Florida woman finally building a pool!

I was thinking there is a chance we will have a pool by 4th of July but super told me plaster is a 2 day process and then 5 days before can swim. But if I have a pool before the summer is over I will be so happy!!
 
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Well...............................it REALLY depends on what kind of start up they do on the pool................just saying...............ask him what kind of start up they do and let me know...........I know SOME PB have the directions like this:
1-fill with water
2-when water get halfway up the waterline time stop water
3-jump in pool and enjoy!!!

Just saying.........................
 
The waiting depends on the start up used. If they do this start up:

Bicarbonate Start-up

The bicarbonate start-up is a relatively new approach, not as common as the two above. It is a rather technical process that requires some special equipment so we will only list the procedures from the point the pool owner might be expected to take over. It is especially useful with dark plaster.

  • The Bicarb start-up raises the alkalinity level as the pool fills with water.
  • Maintain TA between 150-300 ppm and pH below 8.2 for first month

  • After three weeks, lower TA slowly to desired level by adding acid in small amounts. This will gradually lower the TA over a period of time. Scale will not form if the pH is always kept below 8.2. Once TA is at desired range adjust pH to 7.4 to 8.0.




    For more specific information on the Bicarb start-up, see this link: A Bicarb start-up guide for TFP members
 
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Actually going to paste what he said. Maybe its 3 days after plaster and sounds like they need to come out and start the equipment. I also get the testing stuff at that point, and then I can see what I need to order from TFP.

From Supervisor:
The plaster company starts the water when they are finished. The plaster is a two day process. When the pool is filled we send out a service tech to start up your equipment and he will add chemicals to the water. So it will still be a period of about five days before the water out and you can swim. The office will be in contact with you about this process. From that point forward the service department and the office takes over your job.
 
I would get the TF100 test kit now because the kit they will give you will suck at best and not work... They get the cheapest kit in life...
 
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There was one PB that gave out a USED bottle of SAMPLE test strips! There were only 3 strips in the bottle and they were ruined by the humidity :shock: I say go ahead and get YOUR good test kit. At the very least ask them what test kit they give out and go from there.
 
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HI!! No updates for a while as was waiting for safety inspection which was a drawn out process and plaster. Actually they started plaster yesterday until I asked is that Stonescapes mini pebble Aqua White? And everything stopped! They were an hour into the process, maybe 1/5th of first layer. It was Caribbean which is what I originally chose 8 months ago before changing to Aqua white. They came back this morning and plastered the correct color. Left at 11 and it started raining at 12:30 :-(. Its a light rain, and about 3 minutes of hard. There may be more light rain for another hour but I swear the radar is changing what I am reading every few minutes. They did cover in plastic but not everything is covered. Should I be worried? Acid wash is tomorrow and will post more pictures once filled. Hardest part will be waiting 5 days to swim as they add chemicals and do not want swimming with all the chemicals.
 

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I’ve been wondering how your pool was coming along. Good catch! I think you picked a fabulous color 😉. I can’t see why you can’t swim for 5 days. That seems a tad over excessive. You can even swim in a pool at SLAM level. I wouldn’t think they’d put that many chemicals in. But the advice I got on here was to write down everything they put in and the amounts Then come on here and see what you need to do to fix it ☺️.

Are you going to have a Labor Day party?
 
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Swimming in the pool after new plaster REALLY depends on the "start up" they are doing. If it is the acid bath start up it is NOT good for your body to swim in it as they take the pH down. If it is the "traditional" start up where they plaster then spray acid on the walls then rinse them off then it is no big deal to swim in it right away.
 
oh @Nikilyn great tip! I completely forgot about that. I will do that! I think its what KimKats said, acid bath start up, waiting for the people to show up actually. They said 3-5 days so maybe at 3 days it will be ok. I have waited so long that I don't want to get too excited incase any wrenches pop up :). But I have in the back of my mind thought, OMG we could actually have a pool for Labor Day! But because of Covid and how crazy things are in Florida right now, we would just have a couple of people over. I also cant catch anything since we have a trip in Sept.

My other issue is we go out of town in early September. I read we need to brush the pool for 30 days. Not sure if I trust my 16 year old to do it, if she will do it properly. Teens can get lazy. I might have to hire a pool company to do it as we will be gone for 11 days.

One question is our pool is Salt. I was going to order the chemicals once I knew what they were giving me. They have not given me anything yet, probably next week when I am given the ok to swim. Looking at the two kits recommended here there is a big price difference, I rather not pay $165 unless I absolutely need to. Am I ok with the TF-100 kit? Or do I really need the other more pricey kit? Or should I just wait to see what they will give me?
 
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I understand how you feel nervous about going out of town during this time. We went to Hawaii for 9 days. I was nervous leaving my 27 yr old son in charge of it 😂.
You should really get some liquid chlorine, CYA and muriatic acid to have on hand. As for the kit, I think we bought the more expensive one. Is that the one with the speed stir and also the Wall Whale brush? You really want the speed stir. It will make your life so much easier. I really like the brush too. We had a regular one before and this one is so bunch easier to brush. But don’t wait, get them ordered now.
 
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Thanks @Nikilyn! That is what I needed to hear. I saw it has the speed stir so if it will make my life easier I am sold! Ok, going to go order it right now and hopefully it arrives in time. Will get the other stuff over the weekend too. I heard liquid chorine is hard to find so hopefully I luck out. Since a SWG do I just need to buy what you listed? Liquid chlorine, CYA and muriatic acid? Or do I also need to buy salt? I don't think the SWG is installed for a couple of weeks. And I think one of the chemicals you should not store in a garage? Do you just keep outside? I am REALLY green with all of this! Know nothing and trying to remember from all the stuff I read.
 
Oh, you need a salt test kit. Don’t get the strips. Order it with the other stuff. Your SWG can’t be used for a month.
We store our chemicals on the back patio. We try to keep them separated.
 
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Here is a good like to storage:
 
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The day has come!! My pool is being filled with water!! No clue when can swim but fingers crossed this weekend. I see plaster areas that are not perfect. Is this normal or something I should have them fix? What do you guys think?
 

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Plater is handmade work at its best... every pool has it own look and feel with plaster.. unless something is really messed up like the wrong color or wrong material was used or major trowel marks.. It looks like they did a really nice job, there are some high spots and low spots but under water you will never notice it and should blend in nicely.. :)

I would put the hose down in the water and not let it splash or fall down the edge like it is.. that could make water streaks in the plaster...
 

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