Why Regular Deep Cleaning is Essential for Pools in Malta: The Importance of Emptying, Acid Washing, and Cleaning the Gutters
- Pools and More
- Nov 18
- 3 min read
Owning a pool in Malta is one of the best ways to beat the intense Mediterranean heat and enjoy outdoor living all year round. However, the same climate that makes a pool so enjoyable – hot summers, high humidity, salty air from the sea, and frequent dust carried by the Gharghas winds – also creates the perfect conditions for stubborn dirt, algae, limescale, and salt deposits to build up quickly.
Routine skimming, vacuuming, and chemical balancing are important, but they are not enough. For true long-term protection and crystal-clear water, regular deep cleaning (including fully emptying the pool, acid washing the surfaces, and thoroughly cleaning the gutters) is absolutely essential. Here’s why professional pool cleaning in Malta should include these steps at least once or twice a year.
1. Malta’s Climate Accelerates Limescale and Salt Build-Up
The island’s hard water is naturally high in calcium and magnesium, and coastal properties also suffer from airborne salt. Over time, these minerals crystallise on tiles, grout, and especially in the gutters (the overflow channels or skimmers). What starts as a thin film becomes a thick, rough scale that:
Harbours bacteria and black algae
Makes surfaces slippery and dangerous
Reduces water circulation efficiency
Looks unsightly and aged
Only an acid wash can safely dissolve this hardened scale and restore the original shine of the tiles and grout.
2. Black Spot Algae and Resistant Stains Need More Than Chlorine
Maltese pools often develop black spot algae (a cyanobacterium) that embeds itself deep into porous surfaces, especially in shaded areas or rough grout lines. Normal chlorine levels and shock treatments kill the living organism, but the dark spores remain protected under the scale layer. Emptying the pool and performing a professional acid wash removes both the protective scale and the embedded spores, preventing rapid re-growth.
3. Gutters Are the Hidden Dirt Trap
Gutters and skimmer boxes are constantly wet and collect leaves, sunscreen residue, body oils, dust, and dead algae. In Malta, wind-blown fine limestone dust mixes with water to form a cement-like layer inside the gutter channels. When clogged:
Water overflow becomes uneven
Circulation slows down
Pumps work harder (higher electricity bills)
Stagnant water encourages mosquito breeding
Deep cleaning the gutters with acid and high-pressure washing restores proper flow and prevents costly repairs.
4. Protect Your Investment and Increase the Life Span of the Pool
A pool is a major investment. Skipping proper deep cleaning accelerates wear on:
Tiles and grout (cracking and popping)
Pool finishes (staining and etching)
Pumps and filters (due to poor circulation)
Waterproofing plaster or liner
Regular professional pool maintenance in Malta that includes draining and acid washing can easily double the time between major renovations – often pushing a re-tiling job from every 8–10 years to 15–20 years or more.
5. Health and Safety Benefits
A deeply cleaned pool means:
Fewer bacteria and pathogens hiding in the scale
Lower combined chlorine (chloramines) that irritate eyes and skin
Safer non-slip surfaces
Better chemical efficiency (you’ll use less chlorine and pH correctors)
When Should You Schedule a Deep Clean in Malta?
End of summer (September/October) – after heavy use and before winter covers go on
Early spring (March/April) – to start the season with a perfectly clean pool
Coastal properties or pools near construction sites may need it twice yearly
Conclusion
While daily and weekly maintenance keep your pool swimmable, only a full empty, acid wash, and gutter deep clean truly resets the pool to “like-new” condition. This is the single most effective way to combat Malta’s unique combination of hard water, salt air, and dust – and the best strategy for increasing the life span of the pool while keeping it safe, beautiful, and enjoyable for many years.
Don’t wait for stains and scale to become permanent. Contact a trusted pool cleaning Malta specialist today and give your pool the deep care it deserves.
Ready for sparkling water and a pool that looks brand new? Get in touch for professional pool maintenance in Malta – your future self (and your guests) will thank you!
Check out our Instagram post to see how we managed to clean 12 months' worth of dirt and limescale buildup from the gutters: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRLIsz4DJFa/?img_index=1
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