New Plaster Pool Startup Issues

[lisamarie457]

We just had our 23k saltwater gunite pool replastered. We were given no instruction with the startup process with the company that replastered and were told to go to the pool supplier for startup instructions. Well... they led me down the wrong path and I am regretting not doing more research into starting up a newly plastered pool. They had me shock the pool which I am learning is not advised as it can cause issues with the curing process. Ive contacted the pool plaster company and sen them these pictures which show some streaking. He is saying that it's normal as it's still curing. What do you think?

Pool replastered 5/16.
On 5/17 I adjusted alkalinity slowly by adding balance Pak.
I then added some pH down in the evening on 5/17.
I added CYA via the sock method in the evening on 5/17.
Here's where they steered me wrong by telling me to add shock, which I did in the evening bringing the chlorine way up on 5/17.
We did add 1 quart Jack's magic magenta stuff (sequestrant) on 5/20.

Current test results:
FC 12 (but was as high as 22 a few days ago)
pH 7.8
TA 140
CYA 40
CH 125

We are not running the salt system.
We have been diligent with brushing.
We are not using a robotic vacuum.

Thank you!!

 

[ajw22]

Plaster can stand a lot of abuse during startup.

The streaking would probably be there either way.

Your pool needs calcium. You MUST add calcium chloride and raise your CH up to at least 250.

Calcium Hardness - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Let your FC drift down toward 4 and keep it around 4 for the rest of the 28 day curing period.

High FC during startup can bleach the color from the plaster.

Your pH, TA, and CYA are acceptable.

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[lisamarie457]

Thank you for the reply. I am referencing the National Plaster Council startup guide.

National Plasters Council Procedure | NPT Pool Finishes | NPTpool.com

If you’re a builder, remodeler, or home owner with a brand new plaster pool finish, it’s critical that you follow the steps in this guide to protect and prolong the life of your pool finish. Visit NPTpool.com

www.nptpool.com

In it is says to adjust the CH to a minimum of 150 on day 2

Then on Day 4-28 calcium levels should be adjusted slowly to not exceed 200ppm.

I was under the impression that new plaster produced calcium during the curing process and will naturally increase which is why ai was hesitant to increase it by adding calcium.

Thank you.

 

[lisamarie457]

Plaster can stand a lot of abuse during startup.

The streaking would probably be there either way.

Your pool needs calcium. You MUST add calcium chloride and raise your CH up to at least 250.

Calcium Hardness - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Let your FC drift down toward 4 and keep it around 4 for the rest of the 28 day curing period.

High FC during startup can bleach the color from the plaster.

Your pH, TA, and CYA are acceptable.

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you for the reply. I am referencing the National Plaster Council startup guide.
https://www.nptpool.com/pool-finishes/start-up-procedure/
In it is says to adjust the CH to a minimum of 150 on day 2

Then on Day 4-28 calcium levels should be adjusted slowly to not exceed 200ppm.

I was under the impression that new plaster produced calcium during the curing process and will naturally increase which is why I was hesitant to increase it by adding calcium.

Thank you.

 

[ajw22]

Thank you for the reply. I am referencing the National Plaster Council startup guide.

National Plasters Council Procedure | NPT Pool Finishes | NPTpool.com

If you’re a builder, remodeler, or home owner with a brand new plaster pool finish, it’s critical that you follow the steps in this guide to protect and prolong the life of your pool finish. Visit NPTpool.com

www.nptpool.com

In it is says to adjust the CH to a minimum of 150 on day 2

Then on Day 4-28 calcium levels should be adjusted slowly to not exceed 200ppm.

I was under the impression that new plaster produced calcium during the curing process and will naturally increase which is why ai was hesitant to increase it by adding calcium.

Thank you.

You are now past day 4.

200 ppm of CH is ok if you want to stay with that. You are not going to hit a number exactly anyway.

You do not want the water to be pulling calcium out of the plaster. That weakens the plaster.

 

[lisamarie457]

You are now past day 4.

200 ppm of CH is ok if you want to stay with that. You are not going to hit a number exactly anyway.

You do not want the water to be pulling calcium out of the plaster. That weakens the plaster.

Ok. Makes sense. Started to add a little calcium today (dissolved obviously). I will retest and add more tomorrow if needed. Thank you.

 

[proavia]

Tell us a bit more about your pool by completing your signature with information about your pool, all pool equipment (include manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

Are you using PoolMath to record your test results?
Link PoolMath to your forum account so we can see your results.

 

[MAPR-Austin]

The plaster and tile work looks good, very nicely done.

 

[lisamarie457]

The plaster and tile work looks good, very nicely done.

Oh wow thank you. I'm trying to keep it that way! The new plaster startup process is more intricate than I thought it would be.

 

[lisamarie457]

Tell us a bit more about your pool by completing your signature with information about your pool, all pool equipment (include manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

Are you using PoolMath to record your test results?
Link PoolMath to your forum account so we can see your results.

Done. I am using pool math. I just linked it.