Swimming pool cleaning with ozone water: approach and workflow

Surface cleaning around the pool

Cleaning a swimming pool involves more than water treatment alone. The rim, the terrace, the ladders, walls above the waterline and the filter environment require a separate cleaning approach. Ozone water is suitable for surface cleaning on all these components. The mechanism of action is the same as for any other ozone water application: dissolved ozone reacts with organic compounds on the surface and breaks them down through oxidation. After the reaction the ozone decomposes to oxygen and water without leaving chemical residues on the surface.

That property is relevant for the pool as a use environment. Residues from conventional cleaning agents on the rim or terrace reach the pool water via splashed water or rainwater. With ozone water for surface cleaning that supply route for external chemicals is eliminated. More about the ozone system and available equipment: ozone water machine.

The two-cloth method for pool surfaces

The two-cloth method is the standard working procedure for surface cleaning with ozone water. A first cloth, lightly moistened with ozone water, is moved across the surface to be cleaned. The ozone water makes contact with the organic compounds on the surface and initiates the oxidation reaction. The contact time of the ozone water with the surface determines the intensity of the oxidation reaction. After treatment with the first cloth a dry second cloth follows to dry the surface and remove the loosened residues.

The method is suitable for the pool rim, the surrounding terrace, the ladders and the walls above the waterline. For each surface the ozone water must have sufficient contact time for an effective oxidation reaction. On smooth, dense surfaces such as tiles or stainless steel the reaction proceeds quickly. On porous surfaces such as rough concrete or untreated stone contact time is longer and the required amount of ozone water per unit area is correspondingly higher. Read the full explanation of the working procedure: two-cloth method.

Organic dirt around a swimming pool

The dirt on a pool rim and the surrounding terrace is predominantly organic in nature. Body fats and skin residues from swimmers, sunscreen, residues of pool chemicals that reach the rim via the water, green deposits from algae or moss, and leaf residues and other organic materials from the garden are the most common sources. All these compounds are organic and react to ozone oxidation. The oxidation reaction chemically breaks down the organic compounds.

Green deposits on the rim or terrace around the pool indicate algae growth on the surface. Algae are organic compounds that react to ozone oxidation. Regular treatment of the rim with ozone water interrupts the growth by oxidising the organic compounds on the surface before the deposits spread further. A light deposit is easier to treat than an established thick layer of algae growth that requires multiple treatment cycles. More about the approach to algae in the pool water itself: algae swimming pool ozone water.

Material suitability and dosage approach

The most common materials around swimming pools are ceramic or natural stone tiles, concrete, plastic, stainless steel and composite. Ozone water is suitable for use on all these materials. Dosage and contact time may differ per material. On dense, glazed tiles or stainless steel a shorter contact time suffices. On concrete or rough natural stone the ozone water penetrates deeper into the material and a longer contact time is worthwhile.

A practical consideration with porous materials is rinsing: with intensive treatment of porous surfaces a post-treatment with clean water can support the removal of oxidation residues. For regular, frequent cleaning this is less relevant than for an incidental intensive treatment of heavily soiled surfaces. Using microfibre cloths gives a better result on most surfaces than cotton or non-woven materials, due to the larger contact area per centimetre of cloth.

Cleaning frequency and seasonal planning

Cleaning frequency of the surfaces around the pool depends on the usage intensity of the pool, the environment and seasonal factors. During summer months with heavy use and higher temperatures the organic load on rim and terrace increases. In autumn leaf fall adds extra organic material. A cleaning routine that responds to seasonal load variation gives a more consistent result than a fixed frequency that does not account for the actual load.

For pools in use during the swimming season a weekly cleaning of the rim and terrace is a common starting point. With high usage intensity or an environment with abundant planting a higher frequency may be appropriate. The presence of visible green deposits is an indication that the cleaning frequency is insufficient for the existing organic load of the surface. A preventive approach with regular frequent treatment is more effective than a curative approach where deposits must build up before action is taken.

Work preparation and execution

An effective cleaning routine starts with the right preparation. Ozone water is produced directly before use by the ozone system. The concentration of dissolved ozone in the water is highest directly after production and then decreases through off-gassing. For optimal use the ozone water is deployed immediately after production. The cloth is lightly moistened, not soaked: a lightly moistened cloth provides sufficient ozone water for contact with the organic compounds on the surface without unnecessary splashing or drip losses.

The cleaning movement is even and methodical. Starting from one side of the surface to be cleaned and continuing in overlapping passes until the entire surface has been treated. After the first cloth treatment the second dry cloth follows immediately without waiting time. The second cloth dries the surface while simultaneously removing the loosened organic compounds and oxidation residues. After use both cloths are washed for reuse.

Connection to the water treatment routine

Surface cleaning around the pool and water treatment of the pool water are functionally connected. Cleaning residues, fat residues and other organic compounds on an insufficiently cleaned rim or terrace enter the pool water via rainwater, splashed water or wind and thereby increase the organic load of the water. Consistently performed surface cleaning around the pool therefore indirectly supports the efficiency of the water treatment.

Using ozone water for surface cleaning connects seamlessly to a water treatment routine also based on ozone water. No chemical residues from the cleaning system enter the pool water, keeping the combination of surface cleaning and water treatment consistent. More on ozone water application in the pool: ozonewater. More on the complete water treatment system: ozone treatment swimming pool water.

Ladders, handrails and metal components

Pool ladders and handrails are typically made of stainless steel or aluminium. Both materials are suitable for treatment with ozone water. On stainless steel the oxidation reaction proceeds effectively without damaging the material. Organic deposits of body fats and algae on the ladder and handrails react to the oxidation reaction of the ozone water and are broken down. The two-cloth method is also the appropriate procedure here. Particular attention should be paid to the attachment points of the ladder at the pool rim, where organic deposits can accumulate in the connection points.

Filter environment and technical components

The filter environment, the pump, pipework and other technical components around the pool also require a cleaning approach. On the exterior of pumps, filter housings and pipework organic dirt and deposits can develop. Ozone water is suitable for the external cleaning of these components. For the interior of filter installations separate instructions apply depending on the filter type and filter materials. External cleaning of the technical environment around the pool with ozone water follows the same procedure as cleaning the rim and terrace.

Winter storage and end of season

When winterising the pool a thorough cleaning of all surfaces around the pool is a worthwhile step. Organic residues that survive the winter on the rim, terrace or technical installation form a nutrient source for algae growth in the following season. A thorough ozone water treatment of all surfaces at winterisation reduces the organic load that must be dealt with in the following swimming season. Combine surface cleaning at winterisation with a thorough water treatment of the pool before shutting down the installation.

Costs and affordability

Ozone water for surface cleaning is produced by the ozone system also used for water treatment of the pool water. No additional cleaning agents are needed for surface cleaning. The cost saving consists of the elimination of cleaning products for the rim and terrace combined with savings on pool chemicals through water treatment. Questions about the application? get in touch.

Testimonials

💬 "We now maintain the rim and terrace around our pool with ozone water. We notice that the green deposits on the rim return less quickly than with the cleaning products we used before. The working procedure has become simpler." — Private pool owner

Further reading

Full overview of all knowledge articles: ozone water knowledge guide. How ozone works in pool water: ozone treatment swimming pool water. Approach to algae growth in the water: algae swimming pool ozone water.