Cement pool decks can lose their shine and color over a period of time. Stains, dirt, sand, mildew, and chlorine residues can get ingrained on the surface making it unsafely slippery.
In this article, we will be discussing how to clean the cement around your pool to restore its color and appeal.
How to Clean Cement around Pool?
#1- The Bleach Method
Ensure you use bleach in a well-ventilated environment. It is a powerful cleaner but can be dangerous when inhaled.
You’ll Need
1- Bleach
2- Water
3- Rubber gloves
4- Nose mask
5- Brush
6- Dish soap
7- Sprayer
Steps
STEP 1- Wear rubber gloves and a nose mask to protect yourself. Handling bleach with your bare hands can cause chemical burns and skin irritation.
STEP 2- If there’s algae, mold, or mildew on the cement deck, deal with it first. Mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 cup of warm water.
STEP 3- Pour this solution on the algae or mold and let it sit for about 10 minutes. It will kill the growth and its spores.
STEP 4- Scrub the spot with a brush, remove the dead mold or algae with a broom, and dispose of it. Then rinse the area with water.
STEP 5- Now it is time, to clean the whole deck. Mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of warm water in a sprayer. Add some drops of dish soap for effective cleaning. Shake the sprayer well, so that the dish soap is evenly mixed with the bleach solution.
STEP 6- Spray the cement around the pool with this solution until it saturates the area. Make more solutions if necessary.
STEP 7- Let the bleach solution sit on the deck for about 10 minutes. This is important if there are stains on the cement.
STEP 8- Use a nylon-bristled brush with a long handle, to scrub the cement thoroughly. Pay attention to oil stains and dark spots.
Spray more bleach solution on a stubborn stain and scrub with the brush again, until it fades.
STEP 9- Rinse the cement with a garden hose away from the pool. Use lots of water so that the bleach doesn’t leave a residue on your deck.
#2- The Muriatic Acid Method
You’ll Need
1- Muriatic acid
2- Water
3- Safety goggles
4- Respirator
5- Rubber gloves
6- Rubber shoes
7- Pressure washer
8- Sprayer
9- Brush
10- Broom
Steps
STEP 1- Wear your protective gear. Muriatic acid is toxic to the skin and can cause health problems if inhaled for a long time.
Wear safety goggles, a respirator, rubber gloves, rubber shoes, and that cover your body well.
STEP 2- Mix 1 cup of muriatic acid with water in a bucket. If the cement around the pool is very dirty, hasn’t been cleaned for a long time, or has algae and mold, then mix a stronger solution. Mix 1 part muriatic acid with 10 part water.
Always pour acid into water and not the other way around.
STEP 3- Pour this solution into a sprayer and spray the deck. Ensure the solution saturates every part of the deck. Algae or other organic growth that may be on the cement will begin to fizzle and die.
STEP 4- Allow this muriatic solution to sit on the cement for about 15 minutes. If the cement isn’t too dirty, 5-10 minutes are enough.
STEP 5- Scrub the cement with a nylon-bristled brush. Use one with a long handle so you won’t have contact with the acid. Don’t use a metal brush because it can leave residues that will rust on the cement. Pay attention to stubborn stains and algae growths as you scrub.
STEP 6- Turn on your pressure washer and put it on a low setting. Use a medium-sized nozzle with the pressure washer. A small one will be too concentrated and may damage your concrete.
STEP 7- Pressure wash the deck from top to bottom, moving side to side. Then sweep away the excess water.
#3- Using Trisodium Phosphate
Trisodium phosphate is a powerful degreaser that removes oil stains, dark spots, and algae from concrete with minimal effort. You however need to be careful, as TSP is a strong chemical and not allowed in some states.
You’ll Need
1- TSP
2- Safety goggles
3- Respirator
4- Rubber gloves
5- Bucket
6- Dish soap
7- Mop
8- Brush
9- Broom/Wet vacuum
Steps
STEP 1- Wear safety goggles, a respirator, long clothing, and rubber gloves.
STEP 2- Mix 1 cup of TSP powder with 1 gallon of hot water in a bucket. If you use normal water, the TSP won’t mix well, and this will affect its effectiveness. Add some drops of dish soap if the deck is very dirty, and mix well.
STEP 3- Use a mop to apply the TSP solution all over the cement around your pool. Ensure you apply it evenly and leave no dry spots. Pay attention to algae or mold spots. Ensure the solution saturates those spots well.
STEP 4- Allow the solution to sit on the cement for about 10 minutes. The solution will begin to break down the dirt and degrease the oil stains.
STEP 5- Scrub the deck with a stiff bristled brush. Pay more attention to stains and dark spots until they fade.
STEP 6- Use a garden hose to rinse the cement thoroughly. Then sweep the water away with a broom or use a wet vacuum to get rid of it.
# 4- Using Ammonia/ Vinegar
You’ll Need
1- Ammonia/vinegar
2- Baking soda
3- Water
4- Brush
5- Broom
6- Sprayer
7- Dish soap
8- Rubber gloves
Steps
STEP 1- Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin from the chemical.
STEP 2- Mix 1 cup of ammonia with 1 gallon of water in a sprayer. You can add some drops of dish soap if you want. If you’ll be using vinegar, mix equal parts of water and vinegar in the sprayer.
STEP 3- Spray the ammonia/vinegar solution on the cement deck until it saturates it
STEP 4- Use a long stiff bristled broom to scrub the floor, working the solution into the concrete. This will ensure it spreads evenly.
STEP 5- Allow the solution to spread on the cement for about 10 minutes. If there are algae growths or dark spots on the floor, you can use a brush to scrub these areas
STEP 6- Rinse the floor with a garden hose. If after rinsing the cement, some stains remain, treat them with vinegar and baking soda paste. Mix vinegar with some baking soda powder until you get a thick paste.
STEP 7- Spread the paste on the spot about 1/4 inch deep, and let it sit until it dries.
STEP 8- Remove the dried paste with a putty knife and rinse the area with fresh water.
Conclusion!
The cement around the pools needs to be kept clean and safe. Simple household cleaners such as Bleach, TSP, Vinegar, and Ammonia will be able to remove much of all that needs to be taken off from the cement around the pools. Muriatic acid can be used but be sure to be careful while handling it.
