Draining/Acid Wash Treatment of a swimming pools finish is a maintenance
procedure usually required periodically throughout the life of a swimming pool.
However, since these procedures involve draining the swimming pool and applying
chemicals to the plaster, there are certain risks involved not normally associated
with day to day maintenance procedures and which are not within the control of the
pool service person. The purpose of this statement is to provide you the customer,
with additional information concerning these procedures and inform you of some of
the risks involved and the typical results of such procedures.
Draining
Periodic draining of swimming pool water is a common maintenance practice. lt is
routinely performed to remove water that has become hard or laden with excessive
minerals or to perform needed repairs to a pool. Normally, removal of water from a
pool does not cause a problem. However, there are a few things that can happen
which you should be aware. When the water is removed, the pool may raise out of
the ground, a condition often caused by hydrostatic pressure (i.e., too much
moisture in the soil). Once exposed to the air, tiles may fall off the pool; plaster can
shrink, expand, crack, blister, flake or pop off, etc. These problems do not normally
occur and are beyond the control of the person who has drained the water.
However, the possibility of these problems occurring can be reduced by not draining
the pool during the rainy times of the year or leaving the pool empty for more than
48 hours during hot or dry weather before refilling. Repairs that require the
draining of a pool should be expedited and the pool refilled as soon as possible.
Acid Washing/Acid Treatments
The decision to use acid procedures to remove stains and mineral buildup from a
pools surface should be very carefully considered. Under most circumstances,
staining or mineral buildup takes many months or years to accumulate. While acid
treatments are recognized as a common procedure for removal, there are several
problems that may occur. The process of applying acid to plaster surfaces may
cause the surface to etch, become rough or expose the aggregate in the plaster mix.
To what degree this occurs depends on the concentration of acid, the temperament
of the stain being removed and the quality and condition of the plaster itself. In
some cases cracking, thinning or delaminating of the tile and plaster could be a pre-
existing condition and is beyond the control of the acid wash applicator.
Consideration should be given to the experience and recommendation of the
applicator and if you have any doubts, seek a second opinion or additional
information. An evenly colored, smooth texture after an acid procedure is a totally
unrealistic expectation. The stains most likely took a long period of time to develop
and could be embedded deeply into the plaster material. At best the consumer can
expect the pool's appearance to look brighter than before, with some stains
remaining. Sanding will aid in the restoration of the pool's surface texture.
Non-Compliant Drain Covers
When it comes to pool safety, multiple layers of protection are crucial. That is one of
the reasons why on December 19, 2007, President George W. Bush signed The
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007. The act is intended to
increase the safety of swimming pools and spas by motivating states to pass laws
that incorporate layers of protection in order to help prevent drowning, drain
entrapment and hair entanglements. It's important for all pool owners to know
about these safety requirements, make the appropriate upgrades and take
precautionary measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming season for family,
friends, visitors and members alike. We strongly encourage all pool owners to add a
safety vacuum release system, split main drains and anti-vortex drain covers. Any
or all of these provide additional layers of protection. Whether you are a residential
or public pool owner, safety should always come first. To help you understand the
Safety Act and its requirements, we recommend that you review the summary of the
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act as presented on the Association of
Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) website. Additionally, if we find after draining
your pool/spa, that you have non-compliant drain covers, we will replace them with
compliant, anti-vortex drain covers at an additional cost. By signing where indicated
below, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the risks and other
information disclosed above, that the above listed problems may occur and that
complete removal of all stains is not guaranteed nor represented.
POOL DRAINING/ACID WASH INFORMATION
When your pool is being drained for an acid wash, tile cleaning or any other reason,
please remember the following guidelines: 1) Be very careful; an empty pool is more
dangerous than a full one. Always watch your children! 2) Our pump is equipped
with an automatic shut off device. However, there will be a small amount of water
left in the bowl of the pool. 3) DO NOT turn on any pool equipment while the pool is
empty. 4) DO NOT turn on your pool light or spa light. 5) After we complete the
work on your pool, we will start refilling immediately. DO NOT stop the filling
process until the water level is at least halfway up the tile line (mid line of the
skimmer).This usually takes between 24 and 36 hours. If during the filling process,
you need to slow the water flow so it will not overfill during the night you may do so.
Be sure to increase the water pressure in the hose in the morning.
TILE CLEANING
1. During the cleaning process, with water in the pool, a portion of the cleaning material and scale particles will remain suspended in the water. These will eventually fall to the floor or be picked up by the filtration system. The quantities are so minimal that there is no effect/damage to your system.
2. Much like other cleaning methods, when you clean a hard surface, there is a chance for a slight wear of the surface. It is normal using this process. Depending on the age of the tile, methods previously used, how many times cleaned, and thickness of the “scale”, the effects may or may not be noticeable prior to blasting. Additional vacuuming and back washing of the system may be necessary by homeowner or your pool service company, this avoids a trip charge on our part.
3. This is an abrasive process that, though highly unlikely, can cause damage to the surface being blasted. This will remove most, if not all, of the calcium deposits on the tile but may not be perfect and will not make your tile “new” again. Discoloration of different surface types may be visible once completed.
4. When using Salt or Maaxstrip there is a possibility of a film or residue to be left on the tile or deck area despite best clean ups. It will come off with water, homeowner can rinse down tile or deck to remove any haze if there is one.
5. We are “blasting” with a compressor and due to wind or other variables it can be
possible that some residue or material is left over despite best clean ups.
By providing us your authorization to do the job, you accept all the Disclosure/Conditions.
Undersigned agrees that payment for services is due upon completion and that if these terms are not fulfilled and collection has to be pursued, any attorney or collection fees will be the responsibility of the customer.