ServicesAcid Washes
Acid Washes in Florence
When brushing and chemicals no longer lift the stains, an acid wash takes the finish back to clean plaster. We drain the pool, wash it, neutralize it and refill it. You get photos of what we found and what it looks like when we're done.
What an Acid Wash Does for Your Pool
An acid wash is a deep clean for plaster pools. We drain the water and apply a diluted acid solution to the walls and floor. The acid removes a very thin layer of the surface, and the stains, algae marks and scale come off with it. What's left is fresher plaster underneath.
Because each wash takes off a little plaster, it isn't something to repeat every year. It's the right call when stains have set in, when a pool has come back from a long green spell, or when hard-water scale has dulled the whole finish. It's usually the wrong call for vinyl liners or fiberglass, and we'll say so before any work starts.
We photograph the finish before we begin, during the wash and after the rinse. You see the stains we found and how much of them came out. If something didn't lift, the pictures show that too, along with our honest read on why.
What the Work Includes
- 01
A look at your finish first
We check the plaster for thin spots, rough patches and the type of staining before we quote. Some marks are surface stains. Others are deeper, and we tell you up front what a wash can and can't change.
- 02
Draining the pool
We pump the water out and handle it according to local rules for where pool water may go. We schedule around the weather so the empty plaster isn't baking in full summer sun for longer than needed. Our separate Pool Drain and Refill page covers draining without a wash.
- 03
The acid wash itself
We apply the acid solution in sections, scrub with brushes and rinse each section before moving on. Working in small areas keeps the acid from sitting too long and etching the plaster more than it should.
- 04
Neutralizing and cleanup
The acidic rinse water collects at the deep end. We neutralize it with soda ash before pumping it out, then rinse the shell again so nothing harsh is left behind.
- 05
Refill and start-up chemistry
We refill the pool and balance the fresh water so the newly exposed plaster settles in properly. Getting the chemistry right in the first days helps the finish stay bright longer.
- 06
A visual record of the job
You get photos of the before, the wash in progress and the clean shell. They're useful to look back on, and they show exactly what you paid for.
Questions about Acid Washes?
Call(520) 645-2946Signs Your Pool Is Ready for an Acid Wash
Stains that won't brush out
Dark spots, leaf stains or rust-colored patches that stay put after scrubbing and chemical treatment have usually settled into the top of the plaster.
Gray or chalky scale
Hard water leaves mineral deposits on plaster over time. When the whole surface feels rough or looks cloudy even with clear water, a wash can lift that layer.
Leftover marks after a green pool
After a Green to Clean Recovery, algae can leave a faint shadow on the floor and walls. A wash clears what the cleanup couldn't.
A finish that looks tired overall
If the pool looks dingy even when the water is balanced and clear, the plaster itself may be holding years of discoloration.
You're already planning to drain
If the water needs replacing anyway because of high dissolved solids, adding a wash while the pool is empty saves a second drain later.
How Acid Wash Day Goes
- 1
Free quote by phone and a look at the pool
You tell us what you're seeing, and we come take a look at the finish. We explain whether an acid wash makes sense and what moves the price.
- 2
Recording the stains, then draining
On the day, we capture every stained area before anything changes. Then we start the drain and shut off the equipment so nothing runs dry.
- 3
Wash, scrub and rinse
We work section by section with the acid solution and brushes. Mid-job pictures show how each area is coming clean.
- 4
Neutralize, pump out and refill
We neutralize the rinse water, pump it out and start the refill. Filling takes a while, so you don't need to watch it; we'll tell you when we'll be back.
- 5
Balance the water and share the results
Once the pool is full, we balance the chemistry, restart the pump and filter, and send the after photos so you can compare.
What Moves the Price of an Acid Wash
Every pool is different, so we price after seeing yours. The main drivers are the size of the pool and how much staining and scale we're dealing with. We give you the number before we drain anything, so there are no surprises once the water is out.
- Pool size and depth
- More surface area means more acid, more scrubbing and more water to drain and replace.
- How heavy the staining is
- Light discoloration may come off in one pass. Heavy scale or stubborn stains can take a second application in some areas.
- Condition of the water before draining
- A pool full of debris or green water takes extra work to pump and clean out before the wash can start.
- Start-up chemicals for the refill
- Fresh fill water needs balancing, and the amount of chemicals depends on the pool's volume and your source water.
Acid Wash Questions
Will an acid wash damage my plaster?
It does remove a thin layer, which is how it gets the stains out. Done carefully and not too often, that's fine for plaster in good shape. If your finish is already thin or rough, we'll tell you a wash may do more harm than good.
Can every stain be removed?
No. Most surface stains and scale come out well, but some metal stains and very old discoloration go deeper than a wash reaches. The before-and-after record shows you honestly what lifted and what didn't.
How long will my pool be out of use?
Draining, washing and refilling usually take a couple of days, depending on pool size and how fast your water fills it. Once we've balanced the water, you can swim again.
Is it better to do this in a certain season?
Cooler months are easier on an empty pool, since bare plaster sitting in strong summer sun can be stressed. We'll suggest timing that suits your pool when we talk.
Can you do an acid wash on a pebble or fiberglass pool?
Fiberglass and vinyl shouldn't be acid washed. Pebble and other aggregate finishes need a different, gentler approach, so we look at your surface before recommending anything.
Do I need to be home during the wash?
Not necessarily. We need access to the backyard and the equipment pad. The pictures we share let you follow each step even if you're at work.
See What's Under Those Stains
Tell us what your pool looks like and we'll come take a look. You'll know whether an acid wash is worth doing before anything gets drained.