How to remove calcium build up on tile?

[Shapmaui]

Hi all,

I recently bought a new house with an existing pool. It's a plaster pool with about three vertical inches of rough tile. The water line has about 3 years of calcium build up on it.
Since we moved in, I have kept PH levels neutral, and have tried a few methods to remove the scale build up.

I have tried pumice stone, 220 grit wet- dry sandpaper, Bioguard "Remedy" scale remover (ha! What a waste), and general scrubbing, but no changes except a little with the pumice stone. But it would likely take 200 blocks of pumice to begin to scratch the surface ?- no pun intended!

In the first photo, just above the top and middle stairs, you can see what effect the pumice stone had a couple weeks ago. It's the area where small areas of tile are now coming through.

I am looking for tried and true methods, possibly glass power blasting/sanding, or yuck, using a commercial company to help? Any advice would be truly appreciated! I have watched videos of people using hammers to chip off the buildup, people using paint scrapers, but most effectively the glass bead blasters....not sure which way to go.


thanks so much!

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum! :handshake:

The best way is to use kieserite blasting. I do not think it can be done DIY.

It will mess with your pool chemistry so you need to be prepared to clean it up.

Take care.

 

[Shapmaui]

Thanks for the quick reply! That is one treatment I have never heard of.
I am hoping for a DIY treatment method, but I will check around here for companies who may know about kieserite.

 

[mknauss]

DIY is using diluted muriatic acid. 4 parts water to 1 part acid. Spray it on and scrub some. Use PPE (eye protection, gloves). It will be slow. It is also putting the calcium back in your pool water. So be sure to test your CH and monitor CSI --

See Pool School - Calcium Scaling ; Pool School - Calcium Saturation Index (CSI))

 

[Shapmaui]

This may be a duplicate reply, but maybe the other didn't go through, but to clarify on the muriatic acid spray...
I am guessing I would need to reduce my water level to keep solution at recommended strength, but how long would you recommend the solution stay on tile? Thanks again!

 

[mknauss]

I do it to spot treat my tile. It does not stay on it as it runs right off. It is best to lower your water level a bit so that the scale is exposed.

Be aware the acid solution will etch cementatious grout, coping, etc.

 

[Shapmaui]

Guess I should test it inconspicuously somewhere first.....