How to Acid Wash Gunite Swimming Pools

If you are ready to open you're gunite or plaster swimming pool and it looks ugly and stained, it may be time to drain and acid wash the swimming pool. I would recommend contracting a swimming pool service company to do this but if you are going to do it yourself, follow these steps to help you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Muriatic acid
• water hose

1. The swimming pool must first be drained completely before acid washing can be done. Do not use you're pool system to do this. Get a submersible pump to pump the water out after the pump and other equipment have been shut down. It may take some time, but this is the safest way to do it. Make sure that the weather has been pretty dry and that you are not in a low area where ground water could become an issue. Only drain when you are ready to do the acid washing.

2. 
    
   Acid washing a swimming pool

   Use Muriatic Acid for the cleaning. Be careful and use gloves and face protection. Each gallon will cover approximately 5-10 feet of pool surface. Start at the top and slowly pour the muriatic acid down the wall and into the bottom of the pool. After one area is complete, wash it down with a water hose. Do this in steps until the entire pool is complete. This will remove metallic and organic stains, calcium deposits, and other particles that have made a home in you're swimming pool plaster.

3. You will need to have the submersible pump in the deepest part of the swimming pool during the cleaning process. Leave some water in there so as the acid goes to the lowest part it is diluted and pumped out. Run the hose to a ditch or to the sewage system.

4. I recommend that you follow up with a solution of water and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to neutralize the acid on the walls and that collects in the bottom of your swimming pool. It is not difficult but takes time. Take you're time and do a good job.

Tips & Warnings

• Always start at the top and work you're way down. Sit on the swimming pool edge and slowly pour down the side, then work shallow end to deep end. When you get to doing the floor of the pool, put your submersible pump in the deepest part of the pool so it doesn't fill with water or acid.
• Muriatic acid is very dangerous. Take precautions to protect yourself.