The Impact of Sarasota’s Humidity on Pool Tile and Stone Selection

Keeping your pool looking its best takes the right maintenance, and the steps you need to follow depend on the type of pool you have. If your pool features tile or stone, humidity can be one of its biggest enemies, especially here in Sarasota, Florida, where the warm, damp air is part of daily life. You can’t control the weather, but understanding how humidity affects your pool can help you stay ahead of the damage.

Here are a few simple care tips to help protect your pool from Sarasota’s high humidity.

The Effects of High Humidity on Sarasota Pools​

If your swimming pool has a tile or stone surface, humidity does impact its longevity. That’s because hot, moist air will affect the underlayment as well as the tiles or stones themselves. That’s especially true here in Sarasota, where the constant humidity and salty coastal air can wear down pool materials faster than you might expect.

Understanding the different ways that Sarasota’s humidity will affect your custom swimming pool is the first step in preventing or treating the damage this environmental factor causes.

Algae and Moss Growth

One of the earliest signs that humidity is a problem in your swimming pool is the presence of algae and moss. They usually grow on organic surfaces, such as stone, but they can also grow on glass tiles. Neither algae nor moss will cause extensive damage to your pool, but they can alter the chemistry of your pool water.

Stone Discoloration

When picking pool tile colors, your choice will help you create a theme for your outdoor entertaining area. You’ll notice that the pool’s design will lose its vibrancy when the stone or tiles become discolored. This often occurs when humidity penetrates the tiles or stones, affecting the underlying materials. Often, this process brings a rusty color to the surface.

Grout and Glue Adhesion Loss

Over time, hot and moist air will damage the adhesive nature of the grout or glue that secures the tiles in Sarasota pools. If you start noticing loose or missing tiles, take that as a sign that you have a humidity problem. Higher humidity shortens the lifespan of stone or tile surfaces by causing the underlying materials to deteriorate.

Moisture Vapor Emissions

As humidity seeps through a tile or stone surface, it will activate the alkaline salt in the underlying concrete. This causes moisture vapor emissions to erupt and travel to the surface. These emissions are odorless, but they can promote the growth of mold and harmful bacteria. This process can result in adhesive loss and loose tiles.

Tile Warping and Stone Spalling

Another way that humidity damages Sarasota pools​ is by warping glass or ceramic tiles. The moisture causes the tiles to expand, forcing neighboring tiles loose. Humidity causes spalling (flaking or chipping) on stone surfaces. Moisture vapor emissions accelerate this process by exposing the surface to vapors that are strong enough to damage stones.

Cleaning Sarasota Pools​ to Fight The Impact of Humidity

You can prevent many of the effects of humidity by regularly cleaning your swimming pool. Wiping down the surfaces and using a pool vacuum are effective methods for removing algae, moss, and mold. These processes can also prevent the deeper damage that will destroy your stone or tile pool surface.

Choose the Right Cleaning Tools for Sarasota’s Humid Climate

If your pool has tile or stone surfaces, avoid using a metal brush for cleaning. The metal bristles can irreparably damage the surface. If you have ceramic or porcelain tiles, use a soft-bristled brush or microfiber cloth. In addition, look for a non-abrasive cleaning product.

You can use similar cleaning supplies for glass tiles, but pay closer attention to the cleaning product you use. A cleaner with high alkalinity can leave etching on the glass or create a cloudy appearance. Look for a pH-neutral cleaning solution.

A soft, microfiber cloth is the best tool when cleaning stone surfaces. In addition, look for a non-abrasive, pH-neutral cleaning solution that’s specially formulated for stone surfaces.

Best Cleaning Practices for Tile and Stone Pools in Humid Sarasota

Once a week, clean your pool’s surfaces with the supplies designated for your tiles or stone surface. Follow the tile or stone manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging the surface. In general, gently scrub the surface with a soft cloth or brush. Use a little more force when removing stains or algae. Focus on cleaning areas that receive poor water circulation.

After cleaning the pool’s surfaces, run the vacuum. This process will remove any debris that ends up in the pool’s water. After the vacuum completes its cycle, check the pool water’s chemistry and adjust it as necessary.

Once a month, you should schedule a deeper cleaning process. This will help remove tougher stains and give you a chance to revitalize problem areas. If you don’t feel up to the task, hire a pool cleaning company for detailed service.

Extra Tips for Better Tile and Stone Protection

In addition to keeping up with pool cleaning, there are a few more preventive steps you can take. These tips will help you prevent humidity damage, catch it early, and keep it from irreversibly damaging your pool.

Make Regular Visual Inspections

When looking for cost-friendly pool maintenance tips, don’t overlook the importance of visual inspections. It won’t cost a penny to regularly check your pool for loose tiles, missing stones, soft spots, and discoloration. Schedule repairs as soon as you notice any of these symptoms of humidity damage.

Apply a Stone or Tile Sealant

When building Sarasota pools, professionals will apply a sealant before finishing the installation. Make sure to ask about the type of sealant they plan to apply to your tiles or stones. Your builder should also advise you to reseal the surface on a regular basis for ongoing protection.

Schedule Professional Pool Services

Finally, keep up with professional pool maintenance. Expert pool care helps reduce wear and tear damage. These services also give a pool care technician an opportunity to identify material damage, mechanical issues, and other problems early. Speedy repairs can help you prevent the need for more costly restoration services in the future.

Build a Lasting Pool with Expert Design and Quality Materials

When you choose Tampa Bay Pools as your premier pool builder, we’ll help you design a beautiful tile or stone swimming pool. We use high-quality materials and time-proven construction methods that create stronger and more durable swimming pools and spas. Contact us to start your pool construction or renovation today!