Start-Up for Plastered Pools

Every newly plastered pool will require a 28 day “Start Up” procedure, and it is crucial that someone monitors the pool closely, whether it be a homeowner (even with basic pool knowledge) or your local pool service professional. The majority of the curing phase for pool plaster occurs within the first 28 days, and this is a critical time in which the pool water chemistry needs to be balanced, and the pool surface brushed.

The 4 basic key points for a 28 day “Start Up”

• Balance pool water chemistry.

• Brush the entire surface of pool often. The more you brush, the more beautiful of a finish you will get.

• Keep pool water clean & vacuum any plaster dust or debris.

• No salt for the first 28 days. The longer you can go without salt, the better.

Day 1 - POOL FILLING DAY

• Make sure the equipment is set and has power.

• Fill the pool with clean water as rapidly as possible, without interruption, to the appropriate level. It’s recommended the pool be filled by water trucks. PlasterRock Pools can usually organize water trucks to fill your pool, for an additional cost to the water truck company. Pool fill water is never included.

• At no time should any person or pet be in the pool prior to the complete filling of the pool.

• Start pump and filtration system when pool is full, water should be half way up the skimmer. Do not turn on heater.

• Once pool is circulating, dump in provided or recommended “start up” chemicals. Do not dump all in one spot.

• You may start brushing the pool on Day 1, a few hours after filling is complete.

DAY 2

• Start filtration system & pumps if you haven’t yet.

• Test water chemistry, record results.

• Adjust pH to 7.2. If bringing pH down, use pre-diliuted muriatic acid (liquid).

• Adjust TA (total alkalinity) to 80-100 ppm, if bringing TA down, use pre-diluted muriatic acid (liquid).

  • When adding pre-diluted muriatic acid, try to disperse throughout the pool, not dumping it in one spot.

• Brush ENTIRE surface of pool, thoroughly. You may brush more than once a day. More brushing, the better.

• Vacuum any plaster/calcium dust with soft brush vacuum head, nothing aggressive. Backwash filter after.

DAYS 3-7

• Test water chemistry daily, record results.

• Adjust pH to 7.2 - 7.6 and TA (total alkalinity) to 80-100ppm.

• Once pH & TA are at desired levels, start to adjust Calcium Hardness to 200 - 300ppm.

• Introduce Chlorine to the pool. Use pre-diluted or pre-dissolved. Bring Chlorine levels to 1.5 - 3ppm.

  • NO SALT FOR FIRST 28 DAYS

• Once water has started to clear up and is free of plaster dust, you may turn the pool heater on and start swimming in the pool.

• Brush entire surface of pool daily.

• Vacuum any dust/debris daily.

WEEKS 2-4

• Continue to test water chemistry every 2 to 4 days. Record results.

• Begin to adjust all water chemistry parameters according to the chart below.

• Brush & vacuum the pool every 2 to 3 days.

Water Chemistry

PH 7.2 - 7.6 ppm

Alkalinity 80 - 120 ppm

Calcium Hardness 200 - 400 ppm

Free Available Chlorine (FAC) 1 to 3 ppm

Total Available Chlorine (TAC) 1 to 3 ppm

Cyanuric Acid 30-50 ppm

Metals 0 ppm

Salt Level 2500 - 3500 ppm (Salt Chlorination Only, after 28 day startup)