Phoenix, AZ
(480) 818-7235

Asked before nearly every first job

Straight answers on draining, sealer, cost and how long it lasts

Most of what pool owners ask comes down to one worry: will this hurt my tile or empty my pool? It will not. The water comes down 6 to 8 inches, the calcium comes off, and the glaze stays on. The rest is below, in Andy Davidson's own words.

The visit itself

The gauge shows the band that matters. The old waterline sits at zero, and the water drops to about eight inches below it so the white scale is fully out of the water.

No. We lower the water level 6 to 8 inches below the area to be cleaned with a commercial grade water pump, which fully exposes the calcium staining. The rest of the pool stays full.

No. We just need access to the pool, a source of power and a water source.

Immediately. No harsh chemicals that are hazardous to your health are used. Depending on the media used for your surface, the water may look cloudy at first until it is filtered, and it is back to clear in 24 to 36 hours.

No. Ceramic and porcelain pool tiles carry a clear glaze. Blasting with the wrong media destroys that glaze, and sealer gets applied to cover the damage, which yellows over time in the sun. We use the correct media for your surface composition and do not damage the tile, so sealant is not needed.

Phoenix hard water

Your water and your tile

Calcium is part of owning a pool here. What you control is how fast it comes back.

Phoenix has naturally hard water, so calcium build up on pool tile and other surfaces is inevitable. A white line forms at the waterline when the pH runs too high for a while, which proper pH balance controls. Calcium can also bleed through the grout from the surface underneath; that can be cleaned, but it comes back and needs periodic treatment.

There is no set time, because it depends on your water chemistry. Most pools will not need another service for two to four years. Keep calcium hardness between 200 ppm and 400 ppm; if it runs too high, drain the pool halfway.

A different job from tile blasting

How pool draining and acid washing works

Water saturated with hard-water minerals stains the interior surface of a pool over the years. Draining the pool and acid washing it deals with that. The acid cleaning solution removes contaminants, algae and dirt, brightens and sanitizes the interior, and takes out most of the surface staining. It is a great economical solution to renew your pool.

Arizona is hard on pools. Hard water, extreme summer temperatures and high evaporation all concentrate minerals, so a pool should be drained and acid washed every two to four years. That is separate from calcium removal on the tile, where the pool stays full and the water only drops 6 to 8 inches.

If the staining is mostly at the waterline, on a spillway or on stone, start with calcium removal. If the whole interior has gone dull or stained, read about acid washing and draining. Not sure which one your pool needs? Send a few photos and Andy will tell you over the phone.

Cost and timing

An average size pool with average staining runs $350 to $450. Photos and a few answers get you a free estimate by phone.

In general, an average size pool with average staining ranges from $350 to $450. By answering a few simple questions and providing some photos, we can give you a free estimate over the phone at (480) 818-7235.

With Arizona's hard water, extreme summer temperatures and high evaporation, every two to four years.

Send a few photos, get a price over the phone

Call (480) 818-7235 or ask for a free quote. Nobody has to be home when the work is done, and you can swim right after.

Call (480) 818-7235

See the finished work in the before and after gallery or browse all four services.