Q&A for How to Acid Wash a Swimming Pool

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Question

I poured acid before disposing the water in the pool. What must I do now?

Uthra Balakrishna

Community Answer

Quickly drain it off. The acid will be stuck on the walls. Clean it and pour the water.

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Question

For how long I should wait to enter the pool after I put acid?

Community Answer

Depending on how much acid you added and if your filter is moving the water rapidly about a hour, check with your test kit (phenol red), it will let you know the acid level. I add a bit less than calculated and then adjust further in small doses, that saves money. Note: you should retest next day as some cement/concrete pools react with acid causing a small pH bounce.

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Question

How can you tell if the acid is working?

Community Answer

If the dirt disappears, it's working.

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Question

How do I deal with the big blue sections left on my gunnite pool after acid washing?

Community Answer

You may need additional people to help. If the pool is empty, prompt and quick cleanup of puddles and timing of soak are necessary. One person should do all of each area as strength, soak time, time of day, wind and temperature affect the job and work speed and consistency are needed.

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Question

I have fiber glass pool do I use acid too?

Uthra Balakrishna

Community Answer

No, because it is fiber and may break, so use a wet cloth to clean it.

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Question

Does it matter that our pool is concrete? Is that the same as the plaster that you are referring to in the acid bath wash?

Lee Ton

Community Answer

It is the same. Just note, using acid will remove some of the material, thus reducing the life of your surface. Perform an acid wash only if you have scale on the walls. I’d strongly suggest not performing a wash for algae, as chlorine will take care of that problem.

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