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Hard water, calcium & scale

Scottsdale's water is hard, and every top-off after evaporation adds more minerals. Over time, calcium builds up as white scale on tile, water features, heaters and salt cells.

Prevent it

• Keep pH and alkalinity in range; scale forms faster when pH runs high.
• Use liquid chlorine instead of calcium-based shock.
• Add a scale and stain preventer.
• Use a solar cover to cut evaporation.

Remove it

• Light scale: a pool tile cleaner or a pumice stone (test on a small area first; don't use pumice on glass tile).
• Heavy scale: professional bead blasting.

When calcium gets too high

Partial draining and refilling lowers calcium. In the desert, that's best done in cooler months, and some pool companies offer water recycling (reverse osmosis) instead of draining.