That white or gray line along the tile at water level is calcium. North Texas water is hard, the sun evaporates it quickly, and the minerals it leaves behind bake onto the tile. It builds slowly, and by the time it bothers you it is usually well stuck.
Why It Forms
- Hard fill water with a lot of dissolved calcium.
- Evaporation, which leaves the minerals behind at the waterline.
- High pH or water that has drifted out of balance.
- Heat. Scale forms fastest in summer and on spillways and water features.
Two Kinds of Scale
Newer scale is white and flaky and comes off more readily. Older scale is gray, hard and bonded to the tile, and is much more stubborn. Which one you have decides how it has to be removed.
Why Scrubbing It Yourself Can Backfire
Stones, scrapers, wire brushes and strong acids will take scale off, and they will also scratch the glaze on tile, etch stone and damage the plaster and grout below the waterline. A scratched tile holds scale even faster next time. Acid in the pool also throws the water chemistry out.
How It Is Removed and Kept Away
The method depends on the tile and how heavy the scale is, and we choose one that cleans the tile without damaging it. Keeping it away afterward comes down to balanced water, which is part of regular service.
If the tile underneath is cracked, faded or dated, it may be worth pricing new tile at the same time. We'll give you both numbers.
Tile crusted with scale?
We'll look at the tile and tell you whether to clean it or replace it, with a price for each.