Poll- Blue iridescent glass tile grout

[sansuncal]

We had our pool done with blue iridescent glass tile and laticrete translucent epoxy grout. It all looked amazing in the beginning but we are now noticing white built of scale over the grout and glass tiles. . PB balanced the water and
added scaletec products but its not going away. I dont want to use harsh chems or beads blasting on glass tiles.

Need your "TFP" community opinion and suggestions on below:
1: Changing grout color to blue or black to enhance the look of tiles?
2: How to remove calcium and other minerals from water so we don't get the scaling?

Thank you ..

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

I think your problems are caused by Efflorescence - Further Reading

Was a waterproof membrane installed before the tile? See layers 1 & 3 in the diagram below.

What was the buildup of materials under the tile? Below is the recommendation of a glass tile manufacturer....


https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0429/0022/6199/files/OGT-Pool-Water-Feature-Installation.pdf?v=1625588595

 

[YippeeSkippy]

The efflourescence is from moisture behind the grout pushing calcium and such forward. It is less a matter of the pool water itself.

Do you manage your pool and test yourself? Do you own a good test kit to monitor if someone else is adding chemicals to your pool? This is important as we've seen time and again owners being unaware of the quality of their water and the effects it can have on their pool walls and equipment.

Maddie

 

[sansuncal]

Thanks fellas. I have intellichem and a pool maintenance guy but he hasn't dealt with epoxy grout and full glass tile pool so not sure what can even come out from glass and epoxy!.
My PB used the same Oceanside installation method and followed whole 7 steps with all laticrete membranes and mortar bed.
Even transparent pool fittings are now coated in white stuff which wont come off even with sandpaper, white vinegar and baking soda.
Any further insights are appreciated..

 

[ajw22]

You need to get your own test kit and tell us the test results from your own testing.

Either the Taylor K-2006C or TFT Test Kits

How do you chlorinate your pool?

We don’t trust pool maintenance guys, pool store testing , or IntelliChem.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[sansuncal]

Sounds like a good idea.

Pool has Pentair salt chlorinator to maintain chlorine and intellichem does the water chemistry ie acid injection. here are the readings from intellichem

Could it be something different than calcium buildup as it doesnt come off with vinegar?

 

[ajw22]

We would prefer to see test results from a test kit.

Vinegar may be too mild an acid.

Try a diluted mixture of muriatic acid. Start with 10:1 dilution and then increase the strength if it does not work.