Calcium on pool tiles
Remove Calcium on pool tiles
Calcium forms and becomes visible on swimming pool tiles at some stage in the life of almost every pool. It is a common issue that pool owners face for various reasons. Usually, water imbalance, high calcium levels in the water, or areas of high heat or evaporation make calcium a challenge.
There are three main reasons why calcium forms on tiles. This webpage is here to help you deal with and manage this issue and understand why it’s forming on your pool tiles. We are here to help you and can help take this issue away.
Calcium Scale
Firstly, as tiles become wet, the water eventually evaporates, leaving behind calcium and other minerals that harden onto the tiles. This image shows how calcium appears on tiles at the waterline. This type of calcium buildup is inevitable, driven by basic chemistry. When water evaporates, the calcium it contains has to settle somewhere. In balanced water, calcium chloride is always present, and this calcium becomes noticeable on most surfaces post-evaporation—especially if your water’s calcium hardness is elevated.
Such deposits are nearly guaranteed on waterline tiles (and water features) due to heat, wind, and rapid evaporation, particularly during summer months. Additionally, if your water’s pH remains consistently high, it will speed up the calcium buildup on your pool tiles.
Calcium from coping tiles
Secondly, when tile-setting cement encounters moisture, it frequently releases white calcium hydroxide. This presents as a white calcium residue that seems to trickle down from the coping tiles above the waterline. The image below shows this effect on blue tiles.
This calcium can be dissolved away using our treatment, which dissolves it when the water level is raised for a week or so. This dissolves the calcium and cleans the tiles.
HOT TIP: To keep calcium from returning, we recommend sealing the (horizontal) deck tiles. A penetrating sealer is nearly undetectable and won’t alter your deck’s appearance. It simply helps the deck surface to repel water, preventing moisture from seeping into the cement and triggering calcium release. Issue resolved!
Calcium from static water level
Finally, Calcium may also appear on tiles as a solid, thick strip along the waterline. If your pool’s design keeps the water level constant throughout the year—due to features like an infinity edge, negative edge, an indoor setting, or an auto top-up system—you’re highly likely to notice this in your pool. Unlike typical pools where water levels fluctuate, a fixed water level leads to a tough, horizontal calcium band forming around the pool.
To help with this issue, regularly brush the waterline tiles and, if feasible, try varying the water level occasionally as this can help minimize calcium buildup on your pool tiles.
What about bead blasting?
While bead blasting can effectively remove calcium buildup from pool tiles, there are several potential downsides to consider.
- Chipping, scratching, or cracking: If the blasting pressure is too high or the operator lacks experience, the force of the beads can damage the surface of the tiles. Even with gentler media like glass beads, improper technique can lead to irreversible damage.
- Damage to the glaze: If bead blasting is not done correctly, it can strip the protective glaze off the tiles, leading to fading, dullness, and increased susceptibility to staining.
- Uneven results: Achieving a uniform clean across all tiles can be challenging. Inconsistent blasting can leave some tiles cleaner than others, resulting in an uneven appearance.
- Messy process: Bead blasting creates a significant mess with the spent media and dislodged calcium, requiring thorough cleanup of the pool and surrounding areas.
- Cost of Removal: Hiring a bead blasting service can be expensive compared to other cleaning methods, especially if your pool is large.
- Potential for grout damage: While the focus is on the tiles, the bead blasting process could inadvertently damage the grout between the tiles.
- Not a long-term solution: Bead blasting removes existing calcium buildup, but it doesn’t prevent future deposits from forming. The buildup will likely return.
Calcium Removal
Calcium Removal DIY kit
- 64 fl oz. of of our calcium prevention formula
- 9 lbs of our calcium dissolving compound
- Phone support from our technicians
- Simple step-by-step instructions included
- Pool does NOT need to be drained
- Kit is sent express and tracked by UPS
- Kids are back in the pool in just 7 days
- Kit is $295 for pools over 12,000 gallons
Calcium Removal –
On Site Technician
- 64 fl oz. of our powerful calcium prevention formula
- 9 lbs of our granular calcium dissolving compounds
- Complete 7 point on site water testing
- Your pool does NOT need to be drained
- Kids are back in the pool in 7 days
- Visit is $405 for pools 12,000+ gallons
Our Company Credentials
How to remove calcium from pool tiles
The most effective method for cleaning swimming pool tiles is to treat your pool with our calcium-dissolving products. It’s ideal to start with this step before attempting to remove the calcium manually.
Our treatments soften hard calcium deposits, making them far easier and simpler to clear away. Without this pre-treatment, calcium can be as hard as a rock, clinging tightly to the tiles. Trying to remove calcium without softening it first with our kit could result in significant tile damage, such as chipping, scratching, or even tile breakage.
Please don’t use tools like rubbing blocks, paint scrapers, screwdrivers, or pumice stones, as they can permanently scratch or crack the tiles. Our calcium treatment kit offers the best solution for softening waterline calcium buildup on swimming pool tiles.
