Acid Washing a Pool
Acid washing should always be a last resort when cleaning a pool.
A pool that resists even the most intense treatments can be a major source of frustration. If the algae is too thick or the stains too many, it may be time to try a more drastic solution. An acid wash might be the tough love a pool needs, but not many homeowners understand what it is and what the treatment entails.
What's an acid wash?
An acid wash involves treating a pool with muriatic acid, and homeowners should only use this powerful agent on gunite or concrete pools. The acid cleans the pool by eating away the exposed layer of plaster, revealing the cleaner surface underneath. While the amount of plaster eaten away is nominal, it's clear why experts recommend using this treatment sparingly—every five years.
Remember that muriatic acid is too powerful for fiberglass and vinyl pools and completely eats away these surfaces during cleaning.
When to acid wash
Acid washing should always be a last resort when cleaning a pool. Change water filters, use chlorine, and shock the swimming pool before reaching for the acid. Some situations that call for an acid wash include:
Stubborn stains: The surface of a pool can accumulate stains from many sources. Chlorine, mineral buildup, dirt, and algae can cling to the sides of a pool and refuse to leave.
Stagnation: If a pool has been stagnant for a long time without adequate protection, the water can become so dirty as to resist conventional treatments.
Algae: Gentler methods are usually effective in dealing with algae. If the shock treatments and filter changes aren't removing the stubborn green, it may be time for something drastic. An acid wash also comes in handy to remove algae from walls before repairs.
Wall bleaching: The pool's surface can become discolored over time for various reasons. Removing the top layer of plaster can make the entire pool look new again.
Tools for an acid wash treatment
Muriatic acid is potent, corrosive, and extremely dangerous to handle. If manually applying it, the following equipment is essential:
A gas mask to negate the toxic fumes
Protective eyewear
A neutralizer like soda ash for any burns
Chemical-resistant gloves
Closed footwear
A protective suit
If this list sounds daunting and expensive, let a dedicated pool cleaning service conduct the acid wash. Pool cleaning experts will bring all the necessary equipment and their years of experience to the pool.
Acid washing step-by-step
An acid wash may vary in specifics, but all will roughly follow the same steps:
Drain the pool: This requires special care, as improperly draining the pool can cause external pressure to warp and crack the pool's surface. Be sure to open the hydrostatic valve when draining to normalize pressure.
Scrubbing: Mix the acid with water (not vice versa, as it may boil over) and pour it along the sides of the pool. Work quickly with an acid-resistant brush and scrub away at the surfaces.
Neutralize: Once the scrubbing is complete, add soda ash to neutralize the puddles that collect. Experts recommend a ratio of 2 pounds per gallon of water.
Remove wastewater: Remove the neutralized acid and wastewater with a pump. As the water may still be poisonous, dispose of it correctly.
Acid wash with care
Acid washes are dangerous, complex undertakings, and unsuitable for DIY projects. Any homeowners wanting the new pool shine of an acid wash should leave the whole task to professional pool cleaners.
Pool Tile Cleaning Vegas offers pool tile cleaning, calcium removal, acid washing, pool draining, and media blasting services, in Las Vegas and Henderson. Call us at (702)605-6936.
