Muriatic Acid Drip? Odor?

[TimmyR]

Hi! I added some MA to my pool today from an unopened 1-gallon jug. When I opened the jug I noticed the seal was not in the best shape and may have seen a drop or two on the cap threads. The jug had been stored in my garage.

Later today, I’m smelling something in that vicinity. My wife says it smells like something burning. I reminds me of a wooden match, maybe. It might smell a little like MA but I’m not sure.

What’s a drop or two of MA on concrete smell like or what am I looking for to pinpoint it? So far I don’t see anything in the area.

Thanks!!

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Muriatic acid tends to smell like a mixture of really strong vinegar and mustard, not smokey like something is burning. If it dripped on concrete, it would react (fizz) almost instantly and you'd likely not smell anything.

That said - you should NEVER store MA indoors, especially in a garage. The containers are not vapor proof and the MA vapors will corrode anything metallic within the vicinity. The acid should be stored OUTSIDE in a suitable, closed off and discreet area. Many of us use the polymer deck boxes (Suncast boxes) to store MA. It can be safely stored outside in the winters as MA does not freeze.

 

[TimmyR]

Thanks. I read that it needs to be outside when I searched for this topic here. It’s in my pool shack which is away from the house and not sealed at all. I may have figured out what is causing it.