An acid wash is an effective way to remove calcium scale and algae build-up from your pool. This process should be done every few years as part of regular pool maintenance. If you’re wondering how to acid wash a pool, it’s actually a fairly straightforward process. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Prepare the Pool and Surroundings
Before beginning the acid wash, make sure that the area around the pool is clear of any obstructions or objects that could be damaged by the acid. Cover any light fixtures, plants or other items in or around the pool with plastic sheeting or drop cloths for protection. Once everything is covered, turn off all pump equipment and drain the pool until it is at least three feet below its normal water level.
Step 2: Mix and Apply Acid Solution
Once your pool is drained, mix a solution of muriatic acid and water in a large plastic bucket. The ratio of acid to water will depend on how much scaling there is on your pool walls—the higher the scaling, the more concentrated your solution will need to be. Once you have mixed your solution, use a garden hose to spray it onto one side of your pool wall at a time in overlapping circles. Make sure not to concentrate too much on one spot as this may cause damage to your pool’s surface finish—you only want to spray enough so that the wall turns white in color when wetted with the solution. Allow each section to sit for about 10 minutes before moving onto the next one.
Step 3: Neutralize and Rinse
Once you have applied your acid solution over each area of the wall, it’s time to neutralize and rinse away all residue using a garden hose with fresh water. Start at the bottom of each side of your pool wall and work up towards the top until all traces of acid are gone—it should take about 20 minutes per side depending on how much scaling was present before starting this process. After rinsing each side thoroughly, refill your pool with fresh water until it reaches its normal level.
Acid washing your swimming pool can seem intimidating but by following these steps carefully you can ensure that it gets done correctly without causing any damage to either your swimming pool or surrounding areas. It’s important to remember that this process should only be done every few years as part of regular maintenance in order for it to remain effective so don’t hesitate if you feel like it’s been awhile since your last cleaning! With proper care and maintenance, an acid wash can help keep your swimming pool looking great for many years!