From modern mosaics to sparking traditional Spanish-style ceramics, pool tiles are known to add a splash of personality and colour to your backyard swimming pool. But pool tiles do more than just aesthetics; it will also protect your pool’s water line from mineral build-up and stains.

The most common tile maintenance issue is calcium build-up, and many pool owners will encounter this every three months. This scaly, white sediment is often caused by high alkalinity or high pH levels, which can cause calcium carbonate to separate from your pool water.

When temperatures rise, pool water evaporates more quickly, and this can leave calcium deposits behind. Hard water can also cause calcium to build on your pool tiles.

What causes discolouration of tiles and grout?

Detergent and dirt mixed together will often lead to tiles and grout discolouring, and depending on the type of tiles you have on your pool, excessive use of detergent may create a white residue that is visibly seen on the grout.

Grout lines are usually lower than the tiles, so it is easier for dirt and residue to clump into it. Although this can be avoided if the excess dirt residue is completely removed from the tiles.

Maintenance tips for pool tiles

• Always watch the chemical levels in your pool – you should regularly test the chemicals in your pool, especially when you’re trying to keep your pool tiles clean. Make sure you have the correct levels of chlorine.
• Read cleaning product labels – when buying pool tile cleaning products, be sure to read the labels first. Some cleaning products are harsh and unsafe to be in the water.
• Only use products for your type of tiles – before you purchase any pool cleaning products, you should always consider the type of tiles you have. It’s best to contact your pool contractor to know exactly the type of products that are compatible with your tiles.

How to clean pool tiles

There are several ways of cleaning your pool tiles, but the most common one is to clean it off using your good old tile brush. Any organic matter that is on the tiles must be removed to prevent the build up of calcium carbonate. You can also use vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, or even toothpaste. These compounds can clean the tiles, but you must ask your pool contractor before using any of these compounds as they may affect other elements within your pool,

Our best advice is to clean tiles using a pressure washer which you can easily purchase from your local hardware store. The most important aspect of tile cleaning is to remove any loose debris from your tiles like leaves and dirt.

When to call in professional help 

If you think you can no longer handle the dirt, stains, and algae in your pool, then it’s time to seek the help of a professional pool cleaning company. In fact, they can properly clean your pool since they have premium testing and cleaning equipment to suit many different types of pools and situations.

While their primary service is cleaning your pool, they can also perform maintenance checks that can prevent any future issues. Overall, it’s always a good idea to get in touch with pool cleaning experts because they can provide you with some recommendations on how to effectively clean your pool tiles.