A clear and clean pool looks so inviting that it can easily make anyone want to jump into the water. A pool’s tiles and grout contribute to its cleanliness too. Cleaning your pool tiles and grout lines is just as important as maintaining the pH balance in your pool that helps keep the water clean. Regardless of the type of tile your pool has, it’s going to need a good scrubbing once in a while. Here are some things you should know about cleaning your pool tiles and grout lines:
What Is Grout?
Whether it’s your pool, the kitchen floor, or the bathroom, grout is the same. Wherever there are tiles, there the grout will be. The grout used for pool tiles is no different from any in the other rooms in a house. With that said, tiles and grout lines in pools still need to be cleaned free of dirt and grime from time to time.
Grout is a heaven-sent material that binds and fills up spaces in between tiles. They fill up these gaps to prevent trapping any dirt and debris that can come in between tiles. Not only that, they are resistant to water, which makes them ideal for spaces that are often exposed to water. Generally, grout comes in three types: cementitious grout, epoxy grout, and furan grout. Of the three, epoxy grout is the popular choice for swimming pools.
Getting Down and Dirty
Scrubbing mucky residue and getting into the crevices of a pool is nobody’s favorite job. Regardless, it’s a necessary part of cleaning and owning a pool. Before diving into (no pun intended) your grout lines, here are some necessary steps to do first.
Clear Out the Pool
Drain your pool of water, and let it dry. This step may be a no-brainer, especially since it’s impossible to give it a thorough clean with water still in it. Being able to get hard-to-reach debris out of the pool is not an everyday occurrence. While the pool dries, pick out leaves, twigs, and any debris in the water, especially those that have settled at the bottom. Give it about a day to fully dry so you can give it a thorough sweep.
Sweep Away
Once the pool is dry and clear of debris, give it a sweep. Collect all the dirt and the dust that has settled at the bottom. To give it a more thorough clean, consider vacuuming to really get into the tiny gaps and crevices.
Mop Time!
With a cleaning solution of your choice, mop it on the surface of the pool tiles. Use a generous amount on every area you mop. Let it sit on the surface for a few minutes before washing it off. A popular choice for many pool owners is bleach in water solution. Although bleach is diluted in this solution, it may still be harmful to the tiles and grout lines. Remember to use it with caution.
Pressure Washer
A pressure washer is a great way to wash off the solution as it requires little to no contact with the solution. Simply point the nozzle to the areas that need washing, and the pressure will clear both dirt and the cleaning solution. This can be handy especially if the cleaning solution is abrasive in nature. If you don’t own one, there are rentals available in the market.
Brush, Brush, Brush
If you don’t mind taking the traditional route, brush the surface using a stiff-bristled brush. The brush should also be strong enough to withstand potentially abrasive cleaning solutions. This will get rid of stubborn grime and residue on the pool tiles and grout lines, especially if they didn’t dissolve in the solution.
Cleaning Grout
To clean grime and dirt in grout specifically, there are multiple ways to go about it. The secret isn’t the amount of force you put into brushing, it’s the cleaning solution you use. Fortunately, some cleaning solutions to clean grout lines can be made at home with ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
A popular choice is the vinegar and water solution. With equal parts of water and vinegar, you can get rid of the grime without harming the condition of the tiles and grout lines. Another solution, which should be paste-like in consistency, consists of baking soda and vinegar.
Maintaining and cleaning the tiles and grout in a pool also help with its hygiene. Managing other cleaning systems and mechanisms your pool has is important, but so is cleaning the exterior. Regardless of the type of tile in your pool, it will need to be scrubbed from time to time. Knowing what to do to be able to maintain a clean pool can make the pool all the more enjoyable. Refer to these tips before you head out to your backyard to give your pool a good clean.
