tile cleaner made from ingredients found in your home. You can use water and vinegar, baking soda and vinegar, dish soap, or even toothpaste!
Once you have a cleaner selected, you can then take a toothbrush and begin to scrub the tiles. Do keep in mind that this is only ideal for minimal dirt and grime. If the scale on the tiles is too stubborn to remove with homemade cleaners, then you should try using a pumice stone.
You can also consider using a calcium releaser, which will make removing the calcium build up much easier for you.
3. Clean Tiles with a Pressure Washer
Cleaning your pool tiles with a pressure washer is another option for you. You can purchase a pressure washer from your local hardware store. Be sure to purchase one that can reach at least 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
When using a pressure washer, you won't have to worry about treating the tiles with a cleaner or other treatment. All you need to do is remove any loose debris from the area such as leaves or dirt and then pressure wash away. To begin, ensure that you have the right protective gear on including eye protection, gloves, and boots.
You should then start out doing a small section only. Set the pressure washer to a low setting and then examine the tiles after about 30 seconds of spraying. You want to be sure that the pressure washer doesn't cause any damage to the tiles.
If not, then you're good to go!
4. Clean the Tiles with a Pumice Stone
Pumice stones are easy to find at your local pool supply store. Using a pumice stone to clean your pool tiles is ideal when dealing with stubborn calcium silicate. The stone works well at removing tough scale.
With that being said, pumice stones make cleaning calcium carbonate from your tiles a breeze. This flaky white substance doesn't stand a chance against a pumice stone. However, do keep in mind that you won't want to use a pumice stone on a vinyl or fiberglass pool.
It does work well on concrete or plaster tools and on pool tiles.
5. Clean Tiles with an Acid Solution
When using chemicals to clean your pool's tiles, you want to wear all the right protective clothing. Once you're suited up, you can then mix 1 gallon of water with 1 gallon of muriatic acid. When mixing, you want to slowly add the acid into the gallon of water.
You don't want to pour the acid into the bucket first. The mixture should begin to fizz up. Once this happens, you can begin cleaning the tiles using an acid-resistant scrubbing brush.
Scrub clean one section at a time and then rinse it off with water.
Know These Pool Tile Cleaning Tips!
Before heading out into your yard to tackle pool tile cleaning on your own, be sure you know these helpful tips. Keeping these cleaning tips in mind is the best way to ensure that your pool tiles are cleaned properly!
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