I've read several forums about only being able to acid wash your pool so many times before doing damage. I've only had the pool 3 years and I don't know the history or age. What's a good way to tell if an acid wash will be safe?
Acid wash without knowing the age of my pebble tech
- Thread starter Jfair9
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,396
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Why do you want to acid wash your pool?
Acid washing is not regular maintenance.
My pool has never been acid washed in 20 years other than when it was replastered.
Acid washing is not regular maintenance.
My pool has never been acid washed in 20 years other than when it was replastered.
Last edited:
Acid washing is never “safe” and always damages the finish because that’s what it’s designed to do. It eats away the outer layer of plaster/cement to expose a hopefully cleaner layer below. It’s a trade off decision you have to make to help fix a worse problem.
Mainly to get rid of some straining/discoloration.
There are several spots where a light blue it showing and other areas that are more white/tan in color. I'm curious if the surface was originally all that same blueish color and if acid washing it would bring that back. My area has a lot of calcium and it almost looks like calcium build up
Attachments
Drained my pool due to a losing battle with mustard algae and old water with really high CYA and CH levels. After draining I noticed a few spots in the pool that are blueish while the rest of the pool is more white. Is that blue the true color of the pool and the white calcium buildup by chance? If it is then what can I do to remove it, besides an acid wash?
Attachments
- May 23, 2015
- 25,717
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Depends on your color … check out this picture I took5 years after installation of my Caribbean Blue PebbleTec -
Note that the surface is grey but the bulk of the plaster had still retained its color. If I had acid washed the surface, I’d probably get the blue back (for a limited amount of time). But it would eventually fade and the damage to the plaster from acid isn’t worth the color pop …
Note that the surface is grey but the bulk of the plaster had still retained its color. If I had acid washed the surface, I’d probably get the blue back (for a limited amount of time). But it would eventually fade and the damage to the plaster from acid isn’t worth the color pop …
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,396
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
An acid wash that removes enough plaster to reveal subsurface color runs the risk of lessening many of the pebbles that are being held by the surface plaster. You can end up with a non-pebble pool.
Your pool may have had organic pigments that bleach out...
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
Your pool may have had organic pigments that bleach out...
Not All Color Pigments are Good for Pools
There are two important issues involved when trying to achieve quality colored pool plaster that will remain durable, attractive, and the proper shade for many years. The first issue is to utilize superior workmanship practices to achieve good color, with minimal mottling, and no blotchiness...
www.troublefreepool.com
Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com