What is this buildup on my pool tile and why does my pool tile get this buildup on it?
Answer: Scale
Scale is a coating or precipitate deposited on surfaces that are in contact with hard water. Water that contains carbonates of bicarbonates of calcium or magnesium are especially likely to cause scale. When water is heated or evaporation takes place, scale minerals precipitate layers of rocklike deposits on swimming pool tile, inside pipes, water heaters, equipment, and on fixtures and glassware. While most common scale is a result of calcium carbonate, other combinations of ions commonly found in water offer a variety of scale.
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Answer: As far as I know you cannot absolutely prevent the buildup, especially if you live in the desert southwest. Some of the best methods for controlling it and not allowing it to buildup fast are scrubbing the pool and pool tile commonly and keeping your dissolved solids and PPM within acceptable levels.
How do you remove calcium deposits from the pool ladder?
These could easily be removed using the bead blasting method that we use to clean pool tile but if your pool tile does not need the service then you might try putting some vinegar on a rag and letting it sit on the calcium buildup to soften it. After it has sat for a ten minutes take the rag off and try to remove it by scrubbing. You could also try a product such as CLR.
Is there a chemical way to remove a calcium ring on a pebble tec salt water pool?
Answer: This is a tricky question. When the buildup is in its infancy you may be able to take some of the calcium off pool tile with muratic acid or a pumice stone. However, once the buildup becomes even remotely thick on the pool tile it tends to be too late and time to call a company that can bead blast it off.
Should I Drain my pool?
Whether or not you drain your pool is up to you. What you need to remember is that the calcium ring around your pool got there partially from the minerals in your pool water. Tile cleaning can be a good time to choose to drain and fill the pool with fresh, new, water.
If you choose to drain the pool make sure that it stays empty for no more then 48 hours in the spring and fall and no more then 24 hours is the summer.
