How to Get Calcium Deposits Off Walls

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Things You'll Need

  • Nylon brush

  • Plastic cup

  • Chlorine-based pool surface cleaner

  • Nonabrasive sponge

  • Clean rag

Remove calcium deposits from pool walls for sanitary and appearance purposes.

Swimming pools visually enhance outdoor landscapes while providing refreshing recreation, but they also require maintenance to keep them fresh and pleasant to use. Swimming pool walls typically develop calcium scale, also known as efflorescence, from curing grout within plaster-lined concrete walls or tiles. These crusty, white deposits consist of water-soluble salts and minerals that stick to pool walls. Since calcium deposits become more fastened to pool walls over time, clean them weekly to prevent stubborn buildup.

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Step 1

Scrub the calcium deposits off the pool walls before applying any solutions. Stiff-bristle nylon brushes work best on plastic-lined concrete pool walls, while vinyl, tile and fiberglass walls require soft-bristle nylon brushes. Although the loosened calcium residue is harmless in pool water, you may catch the residue in a plastic cup when you are finished scrubbing. Dispose of the calcium deposits when you are done cleaning the pool walls.

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Step 2

Inspect the pool walls for persistent calcium deposits. If any crusty buildup remains, squeeze a dollop of chlorine-based pool surface cleaner onto a nonabrasive sponge.

Step 3

Wipe the chlorine-based cleaner onto the lingering calcium deposits. Let the cleaner permeate the deposits for three minutes.

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Step 4

Saturate a clean rag with fresh, cool water. Wipe off the chlorine-based cleaner, thoroughly rinsing the walls.

Step 5

Continue cleaning the pool walls with the chlorine-based cleaner until all calcium deposits fully dissolve.

Tip

Scrub off extremely difficult calcium buildup with a pumice stone.

Warning

Stiff-bristled nylon brushes may scratch fiberglass, vinyl and tile pool walls.

Follow the directions on the chlorine-based cleaner to avoid damage.

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