Media Blasting Pool Tiles for a Deep Clean Without Harsh Chemicals

Keeping Your Pool Tiles Sparkling Clean with Media Blasting

Swimming pools are a gorgeous addition to any backyard. There's nothing quite like taking a refreshing dip on a hot summer day or relaxing in the warmth of your private oasis. However, all that fun in the sun takes a toll on your pool's surfaces over time. Your once pristine pool tiles become stained, scaled, and downright grimy.

Regular brushing and chemical treatments can only do so much when it comes to removing built-up gunk on pool surfaces. For a deep, restorative clean, media blasting is the service professional pool companies turn to. Keep reading to learn all about media blasting pool tiles and how to keep your pool looking picture perfect.

What Is Media Blasting?

Media blasting, also known as abrasive blasting, is a technique that uses compressed air to blast an abrasive media onto a surface. This effectively "sandblasts" away any coatings, corrosion, or contaminants. The power and precision of media blasting make it an ideal solution for cleaning pool tiles and surfaces.

With media blasting, tiny grains of abrasive material are propelled out of a blasting nozzle at high velocities. The media strikes the surface, chipping away the top layer. This removes stains, scale, grime, paint, rust, mildew and other stubborn substances that regular cleaning can't tackle.

There are various types of abrasive media used in blasting including:

• Sand
• Plastic and resin
• Steel shot or grit
• Glass beads
• Walnut shells
• Sodium bicarbonate

The appropriate media is chosen based on the surface being cleaned and level of abrasiveness needed. For pool tile cleaning, media like glass beads is often used since it effectively cleans surfaces but isn't overly abrasive to damage tiles.

Why Professionals Use Media Blasting on Pool Tiles

Media blasting is one of the most effective ways to deep clean pool tiles and remove years of built-up gunk. Here are some of the main benefits of media blasting pool surfaces:

• Removes Stubborn Stains and Grime: Years of sunscreen, body oils and dirt get ground into your pool tiles. Chemical cleaners alone often can't break down these stubborn stains. Blasting them away restores the tile's original appearance.
• Eliminates Mineral Scale Build-Up: Calcium and mineral deposits from pool water create unsightly scaling on tile surfaces. Media blasting etches away the scale to reveal the tile underneath.
• Restores Traction: Smooth pool tiles can become dangerously slippery over time. Blasting textured and tiled floors restores traction and slip resistance.
• Fast, Efficient Cleaning: Media blasting cleans in a fraction of the time it would take to scrub tiles by hand. Large pool surfaces can be cleaned in just a few hours.
• Environmentally-Friendly: Many media blasting abrasives like baking soda are completely natural. There's no need for harsh chemicals to get surfaces clean.
• Doesn't Harm Surfaces: Media blasting is safe for use on concrete, fiberglass, plaster and tile when done by a trained professional.

How Pool Tile Media Blasting Works

Media blasting pool tiles involves a systematic process to get surfaces clean without causing damage. Here is an overview of the typical media blasting process:

1. The area around the pool is prepared and protected. Nearby surfaces like wood decks are covered to prevent accidental blasting damage.
2. The proper nozzle size and abrasive media is selected based on the pool finish.
3. Starting at the waterline, the media is blasted across tiles and surfaces in sweeping motions. About 2-3 ft of tiles are cleaned at a time before moving to an adjacent section.
4. A second pass is done at a perpendicular angle to ensure complete, even cleaning. The nozzle is held 6-12 inches away from surfaces.
5. Surfaces are rinsed thoroughly to remove all blasting media, cleaning solution residue and debris.
6. A professional inspection ensures the tiles meet standards. Additional spot blasting is done if needed.
7. The pool area is cleaned up and protective coverings removed.

The blasting is targeted just at tile surfaces, not plaster or fiberglass. When done properly, media blasting removes every trace of dirt, stain, mold and mineral deposits to restore a pool's original appearance.

Benefits of Professional Media Blasting Service

While DIY media blasting is possible, there are definite perks to hiring a professional pool service instead:

• Proper Equipment: Professional media blasting machines deliver just the right pressure and sand flow for pool tiles.
• Experience: They know the optimal blasting technique to clean tiles without causing damage.
• Efficiency: Large pool surfaces can be restored much faster than doing it yourself.
• Check Valves: Prevents water from entering the air compressor, improving results.
• Media Containment: Specialized equipment prevents scattering debris and contains used media.
• Rinse Water Containment: Wastewater is captured instead of draining into your pool and yard.
• Warranty: Professional jobs often come with a satisfaction guarantee.

Protecting your pool's surfaces, equipment and surrounding areas require skills and tools the average homeowner doesn't have. Your pool cleaning pro can restore your tiles to a like-new finish safely and efficiently.

Maintaining Your Pool Tiles Post-Blasting

Media blasting can restore dingy pool surfaces, but keeping them looking great requires some maintenance. Here are some tips for looking after your pool post tile blasting:

• Test and adjust chemical levels regularly to keep water balanced.
• Maintain proper pool filtration and circulation.
• Brush pool weekly and use tile cleaners to prevent scale build-up.
• Shock treat the pool monthly to prevent algae and contaminants.
• Watch for cracks and damage that require re-blasting.
• Consider applying a sealer after blasting for added protection.

How often you'll need to redo media blasting depends on pool use and local water chemistry. Many pools can go 5 years or more before tiles need extensive cleaning again. Stay on top of regular maintenance and you'll keep your pool tiles in top shape.

Why Media Blasting Beats Acid Washing Pool Tiles

Some pool professionals rely on muriatic acid washes to clean pool surfaces. However, media blasting is a much better option. Reasons to choose media blasting instead of acid washing include:

• More eco-friendly and employee safe
• Lower risk of damage to pool surfaces and equipment
• Removes stains better than acid alone
• Restores rough texture on floors instead of smoothing
• No need to deal with hazardous waste disposal

The powerful mechanical cleaning of media blasting is simply more effective and versatile than chemical cleaning for pool tiles. Any pool service that still acid washes pools is behind the times.

Transform Your Pool with Tile Media Blasting

If your pool is looking grimy despite your best efforts to clean it, media blasting is the solution. Hiring a professional service using quality equipment ensures outstanding results. Before long, your pool will be restored to a like-new condition.

With regular care and maintenance, professionally media blasted tiles will stay sparkling for years. No more scrubbing and spot cleaning to temporarily fix dingy tiles. Media blasting erases stains and build-up for good so you can simply relax and enjoy your pool again.

FAQs

What is media blasting?

Media blasting is a technique that uses compressed air to blast an abrasive media onto a surface to clean it. Materials like glass beads or baking soda are blasted at high velocities to remove stains, scale, grime and other buildup.

Does media blasting damage pool tiles?

No, media blasting is safe for use on surfaces like concrete, tile and fiberglass when done properly by a trained professional. The media and pressure is specially controlled to clean not damage.

How long does media blasting take?

A typical pool takes just a few hours to media blast clean by an experienced professional. The service moves efficiently to get the entire pool surface restored in a single visit.

What results can I expect from media blasting?

Media blasting will remove 100% of stains, mineral deposits, mildew, paint and other buildup on pool tiles. It restores the original color and texture for a like-new finish.

How long will media blasting results last?

With proper maintenance, media blasted tiles can stay pristine looking for 5 years or longer before needing re-blasting. Keep up with regular brushing, chemicals and cleaning for extended results.