We have a 12x6m pool lined with shiny dark-blue mosaic tiles which look terrific when the sun's out. However, as we're in a (very) hard water area, we always end up with a ring of chalk deposits along the water line. It's possible to remove these (sort of) by blasting with the high-pressure water machine and scrubbing furiously with a non-scratch pad but it's hard work.
I've just drained the pool for the winter and have noticed a sort of 'frosting' of chalk - quite pretty, looks like those cakes my mother used to make - randomly scattered about on large patches of tiles which have been under water. I had thought the pool didn't seem to have quite the same 'sparkle' this year and this may well be the cause.
The local pool guy and the previous owner both say 'vinegar and elbow-grease' but this is big patches on a big pool, so I can imagine myself lying face-down and knackered in the bottom of the pool smelling like a down-town chippie. Is there a more elegant solution to remove the chalk - I imagine wafting about and puffing away with one of those little squeezy atomisers watching the chalk dissolve before my eyes? And how best to prevent it happening again? We spend a lot of money on PH stuff already and keep a careful eye on the chemistry.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Jim (aka Chalky from the Dordogne)
Chalk deposits in the pool - how best to remove them?
No Jimbo it is a specialist pool wall cleaner. We didn't know the name when we went to look for it and found it easily in both the pool shop and local Hypermarket (with the pool products) so it must have been obvious! It came in one of those big plastic 5 or 8 litre container type bottles and we couldn't find a smaller one anywhere.
Unfortunately,we're not in Spain until January so I won't be able to look until then
Unfortunately,we're not in Spain until January so I won't be able to look until then
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- Posts: 253
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:58 pm
- Location: Costa Blanca
La Luz,
Are you referring to "Salfuman", (sulphuric acid) which is available at all pool suppliers in large containers but is also available in 1 litre containers from supermarkets and ferreterias. It is commonly used (too much?) for cleaning, disenfecting, etc. from pool maintenance (reduces pH), tile cleaning of oils and cal to removing cal stains in loos and gas water heaters. Has to be used with extreme care!!
Maria
Are you referring to "Salfuman", (sulphuric acid) which is available at all pool suppliers in large containers but is also available in 1 litre containers from supermarkets and ferreterias. It is commonly used (too much?) for cleaning, disenfecting, etc. from pool maintenance (reduces pH), tile cleaning of oils and cal to removing cal stains in loos and gas water heaters. Has to be used with extreme care!!
Maria
Maria, I've absolutely no idea what it's called as I only used it the once in summer but I know that removed the most awful suncream tidemark immediately and left the tiles gleaming.
I remember that it was a 'use with extreme care' product because basically it's an acid. I didn't know it was used for anything else.
I remember that it was a 'use with extreme care' product because basically it's an acid. I didn't know it was used for anything else.