ServicesAcid Washes
Pool Acid Washes in Sun Lakes
Stains that ignore brushing and chemicals usually live in the plaster itself. Our acid wash strips a very fine layer of the surface so the marks come away with it. We wear full protective gear, close off the pool area, and neutralize every drop before it leaves the shell.
How an Acid Wash Works and When We Recommend One
Think of it as a reset for the pool surface. With the water out, we put diluted muriatic acid on the plaster, brush it in and rinse it away. The acid dissolves a sliver of the surface, and the stains, scale and old algae shadows go with that sliver.
This is not routine upkeep. Each wash costs the finish a little thickness, so a pool only gets a few in its lifetime. If a stain treatment would do the job, we tell you. If the plaster is already too thin, we tell you that too, and skip the wash.
The acid is the risky part of this work. We handle it like any hazard: proper gear, a closed-off area, and nothing still active when we leave your home.
What Our Acid Wash Covers
A look at the plaster first
Before any acid is mixed, we check the finish, the stains and the tile line. Soft, chipped or thin plaster gets flagged to you right then.
Emptying the pool
Our pump takes the water down and we discharge it only where local rules permit. The drain is built into this job, so there is no need to book Pool Drain and Refill on its own.
Washing and brushing
Diluted acid goes on one small section at a time. We brush it hard and rinse it off before it can sit too long. Stubborn spots may get a second, light pass.
Making the rinse water safe
The used acid water pools in the deep end. We treat it with soda ash and test until it reads neutral, then pump it out. None of it goes onto your yard while still active.
Refill and first chemistry
Fresh water goes in, and we balance it so the clean plaster does not etch again in the early weeks. We check your equipment and get it running before we pack up.
When It's Time for an Acid Wash
Marks that stay put after brushing
Brown, gray or dark blotches that hold on through brushing and normal chemistry have usually soaked into the plaster.
Dingy walls after a green pool
Water can be clear again and the walls still look dirty. If Green to Clean Recovery fixed the water but left stains behind, a wash is often what comes next.
Plaster that feels like sandpaper
Hard water builds a chalky crust that scrapes feet. If the buildup is only at the waterline, Calcium Removal and Tile Cleaning is the better fit.
Patchy, faded color
When the whole finish looks uneven and worn, a wash can even it out without the cost of replastering.
How the Job Day Goes
- 1
Set up a safe work zone
We ask that kids and pets stay inside for the day. We shut off the pump and heater at the breaker, cover nearby plants, and mark off the pool area.
- 2
Drain and gear up
While the pool drains, our crew puts on respirators, goggles, acid-resistant gloves and boots. Acid is mixed into water, never the other way around, and only as much as we need.
- 3
Wash, scrub and rinse
We work from the shallow end down in small sections, rinsing as we go. The deck is hosed off often so no acid sits on concrete or pavers.
- 4
Neutralize and clean up
We neutralize and test the rinse water, pump it out, and rinse the empty shell one more time. Hoses, buckets and empty containers leave with us.
- 5
Refill and balance
We start the refill right away so bare plaster does not sit in the Arizona sun. Once it is full, we balance the water and tell you when it is safe to swim.
What Sets the Price of an Acid Wash
We price this job once we know your pool, so no two quotes look quite the same. Your quote is free, and we go over it with you by phone. It covers the drain, the wash and the refill, and we list each part so you know what you are paying for.
- Surface area
- A bigger pool or an odd shape means more acid, more brushing and more water to bring back in. An attached spa or a deep diving end adds time.
- Stain depth
- Light dullness often clears in one pass. Old metal stains or set-in algae marks may need a second round.
- Finish type
- Plain white plaster is the most common and the most forgiving. Colored plaster and pebble surfaces call for a weaker mix and slower work.
- Work done alongside it
- If your tile line has heavy calcium or your filter is clogged with old debris, we can price that in at the same visit so you only empty the pool once.
Common Acid Wash Questions
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Does an acid wash hurt the plaster?
It removes a very thin skin of plaster, and that is how the stains come off. Done with the right strength, the loss is small. Done too strong or too often, it wears the finish out early. We check the plaster first and say so if a wash is a bad idea.
How many acid washes can a pool take?
Most plaster holds up to a few over its life, usually years apart. If a pool keeps needing one every year, the real problem is usually water chemistry. We would rather fix that than keep washing.
When can kids and pets get back in?
The acid is neutralized and rinsed out before any new water goes in. We balance the fresh water before anyone swims. We let you know when the chemistry has settled and the pool is ready.
How long is the pool out of use?
Plan on roughly one to two days for the drain, wash and refill. Pool size and your water pressure decide most of it, and filling is the slow part. We keep the shell empty only as long as the work needs.
Can a pebble or colored finish be acid washed?
Usually, with a milder mix and more care. Some colored plaster can lighten in patches, so we talk that through with you before we start.
How do I keep the stains from coming back?
Keeping the water balanced week to week does most of the work. Plenty of people move to our weekly pool cleaning once the wash is done. We don't charge for that first month of weekly visits, the chemicals come with the monthly rate, and there is no contract, so you can cancel anytime.
Ready for Clean Plaster Again?
Tell us about your pool and the stains you are seeing. We will walk you through what the wash involves and give you a straight price. We work across Sun Lakes and nearby towns like Chandler and Gilbert.