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How to Acid Wash a Swimming Pool Without Draining

Over time pools develop stains. At a certain point you may consider acid washing your pool to freshen up your surface. Traditional acid washing is difficult, expensive, and can damage the surface of the pool. Here we give you a step-by-step guide on how to acid wash your pool without draining.

At a Glance

8

Steps

7
day(s)
Hard

Difficulty

Step-by-Step

Step
1

Skim

Using your skimmer net, remove as much large floating debris and “algae patties” from the pool as possible.

Step
2

Protect metal fixtures

Use petroleum jelly to cover any metal fixtures (such as pool rails and pool light rims) in the pool. This will prevent them from becoming oxidized (discolored).

Step
3

Add No Drān® Acid Wash

Add one (1) bottle of No Drān® Acid Wash per 5,000 gallons of pool water.

Step
4

Drop Alkalinity to Zero

Add approximately 1 gallon of Muriatic Acid for every 1,600 gallons of pool water. It’s important that the Alkalinity reaches zero (0).

Step
5

Brush

Brush the entire surface of the pool.

Step
6

Test Alkalinity

The next day, test your Total Alkalinity and add acid as necessary to keep the Total Alkalinity at zero (0). For every 10ppm of Total Alkalinity add 1 gallon of Muriatic Acid per 15,000 gallons of pool water.

Step
7

Repeat Steps 5 & 6 Every Day

Repeat steps 5 and 6 for every day of treatment. Start the day by testing and adding necessary acid to the pool. Then brush the entire surface.

Step
8

Rebalance

Once the stains are gone OR on the seventh (7th) day of treatment, begin to rebalance the pool slowly. Use a base demand test to estimate the amount of pH increaser you’ll need. Once the pH reaches 7.2 you may turn your pump system back on.

What You’ll Need

  • No Drān® Acid Wash
  • No Mor Muriatic Acid™
  • Brush Attachment
  • Petroleum Jelly
  • Balancers (pH & Alkalinity Increaser)

Extra Tips

  • For colored plaster, painted fiberglass, exposed aggregate pools you will need to dissolve No Drān® Acid Wash in a bucket of water first before pouring it into the swimming pool to prevent discoloration.
  • Dissolve your pH raiser in a bucket of water and pour slowly around the pool.
  • For every one (1) pound of your pH raiser, make sure to brush the pool.
  • Shut off the pump during treatment.
  • Test every day and keep Total Alkalinity at zero (0).
  • Brush every day.
  • Balance with the Hamilton Index™
  • Use a chlorine floater if the weather is warm to prevent algae.
  • Consider using a preventative stain treatment such as Pool Stain Treat® to keep stains from returning.

Still need help?

Still have questions? Need an expert’s advice? Visit our support center for additional documentation and to open a ticket with a Pool Technician.

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