Expert Pool Acid Wash Services in Lakeland, FL
Even with the most diligent weekly pool maintenance, Florida’s harsh environment eventually takes a toll on your pool’s interior. Years of intense sun, heavy tropical rains, and localized hard water can leave your plaster looking dull, stained, and deeply discolored. When standard brushing and chemical balancing can no longer break through the grime, it is time for a professional reset.
At Lakeland Pool Cleaning, our professional pool acid wash service—often referred to as a “drain and clean”—is a highly specialized restorative treatment. Rather than spending thousands of dollars to completely resurface your pool, an acid wash safely strips away a microscopic layer of the damaged plaster. This aggressive, deep-cleaning process removes years of embedded algae, rust, and scale, instantly exposing the fresh, bright, and vibrant plaster hiding just beneath the surface.
The Science Behind a Drain and Clean
An acid wash is not just a heavy scrub; it is a calculated chemical reaction. We safely drain your pool and apply a precise mixture of muriatic acid and water. This solution actively dissolves the top crust of plaster where stains and minerals are trapped. We then immediately neutralize the acid, thoroughly rinse the basin, and refill the pool with perfectly balanced water, restoring your backyard centerpiece to its original glory.
4 Signs Your Pool Needs an Acid Wash
Because an acid wash actually removes a thin layer of plaster, it should only be performed when absolutely necessary. You should consider booking a professional evaluation if you are dealing with any of the following severe issues in your Polk County pool:
Deep-Rooted Algae Stains
While floating algae can be shocked, Black and Mustard algae often embed their roots deep into the pores of plaster or pebble finishes. An acid wash physically removes the porous layer where these stubborn spores live.
Heavy Calcium & Mineral Scaling
Florida is known for its hard water. Over time, high pH and calcium levels create rough, white, or gray scale deposits across your pool floor and walls that cannot be removed with standard tile scrubbing.
Copper, Iron & Rust Stains
Corroded heater elements, old plumbing fixtures, or the use of heavy well water can deposit copper and iron into your pool, leaving ugly brown, red, or teal stains baked into the plaster.
“Swamp Pool” Recovery
If your pool has sat stagnant for months, collected heavy storm debris, or suffered a severe chemical crash, draining the toxic water and acid-washing the shell is the safest way to start over.
Acid Wash vs. Chlorine Wash: What is the Difference?
Many homeowners confuse these two drain-and-clean services, but they serve entirely different purposes. A chlorine wash is used primarily to disinfect a pool. If you have a severe green algae bloom but the plaster underneath is still in good condition, we will drain the pool and scrub it with liquid chlorine to kill the organic matter.
An acid wash, on the other hand, is required for inorganic stains and mineral buildup. Chlorine cannot remove calcium scale, hard water stains, or copper discoloration. If your plaster is physically stained or rough to the touch, an acid wash is the only effective solution to restore the smooth, clean finish.
Restoring Pools Across Polk County
Handling large volumes of muriatic acid and safely managing the hydrostatic pressure of a drained pool requires extensive local expertise. We proudly provide safe, fully insured pool acid washing services to homeowners throughout Central Florida. Our local technicians actively service neighborhoods across Lakeland, Lakeland Highlands, Auburndale, Eagle Lake, Bartow, and the surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an acid wash safe for my pool’s plaster?
Yes, when performed by trained professionals. Because the process removes a very thin layer of the surface, it is perfectly safe to do every 3 to 5 years. However, doing it annually will eventually wear your plaster down to the gunite shell. We will assess your pool’s thickness before starting the job.
Can you acid wash a vinyl or fiberglass pool?
No. Acid washing is strictly for plaster, gunite, concrete, or pebble-tec pools. The muriatic acid mixture is far too harsh for vinyl liners or fiberglass gel coats and will cause irreversible damage to those materials. For those pools, we rely on specialized non-acidic treatments.
How long does the entire drain and clean process take?
The entire process generally takes between 2 to 3 days. Day one involves safely pumping out the thousands of gallons of water. Day two involves the chemical scrubbing and neutralization process. Refilling the pool takes another day, followed by a final visit to perfectly balance the new water chemistry.
Do I need to drain the pool myself before you arrive?
No, please do not drain your pool yourself! In Florida, high groundwater levels can actually cause an empty pool to “pop” or float out of the ground if the hydrostatic pressure isn’t managed correctly. Our technicians handle the drainage safely using professional submersible pumps and pressure relief valves.
Is it cheaper to acid wash or resurface my pool?
An acid wash is significantly cheaper. While completely replastering or resurfacing a pool can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000+, a professional acid wash is a fraction of that price and often yields results that look just as good if the underlying plaster is structurally sound.
Bring Your Pool Back to Life
Don’t let stubborn stains and rough scaling ruin your swimming experience. Contact Lakeland Pool Cleaning for a professional structural evaluation and see if an acid wash is the right solution for your backyard.
Call (863) 282-7586If you have any problem regarding Professional Pool Acid Wash Services and Pool Cleaning, please contact us or call at (863) 282-7586.