pool tile cleaning Archives - Above All Pool Care LLC

How To Clean Pool Tile

If you are searching for “how clean pool tile“, this post by Above All Pool Care, LLC, can help! It doesn’t matter how hard you try, it is inevitable develop a calcium build up on the tile surface. Cleaning your tile can greatly increase the lifetime of your pool and let you enjoy it for years to come.

Pool Tile Cleaning Methods

There is nothing like coming home to a clean pool. Dirty pool tiles covered in calcium are unsightly and discourage you from enjoying your pool. There are many ways to clean your swimming pool tile by yourself. Below you will find just a few examples.

How To Clean Pool Tile With Vinegar

Vinegar can be used to remove the calcium deposition from pool tiles. You will need to have patience and wait for sometime as the effect is not quick. You will need to heat a towel or rag in the microwave or stove top before applying the vinegar to your tiles. The molecules in the vinegar react with calcium and slowly separates the deposition of calcium from tiles.

How To Clean Pool Tile With Pressure Washer

You can use a pressure washer to clean your pool tile, but you must make sure you use the right media to blast away the calcium. There are plenty of types of media you can use. It is best to know what kind of tile your pool has, as different types of media are used for different types of tile. You wouldn’t want to use a media that will crack or ruin your tiles. And it’s cheaper than re-tiling your pool

How To Clean Pool Tile Grout

To clean your pool tile grout, you can use a mixture of baking soda and a little bit of water to make a sort of paste. Get a cloth or sponge wet with warm water and use your paste to clean the tile. Use an old toothbrush to get in between the tiles to clean just the grout. Rinse well with a clean cloth or sponge.

How To Clean Pool Tile With Baking Soda

Using baking soda to make a paste mixing a proper ratio of baking soda as well as water you can remove the stains in the proper manner. Use a cloth or sponge to spread the paste on the tiles. You can also use more water and less baking soda and put the mixture in a spray bottle for easier use. Using a clean cloth or sponge and some warm water you can rinse the mixture off of your tiles.

How To Clean Pool Tile With A Pumice Stone

A pumice stick works well to scrub off that last bit of calcium that a scraper just can’t get under. While it’s generally safe to use pumice on tile, always test on a low key area of your tile first. You can usually find pumice sticks at pool stores, home improvement stores, and even online.

One other way to clean your pool, but is a little more in depth, is Acid Washing.

What Is Acid Washing?

Pool Tile Cleaning Services

If you don’t have the time, tools, desire, or are just unsure about cleaning your pool tile, you can always hire a professional, like Above All Pool Care LLC. By hiring an expert pool cleaner, you can be sure the job will get done properly, leaving you with a sparkling pool for your family and friends to enjoy.

Acid Wash Your Swimming Pool

If you are searching for “acid wash pool“, “how to acid wash a pool“, “acid wash pool cost” or “why acid wash pool“, this post should help!

There are a lot of reasons to own a pool, but just like some things, it is necessary to maintain it as well. Most people are fine to use a test kit, add chemicals and clean the pool while others want to use a professional service.

Either way, during the life of your swimming pool acid washing, may come up. For those who have no idea about pool care, this may cause you to ask questions like “What is acid washing?” and “Do I have to do it?”

Why Should A Pool Be Acid Washed?

There are some pools that will have stains or discolored surfaces that develop over time. For instance, magnesium or copper stains can turn plaster from white to blue. A black plaster pool may begin to look gray from calcium deposits. Sometimes these stains can’t be removed with scrubbing alone, and need to be acid washed to remove them. Plus, pools that have issues with hard water or algae growth will actually benefit from being drained, acid washed and then refilled. Acid washing can also be used to remove calcium on pool tile.

What Is Acid Washing?

Acid washing is a process that is done on a pebble tec® or plaster pool to remove a thin layer of the surface to remove stubborn stains and calcium deposits. The pool is drained and the sides scrubbed. Then a solution of muriatic acid and water is applied to remove the top coat of the pool. This is done manually using an acid brush. The residue is then neutralized with soda ash before being rinsed.

How To Acid Wash A Swimming Pool

What you will need: Garden hose, flower watering can, pump and discharge hose, 10-20 gallons of acid, soda ash, clothing, goggles, mask, gloves and boots, screwdriver, chisel and pliers, a little help couldn’t hurt.

Whether your pool is full of green algae, or you just want a clean, fresh-looking pool, acid washing your swimming pool can certainly help. Also called “drain and clean,” swimming pools require this type of cleaning when winterizing the pool isn’t done quickly enough, correctly, or algae has taken over due to lack of use or cared for in a while. The acid washing process basically strips the uppermost layer of plaster to reveal the fresh plaster underneath, so it’s not suggested to do it too often. But every once in a while is a great idea!

Completely drain your swimming pool. As your pool drains, make sure to clean up any rubbish or debris as you go. If your pool has an auto-fill, make sure that you turn it off during the draining process. Once your pool is entirely empty, you can start the acid washing process.
Make sure to protect yourself, as you will be dealing with chemicals. Change into protective gear that includes clothing, goggles, mask, gloves, and boots.
Combine 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of Muriatic acid (remember Muriatic Acid is a dangerous corrosive, strong mineral acid) with 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water in a flower watering can. Acid must be added to the water and not the other way around. Be sure to follow this rule.
Saturate one of the walls of the pool with a hose. The hose should not have a nozzle and water should be constantly running from the hose.
Pour your acid mixture on the pool wall from the top to bottom in 10-foot segments at a time, leaving the acid on the plaster for around 25-30 seconds. During this time, you should be scrubbing and cleaning the pool wall with a pool brush.
Make sure you rinse the section you just acid-washed quickly and thoroughly. Before moving to the next section, make sure you rinse the wall completely, so the acid doesn’t continue to eat at the plaster.
Neutralize the pool using soda ash after the acid wash is finished. The acid washing process will leave a bubbly puddle of residue on the bottom of the pool that has to be removed before it starts to deteriorate the plaster.

How To Neutralize The Pool Using Soda Ash

Apply the soda ash to the acid puddle, scrubbing the mixture with a pool brush. You will need to use 2 lb. of soda ash per 1 gallon of the acid.
Using a submersible pump, pump the mixture into a bowl or similar.
Dispose of what is pumped, as the acid is harmful to plants and animals. Completely rinse out the bowl.
Pour clean water over any remaining residue, rinsing carefully around the pool drain.

How Often Should I Acid Wash My Pool?

Because acid washing will remove a thin layer of the surface of the pool, it does not need to be done yearly. Too many treatments will cause the pool to need to be re-plastered. Pools that have thin, old plaster should not be acid washed and sometimes a deep stain will not respond to acid washing. In that case, re-plastering is best. A professional will test the pool first to see if acid washing will help.

Best Time Of The Year For Pool Acid Washing

Spring and winter are the best times to consider acid washing your pool, so at Above All Pool Care decided to provide you with basic information to help answer questions you may have.

How Much Does Pool Acid Washing Cost?

The cost of acid washing will depend on the size of your pool. For an average sized pool, it could range between $178 – $255 or $0.06 to $0.51 a square foot. Learn more about pool acid wash costs.

Helpful Tools To Maintain Pool Surfaces:

Pool Stain Remover is a great maintenance product that will remove stains caused by tannin, rust, manganese, iron, and copper. A great product to test out before having acid washing done.

You can also scrub away gross algae stains with a tough, durable algae brush. Regular scrubbing means less money, less hassle, and less work in the long run.

Lastly, a basic pool brush is going to be your first line of defense against stains and pool scum. Regular brushing between your regular maintenance will prevent build up on the pool surface.

Pool Acid Washing Services

If you happen to live in the Gilbert, Chandler or Scottsdale area and could use pool acid washing services, give Above All Pool Care a call today at 480-370-1714 or visit or acid washing page for more information.

Let Above All Pool Care educate and equip you for your year-round swimming season.

DIY Pool Tile Cleaning or Hire a Professional?

Should you clean your pool tile yourself (DIY) or hire a professional pool tile cleaner? Being a pool owner, means that you want the pool clean in the summer as well as the other seasons. As hard as you try to keep the pool clean, it can sometimes begin to collect algae, dirt, and other types of debris. So, it is vital that you spend a bit of time to clean your pool tile so that you are able to avoid dirt build up. Cleaning your pool regularly will help to keep bacteria out of your pool that may be harmful to swimmers.

Best Pool Tile Cleaning Methods

Before you begin cleaning your pool, you certainly need to know the best types of products that you should to clean your swimming pool tile. There are all sorts of products out there, and you can easily get confused on the best way to clean your pool tile. In order to make this easier, we have listed the best types of way that you can clean your pool tile. You want to be able to clean out your pool and tiles so that it doesn’t cause any damage. Beside from the maintenance, damaged tiles will often collect dirt a lot faster than tiles that are in one piece. So if you tile gets damages, then you will have to constantly keep cleaning the tile as the dirt will constantly be collecting.

Here is how you can clean it without damaging it.

Cleaning Pool Tile With Chemicals

If you happen to be looking for a better option of cleaning your pool tiles, then cleaning chemicals that are available at a local pool store should be the solution to your problem. These types of chemicals will come in all sorts of varieties but they are affordable. You should let the pool professionals help guide you through the strength of the product that you need in order to know the type of chemical need to remove the dirt build up on the tiles. There are different home remedies for tile grout that are easy to make and won’t harm you pool such as vinegar and baking soda. If your tiles are really dirty then store bought chemicals will be best and will give you the best results. Since these types of products are strong, you should take the needed precautions such as wearing protective gear and glasses.

Cleaning Pool Tile With Glass Bead Blasting

This is a method that uses a stream of well-rounded glass beads, almost as big as the tip of needle to clean calcium, grit, and oil of your pool tiles. Since the beads are rounded, you can easily clean the tiles without worrying about tiles becoming scratched. This is also an eco-friendly method of dealing with dirt and it isn’t expensive. The equipment that is used in bead blasting is actually reusable and it is a great investment for any type of pool owner. It is easy to clean up once you are done and plus it doesn’t affect the balance of the pool.

Cleaning Pool Tile With Salt Blasting

Salt Blasting uses Kieserite which is a natural mineral salt that is similar to Epsom and it is shot at low pressures. Whenever the salt comes in contact with the pool surface, it will burst and this is what releases the dirt build up from tiles in the pool. It works great on ceramic, sand stone and more. It is also bio-degradable and has a neutral pH and most pool owners believe it is the safest way to clean grout from tiles and it leaves them shining.

Cleaning Pool Tile With Soda Blasting

Soda blasting is similar to glass bead blasting but it uses baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, which is a lot gentler. This works great on ceramic, pebble etc., and stone pool tiles. Because it has a pH of 8.3, it could increase the pH and alkalinity levels especially if you happen to have large swimming pool.

Cleaning Your Pool By Tile Scrubbing

If you don’t want to do all the hard work, then scrubbing the pool tiles with special equipment is a great way to clean the pool tiles. Pool cleaning equipment like scrubbing brushes won’t be as effective as getting rid of the dirt build up in the pool. So, it is recommended that you visit a pool specialist when it comes to what is out there. There are different scrubbing blocks that come in different materials and are non-toxic and chemical free. These types of products that are able to be recycled and used in cleaning various areas of your home such as spas, bathrooms, and even toilets.

Let’s be honest, all of the cleaning methods for pool tiles will have pros and cons, but the pros have outweighed the cons. Cleaning and maintaining your pool properly may seem to be a hassle, but these methods will help to restore your pool to a shiny condition in just a day.

Pool Tile Cleaning Company

If you don’t feel confident enough to be able to use these methods, then you can hire a professional company. Be sure to do your homework first before you hire any type of company. Be sure that the company has the needed licenses to work on pools so that you and your property are not at risk.

Looking For Pool Tile Cleaning Services In Arizona?

If you are looking for pool tile cleaning in Arizona, Above All Pool Care can help! We offer pool tile cleaning services in Gilbert and Chandler, Arizona.

Welcome To Above All Pool Care Blog

Above All Pool Care is a family-owned and operated Phoenix pool cleaning and repair company that services the entire Phoenix valley, East valley and surrounding communities. We pride ourselves on our workmanship, pricing, and on-time service. We only fix what truly needs fixing and provide our customers with necessary knowledge to prevent future break-downs to their swimming pool equipment. All in all, we offer pool service and equipment repair — at prices that you can afford.

Our family has owned and operated pools our entire lives. We are extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of pool maintenance, pool equipment repairs and swimming pool upkeep and regular pool maintenance. We have a strong reputation for dependability among our loyal customer base.

Our company mission statement is simple: give the customer the best value, exceed their expectations, and you have a customer for life. Accompany this with our friendly and honest service and you have a winning combination.

–Above All Pool Care