Solving Pool Tile Problems

When pool tile problems lead to the need for replacement tile, turn to Mission Tile West.

A pool can make a wonderful addition to any property, but only if it is properly maintained. Otherwise, it can quickly turn into an eyesore or an outright safety hazard. Installing beautiful pool tile and keeping it in good condition is one important aspect of maintaining the appeal and value of your property. Here are some common pool tile problems and how Mission Tile West can help you address them.

Slippery Tile

Just about any type of surface can become slippery when wet. This just one of many reasons no one should running in the pool area. But if your pool deck becomes dangerously slippery to the point where someone could suffer a fall simply climbing in and out of the pool, you need to install a different type of tile. Come to Mission Tile West and we will help you select a suitable replacement with a higher coefficient of friction that will help keep pool users safe.

Cloudy Tile

Over time, minerals can precipitate out of your pool water and build up on your tile, creating a white or cloudy appearance. To get your tile back to its bright, colorful self, you must remove this mineral buildup, aka scale. The best approach is to use a soft brush to clean the tile once a week, focusing on the tiles around the edge of the pool. This will help prevent a noticeable layer of scale from forming in the first place. If scale is already thick, you may need to use a specially formulated cleanser. Whatever you do, do not use abrasive cleaners that could scratch your tile.

Pitted Tile

While too much calcium in your pool water leads to cloudy tile, too little calcium can lead to etched or pitted tile. This occurs as a result of a quirk of pool chemistry as other chemicals in the water look for alternative sources of calcium and end up leaching calcium out of the plaster or tile in your pool. To prevent this, always ensure your pool chemistry is properly balanced with sufficient calcium hardness. If certain tiles have become too damaged by calcium loss, you will need to replace them.

Cracked or Broken Tile

Cracked or broken tile will also need to be replaced, ideally as soon as you notice the problem. This will help limit the potential for developing leaks. Hopefully you set aside some extra tile the last time you had your pool tiled, in which case you will be able to easily locate matching replacement tiles. If you do not have extra tiles on hand, Mission Tile West can help you source them. We may be able to find the same tile from the original manufacturer, though the color might be slightly different as it will be from a different batch. We can also create a custom batch of tile if needed.