FAQs for Pool Tile Cleaning Services

No, we do not need to drain your entire pool. We only need to lower the water level 8′ to 10″. We drop your water level using our own pump, and with 300 feet of discharge hose, we can direct the water anywhere you would like.

This is calcium buildup from the minerals in your water. Calcium is a rock that has bonded to your pool edge. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind calcium and other minerals. Tucson’s water has a high mineral content, and because of this, we often see calcium lines build up at our pool’s water level.

Yes. However, we don’t recommend using pumice stones. Cleaning with a pumice stone damages tile and will take you a long time. Depending on the amount of calcium buildup, this could take hours or several weekends of your time. And contrary to what your pool store or the pumice stone’s packaging might say, pumice does scratch the tile surface. We see this all the time. As you scratch the surface of your tiles, it makes it easier and faster for calcium to build up on them.

We use compressed air at low pressure to deliver our media to the areas that need to be cleaned. Doc’s uses a safe, effective, and environmentally friendly product called Kieserite (Max Strip, Salt). The Kieserite is hard enough to remove the calcium yet soft enough to not damage your tile.

Yes. Cleaning Pebble Tec is not a problem. We typically use glass bead to clean the Pebble Tec because its abrasive action can get into all the little nooks and crannies of the Pebble Tec. Most companies cannot clean Pebble Tec because they use pressure washers to deliver the media. The pressure washers use 4,500 psi of water pressure and will blow out the tiny pebbles in your Pebble Tec. Since we are using compressed air to deliver our media, we generally shoot at 40 psi to 80 psi, a considerably lower pressure, so there is no problem with pebbles blowing out.

The amount of calcium buildup and the linear footage of the pool determine how long it will take us to finish the job. Most jobs take from 1 hour to 3 hours from start to finish.

No. The media will sink to the bottom of the pool. Once we are finished cleaning your pool tile, we use our own customized vacuum system to clean the dispensed media from the bottom of your pool. After we are done, your water will appear cloudy from the suspended calcium and salt crystals. The suspended salt will dissolve and run through your filter. Your water should be crystal clear in a day or two. Any remaining salt will not affect the chemistry of your water, as our media is pH neutral.

We can; however, we don’t recommend it. It does not last, needs to be re-applied every 3 to 4 months, and some sealers turn yellow or white, making your tile look even worse than before. Many companies will offer free tile sealing after they are done because they are shooting tile with glass bead. Cleaning tile with glass bead damages the tile, removes the clear glaze, and pits the tile, making it easier for calcium to form. Sealing the tile covers up the damage caused by cheap tile cleaning.

This depends on several factors, including how well you maintain your pool, balance chemicals, and how often you change your water. Arizona’s water is extremely high in minerals, and this is an ongoing problem we have to deal with. We recommend dumping 1/3 of your water every year and your whole pool every 3 to 4 years. The reasoning behind this is that every summer, your entire pool evaporates. However, because we have auto fills on our pools, we don’t even notice. As the water evaporates, all the minerals stay behind, increasing our mineral count or TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). These minerals are what cause the calcium line.

No, you do not need to be home for us to clean your pool tile or Pebble Tec. We just need access to your backyard.

You can start swimming immediately after the cleaning process is complete. The water will be cloudy after we are done cleaning. However, because we are using environmentally friendly media, you can feel free to swim right away.