Does Removing Scale from Pool Tiles Affect Pool Chemistry?

Water Removal

• Most scale removal product manufacturers will recommend that you lower your pool's water level before attempting to remove the scale. This will help prevent the chemicals from getting into your pool and upsetting the chemical balance. Give yourself plenty of room to work -- lower the water level to about 6 inches below the scale. You can set the water aside in buckets or even a kiddie pool so you can put it back in when you're done or just discard it.

Removing the Scale

• The easiest way to avoid letting chemicals into your pool water is to work in very small, manageable sections of the pool wall. Apply the scale remover as directed and scrub until the scale is gone. Repeat until you make your way around the full perimeter of the pool. If your pool is quite large, get some people to help you. Remember to rinse the pool walls thoroughly without letting the rinse water get into the pool water.

Refilling the Pool

• If you were able to set the old pool water aside, go ahead and dump it back into your pool when you've finished removing the scale. Otherwise, you need to refill the pool with fresh water. In either case, allow the pool to sit with the pump going for about two to four hours so that any chemicals, whether the ones already in the pool or any residue or accidental spills from the cleaning solution, are evenly distributed.

Testing and Rebalancing

• Any time you do anything with chemicals for your pool, you need to do a quick water test. Get a pool water testing kit from your local pool supply, hardware, home improvement or big box store. Follow the kit's instructions for taking and testing samples of your pool water. Based on the test results, you may need to add more chemicals to your pool to get the appropriate pH and chlorine levels. The chlorine should be between 2 and 4 parts per million, and the pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8. Once you add the chemicals, let the pump run for about four hours then test again to make sure the levels are within safe parameters.