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You have built your desired wonderful pool with beautiful pool tiles. However, with time the tiles may get dirty, and you need to get them cleaned to regain the regal beauty. As the pool tiles are always exposed to water, pool tiles cannot be cleaned like other normal tiles. They need some specialized cleaning materials and techniques. In this following article, We will go through the step-by-step procedure to clean your pool tiles.
Types of Dirt in the Waterline
The waterline of a pool is where the pool water meets the tile edge. It can get grimy and discolored over time. This can occur due to chemical imbalance or as a result of building organic materials. When the pool water evaporates, calcium salts can deposit to the side. Those deposits turn the tiles white-gray colored and harder to remove. These scaling can be of two types:
- Calcium Carbonate: These types of scaling appear as flaky white crusts on the surface. These are comparatively easy to remove. When exposed to muriatic acid, these will bubble up. A pumice stone or stain eraser can be used to remove such deposits.
- Calcium Silicate: These types of scaling appear as white-gray scum. It doesn’t react with muriatic acid. Pumice stone with a whole lot of elbow grease can remove such stains.
Process of Removing Stains and Scaling From Waterline Tiles
Cleaning the tiles may depend upon the kind of stain, scaling, and for how long it’s being built. Cleaning the tiles may not be tricky, but it is time-consuming. Work in small areas that will help in controlling the algae and grime growth. Here are the steps to clean the waterline tiles:
Remove the Organic Materials
The organic materials that have been deposited on the surface need to be removed first. Soils, leaves, grass clippings are the primary organic material that builds on the pool. You can either use a hand or for faster removal; you can use vacuum cleaners.
Wash The Waterline Tiles
With the help of a stiff brush, remove the carbonate particles in a swift circular motion. If the staining area is small, you can use a toothbrush. A toothbrush is softer for glass tiles and protects the surface from d=getting rough.
Use a Cleaner for Stubborn Stains
If the staining is not that prominent, homemade cleaners like vinegar with baking soda or toothpaste can be used to clean the pool tiles. For tough stains like silicate materials, pumice stone is a necessary object to have. To avoid scratching the tiles, keep the stone wet and work gently. If the stain is still not fading, a commercial tile cleaner should be used. Stain cleaner or sulphuric acid-based products are used to clean such types of stains. They are very acidic, so proper caution should be taken while using them. Consult your tile supplier or test on a small patch of tile before thoroughly using these products. Lastly, you should wait for a week or two before using your swimming pool.
Soda Blasting Method
If any of the methods mentioned before cannot remove the stain effectively, use the soda blasting method. In this method, baking soda is blasted by a nozzle on the stains. It is recommended over salt or glass bead blasting methods. This method is kind of complicated, so consulting a professional should be considered.
Preventive Measures
When the pool is not cleaned for a longer period of time, the stains get harder to remove. So, regular cleaning of the pool can effectively reduce your struggle. Keep the pool free of debris by regularly vacuuming. Thus the grime and scaling can be avoided effectively. Brushing the waterline tiles by slightly reducing the water level can be pretty beneficial.
Managing the pool chemicals at an optimum level helps with reducing staining and algae growth. It also helps in preventing long-term damage. This is true for both saltwater and chlorine pools. In other words, regular maintenance of the pool can help you avoid time-consuming cleaning, or worse, replacing and retiling the waterline pool.
Cost of Professionally Cleaning a Pool
The cost of a professional pool cleaning service varies from $700 to $1200. In some cases, they charge you by the size of the pool or the square foot of tile that needs cleaning. A professional cleaning from pool deck repair tucson can make the pool look good as new.
Installing waterline tiles instead of tiling the entire interior is a popular choice. It can be pretty cost-effective and be very pleasing. However, a simple stain can snatch away the whole beauty of your pool. So keeping the tiles clean is very important not only for the beauty but also for protecting the tiles from falling over.
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