Why You Should Always Clean Pool Tiles And Grout

Why You Should Always Clean Pool Tiles And Grout? Cleaning your decorative pool tiles and the Grout between them is essential to pool maintenance. For the tiles, it’s crucial to keep calcium that leaches from alkaline or complex pool water, forming an unsightly crust on the tiles or causing other problems.

Keeping the Grout clean will prevent algae from growing on the Grout. Different types of algae are known to cause problems ranging from being unsightly to completely taking over your pool with sheets of green slime.

Like any other problems with unwanted agents coating your belongings, the more often you clean the pool tiles and Grout, the easier any calcium or algae will be to remove. Read on – Why You Should Always Clean Pool Tiles And Grout

Calcium on Tiles

Calcium buildup on pool tiles isn’t just an unsightly problem. The buildup can irritate the eyes and skin of anyone using the pool. The calcium scale can eventually start flaking off when it gets thick enough and can clog the pool filters.

Calcium traveling through the filters can also make the pool filtration system slow down and stop working. Calcium flakes will eventually settle on the pool bottom and can ruin the floor, requiring eventual refinishing. Neglecting calcium deposits can end up costing you a lot of money.

Removing Calcium from Tiles. 

Drain the pool enough so that the water level is below the tiles. Use a brush that has stiff bristles to scrub away the deposits. Avoid using a brush with wire bristles. For glass tiles, you may need a brush with softer bristles to avoid scratching the glass. An old toothbrush works well for small or tight places. You may need a putty knife to crack off the crust for thick deposits.

You can remove any residue using a mixture of baking soda and water to make a paste or a quarter-cup of ordinary dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water. Use fresh water for this instead of pool water. Use the scrub brush along with either of these.

For more challenging deposits, you may have to use a calcium releaser. This can be purchased at any place that sells pool chemicals. You can also use a mixture of muriatic acid and water. Both of these should be used with eye and skin protection.

Be sure to follow the directions on the label and keep the solution out of the pool water as much as possible. If you have any problems with calcium deposits, consider considering sealer for the tile to prevent buildup in the future.

Algae on Grout

• Green algae are the most common type; unfortunately, it seems to be the fastest growing. It can take over much of the pool if not dealt with promptly. Tile grout is the perfect place for it to get a good hold.

• Other colors of algae, such as yellow or brown, don’t spread as quickly, but they can be more challenging to get rid of.

• Black algae are the one that gives people the most problems once it appears, as it has protective layers, almost like a shell, and strong roots. The roots grow right into the tiny holes in the Grout. Unless it’s completely eradicated, it will grow right back.

• Pink algae is a fungus, not algae, usually found around the pool’s waterline. It’s easy to remove with regular brushing.

Cleaning the Grout. 

Lower the water level below the Grout. Clean it with a stiff-bristled nylon brush, using an old toothbrush for small areas. When cleaning the tiles with a brush, it’s also a great time to pay attention to the Grout.

If your Grout needs extra help, use a moistened pumice stone, but be careful not to scratch the tile. The stone may be used above or below the waterline. Using a power washer before or after the brush also helps.

Some substances, such as a vinegar and water mixture, can only be used on sealed Grout. Still, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide solution also remove stains on sealed or unsealed Grout. Use a small brush to spread the Grout, wait about five minutes, then rinse it with clean water. The process can be repeated if needed.

Rubbing the Grout with a chlorine tablet will also take care of it. The tablet can be used above or below the waterline, but the Grout should be rinsed afterward above the waterline. It would be best to be cautious about using household grout cleaners, as they may harm pool water or swimmers.

Why You Should Always Clean Pool Tiles And Grout – Conclusion

Pool experts usually recommend cleaning the tile and Grout at least three times a year. Cleaning your tiles or Grout regularly should make for a shorter, more manageable task each time. A regular schedule prevents problems from building into a long, tiring cleaning session. If you have issues that cleaning won’t solve, don’t hesitate to call in professional cleaners.