ServicesAcid Washes
Pool Acid Washes in Apache Junction
Once brushing and water chemistry stop making a difference, an acid wash takes off a thin layer of plaster to reveal a brighter surface. Your decking and plants stay covered, all acid water is neutralized, and you know what to expect before work begins.
When an acid wash is the right move
An acid wash resurfaces plaster in a controlled way. After draining the pool, we apply diluted muriatic acid to the floor and walls, scrub it and rinse it off fast. A very thin layer of old plaster comes off, taking the metal stains, algae shadows and mineral scale lodged near the surface with it.
It works well for white or light plaster that still looks dingy or blotchy after regular cleaning has done all it can. Vinyl liners and fiberglass are not candidates, and pebble and quartz finishes generally call for a gentler approach. Because plaster tolerates only a limited number of washes in its lifetime, we will tell you honestly if a wash is worthwhile or if your surface is nearer to needing a replaster.
What the work includes
Draining and disposal
We drain the pool and route the hose to an approved discharge point. Acid water is neutralized with soda ash before it ever leaves the pool.
Protection for your home
Plants near the edge get covered, and travertine, pavers or stamped concrete are wetted down and shielded from splash. Acid fumes and runoff can burn leaves and etch stone, so this step is never skipped.
Wash, scrub and rinse
We work in sections, keeping contact time short so the acid takes only what it should. Stubborn spots get a second pass rather than a stronger mix.
Surface check
With the plaster bare, we look for cracks, delamination and rough patches and show you photos of anything worth knowing about.
Refill and start-up balance
Freshly exposed plaster is reactive. We refill and bring the water into balance carefully so the new surface does not scale or stain again right away.
When an acid wash may be due
Stains that survive scrubbing
Brown, green or gray patches that remain after brushing and spot treatment have usually soaked into the plaster.
Shadows left by algae
Even after green to clean recovery leaves the water clear, the floor can stay blotchy.
Chalky scale on the walls
Hard water builds a white film over the years. When the scale is only on the tile, calcium removal and tile cleaning is the better fix.
A tired, patchy surface
Plaster that looks worn and uneven even when the water is clear and balanced often responds well.
A drain already planned
When the water is due for a pool drain and refill, doing both at once spares you a second drain later.
How the day runs
- 1
Walkthrough with you
We look at the plaster, point out where the hose will run and which plants and surfaces we will cover. You know the plan before any water moves.
- 2
Drain and prepare
The pool comes down, the deck gets wet and covered, and the equipment is shut off and protected.
- 3
Wash in sections
Acid goes on, gets scrubbed and rinsed within moments, panel by panel, from the shallow end down.
- 4
Neutralize and clean up
Residual acid water is neutralized and pumped out. We rinse the deck, remove the covers and leave the yard as we found it.
- 5
Refill and report
The pool refills and we balance the water for fresh plaster, then walk you through what we saw and how to keep it looking clean.
What affects acid wash pricing
We quote each pool individually once we have seen it. Price depends on the surface area, how deep the stains go and how much your yard needs protecting. We go over every part by phone and in person, so nothing about the number surprises you.
- Size and depth of the pool
- More square feet takes more acid, more scrubbing and longer to drain and refill.
- How stained the plaster is
- Light scale may come off in one pass. Metal stains or heavy algae shadows can need several.
- What surrounds the pool
- Natural stone decking and plants close to the edge need more covering and attention.
- Season and water
- In the summer heat we start early and move quickly to keep bare plaster from baking, which can affect the schedule. How much water the refill takes matters too.
Questions about acid washes
Something not covered here? (480) 520-1410
Can an acid wash hurt my plaster?
It takes off a thin layer, and that is how it cleans. With the correct dilution and a brief contact time, very little is lost. A plaster surface can only handle a few washes in its life, so if yours is already thin, we will not suggest one.
How long will we be without the pool?
Draining, washing and refilling generally take a couple of days, depending on the pool's size and your water pressure. You get a clear timeline during the walkthrough.
Will my plants and decking be safe?
Yes, with careful work. Plants get covered, stone and concrete are wetted and shielded, and the acid is neutralized before disposal. Every job includes these steps.
Will every stain come out?
Most scale and surface stains do. Some deep metal stains or worn plaster may only fade. We give you an honest picture before starting.
What happens if the empty pool shows damage?
You get photos and an explanation of your options. We are ROC licensed, and all repairs are completed in-house, not subcontracted, so the people who spotted the problem handle any pool repair.
See what your plaster looks like underneath
Tell us about the stains and your yard, and we will talk through whether an acid wash is the right step. Your quote is free and comes with a plain explanation.