Orlando pool resurfacing

Pool Acid Wash and Drain-Clean in Orlando

An acid wash strips a very thin layer from a plaster surface to lift stains and carbonate scale. It suits sound, well-bonded plaster, not etched, hollow or new finishes, and every wash takes material off. When the water is the real problem, a drain-and-clean without acid resets it.

What an acid wash actually does

An acid wash is the deliberate removal of a very thin layer of the plaster surface. With the pool empty, a diluted acid solution is applied to the walls and floor, scrubbed, and rinsed, taking stains and mineral deposits off with the top skin of the finish. It brings a tired, stained white plaster pool back to a brighter surface, and it takes the fizzing calcium carbonate scale off the tile line. It does not fix anything structural, and because it removes material, repeated acid washes thin the plaster and bring the next full replaster closer.

When it is the right call, and when it is not

Good candidates are sound, well-bonded plaster that is stained by leaves, algae that was left too long, metals, or scale, after a storm left the pool green, or before a house sale. Poor candidates:

  • A finish that is already rough, thin or etched down to the aggregate, where acid only makes it worse.
  • Plaster that is hollow, flaking or blistering; that is a bond problem, covered under delamination repair.
  • New plaster. The National Plasterers Council start-up is built around brushing and balanced water, not acid.
  • Vinyl liner pools, which acid damages.
  • Most exposed-pebble and quartz interiors, which follow their manufacturer’s cleaning instructions instead.

A drain-and-clean without acid

Sometimes the water is the problem, not the surface. Water that has been topped up for years builds up dissolved solids, stabilizer and salt, and it becomes hard to keep in balance with chemicals alone. Draining, washing the surface with a milder cleaning solution, and refilling with fresh water resets the chemistry without stripping any plaster. It is also the moment to clean the tile line and look closely at the finish while it is dry.

The draining part is the risky part

Either version means an empty pool, and in wet ground an empty pool can lift. The hydrostatic relief valve in the main drain is opened, drain water is pumped far enough away that it does not soak back under the shell, and the pool is left empty for as short a time as possible. The job is best scheduled away from a run of heavy rain. If the tile band is past cleaning, plan tile replacement for the same empty window.

What sets the schedule? Pool size, how heavy the staining or scale is, whether it is an acid wash or a gentler drain-and-clean, how wet the ground is for draining, and time to refill and rebalance the water.

Frequently asked questions

How often can a pool be acid washed?
Sparingly. Each acid wash removes a thin layer of plaster, so repeated washes thin the finish and bring replastering closer. If the surface is already rough or etched, acid will make it worse.
Can a pebble or quartz pool be acid washed?
Aggregate interiors follow their manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, which usually differ from a plaster acid wash. Check those before any acid goes on the surface.

Often done in the same drain

These usually come up in the same drain, and can be quoted from the same visit:

Free estimate

Tell us about the pool

Tell us where the pool is and what you’re seeing. We’ll call back to book a look at the pool and bring finish samples.

  • Shell, tile and coping inspected before anything is quoted
  • Each item priced separately, so you choose what gets done
  • Water table and drain relief checked before the pool is emptied
  • Brushing and water balancing through the new finish’s cure

Free resurfacing estimate

Tell us about the pool — we’ll call back to book a look.

Or call (689) 305-2500

Got it, thank you.

We’ll call to set up a time to see the pool. To talk sooner, call (689) 305-2500