Even though your outdoor swimming pool might look great, it can be beset with all kinds of dirt and stains that can really detract from its appearance. If your pool decking has somehow become stained, the good news is that it is easy to clean and repair. With this in mind, here’s a set of instructions on how to remove specific stains without risking damage to your deck, as well as some basic cleaning techniques that can be employed on other occasions.
Asphalt – Freeze the affected area with ice, then scrape away as much of the stain as you can. To finish, scrub the asphalt with an abrasive powder and rinse with clean water.
Blood/Confectionary/Tomato Sauce/Mustard/Food Grease – Apply some liquid detergent to the stain and let it sit for between 20 and 30 minutes. Rinse the area with hot water.
Caulking/Gum – Apply a poultice of denatured alcohol to the stain to remove as much as possible, then finish by scrubbing the area with some hot water and detergent.
Efflorescence – This will disappear on its own over time, but you can speed the process up by cleaning the area with muriatic acid or a special efflorescence cleaner. Check out this article to learn more on removing efflorescence.
Moss/Algae – This will really only occur on outdoor pool that is located in the shade. The best way to remove these stains is to invest in a special anti-algae or moss solution.
Oil/Grease – Mop up any excess oil that remains on the surface, then cover the stain with an oil absorbent. Leave it to sit on the area for around a day, then remove the absorbent as directed.
Paint – Make sure that you tackle these sorts of stains immediately. Do not wipe, as this will spread the paint and force it deeper in. Soak and scrub the area with hot water and detergent.
Rust – The only way to remove rust stains is to use a solution of muriatic acid (also known as hydrochloric acid). Make sure you follow the directions closely.
Tire Skids – Scrub at these stains with a combination of water (cold, warm or hot – it doesn’t really matter), detergent and scouring powder until they are gone.
For general cleaning, water is the best way to return your pool deck to its former glory. A simple hose with an attachment will easily remove dirt and grime from the surface. If you have more stubborn dirt, however, you could try a pressure washer – just be wary of removing the sand from between the tiles. There are also plenty of general products that are designed for cleaning a pool; there is nothing wrong with giving one of them a go.
Before using any of the solutions that we have recommended above, it is of the utmost importance that you ‘test’ it on an isolated or hidden spot. This will ensure that the solution won’t damage your pool deck or outdoor paving in any way (such as discoloration). The other alternative to cleaning stained tiles is to simply replace the offending one. This can, however, prove to be an expensive exercise if you have quite extensive staining.
Author Bio: Lillian Connors is a blogger and home improvement enthusiast ever so keen on doing various DIY projects around her house and passionately writing about them. She is also an online marketing consultant, closely collaborating with a number of companies from all over the globe. You can check her out on G+, Facebook and Twitter.