You don’t always need to empty your pool to eliminate limescale deposits, and fortunately indeed! It is nevertheless necessary to remove this unsightly scale because it also represents a real scourge for the swimming pool. Let’s find out what are the best solutions for eliminating these limescale deposits that clump together on the bottom and walls of the pool, but also how to prevent the pool from scaling up in the future.
Why eliminate limescale deposits in the swimming pool?
The scaling of the swimming pool is caused by limestone, or more precisely either by the silicate of calciumor by the calcium carbonate. The deposits are more or less important depending on the region in which the swimming pool is located since it depends on the hardness of the water. The greater this is, the greater the risk of deposit increases. But limestone also settles in case:
- pH variation (Hydrogen potential),
- Variation of the TAC (Complete Alkalimetric Title),
- Pool water temperature rise.
It is easy to spot scaling in the pool since grooves or some scaly spots light gray (calcium silicate) to whitish (calcium carbonate) appear on the walls and bottom. You can even usually find them on the edges of the swimming pool. They can also be detected by touch. In fact, passing your hand over the scaled wall of the pool, you can easily perceive their roughness. Worse still, if we do not act against the limestone, it ends up clog the various pool equipment which includes the filtration system, but it can also concern the piping. If you don’t act quickly, the limestone leads to irrevocable damages.
It is therefore essential not to be invaded by tartar and, better still, to prevent its appearance.
What type of limestone invades my swimming pool?
Many deposits can make bathing water unsafe. To make sure it is indeed limestone, you can take a small amount and then put a few drops ofmuriatic acid. If a foam forms, it means that we are in the presence of a deposit of calcium carbonate. If no chemical reaction takes place, we are faced with deposits of silicate of calcium.
Of course, you do not treat your pool with hydrochloric acid because the smell it gives off is really unpleasant and this product is dangerous for pool users. Beware of sulfamic acid or nitric acid also that some people recommend to descale a swimming pool. At high doses, these ultra-concentrated products are corrosive. Rather than relying on messages found in forums, it is better to seek advice from a pool specialist.
The best solutions against lime deposits on the walls of a swimming pool
When limescale deposits are noticed on the walls of the pool, they must be removed using a powerful descaler for swimming pool. It is necessary to deposit it on the stains and to let it act for the time indicated by the supplier. Then you have to rub the walls using a suitable brush until the deposits have completely disappeared. We end the session with a thorough cleaning which requires the use of a broom vacuum cleaner or pool robot. The swimming pool descaler has the advantage of eliminating traces of rust at the same time.
Here are the other recommended solutions if you do not want to empty your pool.
- A special eraser, a pumice stone or a small brush are useful for removing calcium carbonate deposits. We understand that elbow grease is necessary, but in the end we get good results without too much trouble because these deposits are generally not too recalcitrant.
- A pumice stone can be used to remove calcium silicate deposits, but the task is arduous and time-consuming, as silicate is very difficult to remove. In addition, descaling products do not quickly take effect on extremely tough silicate. The intervention of a professional is essential.
In some cases, it is essential to completely empty the pool to clean it from top to bottom and eliminate the slightest trace of limestone. A sander may be necessary.
Prevent limescale in the pool
And preventive treatment against limestone must be used regularly to protect your swimming pool. And to limit the risk of scaling up the pool, it is essential to check regularly the TAC and the pH some water. Let’s not forget that the TAC and the pH are intimately linked, and that if one varies, the other also varies. When the first is too high, the second is too high and vice versa. The TAC is therefore first adjusted and then the pH is corrected. The pool water must be perfectly balanced so that you do not suffer the inconveniences associated with limescale deposits on the walls of the pool.
However, it is strongly recommended to call in a specialist as the swimming pools for a pool inspection to obtain a diagnostic serious. This professional can identify the type of limestone that is scaling the pool and also carry out a adapted treatment to remove all deposits. Thanks to a online comparatorit is quick to obtain free, no-obligation quotes.