DIY Pool Tile Cleaning: How to Remove Calcium Build-Up

Even the cleanest of Arizona pools develop hard water deposits that show up as the white line on their tiles, around the perimeter of the pool - it’s calcium scale, caused by hard water and evaporation.

As water evaporates, scaling can occur and calcium deposits cling to the sides of the pool leaving a chalky white line that can dull your pool’s sparkle - and it can be difficult to remove.

The good news? With the right tools and a little know-how, you can remove light calcium buildup yourself.

Why Pool Tiles Develop a White Line

Arizona’s hard water and dry climate make scaling almost unavoidable. As pool water evaporates, calcium and other minerals concentrate and cling to the tile surface.

This buildup is known as scale, and it appears in two main forms:

• Calcium Carbonate: soft, flaky, and easier to remove

• Calcium Silicate: dense, grayish, and much harder to clean

Identifying which one you’re dealing with will determine how to clean it effectively.

How To Identify The Type of Calcium Scale

Apply a small drop of muriatic acid to the affected tile:

• If it bubbles or foams: You have calcium carbonate.

• If there’s little or no reaction: It’s calcium silicate.

Always wear gloves and safety glasses when testing with acid.

Removing Calcium Carbonate (Easier)

If your pool’s white line is chalky and flaky, you’re in luck, it’s usually calcium carbonate, and you can often clean it yourself using household items.

Try These Gentle Cleaners

• Baking soda paste

• Borax

• Vinegar

• Toothpaste

• Mild dish soap

Use a soft brush or toothbrush and scrub gently in small sections. Rinse as you go so the loosened residue doesn’t dry back onto the tile.

If the buildup persists, you can use a tile cleaning product designed for pool use, just avoid anything too abrasive that could scratch your tile or Pebble Tec surface.

Removing Calcium Silicate (Harder)

If your buildup is hard, grayish, and doesn’t react to acid, you’re dealing with calcium silicate, a tougher problem that’s been forming for months or even years.

Unfortunately, household cleaners won’t cut it here. You’ll need:

• Pool-safe tile cleaner

• Pumice stone or cleaning block

• Protective gloves and goggles

Work slowly, keeping the area wet as you scrub. Calcium silicate is extremely hard, so patience (and elbow grease) are key. Be cautious because pressing too hard can damage grout or tile finishes.

When To Call The Professionals

If you find your efforts to clean the pool tiles are not producing the results you are hoping for, or if you would just rather have someone take care of it for you - then it’s time to call the professionals at Sunset Pool Care.

We use glass bead blasting that removes:

• Calcium buildup and hard water stains

• Mold and mildew

• Oils and dirt in grout lines

What Is Glass Bead Blasting?

Glass Bead Blasting uses a stream of ultra fine, perfectly round glass beads (about the size of a needle tip, 10 microns) to clean the calcium, oil and grit off the tiles and grout. This method is:

• Effective on even the toughest deposits

• Safe for Pebble Tec and other pool surfaces

• Eco-friendly, leaving water chemistry unaffected

In just a few hours, your tiles can look like new again without the risk of damage.

Glass bead blasting is used primarily on Pebble Tec pools. Not only is it aggressive enough to remove the toughest stains/deposits, it’s gentle enough not to damage the tile or grout. It won't affect the balance of the water either.

Preventing Calcium Build-Up

Once your tiles are clean, keep them that way with a few easy habits:

• Maintain balanced water chemistry year-round.

• Keep your calcium hardness levels within recommended ranges.

• Schedule regular filter cleanings and brushing.

• Consider a weekly professional cleaning during summer months.

Consistent care reduces buildup and saves you from deep cleanings later.

Calcium buildup happens to every Arizona pool, but you don’t have to live with that cloudy white ring. Light scaling can often be handled with gentle DIY cleaning, but for thick, stubborn buildup, professional tile blasting restores your pool’s shine safely and effectively.

Call 480-682-7986 or request tile cleaning online to schedule a professional cleaning with Sunset Pool Care today.

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