What an acid wash does
Over time, a pool surface picks up stains, mineral deposits and algae that brushing cannot remove. In Las Vegas, hard water makes mineral buildup especially common. An acid wash cleans the surface of a drained pool with a diluted acid solution that removes a very thin outer layer, taking stains and deposits with it. The result is a surface that looks clean and bright again.
A chlorine wash uses a strong chlorine solution instead and goes after organic stains and algae. Many pools get both, an acid wash and a chlorine wash, which is what we did on the Bullhead City fiberglass pool and the 3M Quartz pool shown below.
When an acid wash makes sense
- Stains that will not brush out, from leaves, metals or minerals.
- Mineral and calcium deposits across the surface, not just at the tile line.
- After a green or neglected pool, when algae has stained the plaster.
- At water change time, since the pool is already drained.
Because an acid wash removes a thin layer of the surface, it is not something to do every year. It is a deep clean for when a pool really needs it.
How it works
- We look at your surfaceA free diagnostic tells us whether an acid wash, a chlorine wash or both make sense.
- Drain the poolThe pool has to be empty, so the wash is planned together with the drain.
- Wash and rinseThe surface is washed section by section and rinsed, and the acid is neutralized.
- Refill and balanceFresh water goes in and gets balanced so the pool starts clean.