ServicesAcid Washes
Acid Washes in Apache Junction
When brushing and chemicals can't lift the stains, an acid wash takes off a thin skin of plaster and the dirt, algae and scale with it. We drain the pool, wash it by hand, neutralize every drop and refill it balanced.
What an Acid Wash Does and When It Makes Sense
Plaster is porous. Over the years it soaks up metal stains, leaf tannins and algae that sit just under the surface. No amount of brushing gets them out. An acid wash uses a diluted muriatic acid solution to remove a very thin layer of plaster, which exposes the cleaner, brighter layer below.
It is not a fix for every pool. Each wash takes a little plaster off, so it should be done a few times over the life of a finish, not every year. If your plaster is already thin, rough or flaking, we will tell you that and say why. On vinyl or fiberglass pools we don't acid wash at all.
There is a running cost side too. Stained, rough plaster gives algae places to hold on. That means more chlorine, more brushing and longer pump hours to keep the water clear. A clean, smoother surface takes less work to keep that way.
What the Job Includes
Draining the pool
We pump the water out and send it where local rules allow, usually the sewer cleanout. This is the same careful process we use for a pool drain and refill.
Hand acid wash
We work section by section with a diluted acid mix, brushing it in and rinsing it off before it bites too deep. Steps, benches and the deep end each get their own pass.
Tile line touch-up
While the pool is empty we clean the waterline tile. Heavy buildup gets the full calcium removal and tile cleaning treatment if you want it.
Neutralizing the rinse water
Acid rinse water collects in the deep end. We neutralize it with soda ash before pumping it out, so nothing harsh goes into the drain or onto your yard.
Refill and start-up
We refill, balance the water for fresh-washed plaster and get the pump and filter running. The first few days of chemistry matter most on a newly exposed surface.
Signs Your Pool Needs an Acid Wash
Stains that won't brush off
Brown, gray or rust-colored patches that come back no matter what. Those are usually metals or organics set into the plaster.
Black algae spots
Black algae roots into plaster. Chemicals knock it back, but it keeps returning until the top layer it lives in is gone.
A pool that stayed green
After a long green spell, the water can clear while the plaster stays dingy. If a green to clean recovery left a stained shell behind, an acid wash often finishes the job.
Dull, blotchy color
The plaster looks tired and uneven even with clear water. A wash brings back a brighter, more even color.
Rising chemical use
If you are adding more chlorine and running the pump longer just to keep up, stained plaster harboring algae can be part of the reason.
How Acid Wash Day Goes
- 1
A look at your plaster
We check the surface, the stains and how much plaster is left. You get a straight answer on whether a wash will help, and your quote by phone.
- 2
Drain and prep
We drain the pool and protect nearby plants and decking from splash. The equipment stays off while the pool is empty.
- 3
Wash and rinse
We acid wash the walls and floor in sections, rinsing as we go. Most pools are washed in one day once they are empty.
- 4
Neutralize, pump out, clean up
The rinse water is neutralized and pumped out. We clear any debris and leave the deck hosed off.
- 5
Refill and balance
The pool goes back to filling right away so the plaster doesn't bake in the sun. We balance the water and come back to check it as it settles.
What Sets the Price of an Acid Wash
Every acid wash quote starts with the size of the pool and the state of the plaster. We look at both and give you one clear number by phone before any work starts. If something changes once the pool is empty, we tell you before doing more.
- Pool size and depth
- More surface means more acid, more time and more water to drain and replace.
- How bad the stains are
- Light staining may take one pass. Deep metal stains or black algae can take a second, more careful round.
- Tile and scale work
- Heavy calcium on the tile line adds time. It is often worth doing while the pool is empty anyway.
- Water and refill
- Refilling is part of the job. The size of the pool and the fill water you start with both play a part in start-up chemicals.
- Timing
- We prefer to schedule in cooler months, when an empty pool is safer for the plaster. Summer jobs need extra care to keep the surface from drying out.
Acid Wash Questions
Something not covered here? (480) 672-6040
How often should a pool be acid washed?
Not often. Each wash takes off a thin layer of plaster, so we only recommend one when stains are set in and other cleaning hasn't worked. Good weekly care stretches the time between washes a long way.
Will an acid wash make my plaster look new?
It makes it a lot cleaner and brighter, but it won't turn old plaster into new plaster. If the finish is worn thin or rough, we will tell you that up front instead of selling you a wash that won't hold up.
How long will my pool be out of use?
Draining, washing and the start of the refill usually happen over a day or two. After that it depends on how fast your hose or fill line runs. We balance the water as it fills so you can swim soon after.
Is the acid safe for my yard and plants?
We neutralize the rinse water with soda ash before it leaves the pool, and we send drained water where local rules allow. We also wet down and protect nearby plants and decking while we work.
Can you acid wash a pebble finish?
Pebble finishes can take a lighter, more careful wash to clean up the surface. Vinyl and fiberglass pools should never be acid washed, and we won't do it on those.
What keeps the stains from coming back?
Steady water chemistry and regular brushing. Many people move to our weekly pool cleaning after a wash. Chemicals are included in the monthly price, and there is no contract, so you can cancel whenever you choose.
Find Out if an Acid Wash Will Help
Tell us about the stains and the age of your plaster. We will give you an honest answer and a free quote, from Apache Junction out to Gold Canyon and Queen Creek.