If you regularly clean your pool and keep it in good shape, chances are you will only need to acid wash your swimming pool every 5-7 years. Because acid washing uses harsh chemicals, it is not recommended to get your pool acid washed more frequently than that, as the harsh chemical used can damage your pool's surface.
Your pool generally only needs an acid-washing every five to seven years if you regularly treat and maintain the water in it. Acid-washing your pool more often can damage the plaster coating inside the pool because the acid strips away a small layer of it each time you do it.
It's important to add muriatic acid to your pool because it can help you balance pH levels when they have reached levels that are too high. The proper pH level ranges from 7.2-7.8, which means that the water is effectively balanced.
Pool industry experts recommend you drain your pool and refill it every five to seven years. No two pools are alike, so there is no set number at which you must drain your pool.
An acid wash is the process of removing mineral deposits and surface stains from the bottom and sides of your pool. In the process, a thin layer of the pool or spa interior's surface is also removed. When finished, the acid washing process gives your pool a fresh, clean look.
In a nutshell, a no-drain acid wash is lowering the pH level of your pool so that your pool water becomes acidic and alkalinity close to zero. When this level is hit, some vigorous scrubbing will be required to peel off a bit of the pool surface, essentially giving you an acid wash without draining the pool.
Average pool acid wash cost is $202, cost ranges between $178 to $225 for a pool measuring 500 square feet, according to Improvenet.com in the US in 2020. Of course, prices will vary based on location, size of the pool and the time of the year.
How long can you leave a pool empty? Well, the minimum amount of time possible in order to minimize the risk of serious damage. Most issues that require a pool drain will take at least a day or two to resolve, but it's recommended to not let it sit empty for any extended period of time.
First, if the draining is done at the wrong time or under the wrong conditions, you can actually risk damaging your pool structure and liner. All the water from your pool needs to go somewhere when it's drained, and that usually means the ground.
After Adding Muriatic Acid
Muriatic acid can create a hot spot of acid in the water that could potentially burn or irritate your skin. It is best to wait 30 minutes after adding it to your pool.
Here are common causes of an alkaline pool: Algae can raise the pH. Adding strong liquid chlorine, calcium or lithium hypochlorite chlorine may raise it. Suddenly heating the water, whether from a pool heater or a string of sunny days, could up the pH.
You should never add chlorine and muriatic acid at the same time. The muriatic acid will react with the chlorine in your pool and create a deadly gas called hydrochloric acid. You need to wait for a minimum of 30 minutes, after you add the acid, before adding any chlorine to your pool.
Because of the Valley's hard water and high summer pool evaporation, we recommended you drain and acid wash your pool every two to four years to help remove excess calcium, algae and other contaminates that may lead to interior pool staining and that unsightly white ring on your pool tile and pebble-tec surface.
Rain, no problem. actually it helps with the cure if it doesn't happen until the cement is set. they will pump it out and do the acid wash and it will be fine.
Scrub at the water line with a brush appropriate for your pool liner and a chlorine-based liquid cleaner. Chlorine-based cleaner is usually enough to clean scum from the water line. Scrub with a tile brush if you are cleaning tile walls, or a sponge if cleaning a line. Nylon brushes work for tougher spots.
Why water level is important
Your water should only be drained so it sits just below the skimmer and jets. This helps make sure that no water can get into the pumping system. You may also need to drain a few extra inches of water, depending on the type of pool cover you're using.
Most in-ground pools will have to be drained and refilled at some point. But cleaning should not be the reason to do it. Pools will need to be drained and refilled every 5-7 years on average, or if there is a major necessary repair. Otherwise, avoid draining your pool if at all possible.
Never completely drain a fiberglass or in-ground vinyl liner pool; doing so can damage the integrity of the pool surface or liner in the form of bowing or cracking. The best practice is to partially drain these types of pools. Always complete partial drains by 1/3 of the water at a time.
Remove Pool Stains
The easiest stains to remove are organic stains. Shocking or super-chlorinating your pool is effective at getting rid of these types of stains.
Only pools constructed of plaster, exposed aggregate, or concrete are strong enough to withstand the power of a pressure washer. Any other type of pool, such as vinyl or fiberglass, must be cleaned using chemical treatments or using non-abrasive methods.
Phosphoric acid is a good substitute for muriatic acid and in most situations will clean surfaces just as well with less risk. Phosphoric acid is a main ingredient in many commercial grout and concrete cleaners that are readily available to consumers.
Acid Washing Supplies Needed:
10-20 gallons of acid, depending on pool size and severity of staining. Soda Ash to neutralize acid, 2 lbs for each gallon of acid used. Safety goggles and acid safety mask.
How Often to Acid Wash Your Pool. Even though an acid wash will only remove a thin layer of plaster, it's not something you want to do every year. You'd run out of plaster pretty quickly! Every five years or so is sufficient, barring any serious algae bloom problems.