Calcium buildup is the grey or whitish stains that form on your pool tiles around the water lines. The default reaction is to ignore these stains for as long as possible, especially if you don’t know how to remove calcium buildup on pool tile.
However, the stains aren’t just bad for your pool’s aesthetic appeal. Calcium can corrode any metal fittings in and around the pool, leaving tiny pinholes and leaks in your pool equipment. Additionally, it hampers water safety by counteracting the chlorine in your pool, increasing the risk of algae growth. Increasing the chlorine levels to reduce the water’s cloudiness, however, results in burning eyes and skin.
There are two main variants of calcium buildup on pool tiles. We’ll look at them below and discuss how to remove them.
How to Identify the Type of Calcium Buildup You’re Dealing With
The calcium buildup in your pool will either be calcium carbonate or calcium silicate. To identify the one you’re dealing with, drop some muriatic acid on a small part and watch for the reaction. If it’s calcium carbonate, you will get a foamy result. Calcium silicate won’t give off any reaction.
Calcium carbonate is easy to remove. However, if you notice calcium silicate, you have your work cut out.
Be sure to wear all necessary safety gear to avoid accidents.
How to Remove Calcium Buildup on Pool Tile: Carbonate
You can easily remove calcium carbonate with a pumice stone, scale remover, or stain eraser — all products you can find from your local residential or commercial pool deck resurfacing business.
Keep in mind that you can only use a pumice stone on hard surfaces. If you need to remove calcium buildup on fiberglass or vinyl, you should talk to pool treatment suppliers to discover the right products to use.
Keep the tiles and the stone wet throughout the process to avoid scratches.
For stain erasers, you should adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid mistakes. Pool suppliers stock liquid or powder calcium treatments that also work on carbonate. You only need to add the treatment to the pool and allow it to dissolve the calcium after a few weeks.
How to Remove Calcium Buildup on Pool Tile: Silicate
You can only remove calcium silicate deposits by scrubbing the tiles hard with a pumice stone. Pressure washing won’t help. The stains are always very difficult to remove. You can also choose the pool additive treatments, but it will take a year or more to fully dissolve the silicate on your tiles.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of scrubbing the tiles on your own, it’s best to talk to a qualified pool service provider.
Get Your Pool Maintenance Solutions from Aquaguard 5000®
AquaGuard 5000® stocks pool cleaning supplies for both residential and commercial spaces. Call us today at (772) 232-7243 or visit our Stuart, FL, office for further advice. Learn more about precipitation in pools, how to remove calcium buildup on pool tile, and more.
