How to Acid-Wash Your Pool by Yourself

Acid-washing a concrete pool is a highly effective means of cleaning it. It is also an essential preliminary step in the process of painting the pool, because the acid etches the concrete and helps the paint bond more effectively to the pool's surface. Whatever the reason for acid-washing a pool, it can be accomplished by one person. Muriatic acid is the acid generally used for this purpose. It is fairly inexpensive and easy to work with, but -- as with any chemical -- proper safety precautions must be used when working with it.

Things You'll Need

• Muriatic acid
• 5-gallon plastic bucket
• Long-handled scrub brush
• Rubber boots
• Heavy-duty rubber gloves, elbow-length
• Respirator
• Chemical-protective coveralls
• Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
• Bucket
• Garden hose

Instructions

1. Put on all your safety gear before opening the muratic acid. Wear long sleeves and long pants under chemical-protective coveralls. Tuck the coverall bottoms into your rubber boots. Wear thick rubber gloves that reach to midarm or higher. Wear a respirator to avoid breathing in harmful fumes.

2. Mix 1 gallon of muriatic acid to 1 gallon of water in a 5-gallon plastic bucket. Mix as much solution as you need, using the 1-1 ratio. Always mix acid into water, not the other way around. If you pour water into acid, it can become volatile and bubble violently.

3. Pick a starting place in the pool that ensures that you can work your way around and cover the entire surface.

4. Dip the long-handled scrub brush into the diluted acid solution. Scrub the surface of the pool one section at a time. Dip the brush into the acid frequently to ensure the surface gets enough acid on it to etch it properly.

5. Mix trisodium phosphate in a bucket with water, according to the directions on the package. Scrub the entire surface of the pool with the trisodium phosphate solution to neutralize the acid. Rinse the pool with a garden hose.