Lime stains, sometimes called scale, occur around the upper edge of the pool and resemble deposits of white or gray crusts. They are often caused by hard water or minerals that seep from nearby mortar glue.
If left in place, they can lead to permanent stains on the tile, as well as causing the pool to look dirty and unattractive. Removal of calcium deposits from tiles in the pool will require some physical work.
Although efflorescence is not harmful to cement, excessive amounts of it can cause fungal or insect problems. Once the calcium deposits harden, they are virtually impossible to remove without acid solutions.
Sometimes they could be soft white scales and in severe cases, thicker and harder. You’ll have to approach cleaning them with different strategies.
Natural stone and glass tile combo
Unfortunately, you must repeat the process periodically, as the spots often return.
How to Clean the Soft White Scales on Your Tiles
Drain the water from the pool at least 6 to 10 inches so you can easily access areas stained with calcium. This also allows you to clean the loosened calcium off without depositing it in the pool water.
Kneel on the edge of the pool, or enter the pool if you do not mind getting wet. Place a stiff brush bristle tiles on top of the calcium deposits and scrub the tiles of the pool using circular motions to loosen the deposits.
Clean the tile of the pool with a cloth or a paper towel to remove the loosened calcium. Examine the area to see if all the deposit came off, and use a pumice stone to scrub gently with circular motions or no calcium is maintained.
Remove the thickness scale from the tile with a razor blade, taking care to keep a low angle and avoid scratching the surface.
Clean the area again with the cloth. Repeat the process to clean around the perimeter of the pool to remove the remaining calcium deposits.
Tips and warnings
You can use a standard pumice stone available at beauty stores or buy one at a pool store that has a longer handle made specifically for pools.
Commercial products are also available to remove tile incrustations from the pool.
How to Remove the Heavy Concrete Calcium Deposits
Stronger acids are required for the heavier calcium deposits.
Instructions
Dress appropriately for security purposes. Wear protective clothing, goggles, acid-resistant gloves, and a mask equipped with an acid-grade filter.
Set a portable fan nearby and open the windows to provide adequate air circulation. Fill a spray bottle with acetic acid.
Spray the acetic acid generously on the calcium deposits. Allow the acid to penetrate the cement for the recommended amount of time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the product label.
Scrub the cement with a hard bristle brush to dissolve the calcium deposits. Continue to apply acetic acid and scrub the cement until all calcium deposits are removed.
Sprinkle baking soda generously over clean cement to neutralize the acid. While the acid neutralizes, fill a plastic bucket with water.6 Clean the affected surfaces promptly to restore the appearance of the cement and prevent future problems. To do this, cement thoroughly rinsed with water, using a coarse sponge. Allow the cement to air dry.
Tips and warnings
You can substitute hydrochloric acid for acetic acid. However, never use hydrochloric acid inside or mix it with any chemical.
Be very careful when using acetic acid; It is highly corrosive to the skin.
What is the white stuff on my pool and how does it appear?
The white or grayish deposit, also called calcium deposits, which is sometimes rough can appear on the liner of your swimming pool (on the bottom, the walls, and especially at the level of the waterline).
The formation of these deposits is because of two mineral salts naturally present in the water of your pool: calcium carbonates and magnesium. The more they are present in the water, the more they form lime residues on the walls.
You should know that from one region to another, the concentration of these mineral salts varies. This is a completely natural phenomenon that depends on the geology of the soil and the path of the water. Some pools are therefore more prone to the appearance of deposits than others.
How to measure the hardness of my swimming pool water?
The calcareous nature of water is defined by its hardness. On average, it is considered that the TH of the water in a swimming pool must be between 10 and 25 ° f (French degrees).
The tH corresponds to the hardness of the water, which indicates its concentration in limestone. It is measured in French degree (° F) and is ideal between 10 and 20 ° F. Indeed, the higher the tH, the harder the water is, that is to say, it is limestone. On the other hand, the lower it is, the softer the water.
Note: dedicated accessories allow you to easily calculate this hardness, such as connected water analysis devices, manual colorimetric testers (strips to be dipped in a water sample), or photometers.
What are the dangers of the white stuff?
Over time, lime deposits can build up. In excess, it can scale your equipment and pipes and therefore damage them or make them obsolete. It can also make the water cloudy, promote the development of algae, and irritate the sensitive skin of swimmers. So many inconveniences that can be avoided or combated.
Removing calcium deposits: the solutions
When the scale has settled, it is difficult to get rid of it. In fact, in the event of scaling, the water in the basin must be completely emptied and a descaling product used. The most powerful is to be left on. In all cases, you need a little elbow grease to rub the stains and remove them completely. Remember to remove debris after cleaning the basin.
If you cannot remove lime with a dedicated product and it damages your equipment, you may have to change it. A solution that often turns out to be expensive. Do not hesitate to seek the advice of a professional to note the damage.
Preventing calcium formation: the solutions
Prevention is better than cure! This is why it is advisable to adopt a preventive behavior by using an anti-limescale or anti-scale product.
This type of cleaning product is specially designed to prevent the formation of tartar. It is recommended to use them if the water is very hard. On the other hand, if the hardness of the water is not too high, no need to resort to it.
This type of product requires precautions for use. Read the instructions carefully. It mixes with the water in your pool, according to a precise dosage and with filtration on. On average, this treatment lasts 12 hours (during which the pool is unusable).
Besides applying an anti-limescale treatment for swimming pools, water heating should be controlled. Regular temperature monitoring limits the formation of lime. In fact, hot water tends to favor the formation of tartar. Likewise, regular maintenance and control of the quality of the water, in particular the TH and the pH, make it possible to avoid unpleasant surprises.
How to raise the pH of your pool? Do you need to increase your pool’s pH levels? How to raise the pH in a pool is the question we ask ourselves if in our periodic or punctual measurement a significant variation of pH is detected . In this case, you must immediately use pH boosters or reducers , as appropriate. If the pH is low or acidic, use a pH Booster to raise water ph. If you do not know how to raise the ph of the pool water then we present the products that will solve the problem of how to raise the pool ph. From now on, how to climb pool ph will be the easiest problem to solve the summer.
If you need to know how to increase the ph of the pool , we have selected the best products on the market to raise the pool and that the boring task of increasing the pool is a simple task for you.
How to lower the pool ph
How do you lower ph pool? If the pH is high or basic (alkaline), use a pH Reducer. It is very important that this product addition be done gradually and wait a while , usually a few hoursare enough, to re-measure the pH of our pool. The pool filter needs to be in operation for the pH corrector distribution to be done effectively and spread throughout the pool’s water volume.
If we maintain the pH levels of the water in our pool correctly , we can enjoy water in perfect conditions, making the rest of our pool additives such as flocculants , algaecides and chlorine itself work properly . Therefore, knowing how to lower ph + pool is an important matter to control.
The pool vessel is not a watertight compartment, but is subject to constant water inlets and outlets. This happens well because the rain enters on a stormy day, either because you fill it with water from the general bring, or because it evaporates on a day of sun and bath. With these continuous changes in their levels, the proportion of treated water also changes and, with it, the values of certain parameters such as free chlorine and pH. These variations make it necessary to know how to regulate the chlorine and the pH of your pool .
What are pH and chlorine for?
The pH measures the acidity of the water . Its scale varies from 0 to 14 and its value depends on the stability and action of all chemical products used in the maintenance and tuning of the pool . The pH should be adjusted between 7.2 and 7.6, its optimum value, which would be practically neutral. Not being in these values causes the entire disinfection system to be damaged.
The chlorine that you put in the pool is responsible for the elimination of the microorganisms present in the water . Its function is disinfectant. But free residual chlorine not bound to organic matter is also lost by evaporation, as it is a gas. It is important that for the bathroom its levels are between 1.0 and 1.5 ppm or parts per million. When the pH is adjusted up, the chlorine tends not to fulfill its function.
If you want to enjoy the pool water in perfect conditions, it is essential to treat it correctly so that it is free of pathogenic organisms and substances in an amount or concentration that may pose a risk to human health. But to be able to treat it as necessary, it is important to know how to analyze the key parameters mentioned above.
How to analyze the pH and chlorine of the pool?
There are several methods for water analysis and pool maintenance .
Analyzers with liquid reagent or tablets . Using analyzers with liquid reagent or tablets is easier than you think. Simply take a representative sample of the pool glass with the cuvette that comes in the kit and add the reagent indicated for the parameter you want to analyze. After a few seconds and after stirring, the water becomes a color that you should compare with the color chart that incorporates the analyzer. This way you will know the numerical value of the parameter.
Analytical paper strips . Although the principle is the same as in the previous method, the mode of use is different. In this case, dip the analyzer strip a few seconds directly into the water you want to analyze. When you take it out of the water, you should compare the color with the table provided by the manufacturer.
Photometer or digital analyzer . It is more expensive but much more accurate and easy to use. Depending on the digital analyzer model , it can cover one or several parameters.
The control of these values must be done periodically, with a minimum sampling frequency of once a week.
How to regulate the chlorine and the pH of the pool?
If after using the analysis methods, you check that the values are out of adjustment, you must take corrective measures that return the parametric values to their optimum levels.
In the case of chlorine , you can find two different situations.
Chlorine levels are low, below 1-1.5 ppm . It is not an adequate value for the bathroom. This is what happens when you have just filled the pool with the feed water from the public distribution network or after heavy rain. Potabilized water suitable for consumption does not have sufficient concentration of free chlorine to cope with all the microorganisms that are provided with the bath. The solution to the problem is to pour the granulated rapid chlorine glass diluted previously in a little water and in an amount proportional to the volume of water in the pool. It is fast dissolving and is used mainly in the start of the pool and in shock treatments.
Chlorine levels are high, above 1.5 ppm. Bathing is not recommended when 5.0 ppm is exceeded. To reduce the concentration of free chlorine, use the following three measures, which are not exclusive. First, you can stop the contribution of chlorine to the glass. You can also pour water from the brought water or from a natural source like a well in the glass, but keep in mind that the pH is adjusted, so you have to adjust it again. Finally, the weather and the sun cause the free chlorine in the water to gradually volatilize spontaneously.
In the case of pH, the situations you can face are the following.
The pH is above 7.6. Pool water tends, in general, to raise pH values. With a high pH the water in the pool becomes cloudy, the chlorine loses the disinfectant power and forms chloramines with organic matter, causing the irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes, as well as the characteristic smell that the water gives off. The solution is to use a pH reducer , which is in liquid or granulated presentation. Apply milliliters or grams per cubic meter of water as recommended by the manufacturer to lower the pH 0.1. For example, if in a sample you have a pH value = 8.0, multiply by 4 that amount that the manufacturer recommends to lower the pH 0.1 points, that is, 8.0 of the sample minus 7.6 of the optimal value is equal to 0.4.
The pH is below 7.2 . The procedure you must follow is the same as in the previous case, but using a pH booster . Interestingly, chlorine works at 100% with a pH equal to 5, but it would be unfeasible for bathing.
To know more details about how to regulate the chlorine and the pH of your pool , learn in this video how to keep the water in your pool.
If you have any questions, you can open a conversation thread in the Forum to solve your question. If you have a pool installation project, upload it to the Projects section and share it with other users.
This must be one of the many questions on the mind of a pool owner. And here I will be giving 5 ways on how to remove calcium deposits from your pool! And not only will it look better, it will allow you to enjoy your pool like you once did!
1. Use a calcium releaser
These products makes it easy to remove calcium deposits. While selecting your product, select acid free calcium releasers, as these products are left a long time on your pool tile before scrubbing off, and the acid could destroy your pool finish.
2. Use scaling treatment
If your pool is made of fiber glass, scaling treatment is advised because other methods would scratch the glass since they involve brushing.
3. Use a pumice
This rock is also effective in removing calcium deposits in pools, make sure the surface of both the rock and the pool is wet, and do not scrub too hard in order not to deface your pool.
4. Use white vinegar and a scrub brush
Fill a water bottle spray with half water and half vinegar solution, spray on your pool tile and leave for some minutes before rubbing gently with a scrub brush.
5. Use muriatic acid
This is also known as Hydrochloric acid, this acid has high strength in removing mineral deposits, calcium deposits inclusive.While using it, you should be fully clothed with your google and gloves in order to avoid safety hazards. Make sure not to leave the acid too long because you do not want to destroy the finish of your pool.
Bottomline
Calcium deposits in pools can have side effects on people who use the pool, these effects can range from eye irritation to whole body irritation, they are also irritating to look at and would reduce the interest of people in your pool.
When removiy these deposits, make sure you are dressed properly to avoid safety hazards and also try as much as possible not to destroy the finish of your pool.
If you love to use your pool but hate the way it looks, look no further. Here at Specialty Aquatic Tile Cleaning, we can take care of just about any problem you have!
Tile Repair/ Replacement
If you have tiles that are beat up, cracked and even chipped we can take care of that no problem. Depending on the tile that you currently have the price will range. Even if you have discolored tiles we can take care of that so please feel free to give us a call today for a free estimate so we can have your pool looking right in no time!
Power washing
Sometimes it’s not the pool you can’t stand to look at. sometimes owners can’t stand the way their back deck area looks. Many people wish it would look 10 years younger! With a power washer that’s achievable. Many people don’t want to go and buy one but here at Specialty Aquatic and Tile Cleaning we have you covered. We can even power was your pool tiles too!
Pool Rehab Special
If you haven’t used your pool in a while because you gave us on it and it has become discolored don’t worry we can bring your pool back to life. With this special we will completely drain your pool, Acid wash to clean the plaster and will remove all of the calcium from the tile. now just like anything else depending on the size of the pool, the price will range. Give your pool the look it deserves! Or if you just have any questions regarding your pool just one of our pool experts!
Contact Us
Here at specialty aquatic tile cleaning, We offer a range of services. If you have any questions regarding your pool or would like to contact us at 626-275-8959. Our goal is to provide our customers with nothing but great quality and a great experience. We strive to leave your pool area at the end of the day in better condition than it was when we arrived. Serving all of Covina CA and close neighboring cities.
You guys reading this you’re probably wondering what causes calcium scales in pools? Well, the chances are with your pool you were taking no precautions to help avoid calcium scales. Calcium carbonate typically forms where the water line is in the pool. As the evaporation increases during the summer with warm heat, the scale itself tends to become a white color. But more 9 Times out of 10 it is mixed with dirt algae to make it look darker. The most common cause for this is when the ppm of your water is over 400 and gets triggered by alkalinity. With a high pH in high temperatures, this is the result.
Things to help your calcium empidemic
One common thing that almost every pool owner does is use calcium hydrochloric shock. Putting this into your pool does nothing but add calcium. Using a non-chlorine oxidizer will help you solve that one simple problem. You can also try to lower your pH and alkalinity to make it harder for calcium pieces to form.
Removal
The typical way that calcium scale is first scraping off all of the heavy deposits. Then pour small amounts of any type of acid shock that you use such as acid magic or muriatic acid. You then one to quickly rinse it off and repeat it as needed. But this can be very vary depending on how long its been. If you cant remove it with in the first few times then that when I would recommend reaching out to our professionals and letting us handle the job! We will give you your old pool back without breaking your wallet, it’s what we love to do!
Call us
If you feel this job is too much or will take you too long feel free to give the experts at Specialty Aquatic Tile Cleaning a call. We can help you solve any of your questions or concerns regarding your pool. Our phone number is 626-275-8959. We serve all of Covina CA and neighboring cities. What are you waiting for, give your pool it’s life back and enjoy what you paid for!
Here at the specialty aquatic tile cleaning, we offer a wide range of pool cleaning services! I will first start off by telling you that a clean pool is a lot more enjoyable. When your pool is clean and everything is right you can expect to swim with your eyes open and not worry!
When you get your pool tile repaired or replaced by us you can expect everything to look as good as new. We can help you if they’re discolored as well!
Another service that we offer as well would be our pool makeover special. If your pool hasn’t received the care and attention that it requires you can probably start to notice some discoloration going on. How we address this issue is first we have to completely drain the pool, followed by an acid wash to clean the plaster, and then lastly calcium removal on the tiles. But just like any other job, it all depends on the pool size!
The third most popular service that we offer would be power washing. When we power wash you can expect to have your deck completely clear of any old dirt marks. This is usually what people get as well as the pool makeover. These both go together really well, leaving your backyard as you could remember it years ago.
Ceramic tile with heavy build up
Many pool owners know that owning a pool can be difficult at first and very irritating. So why go through all of the problems that arise with pool owners when you could have a trusted company like specialty aquatic tile cleaning take care of it for you!
Here at specialty aquatic tile cleaning, we charge by the linear foot. In some cases very rarely though, it is by the square foot. Our goal is to satisfy our customers and demolish the competition. We offer free estimates to anyone within 35 miles of us. So why are you waiting? Pick up the phone and call 626-275-8959 and get your free estimate! Proudly taking care of Covina CA and all of its pool owners! Feel free to also give us a call with any other questions or concerns regarding your pool!
Most likely, if you see spots along the waterline, you are dealing with a calcium deposit. And you’ll want to know how to remove lime from the pool, unfortunately, calcium deposits tend to be incredibly difficult to clean.
There are some reasons why you may start to notice these spots around the waterline.
The first reason is hard water, which can leave a calcium residue over time. If you live in an area of the country with hard water, it is likely that you have already noticed this accumulation in your faucets, sinks and even bathtubs.
The second reason is the heat. The high summer temperatures cause the water in the pool to evaporate more, and also raise the water temperature.
When combined with the third reason, the chemical composition of your pool, these conditions can cause calcium deposits.
Specifically, if your pool has a high pH, high alkalinity and hotter water, the calcium scale will begin to form.
Lime stains in pool
The reason why this situation occurs so often in the water line is due to evaporation. These calcium crystals can appear as nodules that dot the metal and plaster, or they can become scabby deposits that live in the corners of the pool.
Technically, these are two different things. Calcium carbonate, which tends to manifest as a scaly substance on the surface of the pool, and calcium silicate, which is grayish-white and harder. Either way, they are not exactly aesthetically pleasing.
What does lime do to your pool?
Obstructed filters
Pool filters are designed to treat water or other types of waste typical of the pool: insects, leaves, etc. But they are not designed for hard calcium deposits.
As more and more hardened calcium passes through the filter, the system will slow down and not work as well due to clogging.
Damage to the Plaster
If left untreated, calcium deposits will continue to grow and spread to other areas of the pool, including, in the background. This can result in the creation of clumps in the plaster that you will have to eliminate if you do not want the finish to be damaged.
Irritation of eyes and skin
If people swim in a pool with excess calcium, which is causing deposits, there is a great chance that there will be skin and eye irritation.
Calcium deposits and scaling are unattractive, make swimming pools uncomfortable for swimming and can cause serious and costly long-term damage.
Steps to Remove Lime
Limescale deposits can form along the waterline of your pool. This is usually caused by a high pH, high alkalinity or a high concentration of calcium. Constant temperature changes along with rapid evaporation will cause the deposits to settle along the side of the pool wall. If the deposits are not removed soon, it can cause permanent damage to the surface of the pool.
Cleaning with vinegar
Baking soda, borax, dish soap, toothpaste, and vinegar can be used in much the same way to clean calcium deposits, so you can use most of the information related to the vinegar and apply it also to cleaning agents.
What you need for cleaning with vinegar:
A cleaning brush. With soft bristles, not metallic.
A bottle of spray.
Vinegar, a 5% solution.
Once you have these items, you can start cleaning.
The first step is to stop all use of the pool until a water test can be performed. If the test reveals that the levels are within range, you can use a stain remover to remove deposits from the waterline. If the pH, alkalinity or calcium levels are too high, they should be reduced before using a scale and scale cleaner.
It is recommended to start first by lowering the hardness of the water. The hardness can only be lowered by partially draining and then filling the pool. Your pool needs a hardness level of 200 ppm to 400 ppm. A level of hardness above 400 ppm can lead to scale formation on the surface of the pool and equipment and can also cause cloudy water.
Once the pool has drained, and filled again, check that the hardness is within range. If it is not, you must repeat step 2 until you normalize the hardness. Only in that case can you adjust the alkalinity. You should retest before doing so because the alkalinity should be lower than before. To reduce alkalinity, you can use dry acid or muriatic acid. The necessary amount of any of the chemical products will vary according to the size and volume of the pool and the reading of alkalinity.
Once the alkalinity is within the range, the pH can be adjusted. For this, a negative pH is used, in case of a high pH. Once the pH is balanced, we can move on to the final step.
The final step will be to use the vinegar. Before adding the product, (following the package instructions), make sure you have a pool brush handy to brush the walls as needed. There are no special tricks. You can put the vinegar in the bottle and spray the solution on the calcium deposits or simply pour it from your own bottle, then use the brush to scrub.
These types of cleaners tend to work quite well if you detect and solve the problem from the beginning, and of course, you should use them fairly regularly to avoid accumulation.
If you do all these steps, and still have lime deposits that are difficult to remove, try the following.
Cleaning with muriatic acid
With the vinegar and the other mild cleansers that we have already mentioned, you can enter the pool while you are cleaning. With muriatic acid, however, this is not recommended.
Muriatic acid is more powerful and more dangerous when handling. You can find this chemical in a home improvement store or pool supply store.
What you need for cleaning with muriatic acid:
Muriatic acid container.
Safety glasses.
Rubber gloves.
Respirator.
Plastic cube.
Measuring cup of plastic.
Plastic spoon
Plastic spray bottle.
Marker.
Non-abrasive scourer
This list of materials is enough for you to realize that this goes beyond the maintenance of the pool for beginners. We want to remind you that muriatic acid is dangerous.
Put on goggles, gloves and the respirator. Then head outside with all your ingredients to start mixing. Absolutely do not attempt to mix in a closed area.
Fill your bucket with four liters of water. Pour 230 grams of muriatic acid with the measuring cup slowly into the water. Always pour the acid in the water instead of the other way round, as the acid is more likely to splash. Another thing to keep in mind is that you should pour slowly since this mixture produces heat.
With the plastic spoon mix the water and the acid. Again, do it slowly, because you do not want it to boil.
Carefully fill the plastic bottle with a mixture of water and acid.
Use the marker to label the measuring cup, spoon and spray bottle with “Muriatic acid”. Do not try to use the chemical for anything else. If you are worried that this may happen, leave the bottle aside for proper disposal.
You should always stay out of the pool, use the spray bottle to spray the waterline of the pool and rub with the non-abrasive scouring pad.
Get in touch with your local pool supply company or with the municipality to learn how to get rid of any unused muriatic acid. Do not simply discard it or pour it down the drain.
Because muriatic acid is much stronger than vinegar or other cleaning products mentioned above, you can eliminate calcium deposits that are much more advanced. That said, with deposits that have been growing and hardening for a long time, sometimes even muriatic acid is not enough.
If that is your situation, you have a remaining option. Pressure washing.
Cleaning with a pressure washer
Cleaning with a pressure washer is something that professional pool cleaners use, called “blasting accounts”. This process uses compressors to “blow up” pearls, sand and other materials (depending on the specific tool used) on your tile at a high speed to basically blow or scrape the calcium deposits.
It works surprisingly well, and it’s fast. And best of all, you are not doing the work yourself. Unfortunately, it can also be expensive, especially if you need to call them to do it regularly.
Calcium deposits, or efflorescence, form when excess moisture inside cement rises to the surface. These white powder deposits are common in basement walls, floors, and other cement surfaces.
Although efflorescence is not harmful to cement, excessive amounts of it can cause fungal or insect problems. Once the calcium deposits harden, they are virtually impossible to remove without acid solutions.
Stronger acids are required for the heavier calcium deposits.
Instructions
Dress appropriately for security purposes. Wear protective clothing, goggles, acid-resistant gloves, and a mask equipped with an acid-grade filter.
Set a portable fan nearby and open the windows to provide adequate air circulation. Fill a spray bottle with acetic acid.
Spray the acetic acid generously on the calcium deposits. Allow the acid to penetrate the cement for the recommended amount of time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the product label.
Scrub the cement with a hard bristle brush to dissolve the calcium deposits. Continue to apply acetic acid and scrub the cement until all calcium deposits are removed.
Sprinkle baking soda generously over clean cement to neutralize the acid. While the acid neutralizes, fill a plastic bucket with water.6 Clean the affected surfaces promptly to restore the appearance of the cement and prevent future problems. To do this, cement thoroughly rinsed with water, using a coarse sponge. Allow the cement to air dry.
Tips and warnings
You can substitute hydrochloric acid for acetic acid. However, never use hydrochloric acid inside or mix it with any chemical.
Be very careful when using acetic acid; It is highly corrosive to the skin.
