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DRAIN AND ACID WASH

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND

ACKNOLEDGEMENT

Draining and/or acid wash treatment of a swimming pool’s finish are maintenance procedures usually needed 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 serviceperson. The purpose of this statement is to provide you, the customer, with additional information concerning these procedures, to inform you of some of the risks involved and what the typical results of such procedures are.

DRAINING

Periodic draining of swimming pool water is a common maintenance practice. It 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 causes no problems. However there are a few things that can happen of which you should be aware. When the water is removed, the pool may rise out of the ground, a condition often times caused by hydrostatic pressure (i.e., too much moisture in the soil). Once exposed to the air, tile may fall off the pool, the plaster can shrink, expand, crack, blister, flake, pop off, etc. These problems do not normally occur, and are beyond the control of the person who has simply “drained the water”. However, not draining the pool during wetter times of the year, or leaving the pool empty for more than 48 hours during hot or dry weather before refilling can reduce the possibility of these problems. Repairs that require the draining of a pool should be made as quickly as possible and the pool should be refilled as soon as possible.

ACID WASHING/ACID TREATMENTS

The decision to use acid procedures to remove stains and mineral buildup from a pool’s 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 and/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.

BY SIGNING IN THE PLACE INDICATED BELOW YOU ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RISKS AND OTHER INFORMATION DISCLOSED ABOVE, THAT THE ABOVE LISTED PROBLEMS MAY OCCUR, AND THAT COMPLETE REMOVAL OF ALL STAINS IS NOT GUARANTEED OR REPRESENTED.