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How to Remove Harsh Water Stains From Your Swimming Pool Tiles

M&J Plastering Team

Remove Harsh Water Stains From Your Swimming Pool Tiles

As you search for ‘pool builders near me’ you will find several professional pool contractors in your neighborhood. While some pool builders may deliver a swimming pool designed to your specifications, they may not be maintaining it for you after the pool installation.

So, while you decide to build a pool, thinking about pool maintenance becomes a crucial aspect. As a substantial investment, you want yourself and your family to enjoy a beautiful swimming experience. With proper maintenance, you can do that and also increase the life-span of your swimming pool, for years to come.

One of the most common problems while maintaining a pool is water or stain build-up. Don’t let harsh water stains or rust marks embarrass you when you’re hosting friends and family.

Read on to find out how you can get rid of hard water from your pool tiles.

What Are Harsh Water Stains?

Water stains are the cloudy white deposits that occur on the water line of the pool usually as a result of hard water. Commonly referred to as scum, these calcium carbonates, and calcium silicate deposits accumulate around the area where the water meets the tiles. It is usually near the pool’s surface and occurs at around the markup to which the water in the pool generally reaches.

This mineral buildup that occurs in your pool varies depending on the quality of water in your area. Usually, the harder the water, the higher the calcium scaling will be. This buildup not only makes the water cloudy, but it also affects the pH of the water.

According to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, the ideal pH of the water should be between 7.4 and 7.6 to ensure a safe and healthy swimming experience.

How to Remove the Harsh Water Stains

The method you use to tackle the stains will depend on the nature of the calcium buildup. If it’s merely calcium carbonate, you can scrub clean with a brush or stone. However, if the accumulation consists of calcium silicate, you may need to use harsh chemical cleaners.

The Spruce states that approximately 36 percent of children between the ages of 7 and 17 years, and about 15 percent of adults in the United States, go for a swim at least six times in a year. With such a statistic, it becomes even more critical to ask pool builders near me to keep your pool clean.

Here are the top three ways to get rid of these harsh water stains.

1. Scrub Away the Calcium Carbonate Scaling

Calcium carbonate is relatively easy to remove the stain. Spray the buildup with a calcium releaser to help soften scum and make scrubbing that much easier. Then use a pumice stone or nylon brush to wash away the rusty water stains from your pool installation & maintenance. Gently clean in circular motions until the scum loosens up.

Tip: Make sure the stains are wet at all times. Once wet, this makes it easier to get rid of the stains without exerting a lot of pressure or excessive scrubbing that could leave behind scratches.

2. Pressure Washing the Pool Tiles

For the more difficult stains, you can use a pressure washer with temperature control. Stand about 3 feet away from the area that you want to clean. Spray the tiles with a steady stream of steam and water for 30-60 seconds. Start with a lower setting of the pressure washer and increase it as you go based on your requirements.

Tip: Always use protective hand and eye gear when operating a pressure washer. You can increase the intensity and temperature of the steam depending on how severe the stain is.

3. Using Muriatic Acid For Tough Stains

In this method, we use concentrated acid. We recommend you hire professional pool contractors with the right knowledge on pool maintenance. Before starting, always ensure you use the correct protective gear. That is to say;

  • rubber boots to protect the feet,
  • safety gloves for the hands,
  • safety goggles for the eyes,
  • a mask with a filter for acid fumes,
  • And preferably a chemical resistant suit.

Ask pool contractors for a list of tools you may require when cleaning your swimming pool tiles with chemicals.

First, you’ll have to drain the pool and clean any debris left at the bottom of the pool.

Then make a 1:1 mixture of muriatic acid and water in a plastic bucket.

Tip: Always add acid to water and never the other way around.

Next, use an acid resistant brush to apply this mixture to the calcium silicate buildup. And scrub to loosen the harsh stains.

Once the scum scaling is loose, rinse with water and repeat until you finish cleaning all the swimming pool tiles.

Tip: Once you finish cleaning, pour soda ash at the bottom of the swimming pool to neutralize the acid. The soda neutralizes the muriatic acid and allows for safe disposal of the acid residue. You will need to about 2 pounds of soda ash for 1 gallon of acid.

Steps to Help Prevent Harsh Water Stains

The mineral makeup of the water usually causes the hard water stains in your pool and the elements of nature. Pool contractors will tell you that the harsh water stains largely depend on the quality of the water supplied in your area. However, there are specific steps you can take to reduce the occurrence of such hard water stains. Although it may not eliminate scaling, it will increase the time between two pool cleaning sessions.

  • Reduce the pH of the water in the swimming pool to a slightly alkaline scale say 7.2 to 7.4. This change will create a relatively acidic condition which is not conducive to scaling.
  • Add a regular sequestering agent to your weekly maintenance. This agent locks the calcium in the water in the liquid state so that it doesn’t accumulate at the water line.
  • Brushing your pool regularly to remove any calcium residue as it begins to form at the edges.
  • Don’t use any substance that adds calcium to the water, for example; calcium hypochlorite shock. Prefer using a non-chlorine oxidizer shock.
  • Using a clarifier that eliminates any calcium particles in the pool.

If you have any doubts, contact our pool experts for assistance. We’d love to help you keep your swimming pool neat, clean and free from stains!

Call Us Today!

We hope you found this article useful. If you’re searching for professional pool builders near me, call M & J Plastering today to speak to one of our representatives today.

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