Just last night, I was in our spa relaxing, enjoying the cooler weather that the Atlanta area has been experiencing, when I noticed the calcium build up on the perimeter tile of our spa. Our pool and spa is nearly six years old and we have never needed to clean the tile. However, now is the time. So, I thought I might write a how to article on “do it yourself” tile cleaning.

Here’s what you’ll need:

muriatic acid, gloves, respiratory mask, goggles, sponge, and a cloth

Step One: Drain pool water to just below waterline tile and calcium build up. Protect yourself from the harmful vapors of muriatic acid by putting on your respiratory mask, goggles, and gloves.

Step Two: Mix a solution consisting of 2 parts water for one part acid

Step Three: Apply solution to tile with a sponge or cloth. Use a scrubbing motion to remove the calcium deposits from the tile.

Step Four: Rinse the acid from the tile with fresh water. It’s okay if the acid gets in the swimming pool water. It’s such a minimal amount, it likely won’t have any effect on the water chemistry. Wait 8 hours and test water to be sure.

Step Five: Add water to the swimming pool to return water level to allow your pool filtration system to work properly.

If this process does not remove the calcium build up, you may want to call a professional pool service company to perform bead blasting. But, if you keep your pool maintained before the calcium deposits build up too much, the process listed above should work.

Have you tried removing the calcium build up from your tile? If so, Watercolors Custom Pools would love to hear your stories. Feel free to leave your comments.