ServicesAcid Washes
Acid Washes in Coolidge
When stains have settled into the plaster and brushing no longer touches them, an acid wash exposes a clean layer underneath. We look at the stains first, tell you plainly whether a wash is the right step, and handle the drain, the wash and the refill.
What an acid wash does to your plaster
Pool plaster is porous. Over time it absorbs algae, dirt, metals from fill water and the fine dust that monsoon storms drop into the water. An acid wash removes a very thin layer of that surface with diluted muriatic acid, so the stained layer goes and fresher plaster shows through.
It is a strong treatment, and it is not the first thing we reach for. Every wash takes a little plaster with it, so a surface can only handle a limited number over its life. After a storm leaves the pool cloudy or brown, we usually start with filtering, brushing and water chemistry. If the color is still locked into the finish once the water is clear, that is when an acid wash makes sense.
It suits plaster and many quartz finishes. We do not acid wash vinyl liners or fiberglass shells, and pebble finishes get a gentler, more measured approach.
What the work includes
- Stain assessment
- We look at the color, pattern and location of the staining. Green and black point to organic stains, brown and rust tones usually mean metals, and gray-white crust is calcium. The type decides whether acid is the right tool at all.
- Draining the pool
- The water comes out with a submersible pump, and we keep an eye on the surface as it drops. A full drain is part of every acid wash, which is why it pairs closely with our pool drain and refill service.
- The acid wash itself
- We wet the plaster, then work in sections with diluted acid, brushing and rinsing before it can etch too deeply. Heavier stains get a second, careful pass rather than a stronger mix.
- Neutralizing and cleanup
- The acid rinse water collects in the deep end, where we neutralize it with soda ash before it is pumped out. Then we clear the residue from the floor so nothing is left to stain again.
- Refill and startup chemistry
- Freshly exposed plaster affects the water for the first days. We refill, balance pH and alkalinity, and bring the chemistry up gently so the clean surface stays clean.
Signs your pool may need an acid wash
Stains that survive a good brushing
If the water is balanced and clear but the plaster still looks blotchy, the color has moved into the surface.
Brown or tan haze after a dust storm
Monsoon dust carries fine soil and minerals. When a pool sits dirty after a storm, that film can set into the plaster and dull the whole finish.
Dark marks left from a green pool
A pool that turned green, even briefly, can leave shadowy algae stains on steps, corners and the floor. Our green to clean recovery clears the water; an acid wash can address what remains in the plaster.
Rust or metal staining
Reddish or brown spots near fittings, or a general dinginess from metals in the fill water, often respond well to a wash once the source is dealt with.
A finish that looks older than it is
Plaster that has turned gray and rough to the touch can often be brought back to a cleaner, smoother tone before you have to think about replastering.
What moves the cost of an acid wash
Every pool is quoted on its own, because the stains and the plaster under them vary so much. We explain what we see and what it means for the price before any work is scheduled. Your quote by phone is free.
Pool size and depth
More surface means more acid, more labor and more water to replace.
Type and depth of staining
Light organic staining may clear in one pass. Set-in metal stains or heavy storm residue can need more time and a second application.
Finish and plaster condition
Plaster, quartz and pebble each take a different approach. Thin, chalky or delaminating areas need extra care and may change what we recommend.
Drain, refill and startup
The water you lose, the refill and the chemicals to balance fresh plaster are all part of the job and shown in the quote.
How an acid wash day runs
- 1
A look and a straight answer
We see the pool, identify the stains and tell you whether an acid wash is worth doing or whether chemistry and brushing will get you there. If the plaster is thin or loose, we say so before any acid touches it.
- 2
Drain and prepare
We shut down and protect the equipment, drain the pool and loosen debris from the floor. Timing matters in our heat, so we avoid leaving plaster exposed to full afternoon sun any longer than needed.
- 3
Wash, rinse and neutralize
Section by section, the plaster is washed and rinsed. The runoff is neutralized before it leaves the pool, and the surface is cleaned down.
- 4
Refill and balance
The pool refills, the equipment comes back on and we balance the water for a freshly washed surface. You get our notes on what the first week of care should look like.
Acid wash questions
Will an acid wash make my pool look brand new?
It usually brightens the finish a great deal, but it cannot undo cracks, rough patches or plaster that has worn thin. We tell you what to expect from your particular surface before we start, so the result matches the picture you have in mind.
How often can plaster be acid washed?
Not often. Each wash removes a thin layer, so most plaster can only take a few over its lifetime. That is why we treat it as a reset, not routine maintenance, and why steady weekly care afterward matters.
My pool got stained after a storm. Should I drain it right away?
No. Draining in a hurry, especially in summer heat, can do more harm than good. Clear and balance the water first, and if the staining is still there once it is clean, an acid wash is the sensible next step. We can walk you through it on the phone.
Who actually does the work on my pool?
We are an ROC licensed company, and our own crew handles the wash from the first drain to the final balance. If we find something during the drain that needs fixing, all repairs are completed in-house, not subcontracted.
How do I keep the plaster clean afterward?
Balanced water and regular brushing do most of the work. Our weekly pool cleaning includes chemicals in the monthly price and has no contract, so you can stop whenever you choose. New customers also get a free first month of weekly service.
Find out if an acid wash is right for your pool
Tell us what the stains look like and when they appeared. We will give you an honest read and a free quote, and if a wash is not needed, we will say so.