Changeyez,
I just went through this - pool was filled 10 days ago. I have a pool service that has done my pool for over ten years. jI just did a full remodel including plaster. In theory, I am sold on the TFP way, but I was lacking confidence on the start-up. I hired the pool service to do a start-up package ($500). Then, as luck would have it, the pool was full on a Saturday night at 7:00 PM. I did not want to wait until Monday for the start-up, so I did a crash course in Pool School and went to work, with the help and support of this forum (thanks Kim!). By Monday morning, the hardest part was done, but I still did the start up package for peace of mind. It was good to compare my chemical readings with the readings the pool service got.
In retrospect, I don't think there was any need for it. Certainly if I had it to do over again I wouldn't bother with it. If you follow the instructions on the plaster start up card Kim linked to in order, it is not that difficult. The warranty question is a tough one. In practice, I suspect you would have a hard time collecting from your pool lady if she screwed up. If you keep a log of your start up, showing all your testing and everything you put into the pool with date and time, you should be able to refute any claim that you did not do it properly.
The one concrete piece of advice I can give, if you do it yourself, is to be prepared that it may take a LOT of muriatic acid to get the PH down initially. 1-2 gallons first day is not unusual (I learned afterwards from the pool service). I was initially thrown off because the instructions on the MA jug said not to add more than a quart in 24 hours. Those directions don't contemplate a start up situation.
Good luck!
I just went through this - pool was filled 10 days ago. I have a pool service that has done my pool for over ten years. jI just did a full remodel including plaster. In theory, I am sold on the TFP way, but I was lacking confidence on the start-up. I hired the pool service to do a start-up package ($500). Then, as luck would have it, the pool was full on a Saturday night at 7:00 PM. I did not want to wait until Monday for the start-up, so I did a crash course in Pool School and went to work, with the help and support of this forum (thanks Kim!). By Monday morning, the hardest part was done, but I still did the start up package for peace of mind. It was good to compare my chemical readings with the readings the pool service got.
In retrospect, I don't think there was any need for it. Certainly if I had it to do over again I wouldn't bother with it. If you follow the instructions on the plaster start up card Kim linked to in order, it is not that difficult. The warranty question is a tough one. In practice, I suspect you would have a hard time collecting from your pool lady if she screwed up. If you keep a log of your start up, showing all your testing and everything you put into the pool with date and time, you should be able to refute any claim that you did not do it properly.
The one concrete piece of advice I can give, if you do it yourself, is to be prepared that it may take a LOT of muriatic acid to get the PH down initially. 1-2 gallons first day is not unusual (I learned afterwards from the pool service). I was initially thrown off because the instructions on the MA jug said not to add more than a quart in 24 hours. Those directions don't contemplate a start up situation.
Good luck!