Leslie's Acid Washing Service
Let's face it, pool stains are a bummer. The look and feel of a stained pool just doesn't elicit the same pride and joy that a clean, clear pool surface does. Most pool stains are the result of poor pool maintenance, metals in the water, or other water balance issues. If your pool has stubborn stains left behind, one solution to restore your underwater surfaces is to acid wash the pool.
What is Acid Washing?
When it comes to pool and spa maintenance, acid washing is something often mentioned but not always clearly understood. 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. It typically restores about 70-80 percent of your pool's original brightness.
NOTE: Due to the porosity of plaster, quartz, and pebble, an acid wash may not remove all pre-existing stains.
What Types of Pool Surfaces Can Be Acid Washed?
Not all surfaces are suitable for acid washing, including vinyl, fiberglass, acrylic, or painted surfaces. Check with your builder if you're not sure of the exact make-up of your pool surface. Plaster, pebble, and quartz surfaces are suitable for acid washing. The surfaces should be no older than 8 years, and there should be no visible cracks or hollow areas. Performing an acid wash on a surface that's too old or damaged can compromise the integrity of the pool or spa. Schedule an appointment with our trained professional technicians, and they'll determine if an acid wash service is right for you.
NOTE: Because some regions have high water tables that prevent the draining of a pool, acid wash services are not available in all areas. In addition, Leslie's will not drain a plaster pool if the air temperature is above 85°F due to a high risk of cracking.
How Do I Know if My Pool Needs It?
Generally, pool owners will want to acid wash their pools when unsightly stains or deposits start to appear. We recommend keeping up with proper pool maintenance, which can prevent the need to acid wash your pool's surface in the first place. But we understand that life happens, and unexpected stains can appear. If some aspect of maintenance fell to the back burner, or if you're the new owner of a home with a stained pool, you may need to schedule an acid wash.
If these signs are present, then it's a good idea to consider an acid wash service:
- Major staining caused by metals, minerals, and other factors
- Unsightly stains that are resistant to stain removing chemicals
- Scale build-up on surfaces and heavy scaling at the waterline
- A dull, dirty-looking pool, despite good cleaning and brushing habits
Is Acid Washing Safe?
We don't recommend for pool or spa owners to acid wash surfaces on their own. Reasons include potential dangers with the steps and materials involved. Our service technicians are thoroughly trained to safely drain your pool, and they're familiar with the proper steps for washing all pool surfaces.
As for the safety of your pool's surface, it's important to consult a pool professional. Because acid washing removes a thin layer of your pool's surface, there is a limit on how many times a pool can be acid washed before a complete restoration is required. That said, we highly recommend taking good care of your pool with regular maintenance to keep surface stains and scale to a minimum. Your maintenance program should include monthly additions of a chelating and sequestering agent, such as Leslie's Stain & Scale Prevent, to stop metal stains and mineral deposits from forming.
What Does the Leslie's Service Entail?
Draining the Pool
Acid Washing the Pool
Filling the Pool
Our professionally trained and certified service technicians will ensure that your next acid wash is performed safely and correctly.
On the first day, one of our Leslie’s service technicians will come out and drain the pool for you. The following day, they will perform the acid wash itself, which can take anywhere from 4 -5 hours to complete. After that, the pool can be refilled. The duration of the project depends on pool size and the severity of the interior. On average, the first time performing an acid wash can take two to three full days between draining, cleaning, and refilling the pool.
As mentioned earlier, acid washing is an extremely labor intensive project, and it removes a thin layer of your pool surface each time it's done. We recommend sticking to a regular pool maintenance program to avoid needing to acid wash your pool in the first place, but we can help you through the process if the need ever arises.
For more information on proper pool care, or to learn more about acid washing, call or stop by your your local Leslie's store, or fill out our convenient online form. We'll help you schedule one of our trained professional service technicians to complete the task for you.