ServicesAcid Washes
Pool Acid Washes in Higley
An acid wash takes a thin layer off your plaster to remove stains, scale and dull patches that brushing and chemistry can no longer reach. We do it carefully and only when it makes sense, so the finish you keep looks better and lasts as long as it can.
What an acid wash does, and what it costs your plaster
We drain the pool, then apply a diluted muriatic acid solution to the plaster in sections. The acid dissolves a fine skin of the surface along with whatever is stuck in it: metal stains, embedded algae, calcium scale and the gray cast that builds up over years. We scrub, neutralize and rinse each section before moving on.
Here is the part worth weighing. Every wash removes some plaster, and plaster has a finite thickness. A well-timed wash every several years can make a finish look new again. Repeated or heavy-handed washes thin it toward the point where replastering becomes the only option. So before we recommend one, we look at what the stain actually is and whether a no-drain treatment or a chlorine wash would get you most of the result for less wear.
Acid washes suit plaster and marcite finishes. Pebble and quartz surfaces can take a light wash in some cases, and we will tell you plainly if yours cannot.
What the work includes
- Surface assessment first
- We look at the stains, test a small area if needed and check the plaster for thin spots, delamination or cracks. If the finish is too far gone for a wash to help, you hear that before anything is drained.
- Controlled drain
- We drain with a submersible pump and follow local rules on where pool water may be discharged. Timing matters in the desert, so we avoid leaving bare plaster exposed through the hottest part of the day.
- Section-by-section acid application
- Acid goes on in small sections, from the top of the wall down, and is brushed and rinsed within a short window. Working this way keeps the strength even, so you do not end up with streaks or overetched patches.
- Neutralizing and cleanup
- The acid water that collects in the deep end is neutralized with soda ash and pumped out. Steps, benches and fittings get detail work, and we rinse the deck where overspray could land.
- Refill and startup chemistry
- We refill and bring the water into balance so freshly exposed plaster is not attacked by aggressive water in its first weeks. That startup period protects the result you just paid for.
Signs your pool may be ready for an acid wash
Stains that brushing will not touch
Dark blotches from leaves, rust-colored spots from metals or a green-black tint in the plaster that stays after shocking and scrubbing.
An overall dull or gray look
Plaster that once looked bright now reads flat and tired, even with clear, balanced water.
Rough patches of scale
Hard water leaves calcium deposits on the floor and walls that feel like sandpaper underfoot. Scale on the waterline tile is a separate job, covered under calcium removal and tile cleaning.
Recovery from a long algae bloom
After a green pool is cleared, algae can leave staining in the plaster pores. A green to clean recovery handles the water, and an acid wash can handle what is left behind.
You are draining anyway
If the pool needs a drain and refill because of high dissolved solids, pairing it with a wash avoids paying for two drains.
What moves the price
An acid wash is priced around the size of the pool and the condition of the surface, plus the drain and refill that come with it. We list each part separately so you can see where the cost sits. The bigger question is value over the life of your plaster, and we will talk that through with you.
Pool size and shape
More surface means more acid, more scrubbing and more time. Deep ends, large benches and spas add detail work.
How heavy the staining is
Light discoloration may need a single pass. Deep metal stains or thick scale can need a second, which we only recommend if the plaster can afford it.
Water for the refill
Refilling is part of the job, and your water bill reflects the gallons. Higley's hard water also means startup balancing deserves real attention.
Extra work found on the floor
A drained pool shows things a full one hides, such as cracks or loose fittings. We photograph anything we find and quote pool repair separately so you can decide.
How the job runs
- 1
Walkthrough and honest answer
We look at the surface with you, explain what an acid wash will and will not fix, and give you a free quote by phone or on site. If a gentler treatment would work, we say so.
- 2
Drain and prep
Equipment is shut off, the pool is drained, and debris is cleared from the floor. We protect the deck and nearby plantings from runoff.
- 3
Wash, scrub and rinse
Each section gets acid, brushing and a prompt rinse. We check the result as we go rather than pushing harder on stubborn spots that would only thin the plaster.
- 4
Neutralize, refill and balance
Residue is neutralized and removed, the pool is refilled, and we balance the water and restart your equipment. We let you know what to watch for over the next few weeks.
Acid wash questions
How often can a pool be acid washed?
Sparingly. Because each wash removes plaster, most finishes can only handle a few over their lifetime. We would rather space them several years apart and keep chemistry steady in between than wash every time the pool looks tired.
Will an acid wash make my old plaster look new?
It usually brightens it a great deal, but it cannot fix etching, mottling from age or plaster that is flaking away. If the finish is near the end of its life, we will tell you a wash may buy only a short time, so you can compare that with replastering.
How long will my pool be out of use?
Draining, washing and refilling generally take a few days, depending on pool size and your water pressure during the refill. We will give you a realistic timeline when we quote.
Is it safe to drain a pool in the summer heat?
It can be done, but bare plaster in strong sun can crack or dry unevenly. We plan the drain so the surface is exposed for as short a time as possible and prefer cooler months when your schedule allows.
Can you keep the pool from staining again afterward?
Good water balance is what keeps a fresh surface clean. Our weekly pool cleaning keeps chemistry in range, and regular filter cleaning helps the system pull out fine debris before it settles into the plaster.
Find out if a wash is the right move
Tell us what your plaster looks like and we will give you a straight answer on whether an acid wash, a gentler treatment or waiting makes more sense. The quote costs you nothing.