Construction Hold up and Closing Pool

[blueberryabode]

We are (what we thought was) in the home stretch of our pool being finished. We are end of August right now and live near Washington, DC, and were really hoping our pool would be finished by Sept. 1. Doesn't look like that will happen now. since we have run into subcontractor decking complications with work schedule and material. My question is if we open the pool for a few weeks end of September and then pretty much close it within a couple of weeks is that ok for PebbleSheen finish? Is it better to try and keep it open as long as possible? I am not sure why I am worried about this but something in my gut is telling me to ask this question.

 

[Newdude]

You're fine staying open in MD laaaaaate into the season. You probably won't see sustained freezing temps until Jan.

I go to mid Nov and close when the SWG shuts off with 50 degree water. I could go much later but I have this thing about not lugging jugs.

 

[ajw22]

You will not like this answer but I would let everything get done except for plaster and delay your plaster until the Springtime.

Plaster needs the proper chemistry during curing that really takes a few months and as much as a year. Even new plaster that is 6 months old can develop issues if the pool is closed for a few months.

You definitely need to have the pool open for at least 6 weeks to get the plaster through its start-up period and then get the water chemistry balanced for closing.

And then you have the Fall with leaves falling into the pool which can make a mess and stain plaster. That can cause you problems if your pool is open past October.

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

You're fine staying open in MD laaaaaate into the season. You probably won't see sustained freezing temps until Jan.

I go to mid Nov and close when the SWG shuts off with 50 degree water. I could go much later but I have this thing about not lugging jugs.

You should note in that type of response that you have a vinyl pool on Long Island with few trees around.

I think there are other environmental factor in play for the OP that you do not have.

For some reason you choose not to have a signature like we ask all other members to have so that responses can be put in the right context.

 

[Newdude]

I think there are other environmental factor in play for the OP that you do not have

A soft close while running under the cover would alleviate heavy debris for the fall if applicable.

I soft closed/opened every year when I had trees.

 

[blueberryabode]

You will not like this answer but I would let everything get done except for plaster and delay your plaster until the Springtime.

Plaster needs the proper chemistry during curing that really takes a few months and as much as a year. Even new plaster that is 6 months old can develop issues if the pool is closed for a few months.

You definitely need to have the pool open for at least 6 weeks to get the plaster through its start-up period and then get the water chemistry balanced for closing.

And then you have the Fall with leaves falling into the pool which can make a mess and stain plaster. That can cause you problems if your pool is open past October.

I am uncertain of vocabulary but we have concrete in our pool right now. It is primed for PebbleSheen - is PebbleSheen Plaster? We are waiting for the deck to be done before we do the PebbleSheen and water. We would be able to keep our pool open until Thanksgiving. I would imagine if we have water in the pool by end of September that would be ok. Are you telling me that timeline is risky? Photo is where we currently are in the project.

 

[ajw22]

I am uncertain of vocabulary but we have concrete in our pool right now.

You have gunite/Shotcrete pool shell now.

It is primed for PebbleSheen - is PebbleSheen Plaster?

yes.

We are waiting for the deck to be done before we do the PebbleSheen and water. We would be able to keep our pool open until Thanksgiving. I would imagine if we have water in the pool by end of September that would be ok. Are you telling me that timeline is risky?

Yes. It may work out or it may not. You run the risk of scale on your pool surfaces due to high pH while closed.

 

[blueberryabode]

We have an autocover, we live in MD .... can we keep the pool open year round?

 

[blueberryabode]

You have gunite/Shotcrete pool shell now.



yes.



Yes. It may work out or it may not. You run the risk of scale on your pool surfaces due to high pH while closed.

We have an autocover, we live in MD, can we keep the pool open year round? Is that a better option than closing it all?

 

[ajw22]

We have an autocover, we live in MD .... can we keep the pool open year round?

You have a backup generator?

Even those in Texas get bit from a hard freeze and power loss.

 

[Newdude]

You should note in that type of response that you have a vinyl pool on Long Island with few trees around.

For some reason you choose not to have a signature so that responses can be put in the right context.

 

[ajw22]

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Ok, I am done bugging people to complete their signature. If you do not care, then I don’t.