Can You Sandblast Pool Tiles?

Sandblasting pool tiles is an effective way to clean and restore them. While “sandblasting” often brings to mind harsh, destructive methods, modern abrasive blasting for pool tiles is a precise and gentle process. It’s a highly effective way to remove stubborn mineral deposits and calcium scale. The key is having the right equipment, the correct blasting media, and a professional who understands the specific needs of pool tiles.

Is Sandblasting Safe for Pool Tiles?

Traditional silica sandblasting is unsafe for tile finishes and poses health risks. Modern low‑pressure media blasting with non‑silica media, performed by a professional, can be safe and effective. These newer “dustless” methods, such as glass bead blasting, are safe and highly effective for cleaning pool tiles. Safety lies in using a nondestructive abrasive media and a low-pressure blasting system.

Traditional sand, which is sharp and hard, would be too aggressive and could etch or permanently damage the glaze on ceramic or glass tiles. A trained technician understands the nuances of different tile materials and can adjust the pressure and media to suit the surface. They’ll also ensure the surrounding areas, like the pool liner or plaster, are protected from stray abrasive particles.

When sandblasting is done correctly, the controlled nature of modern equipment minimizes damage risk. It removes deposits while preserving the finish, but improper technique can dull or etch the glaze.

What Does Sandblasting Pool Tiles Involve?

Pool tile sandblasting is a precise operation that requires professional expertise. It involves these steps:

Preparation: First, the pool’s water level is lowered below the tile line to expose the surface to be cleaned.
Equipment setup: The technician sets up the abrasive blasting equipment, which consists of a hose with a nozzle and a pressurized hopper or tank filled with the blasting media. The equipment’s pressure is carefully calibrated to ensure it’s strong enough to remove the buildup but gentle enough not to damage the tiles.
Media blast: The technician then systematically blasts the media at the tiles, targeting the areas with mineral deposits and stains. They work in small sections, meticulously removing the mineral scale.
Cleanup: After the blasting, the blasting media and debris are vacuumed out of the pool, leaving the tiles clean and the pool ready to be refilled with water.

What Is the Best Blasting Media for Pool Tile?

Choosing the right blasting media is critical for successful pool tile cleaning. Traditional sand is not ideal as it’s too aggressive and can ruin the tiles’ finish. Instead, the best media are softer, less abrasive materials that effectively remove deposits without causing damage.

Popular options include crushed glass, glass beads, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Engineered abrasives like those made by 10X Engineered Materials are also highly efficient at removing mineral deposits while being gentle on delicate surfaces when used at low blasting pressures.

Wet vs. Dry Blasting: Which Is Better for Pools?

Wet blasting, also known as dustless blasting, is generally the better option over dry blasting for cleaning or preparing most pool surfaces. Dry blasting uses a high-pressure stream of air to propel the abrasive media. While effective, it creates massive dust that can be a significant health hazard, especially if the blasting media contains silica. This dust also makes a considerable mess in a pool and can be difficult to contain.

Wet blasting, however, mixes the abrasive media with water. This simple addition has several major advantages. The water suppresses the dust, making the process much cleaner and likely safer. It also provides a cushioning effect, further reducing the risk of damage to the tiles. For these reasons, wet blasting is a safe, preferred method for cleaning pool tiles, ensuring a cleaner, more controlled, and less hazardous job.

Upgrade Your Pool Tile Blasting Results With 10X Engineered Materials

When achieving pristine pool tiles, the choice of abrasive media makes all the difference. Traditional blasting materials may get the job done, but they often come with trade-offs regarding efficiency, safety, or surface integrity. To truly upgrade your results, consider using abrasives from 10X Engineered Materials.

We produce different grades of superoxalloy, such as EpiX and KinetiX. For pool tile, you would likely use a fine-mesh, precision-grade abrasive from the EpiX line, as it is ideal for demanding, sensitive applications. The exact grit size will depend on the type of tile and the severity of the buildup. These products offer superior cutting power to quickly and effectively remove even the most stubborn calcium and mineral deposits while being incredibly gentle on the delicate surface of your pool tiles.

Written by Jacob Vaillancourt

Jacob Vaillancourt is a partner, co-founder, and CMO of 10X Engineered Materials. He is responsible for marketing. Jake has eight years of experience in surface preparation and 13 years of experience in industrial production processes. He is also an active instrument rated fixed-wing pilot.