0How to Maintain Pool Tile
Our professionals at Fujiwa Tiles know that properly installed pool tiles are really works of art when they are new. To keep it looking its best, pool owners need to perform some regular maintenance. Though cleaning pool tile isn’t particularly arduous, it needs to be kept up regularly to keep the pool looking it is very best. Here is some advice on how to clean pool tile:
One important way to maintain pool tile is to make sure that the water has the right balance of chemicals. This discourages algae and pathogens. The pH of a swimming pool should be just a bit on the alkaline side. This measurement falls between 7.2 and 7.6. The pool’s calcium levels should be around 200 parts per million, and though this makes for hard water it keeps the water from leaching the minerals it needs out of the tiles and other hard surfaces. If you are using the Langelier Saturation Index, the levels should be no lower than -0.5 and no higher than +0.5.
Chlorine levels are good between 1 and 3 parts per million. You should check them often, especially if there has been a spate of hot, sunny days. Sun causes chlorine to deteriorate. If the chlorine falls to unacceptably low levels, you should call on our professionals to shock your pool.
Ideally, lime scale shouldn’t form on the tile, but good pool water is hard and limescale can build up if the tiles are neglected. It’s a good idea for you to clean the tile once a week with a soft brush. It’s important that the brush be soft because a hard bristle brush can scratch the tile. If limescale has built up and formed a crust on the tiles, it’s time to call the professionals.
Another common problem is for dirt and debris to cling to the tile at the waterline. This dirt may need special cleaning with a nylon sponge or brush, and you may need to use a pumice stone with care to get rid of scaling. Light stains can be dealt with a paste of baking soda and vinegar, vinegar diluted with water, dishwashing detergent or even toothpaste. These cleansers can even be placed on a toothbrush and rubbed into the stain.
You should not have to drain the pool to clean pool tile. As a matter of fact, the pool should never be drained except in case of emergency.
If a lot of scale and dirt have built up, you should work on it one section at a time. Wear rubber gloves and target the grime and crust with a heavy-duty cleanser known to combat them effectively. You may also need to use a pumice stone. If you are a bit nervous about using a powerful cleanser, you should try it on an extra tile first, and see how the tile reacts.
Another way to keep the hours that you need to maintain pool tile in check is to keep the pool covered when it’s not in use. The cover not only keeps children and pets from tumbling into the water but lowers the rate of evaporation. It is the evaporation that leaves scale along the water line.
Maintaining your pool tile may seem like a timely task. However, you will find it is well worth it when your tile looks as good as new even after a few years.