How to Acid Wash a Cartridge Filter for Pool

[@paulakoh4870]

Awesome video. i have just followed you page. But i cant find a video on pool design. I am sure there are calculation to be made on water flow, pump size etc. I need them

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Thank you. That’s funny you should ask because as I’m servicing my pools I have been thinking about making a video about that exact subject. I have a couple of really smartly designed pools and some really poorly designed ones, I just have to take the time to put a video together. Meantime if you want to email me I can give you some do’s and dont’s or suggestions depending on what you expect from having a pool. There are also books about pool building and design that are very helpful. Lucy [e-mail]

[@rlarviso]

Lucy I agree with everything you are saying. I work in the construction industry as an inspector and I totally believe in always placing safety first, safety last and safety always. I understand you are taking shortcuts because time is money. You may agree with me that you are working at personal risk. A lay person who is not a professional would be working at great personal risk following your example. No job is worth one's personal safety. Lucy you are a valuable resource. I thank you for helping us understand how to maintain our pools. I'm sure you realize that you could have done much to improve the video showing or even explaining better safety protocol for those that are not professionals like yourself. Once again thank you for all your help!!

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Thank you for your respectful comment. When I did these videos years ago I didn’t think people were actually going to find me. Obviously I had not grasped the power of the internet. I will review this video and consider redoing it. I have not been able to create new ones because of many, many surgeries. I’m doing better now and will definitely work on a safer explanation next time. Thanks for your honesty and input.

[@erickrhernandez1451]

Will be praying for you Lucy.

[@erickrhernandez1451]

I heard using a product called “simple green” is more efficient and quick. What are your thoughts?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Simple Green is good for deep cleaning of dirt but it won’t remove calcium which is the purpose of using acid. If you’re not in a hard water area you can use SG or liquid chlorine for algae. Thank you for your question. L

[@erickrhernandez1451]

Thank you for taking the time to respond back. I love your videos and I’m a fan of your channel. By any chance do you offer courses?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

@@erickrhernandez1451 Where do you live?

[@erickrhernandez1451]

@@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips Pasadena, Ca.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

@@erickrhernandez1451 Contact me at [e-mail] and we can discuss what I can help you with.

[@erickrhernandez1451]

Lucy……after acid wash, where do I dump out the dirty water/acid ? If I pour it back into the pool, the PH will drop dramatically. And I can’t dump it out in the street? So where is a safe place to pour the dirty water/acid at? And where do I place the cartridges at (location) to rinse off the acid? Can’t be on concrete. Can’t be on grass.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Did you drain the pool into the sewer line?

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Where do you live? There are certain city ordinances.

[@erickrhernandez1451]

Majority of my clients pools don’t have a nearby sewer. Most of them have grass around their pools. I know from another acid wash video you created that i mentioned about “simple green” as a substitute for muratic acid use. I live in Pasadena, ca.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

@@erickrhernandez1451 There’s usually a sewer line in front of most houses. I’ve put a hose in the toilet and shut the lid with a cinder block on top so the hose wouldn’t pop out. You definitely have to have a hose with no leaks. And someone should be home to monitor.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

@@erickrhernandez1451 Simple Green will not remove calcium and stains which is the reason to acid wash.

[@Andrewkafp]

Just put them in a 40 litre bucket with 20 1 litre Hydrochloric Acid. Leave for 4 hours then turn them up the other way for 4 hours. Rinse them off and they are like new.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

I appreciate this, and it’s a good option for homeowners who have the large container and 8 hours. I don’t have the time to do that when I’m in the field. And this works just as well. Thank you for your intelligent comment. Lucy

[@Andrewkafp]

@@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips You are welcome.

[@Andrewkafp]

@@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips It was more for pool owners rather than professional cleaners.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Thanks, Steve. Some guy wrote in and was really angry because I cleaned them near a plant. I had to explain that so much water was used, the plant was not affected. Anyway, glad you liked it and hope it helped. Thanks for watching, Lucy

[@rlarviso]

People can be direct and courteous without getting angry and being disrespectful.

[@tbbaot]

There are spray cleaners that don't contain acid. If you use acid on your cartridge filter be ready to replace your cartridges twice as often because the acid destroys the glue that hold the bands in place

[@babawawasrk]

nice job

[@davidfreeman3747]

My gosh! If that acid had been stronger, some of the water going into it would have likely caused an acid spray directly up out of the container and into poor Lucy's face. Many have said it. Never had water to acid. In this case the muriatic acid must have been weak. And it's okay to add water to vinegar, because you're dealing with very weak acids. But, I bet you could look up a video on KZbin that says what happens when you add water to acid. And, this is even more dangerous because it's being done to a tight mouth container.

[@poolsarecool]

Always add acid to water not water to acid

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Only applies to DRY acid/chemicals. Thank you for your opinion. I do agree that pools are cool. L

[@se4821]

My filter are four years old and still look new. I just hose them off once or twice a summer. How can your pool be that dirty.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

se4821 The external environmental conditions play a big factor. Las Vegas is surrounded by a lot of sand and dirt. We have strong winds which contribute to the debris that blows into the pools. That’s how the pool can be this dirty. Good thing the cartridges are doing their job!

[@200mphBrian]

Just because yours look that way doesn't mean 99% of the other people's do you're very lucky you probably don't have hard water or much calcium as well as other factors for over 90% of people out there this is very valuable information but I guess you're the lucky one who it's not

[@stefanies3299]

Never add water to acid, rather add acid to water.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Applies to DRY chems. Thanks for watching. L

[@jayjohnson5778]

Acid washing the filters will break down the fibers that the filters are made of and destroy the glue that hold the bands around the filter. Why would you ever add water to the acid container on the pool deck?? You could destroy the pool deck.

[@200mphBrian]

The water to acid thing you're right but as far as the acid breaking down the filters yes it will but you only do this once or twice a year and I don't know where you guys live but here in Southwest Florida you're lucky to get 2 years out of your cartridge even if you don't acid wash and about the same time if you do only they work much better

[@RubbeRxD]

Never add water to acid always add acid to water. Never shake the gallon like that, the fumes could cause the container to explode, also the cap could leak spilling acid all along your hands and arms. Wear gloves when doing this. If you want to do it her style then use an empty gallon jug with water then add the acid with a funnel, don't look right above because you will breathe in fumes. Make sure you have a good pair of shoes on in case the acid drips down you don't want it soaking though your shoe. If the acid makes contact with your skin rinse it off with plain water. DO NOT USE SODA ASH OR BAKING SODA! never be careless with acid it will burn your skin off.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Mitchell Galindo I don't really know how to respond to this comment except to say that, according to you, I should probably be maimed, breathing through a respirator, or dead by now. Mitchell, you are more than welcome to share the link to your website/KZbin videos here, if you wish. There is a difference between 'book smart' and 'street smart'. I am almost 60 years old...you probably weren't born when I started servicing pools. But, I do not like to make assumptions. My advice to you is to get your website up and running, shoot some videos, and impart your knowledge and experience to those willing to learn and listen. In all sincerity, I wish you the very best, Lucy

[@erickrhernandez1451]

Lucy….great response.

[@carolluscombe7499]

The muriatic acid was probably already a diluted liquid so adding a little water wouldn't have been so risky.

[@dustyboots1306]

This lady is a hog and safety glasses are for the scared. I was struggling with new casa and pool but her video about circulating systems made the whole thing click for me. No more mysterious, draining hot tub. Thanks for the great videos!

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Dusty Boots Thank you. L

[@mikiesmile]

This is so dangerous how she’s doing this. You add acid to the water you wear gloves you wear goggles you make sure you do not inhale the muriatic acid. I prefer tall bucket with the solution in it dip them in soak them and pull them out

[@rlarviso]

I agree with everything you are saying safety first, safety last and safety always. She is taking shortcuts because she is a contractor and time is money. She is working at great personal risk. No job is worth personal safety. Lucy is a valuable resource and I thank her for helping us understand how to maintain our pools. I'm sure she realizes she could have done much to improve this video to show safety protocol better.

[@Brottworks]

I'm not a pool professional, but know it's VERY VERY DANGEROUS to EVER add water to acid!!!!! You add acid to water!!!!! and WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!!!!

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

(Going through archived messages). The only dangerous thing is adding water to DRY chemicals. That's all. I've been doing this for 30 years. Ya think I'd be maimed and/or dead by now according to your comment. Obviously if your scenario was the case, I would have been blasted by acid in my face. I'm happy to report that I am fine. And I am a pool professional. Thank you for your input. Lucy

[@guzman6373]

lucyspools hi were can i buy the acid is beam sold to public

[@oceandrew]

+guzman6373 A pool supply store will sell you muriatic acid. I think you can even find it at any home improvement center.

[@billpatterson3465]

I like the video. I think the difference between someone with lots of experience, like Lucy, and someone who may be new to pool maintenance is knowing how things react to each other. Acid to water, gloves, air masks are very valid points, especially if someone is new to pool care and may be careless. I have a feeling that your strong experience keeps you out of any trouble with it. I'd hope someone who hasn't ever done any of this uses some more precautionary measures just for personal safety. Thanks for the video.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

+Bill Patterson Thanks for your observations and intelligent analysis. Yes, to me working with these chemicals is second nature. I do try to demonstrate some precautions, but because I already know on such a deep level how to be safe, I don't always express it as clearly as I could. On my most recent acid wash video I discussed the acid-to-water issue (it really only matters when using dry chemicals, but it's just as easy to play it safe). And honestly using gloves, masks etc. can be cumbersome and dangerous, that's why I don't use them. Anyway Bill, thanks again for taking the time to write. I appreciate an objective, rational point of view. And thank you for watching, Lucy

[@jaydee2593]

Wow, just because something is second nature to you doesn’t make it the correct and safe way of doing a task. If you’re going to put videos up as instructions then you need to learn to give correct, detailed and safe instructions. From a safty standpoint this video is a failure. Additionally, if you are putting videos up that could result in other people getting hurt, you need to learn to accept criticism. You come off like an angry know it all when your procedures are obviously careless and dangerous.

[@knoxvillepoolcleaning2636]

Do as you ought to & add acid to ya water... You may have been in business for a long time but the fact that you didnt know not to add water to acid is very scary...

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

Adding water to LIQUID acid is not a problem, otherwise a reaction would have been recorded for everyone to see. The problem is when a person adds water to DRY acid, or any dry chemical. THAT is a big fat no-no.

[@groverscorner2364]

Lucy I know your working your arse off out there, but I have so many problems with this (video..theology, business plan??). Biggest problem is that you let cheap owners management rule your decisions. those Cartridges are way past there prime with the missing bands, and the time and effort you put into acid washing them should cost enough that it's truly better that you sold them new ones.....it's this shallow unprofessional business style that keeps hard working knowledgeable pool techs making minimum wage..

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

+wayne maynard Hi Wayne. First of all, my "shallow unprofessional business style" has benefited me for more than thirty years. If my business practice wasn't as lucrative as it is, I would not have stayed in this business for as long as I have. The reality is...when dealing with property managers I am very selective. But I am also very loyal. If I service ten pools of theirs, and one idiot home owner doesn't want to buy new cartridges, I will deal with it for the sake of keeping the relationship with the property manager. I don't know why you think pool techs make minimum wage. They obviously don't know what they are doing if that's the case. A knowledgeable pool tech can make from $20.00 to $200 per hour, depending on the level of experience they bring to the job. Also, many of my videos are for the average homeowner, those who can't afford buying new cartridges. So I am showing them how to extend the life of their equipment. Thanks for your input and taking the time to write, Lucy

[@dennisskinner2339]

That cartridge should be thrown out. It will never filter correctly with broken bands.

[@Lucyspools-diy-service-tips]

I agree with you to a point. The situation with this cartridge was that the home was a rental and the guy living in it was reckless so the owner didn't want to invest in a new cartridge. It seemed like a good opportunity to demonstrate acid washing. The band issue can be remedied by wrapping the cartridge with electric ties. Sounds McGyver but many people can't afford new cartridges. I'm just showing them a way to extend the life for a little while. Thanks

[@colinhackworth5570]

That was horrible cleaning job