If chemical treatments no longer remove the stains in your pool, it may need an acid wash. This is not a job to try at home; it is best left to a professional. An acid wash strips a thin layer off a plaster surface, removing stains and grime and restoring the pool’s look. Clear Tec Pools offers acid washes as part of our pool repair services in Hoschton, and we can tell you whether your pool needs one.
What Is a Pool Acid Wash?
An acid wash is a deep cleaning that removes stubborn stains from a plaster pool and leaves it looking fresh again. It is a last resort, used when brushing and stain treatments have stopped working.
How Does Acid Washing a Pool Work?
First the pool is drained completely. A professional then mixes muriatic (hydrochloric) acid with water and applies it to the plaster a section at a time, scrubbing with a stiff brush. The acid stays on each section for only about 30 seconds, or longer on walls, before it is rinsed off with plenty of water, and the leftover acid is neutralized with soda ash before the pool is refilled. This removes a very thin layer of plaster along with the stains and buildup on it.
What Stains Can an Acid Wash Remove?
Acid washing works on plaster and gunite pools. It should never be used on vinyl liners or fiberglass. Here are the most common problems it fixes:
Manganese and Iron Stains
Some water sources, especially well water, contain manganese or iron. Manganese can leave pink, purple or black stains, and iron leaves brown or rust-colored ones. When stain removers no longer work, an acid wash can lift them.
Copper Stains
Copper from well water, old heaters or certain algaecides can leave blue, green or black stains on the plaster. An acid wash can remove them if they have set in.
Calcium Scale
Hard water and high pH leave calcium deposits, a white or gray crust, often where the water meets the tile. Light scale can be cleaned off the tile, but heavy scale on plaster may need an acid wash. Our tile and surface cleaning service handles waterline scale.
Algae Stains
Algae blooms, caused by poor circulation, unbalanced water or missed maintenance, can leave dark stains in the plaster even after the algae is gone. An acid wash removes those stains and gives the surface a fresh start.
How Often Should a Pool Be Acid Washed?
Rarely. Because each acid wash removes a little of the plaster, a well-maintained pool should need one no more than every 5 to 7 years, and many pools never do. Too many acid washes shorten the life of the plaster and bring forward the need for resurfacing.
Is Acid Washing Safe?
Acid washing uses strong chemicals, so it carries real risks if it is not done properly. Anyone doing it needs chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, boots and a respirator. That is why we recommend hiring a professional.
A poorly done acid wash can cause these problems:
- Chemical burns to skin and eyes without protective gear.
- Lung damage from breathing in the fumes.
- Streaks and discoloration on the pool surface.
- Etched or damaged plaster if the acid is left on too long.
- Because an acid wash is needed so rarely, hiring a professional is the safest choice.
- A professional checks your water and surface first and only acid washes if it is truly needed.
Conclusion
An acid wash can make an old, stained plaster pool look new again, but it also wears down the surface a little each time. Used rarely and done properly, it is a great reset. Clear Tec Pools will check your pool, tell you honestly whether you need an acid wash or a gentler fix, and do the work safely.
Need help with your pool in Hoschton or nearby? Call Clear Tec Pools at 678-679-0165 or book online.