How to clean pool tile with pumice stone

Question: The pool tiles around the water that falls from the spa to the pool have a white substance on them. What is the best way to clean them? They are not under water.

Answer: Calcium-scale deposits from your pool water are common on waterline tile and glass block, as well as around pool spillways and waterfalls.

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The safest way to remove the scale is with a Pool Blok, which is a pumice stone designed to clean pool surfaces. All that is required is a little elbow grease. Wet the Pool Blok, and use it like an eraser to remove the scale. This should remove all but the toughest deposits.

This item comes in two sizes and is available at most retail pool-supply stores for $10 to $25.

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"If the scale is especially heavy, you can try scraping it off with a putty knife before using the pumice stone," says Steve Felices, owner of Sunrise Pools and Spas in Casselberry.

Be careful not to scrape the glass block or tile, Felices warns.

If the putty knife and pumice stone don't do the trick, you can try a 50/50 mixture of muriatic pool acid and water applied with a nylon bristle brush. We recommend wearing rubber gloves and eye protection for this process.

To avoid damaging the grout, don't leave the acid mixture on for more than a few minutes. Be sure to rinse the area when you are finished, because acid will etch the tile grout over time.

After the scale is removed, you can keep it from building up by occasionally cleaning the area with the Pool Blok. A few minutes of work can bring back the shine and beauty of your tile and glass block.

Any paving expert in Miami will tell you that keeping your pool tile clean is an easy process—it just requires a little elbow grease. If you have tile pavers or a retaining wall around your pool in Fort Lauderdale, it’s important to keep them looking clean and fresh.

Watch this video to learn more about keeping your pool tile clean . Cleaning pool tile is a two-step process requiring only a pumice stone and hydrochloric acid tile cleaner. The pumice stone helps clean the calcium buildup off of your pool tiles and pavers. You can try this on stepping stones in your backyard, too. Thanks to the texture of this tool, you won’t have to apply much pressure—the buildup should come off with ease. After you’ve cleaned your pool tiles and pavers, you can be proud to show off your outdoor living space in Fort Lauderdale!

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.

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Updated on 10/17/22

Reviewed by

Katie Berry

Reviewed by Katie Berry

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Katie Berry is a cleaning expert with 30 years of household management experience and 12 years of writing about cleaning methods and routines for Housewife How-Tos. She is the author of several books about homemaking.

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While having your own backyard swimming pool or spa is a serious perk, they also come with plenty of regular maintenance in order to remain in tip-top shape. You may already know that it's important to keep leaves and debris out of the water, but even if you are diligent about keeping the water free of debris, stains or grime can collect on the tiles at the pool's waterline or fill line.

Pool staining can show up in a variety of colors and often occurs as the result of a chemical imbalance in the water reacting with the pool's surfaces. If you have a pool maintenance company, they probably regularly blast away the build-up as part of their routine cleaning. However, if you are taking care of the pool yourself, frequent cleaning will be necessary to prevent the stains from becoming so difficult to remove that you must replace the tiles for a clean look.

How Often to Clean Pool Waterline Tiles

The grime found on pool tiles is typically an accumulation of several things, including body soil, sunscreen, and mineral deposits (scale) that cling to the tiles. If you have hard-water deposits or stains in sinks or tubs inside your house, they will probably happen to your pool surfaces as well. As water evaporates, scaling occurs when mineral deposits cling to the sides of a pool. It shows up as white or gray scum and is difficult to remove.

For the easiest maintenance, the waterline tiles should be cleaned as soon as you notice any discoloration, typically weekly or monthly. Small levels of build-up at the waterline are much easier to clean rather than waiting until the tiles are heavily soiled. At the bare minimum, the tiles should always be cleaned at the beginning and end of the pool season.

Tip

If the build-up at the waterline is exceptionally heavy with mineral deposits, algae, and dirt, plan to do the removal in increments over several days or weeks. This will prevent your pool's filtering system from becoming overwhelmed and help maintain the chemical balance of the water.

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Instructions

How to Clean Pool Waterline Tiles

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1. Remove All Organic Matter

   If your pool has leaves, grass clippings, or other organic matter in the water, use a pool vacuum or net skimmer to remove as much of it as possible prior to cleaning.

   
   

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2. Drop the Waterline

   It is easier to clean the stained tiles if the waterline in your pool is slightly below its usual position. You can do this using a pool pump, though in a pinch you can skip this step.

   
   

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3. Use a Scrub Brush

   Using a stiff-bristled scrub brush (no wire bristles), scrub away the mineral deposits. Work in a circular motion in an area about three or four feet wide. If you have glass tiles, a soft-bristled brush is a better choice to prevent scratching the glass. For tight, small areas, an old toothbrush works well.

   
   

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4. Remove Dirt and Grime

   Once you have loosened the mineral deposits from the work area, remove the accumulation of body soil, dust, and grime. This can be done by scrubbing the area with one of these solutions that you have mixed in a plastic bucket:

   • Dry baking soda and a few drops of water to create a paste
   • One-quarter cup of dishwashing liquid and one gallon of water

   Dip the scrub brush into the solution and scour the tiles at the waterline. Use a melamine sponge (like a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) for tough-to-remove stains. Splash a bit of pool water or freshwater over the freshly cleaned area and repeat the scrubbing and cleaning steps as you move around the perimeter of the pool.

   Tip

   While these cleaning solutions are not toxic, wearing goggles or eye protection is suggested to prevent splatters into the eyes.

   
   

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5. Use a Pumice Stone

   If the scrub brush and cleaning solutions did not remove the mineral deposits, then it's time to use a pumice stone. These are available online and at home improvement and pool supplies stores. Made of ground volcanic rock, the stone will break apart the deposits. You must keep the stone and tile wet at all times while you work with a pumice stone or there will be excessive scratching. Work slowly with a light touch as you scrub in gentle circles along the waterline.
   

   
   

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6. Try a Commercial Cleaner

   If the pumice stone did not remove the build-up, you can try a tile cleaner that contains sulfamic acid (like Lime-Away). These types of cleaners are harsh and must be used with extreme care. They should not be used after you have added the regular pool chemicals to the water. After using, allow several days to pass before you treat the pool water with chemicals or swim in the water.
   

   
   

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When to Call a Professional

If you do not want to work with heavy-duty cleaners, it may be time to consult a pool maintenance company that can help clean the tile with a high-pressure baking soda blast. On average, getting your pool cleaned regularly costs about $150 a month.

If you notice chipping or cracks, it might be best to call a pool tiling professional or pool installation company to replace or repair those tiles. You can expect to pay about $50 to $100 an hour for a tiling expert to work on your pool tiles, not including the cost of the replacement tiles. To retile an entire pool, the average cost is $15,000.

Can you use a pumice stone to clean pool tile?

Using a pumice stone to clean your pool tiles is ideal when dealing with stubborn calcium silicate. The stone works well at removing tough scale. With that being said, pumice stones make cleaning calcium carbonate from your tiles a breeze. This flaky white substance doesn't stand a chance against a pumice stone.

What is the best way to remove calcium deposits from pool tile?

If your pool has calcium carbonate deposits, you can remove them with a pumice stone, stain eraser or scale remover. A pumice stone should only be used on hard surfaces, such as tile and concrete. Simply use the stone to scrub the deposits.

What is the easiest way to clean pool tile?

For light, thin calcium deposits, try using a soft brush (such as an old toothbrush) and a solution of vinegar and water. If that doesn't work, try cleaning the tile with a solution of water and muriatic acid (you can find muriatic acid at your local hardware or pool supply store).

How do you use a pumice stone on tile?

Rub a pumice stone over the scale in small, circular motions to work it off of the tile; avoid using anything too abrasive, such a steel wool, which could scratch the tile.