Pool Acid Wash. Like-New Surfaces.
Years of stains, calcium scale, and discoloration stripped away in a single service. Your plaster deserves better.
Your Pool Plaster Is Trying to Tell You Something
Look at your pool walls. If the plaster has turned gray, yellow, or brown, that is not just age. It is mineral deposits, algae stains, and chemical residue baked into the surface over years of use. No amount of brushing or shocking will fix it. The staining is embedded in the plaster itself.
An acid wash strips that top layer of buildup and exposes the fresh plaster underneath. It is the closest thing to a factory reset for your pool surfaces without a full replaster. We regularly see pools that look ten years younger after a single acid wash.
At Affordable Pool Care, we do acid washes the right way. That means draining the pool completely, applying the acid solution by hand section by section, neutralizing properly, and managing the wastewater so nothing goes where it should not. It is detailed work, and cutting corners causes damage.
Send us a photo of your pool and we will tell you if an acid wash is the right move.
Get Your Free QuoteSigns Your Pool Needs an Acid Wash
Not every pool needs an acid wash, but when it does, the signs are hard to miss. Here is what we commonly see:
Stubborn Staining
Brown, yellow, or gray discoloration on your pool walls and floor that will not come off with brushing or chemical treatments. These stains are mineral deposits and organic material that have bonded to the plaster surface over time.
Calcium Scale Buildup
White, chalky deposits along the waterline and on tile. Extremely common in areas where the tap water comes loaded with calcium and minerals. An acid wash dissolves the scale and brings the surface back to smooth.
Post-Algae Residue
After a severe algae bloom, green and black stains often remain in the plaster even after the water clears. If your pool had a bad algae event and still looks dingy, an acid wash removes those embedded stains completely.
Rough or Gritty Surfaces
If your pool walls feel rough to the touch, that is buildup. Scale and mineral deposits create a gritty texture that catches algae spores and makes the pool harder to keep clean. An acid wash smooths it out.
What Goes Into a Proper Acid Wash
A real acid wash is not a weekend DIY project. The acid solution we use is strong enough to dissolve mineral deposits and stains on contact, which means it will damage your plaster if applied incorrectly or left on too long. This is precision work.
We drain the pool, then apply a muriatic acid solution to the walls and floor in controlled sections. Each section gets scrubbed by hand, rinsed, and neutralized with soda ash before moving to the next area. This prevents the acid from sitting too long and etching the plaster unevenly.
Some homeowners ask about chlorine washes as a lighter alternative. We can do those too, and we will recommend one if your staining is mild enough that acid is overkill. We match the treatment to the problem, not the other way around.
Here's How It Works
Drain & Prep
We fully drain your pool and inspect the plaster for cracks, delamination, or damage that needs attention before the acid wash begins. If there are structural concerns, we let you know before we start.
Acid Wash & Neutralize
We apply the acid solution section by section, scrub each area by hand, rinse thoroughly, and neutralize with soda ash. Every section is treated individually to ensure even results with no etching.
Refill & Balance
Once the wash is complete, we refill your pool with fresh water, balance the chemistry from scratch, and run your filtration system. You get a pool that looks and feels years younger.
Why Pool Owners Choose Us
We Know Hard Water
Inland Southern California has some of the hardest water in the state. We understand the local mineral content and adjust our acid wash process to address the specific scale and staining it causes.
Honest Assessment, Every Time
If your pool does not actually need an acid wash, we will tell you. Some pools just need a chlorine wash or a good drain and restart. We recommend the right service, not the most expensive one.
Proper Wastewater Handling
Acid wash runoff is hazardous and regulated. We neutralize and dispose of all wastewater according to local codes. No shortcuts, no dumping into storm drains, no liability for you.
Owner-Operated, Personally Accountable
You are not dealing with a franchise call center. When you reach out, the owner answers. When we quote a job, that is the price. No hidden fees, no upsells, no surprises on your bill.
Your Neighbors Say It Best.
Join hundreds of satisfied pool owners across Southern California.
“Years of staining on our plaster and we thought we needed a full replaster. They acid washed it and the surface came back white. Saved us thousands.”
“Calcium scale had built up along the waterline and the walls felt rough. After the acid wash, everything was smooth and clean. Looked like a new pool.”
“We had leftover algae staining that regular cleaning could not touch. One acid wash and the plaster was spotless. Very happy with the result.”
“The pool had brown mineral stains all over the deep end. They drained it, acid washed the entire surface, and it came back bright white. Absolutely worth it.”
“We bought a house with a neglected pool. The plaster was stained and gritty. After the acid wash it felt smooth and looked like it had been freshly plastered.”
“Iron staining from well water had left ugly rust marks everywhere. They acid washed it and every stain came off. Pool looks brand new again.”
“Years of staining on our plaster and we thought we needed a full replaster. They acid washed it and the surface came back white. Saved us thousands.”
“Calcium scale had built up along the waterline and the walls felt rough. After the acid wash, everything was smooth and clean. Looked like a new pool.”
“We had leftover algae staining that regular cleaning could not touch. One acid wash and the plaster was spotless. Very happy with the result.”
“The pool had brown mineral stains all over the deep end. They drained it, acid washed the entire surface, and it came back bright white. Absolutely worth it.”
“We bought a house with a neglected pool. The plaster was stained and gritty. After the acid wash it felt smooth and looked like it had been freshly plastered.”
“Iron staining from well water had left ugly rust marks everywhere. They acid washed it and every stain came off. Pool looks brand new again.”
Give us a call.
Speak directly with a pool care expert. Available Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm PT.
(951) 215-6142Emergencies: 24/7 support for urgent issues
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