Pool Tile Cleaning & Calcium/Scale Removal
Remove stubborn calcium deposits and restore your pool tile to like-new condition.
White crusty buildup on your pool tile ruins the look of your entire pool. Calcium scale is one of the most common problems pool owners face, especially in Abilene where our hard water makes buildup happen fast. Regular brushing does not touch it. Store-bought cleaners barely make a dent. Professional tile cleaning is the only way to completely remove calcium deposits and restore the clean, polished look your pool tile should have.
What Causes Calcium Scale Buildup
Calcium scale forms when your pool water has high calcium hardness levels combined with high pH. Abilene water is naturally hard, which means it contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. When water evaporates at the waterline, it leaves these minerals behind. Over time, they build up into thick white deposits that bond to your tile and are extremely difficult to remove without professional equipment.
Two types of calcium scale exist: calcium carbonate and calcium silicate. Calcium carbonate is white and flaky, easier to remove. Calcium silicate is gray and much harder, often requiring aggressive treatment. Both types are ugly and make your pool look neglected. If you are dealing with persistent pool maintenance issues in Abilene, addressing calcium buildup should be a priority because it only gets worse over time.
Our Professional Tile Cleaning Methods
We use several methods to remove calcium scale depending on how severe the buildup is. Here is what we offer:
- Bead blasting: Uses fine glass beads under pressure to gently remove scale without damaging tile
- Pumice stone: Effective for light calcium deposits on certain tile types
- Chemical treatments: Professional-grade acids that dissolve stubborn calcium buildup
- Pressure washing: For removing loose debris and surface-level deposits
- Hand scrubbing: Detail work around fittings, corners, and delicate areas
Bead blasting is our most effective method for heavy calcium scale. The process is safe for tile, does not damage surfaces, and delivers dramatic results. After cleaning, your tile looks brand new again. We also clean the waterline, coping, and any stone or tile features around your pool. The entire pool perimeter gets the same attention to detail, so everything matches and looks professionally maintained.
Why DIY Calcium Removal Falls Short
Many pool owners try to remove calcium scale themselves with vinegar, muriatic acid, or pumice stones. These methods work for very light buildup, but they rarely remove heavy deposits completely. Using too much acid can damage your tile grout, etch the tile surface, or throw your water chemistry out of balance. Pumice stones require significant elbow grease and still leave behind a rough, uneven finish.
Professional cleaning saves you time and delivers far better results. We have the right equipment, training, and experience to remove scale safely and efficiently. If your tile has been neglected for years, we can still restore it to excellent condition. After we finish cleaning, we also recommend adjusting your water chemistry and regular maintenance service to prevent calcium from building up again in the future.
Preventing Future Calcium Scale
Once your tile is clean, you want to keep it that way. Prevention starts with proper water chemistry. Keep your calcium hardness levels between 200 and 400 ppm, and maintain pH between 7.4 and 7.6. Brush your tile regularly to prevent early buildup from hardening. Run your pool during the hottest part of the day to reduce evaporation at the waterline, which is where scale forms most quickly.
If you notice calcium starting to build up again, address it immediately before it becomes thick and difficult to remove. Regular professional tile cleaning every year or two keeps your pool looking great and prevents heavy scale deposits. Some pool owners also benefit from filter maintenance to improve water circulation and reduce mineral concentration at the waterline. We can help you develop a maintenance plan that works for your specific pool and water conditions.