Pool Tile Blasting & Cleaning: What You Need to Know

That white, crusty line along your pool tile? That’s calcium scale — and it’s one of the most common cosmetic issues Phoenix pool owners face. Here’s what causes it and how to fix it.

What Causes Tile Scale?

Calcium scale forms when calcium carbonate deposits on tile surfaces at the waterline. In Phoenix, this is driven by:

Hard water — Phoenix city water has high calcium content
High pH — When pH rises above 7.8, calcium precipitates out of solution
Evaporation — The waterline is where evaporation concentrates minerals
Heat — Higher water temperatures accelerate scale formation

Arizona’s combination of hard water, high heat, and rapid evaporation makes tile scaling nearly unavoidable over time.

Tile Cleaning Methods

Glass Bead Blasting

The most popular method for heavy calcium buildup. A specialized compressor blasts fine glass beads at the tile surface, removing scale without damaging the tile or grout. This is effective for:

Heavy calcium buildup (1/8” or more)
Entire waterline cleaning
Preparing tile for regrouting

Glass bead blasting is fast and thorough. A professional crew can clean the full waterline of a typical residential pool in 2–4 hours.

Soda Blasting

Similar to glass bead blasting but uses sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as the media. Soda blasting is:

Gentler on delicate tile surfaces
Effective for moderate buildup
Less abrasive to pool finishes below the waterline

Chemical Cleaning

For lighter scale, muriatic acid-based cleaners can dissolve calcium deposits. This method:

Works for thin, recent scale
Requires careful application (acid can damage surrounding surfaces)
Takes longer than blasting methods
Often used for maintenance between full cleanings

Manual Scrubbing

A pumice stone or specialized tile scrub pad can handle minor buildup. This is a spot-treatment approach, not practical for heavy or full-waterline scale.

When to Clean Your Tile

Light scale — clean annually or as needed with chemical treatments
Moderate buildup — every 2–3 years with professional cleaning
Heavy scale — don’t wait. Heavy calcium can damage tile and grout permanently

The longer you wait, the harder (and more expensive) the cleaning becomes. Light scale is easy to remove. Heavy, layered calcium requires aggressive blasting.

Preventing Scale Buildup

While you can’t completely prevent scale in Phoenix, you can slow it down:

Maintain proper pH (7.2–7.6) — the single most important factor
Keep calcium hardness in range (200–400 ppm)
Use a sequestrant — chelates calcium to keep it in solution
Regular brushing at the waterline during weekly service

What to Expect From Professional Tile Cleaning

A professional tile cleaning service typically includes:

Pool water level lowered slightly to expose the full tile line
Tile surface cleaned using appropriate method (bead blast, soda blast, or chemical)
Debris cleaned from pool
Water level restored and chemistry adjusted

The result is dramatic — your tile line goes from crusty and white back to the original color and pattern.

Looking for pool tile cleaning in Phoenix? Contact Splash Mob Pools for a quote on tile restoration services.