Estimate material costs, muriatic acid needed, and what to charge for a pool acid wash job.
Total plaster surface: floor + walls. Typical: 400-800 sq ft
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An acid wash (also called a drain and clean) removes a thin layer of plaster to expose the fresh, white surface underneath. It's one of the highest-margin one-time services a pool company can offer.
Industry standard is $350-$600 for a standard residential pool (400-600 sq ft surface). Large pools or heavy staining run $600-$1,000+. Your price should cover materials, labor (4-8 hours), drain/refill water cost, and profit margin.
Draining takes 8-12 hours (usually overnight). The acid wash itself takes 4-6 hours for one person. Refilling takes another 8-12 hours. Total: 2 days from start to swim-ready. Most pros drain the night before and wash the next morning.
Standard white plaster can typically handle 3-4 acid washes over its lifetime before it becomes too thin. Each wash removes about 1/16" of material. After 3+ washes, start recommending replaster to the customer.
Requirements vary by state and municipality. Some areas require a contractor's license for drain-and-clean work. Check your local licensing board. Many pool service companies add acid washes as an upsell without additional licensing, but verify your local rules.
No-drain acid wash (acid wash with water in the pool) uses diluted acid applied to walls while the pool is partially drained. It's less effective than a full drain-and-wash but works for light staining. Price is typically 60-70% of a full acid wash.
PoolDial generates branded estimates for acid washes, replasters, and other one-time jobs. Send quotes from your phone in the field.
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