Struggling! Don’t know how to pressure wash a pool safely and effectively? This step-by-step guide covers tools, techniques, and safety tips to get your pool sparkling clean.
For most homes, a pool is a source of pride and accomplishment. You can relax by the pool after a long day’s work or during weekends, your kids and neighbor’s kids can play in the pool, and you can host parties by the pool; the possibilities of what you can do with a pool are endless. If you are planning on having a barbeque party by the pool or want to host a kids’ play date by the pool, the next logical step is to clean your pool to make sure it is ready.
Pools accumulate dirt over time, so if you are a new pool owner and have no idea how or where to start cleaning your pool, you’ve come to the right place. Luckily for you, pressure washers were invented to help you with these sorts of cleaning jobs. In this guide, we will show you how to pressure wash a pool, starting with the requirements below;
How to Pressure Wash Concrete/Plaster Pools
Determine the type of pool you have
Pools have different shapes and sizes and are constructed from different types of materials.
You will find that some materials are more durable than others, and therefore, you should take extra care when cleaning your swimming pool.
If you are not familiar with construction material, do a quick internet search or seek professional advice to find out the construction material of your pool.
Swimming pools constructed from tough materials such as concrete, plaster, or exposed aggregate are robust and can handle abrasive methods of cleaning as well as the power of a pressure washer without getting damaged.
On the other hand, swimming pools that are constructed out of materials such as fiberglass and vinyl are not as robust and must be cleaned using chemical solutions or treatments such as chlorine.
Note: Please read the user manual of the pressure washers carefully before washing your pool. Some materials are not suitable for pressure washing as they can be damaged by extreme pressure.
Tools & Equipment
Once you’ve determined that your pool is made of concrete, plaster, or exposed aggregate, you can go ahead and prepare the following items: a gas/electric pressure washer, detergent, a sweeping broom, a high-pressure hose, quick-connect nozzles, and other aftermarket pressure washer accessories you think might apply.
On the other hand, if your pool is made of fiberglass or vinyl, you might notice a steady buildup of chemical, metal, and organic stains on the pool’s floor and walls.
Use chemical solutions to eliminate these stains. Each stain requires different chemical compositions to remove, so you need to purchase the right chemicals for the different stain types.
You also need to know how to mix the chemicals so that pH, calcium, and alkalinity levels are spot on.
Washing Guide – 6 Pro Steps For Washing Pool
If you happen to own the only pool in your neighborhood, you don’t want it to look like a pool from a ghost town or a horror movie. A dirty pool not only looks bad but can be a breeding ground for bacteria and flies such as mosquitoes.
At best, a dirty pool exposes your family members and pets to diseases, and worst case scenario, it can be a death trap waiting to happen. If you want to avoid such a scenario, the steps below should help you clean the pool;
#1. Drain Pool
Start by draining the pool. In this step, we recommend you collect and recycle the water for house chores such as car cleaning, carpet cleaning, garage cleaning, patio cleaning, and others.
Once the water has been drained completely, allow the pool to dry and sweep the debris that’s accumulated on the pool’s floor. Next, insulate all electrical equipment in the cleaning area.
#2. Start With Walls First
The walls should be your first target. When cleaning the walls, be as systematic as possible and move from wall to wall to ensure you don’t miss any spot or wall when cleaning.
The first step is to get the wall you’re cleaning completely. Next, apply the detergent, working from the bottom up, and allow it to sit for about 5 – 10 minutes to break down stains and other forms of dirt.
In this step, it is vital to keep the walls in a constant state of wetness. Don’t allow the detergent and the dirt residue to dry on the walls, as it might prove a challenge to flush off the wall.
After giving the detergent ample time to work its magic, the next step is rinsing. This should be done with a wide-angle pressure nozzle for low pressure.
Spray the walls thoroughly to flush the detergent and dirt residue, working from the top down. Lastly, repeat this process on all walls.
#3. Washing Floor
Once you’ve cleaned the walls, move on to the floor. Repeat the process you used on the walls on the floor.
Wet the floor, spray it down with detergent, allow the detergent to sit and work its magic for a few minutes, and rinse the floor thoroughly.
#4. Removing Algae Layer
Algae growth is a common occurrence in concrete/plaster pools, and you need to eradicate it when cleaning your pool.
To get rid of algae, you need to spray it off using high-pressure water and later treat the pool with chemical solutions to ensure it does not grow back.
Once you’ve rinsed the pool, simply mix an algaecide solution and scrub the infested areas using a tough brush. Give the algaecide solution ample time to work its magic, and then rinse it off thoroughly with clean water. That should do the trick of eliminating algae from your pool.
Remember never to run chemical solutions such as bleach, chlorine, and algaecides through your pressure washer to protect it from damage. See how to use a pressure washer.
#5. Use a Turbo Nozzle
If you own an old pool that hasn’t been cleaned in years, you need to bring out heavy-duty cleaning artillery to take care of the heavily encrusted stains that may have formed on your pool’s walls and floor.
Here, a turbo nozzle will help you get rid of stubborn stains, grime, and filth from your pool with great efficiency and ease.
Turbo nozzles will produce a high-pressure jet and then rotate the jet rapidly to provide maximum cleaning power while limiting the damage of a high-pressure jet on surfaces.
#6. Re-fill the Pool
After the cleaning exercise, rinse the pool once again thoroughly. This is done to get rid of any chemicals that may be looming on the walls or floor. Next, drain the contaminated water and give the pool ample time to dry.
Collect any leftover residue and clear all cleaning equipment from the pool. Lastly, fill the pool with fresh water, and you’re good to go.
Please note that the steps outlined above are meant to clean concrete and plaster pools.
Vinyl or fiberglass pools require an utterly different cleaning method. If you are not comfortable washing a pool yourself, we recommend not doing it.
Perhaps you can contact some pool cleaning service providers in your area. But be ready for that hefty bill.
Conclusion: How to pressure wash a Pool?
If you own an outdoor pool, you will have to manage dirt. Dirt’s range from dust, leaves, twigs, pebbles, and other debris that may enter the pool. This dirt accumulates over time, and it’s better to stay on top of it. Having a cleaning and maintenance schedule for your pool ensures it always looks good and is ready for use.
Lastly, if you own a concrete pool, you can clean it yourself as the job is straightforward. However, things are more complicated with vinyl and fiberglass pools. You need to know which chemicals to buy.
I also have some chemistry knowledge on how to mix chemical solutions to achieve the correct pH levels. Mixing chemicals can be a little frightening. Therefore, we recommend retaining the services of a professional pool cleaner.
