Muriatic Acid and Confidence

[RSay]

Help me feel confident adding MA to my pool

I have my gallon but when I originally took off the safety seal, it left that thin rubber coating over the hole. I poked a hole in that coating but it's off center from the handle. So when I pour it, it comes out in rapid drops instead of a stream. It also runs down the side of the bottle. My anxiety is getting worse because I know I have to bring down my Alkalinity and my app said I needed to add a good bit. I fear I am going to get it on myself and/or my concrete (which I occasionally do). So here's my questions:

1) What can I use to make the hole in that clear rubber seal bigger? Won't the MA eat anything that comes in contact with it? I think I used a small stick for the first hole. I thought screwdriver or razor but won't the MA sizzle it off?
2) What safety gear should I be donning when handling? I need to be able to get it at Lowe's or Leslies/Caymen Pools. I'm nervous I'm going to burn my hands and feet and feel like I need a full hazmat suit for handling.
3) Some threads noted a 5 gallon bucket. Is there a special type of bucket the MA won't eat through? I am planning on picking one up at Lowe's. I read to add MA to water. Again, need that rubber seal removed and scared of splash back.

 

[Sunnydaze]

It happens all the time to me where the clear seal remains after pulling the tab off. I just pull it off with my fingers and immediately rinse off in the pool. You could wear gloves or a small pair of pliers or tweezers to pull it off if you really want.

 

[RSay]

It happens all the time to me where the clear seal remains after pulling the tab off. I just pull it off with my fingers and immediately rinse off in the pool. You could wear gloves or a small pair of pliers or tweezers to pull it off if you really want.

You use your fingers?!?!?! Isn't there MA on the underside of that seal? I'm having a panic attack just thinking about me doing it

 

[Sunnydaze]

You use your fingers?!?!?! Isn't there MA on the underside of that seal? I'm having a panic attack just thinking about me doing it

It isn't going to dissolve your fingers. It may sting if you leave it on your skin for a while but I've never even felt a tingle as long as i rinse in the pool right away.

I recommend reading the pH part of this blog where muriatic is discussed.

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Dirk]

MA will not burn though metal instantly, you could use tweezers and rinse them off right after. It won't burn through plastic at all, nor typical household gloves. So either use some tweezers or gloved fingers to remove the film.

Always wear safety goggles when handling acid. Most folks here don't, but it's prudent. While MA won't likely cause any harm to your finger skin (especially if you rinse it off right away), it most definitely can cause harm to soft tissue (like lungs and eyes). So handle it quickly, with glasses and gloves, and try not to breathe the fumes.

It is somewhat dangerous if handled incorrectly, but it's not anywhere near as bad as you think it is.

Carry the jug to the pool in an all plastic bucket. Place the bucket on the edge of the pool, just overhanging the water a bit. Take a deep breath and hold it, take the cap off, lift the jug out over the water and dispense the acid, then put the jug back into the bucket and cap it. Breathe. That way, no errant drops coming off the jug will ever land on your deck, because the jug was never over anything but water. And yes, MA can stain your deck, so this bucket trick will prevent that. With a little practice, you'll get quick enough to do this with one breath. If not, just turn your head into the wind and take a breath of fresh air while the acid fumes blow away in the opposite direction.

 

[Texas Splash]

I do like Sunny - peal or poke that thin film off and rinse my fingers just to be safe. It's so fast it doesn't hurt anything. More than anything, I am very careful for splashing (skin & eyes) and wind direction (fumes). When possible, try to pour the acid when the wind is blowing from behind you. If that's not possible, just hold your breath for a few seconds if you must while dispensing. I wouldn't try to pre-mix. That just creates double-handling and the potential for errors.

In short - Wind at back (if possible), pour into your measuring device carefully, then slowly pour at the return jets keeping the measuring device close to the water to minimize splashing. If you are still nervous, you certainly can wear rubber gloves and a long sleeve shirt.

Lastly, keep that muriatic acid stored securely outside away from kids, pets, and metals objects that could rust. Metal, ugh. I learned that lesson the hard way.

 

[Dirk]

Tip #2. MA comes in different "strengths," 31% and 14%. You want to use the 14% stuff, it's much less dangerous, and the fumes are not near as bad. Just look at the label. I would guess your local pool store has the 31%, and your local Lowes has the 14% stuff. You'll use twice as much of the 14%, of course. But try that first for a while, and build your confidence handling this chemical, and eventually you might switch to the 31% stuff to save some money.

When calculating the correct dose of the 14%, use Pool Math and set the acid type correctly. Pool Math will do the rest of the math for you.

 

[Dirk]

If you'd care to read about my trials and tribulations with muriatic acid, here's a thread about my adventures. I was quite worried about handling the stuff (so no, you are not alone in this), and still am. I ended up fabricating a set of devices to make dispensing acid quite safe. And that was after burning my deck with the stuff, so that's where the bucket trick came from.

The thread includes quite a discussion about handling MA, and around post #97 I describe my gizmo. The thread also describes how I store MA outdoors, so that alone is worth a read.

Thread: Getting ready for SWG
Gizmo: Getting ready for SWG

I eventually installed an automatic acid dispensing system, and now handle MA very rarely (only to fill the machine).

 

[Newdude]

Rsay, while rinsing any skin splashes in the pool is entirely enough, I often don't bother and finish what I'm doing. Then I go to the driveway to throw out the empty bottle, passing 2 hoses on the way, to then go inside to wash with soap.

Everyone's tolerance is different of course, but it's nowhere near as bad as everyone thinks at first.

Fumes are your friend. They let you know you're doing it wrong before any long exposure damage occurs. If you catch a whiff pouring with your right, pour with your left and it might be downwind now. Or turn your body 90 degrees away from it. Then do the same with the other hand. One way or the other you should find 'upwind' easy enough without huffing too much.

Place the bottle at or slightly in the water for less splashing. I poured waist high like a clown for YEARS. I'm a little slow.

 

[cwswifty]

It happens all the time to me where the clear seal remains after pulling the tab off. I just pull it off with my fingers and immediately rinse off in the pool. You could wear gloves or a small pair of pliers or tweezers to pull it off if you really want.

What Sunny said

 

[RSay]

I do like Sunny - peal or poke that thin film off and rinse my fingers just to be safe. It's so fast it doesn't hurt anything. More than anything, I am very careful for splashing (skin & eyes) and wind direction (fumes). When possible, try to pour the acid when the wind is blowing from behind you. If that's not possible, just hold your breath for a few seconds if you must while dispensing. I wouldn't try to pre-mix. That just creates double-handling and the potential for errors.

In short - Wind at back (if possible), pour into your measuring device carefully, then slowly pour at the return jets keeping the measuring device close to the water to minimize splashing. If you are still nervous, you certainly can wear rubber gloves and a long sleeve shirt.

Lastly, keep that muriatic acid stored securely outside away from kids, pets, and metals objects that could rust. Metal, ugh. I learned that lesson the hard way.

I have it stored under my back deck. It's the only place out of direct sunlight that's not attached to a building I could think of. I have a completely sealed one still in the storage closet. That will come out once that seal is broken.

 

[RSay]

If you'd care to read about my trials and tribulations with muriatic acid, here's a thread about my adventures. I was quite worried about handling the stuff (so no, you are not alone in this), and still am. I ended up fabricating a set of devices to make dispensing acid quite safe. And that was after burning my deck with the stuff, so that's where the bucket trick came from.

The thread includes quite a discussion about handling MA, and around post #97 I describe my gizmo. The thread also describes how I store MA outdoors, so that alone is worth a read.

Thread: Getting ready for SWG
Gizmo: Getting ready for SWG

I eventually installed an automatic acid dispensing system, and now handle MA very rarely (only to fill the machine).

Heading over the the thread now.

 

[RSay]

Thank you all!!! It appears Muriatic Acid may not have been what I envisioned. I saw visions of my skin being melted away to bone (think cartoons) or some great disfigurement. LOL.

I'm gonna peel that plastic piece off and pour!!! I still may get me some gloves to be safe LOL

 

[JJ_Tex]

MA isnt that bad to deal with. I have 7 fingers left, so I have a few more mishaps to go before I hire a pool service.

 

[JamesW]

I use a razor knife to cut the plastic out completely so that the acid pours easily.

Always have a plan for any accidental exposure including having a fresh water hose available to rinse off.

Have baking soda available to neutralize spills.

You can usually jump in the pool if there is exposure.

 

[mknauss]

I have it stored under my back deck. It's the only place out of direct sunlight that's not attached to a building I could think of. I have a completely sealed one still in the storage closet. That will come out once that seal is broken.

Do not store MA in the home or in the garage. The 'seal' is not sufficient to prevent fumes from damaging metal items nearby. Use a plastic storage box or 5 gallon bucket with lid to store outside. If you have children, you need to secure the lid so that they do not get into it.

 

[pjt]

Just pour directly from the bottle into the pool. The important concept is minimizing the handling of MA. Every time it's handled (measuring cup, diluting in a bucket, etc.), you increase the risk of spilling or splashing. The exact amount of MA isn't critical. You can always add more if needed.

Open the bottle over the water. Pour in front of a return with the pump running. The bottle opening should be just above the surface of the water (~1 inch). You can partially submerge the bottle and use its buoyancy to assist. Slowly pour (pencil stream). Keep the bottle over the water when replacing the cap. When the cap is snug, dunk the entire bottle under the water and slowly swish around to remove any MA that may have trickled down the outside of the bottle. When done pouring, use your pool brush to mix the area if desired.

 

[JimMarshall]

Its easier for me with an ABG pool, but I just do all of my jug opening and pouring out over the surface of the water, that way if I do get a splash, its easy to just dunk my hand/arm into the water.

 

[Dirk]

Do not store MA in the home or in the garage. The 'seal' is not sufficient to prevent fumes from damaging metal items nearby.

Beat me to it. I treat unopened jugs of acid the same as opened ones. I don't trust the seal, and have opened many jugs of acid to find the seal barely in place. As per my thread, I store acid in an all-plastic Suncast storage box, that I can lock if needed. They never go inside a building. And my storage box is as far away from anything metal I can put it.

By the way, DO NOT store acid and chlorine together. Their fumes can mix to form a dangerous gas. Acid can withstand the heat of the day without losing potency, and chlorine cannot. I keep chlorine in the garage, where it is cooler, and acid outside, where it is safest. This scheme keeps them safely apart.

 

[TinFoilHat]

I carry my acid bottle to the pool, hold my breath, open it and pour it into my measuring cup and then spread in the pool in front of me. Rinse the cup, cap the bottle and then walk into the wind before I breath again. My acid is stored outside on the shaded side of my house while my chlorine is in the garage. Neither product is ever near each other even when I need to put both into the pool. I do not worry about any bit of acid from the plastic seal when I open a bottle. That thin film of fluid is virtually harmless.