How to Clean Pool Coping
Warning
Wear protective eye covering and clothing when using a power washer. Never direct the spray at exposed skin.
Use pool cleaning chemicals with care, especially acid-based stain removers. Follow instructions carefully to prevent injury, and always protect the skin with gloves.
Swimming pool coping forms the overhanging edge of a pool that blends into the concrete. Coping receives heavy use as a resting edge for a pool cover, and from swimmers hanging on the sides. It can become stained from the tannin in decomposing wet leaves and debris in the pool. Coping materials range from plastic caps to stone work overhangs, bricks, tile and concrete.
Inspect the entire length of coping for damage. Check for loosened or broken pieces of coping as well as chips in the stone or concrete. Look for loosened caulk along the outer edge where the coping meets the pool deck. Lack of caulk can cause water damage. Direct any coping repairs to a pool company.
Dip a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser into the pool and wipe stained areas vigorously. Magic Erasers remove light scuff marks and smaller stains. This is best type of cleaner for the curved plastic coping of an in-ground, vinyl lined pool.
Clean heavily soiled areas with an acid-based coping cleaner. Apply the product according to the instructions and scrub with a soft brush to avoid scratching the coping. You may need to apply the product and allow it to sit for 10 to 20 minutes to increase effectiveness. Specialized coping cleaners are best for tile and ornate coping. Test the product on an inconspicuous area before beginning on the main coping areas.
Mix a solution of 20 percent household bleach with water in a spray bottle. Apply to the stained areas and allow the solution to work into the coping. This bleach solution works well to remove stains caused by tannins.
Use a power washer to direct a high-velocity stream of water at the stained areas. Before you start, make sure the coping isn't broken, missing caulk or damaged. You won't need cleaning solution to remove stains using this method.
