Glass Pool Tiles Installation, Care & Maintenance Instructions
Proper care and maintenance is crucial to the long-term appearance and performance of pools and water features. The following information outlines recommended products and techniques for the cleaning, sealing and protection of most pool and exterior tile and is general in nature.
Recommended Installation, products, & tools
FOR SportY DADS
Water Balance
Start-Up:
Source water should be tested prior to filling and adjusted per industry guidelines such as the National Plasterers Council’s “Swimming Pool StartUp Procedures”, available at www.npconline.org. Fill water with low calcium hardness, low pH and/or low alkalinity can be corrosive to plaster, grout, thin-set mortar, concrete, natural stone and metals.
Ongoing Maintenance:
Proper water balance and chemistry is critical for controlling calcium deposits (mineral scale). Water balance is calculated via the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI). The water’s LSI is a numeric expression of the water’s balance and takes into consideration multiple factors. When water is balanced the LSI equals zero and variation between 0.0 and 0.5 is considered acceptable. LSI levels greater than 0.5 may lead to water cloudiness and accelerated mineral scaling. Negative LSI levels may lead to corrosion of cement-based materials (e.g. plaster & grout) and metal surfaces. Pool water chemistry should be measured and maintained by a pool-maintenance professional.
Sealing Porous Materials
Sealers are beneficial for natural stone, masonry (i.e. coping) and cement-based grouts. To protect porous materials and ease maintenance, seal installations with either Oceancare High Performance Penetrating Sealer (natural look) or Oceancare High Performance Enhancing Sealer (color enriching).
Preventing Calcium Build-up
To inhibit the bond of calcium deposits, apply Oceancare Glass & Tile Shield to new and/or clean pool tile. Protected tile surfaces will be easier to maintain and most calcium deposits can be removed with regular brushing or scrubbing, dramatically reducing or even eliminating the need for chemical cleaners or aggressive cleaning methods. For optimum protection, apply Glass & Tile Shield to pool tile every 6 months.
General Maintenance
Pool tile should be brushed or scrubbed as part of a weekly pool maintenance program. Avoid the use of pumice stones or wire brushes, which can damage tile surfaces. To remove waterline scum and grime, apply Oceancare All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser to the tile surface and scrub with a nylon bristle scrub brush or a 3M White or Blue nylon scrub pad. To remove mineral scale and calcium deposits, apply Oceancare Calcium Releaser to the tile surface and scrub with a nylon bristle scrub brush or a 3M White or Blue nylon scrub pad. Do not use abrasive or acidic cleaners.
Media-Blasting
In cases of heavy calcium deposits, mineral scale or neglected tile, media-blasting may be necessary. Media-blasting is a process in which an abrasive material is pressurized and shot at a surface to remove heavy deposits. This is generally performed by pool tile cleaning specialists through the use of portable media-blasting equipment. An array of blasting media is available, ranging fromglass bead (aggressive) to baking soda (mild). Generally, baking soda or similar hardness blasting media (i.e. kieserite) is aggressive enough to remove scale but is safe for tile (including glass tile). As with all cleaning procedures, this process should be tested in an inconspicuous area to ensure the results will meet your expectations and not damage the tile surface. Once media-blasting is complete, pool tile installations should be sealed, protected and regularly maintained with Oceancare Products.
Warning: Certain acids will damage tile glaze and iridescent glass tile. Care should be taken to protect tile surfaces when using acids in the pool finishing process and when adding acid to the pool water. DO NOT allow products that contain hydrofluoric, hydrochloric, muriatic or phosphoric acid to come in direct contact with the tile. In the case of accidental contact, neutralize immediately with baking soda and water (1lb: 3 gallons).
Note: Always wear personal protection equipment, follow instructions for product use and protect surrounding surfaces when using cleaning or sealing products. Test all products in an inconspicuous area for desired effect.