Results two years and two court dates later

[Toxophilite]

It's been raining lightly last night and this morning. Acid wash workers are supposed to come today to clean the pool, slurry tank and trash.

How long can the plaster be left exposed before it has to be filled? Afterwards, how long can it go before the pumps have to be up and running?

Most of the equip is here (except the builder has the heat pump).

How long can things wait before I need to be concerned?

Admittedly, I've only had one gunite pool built, and the equipment went in immediately after the plumbing was done. It was put under pressure and left for leak monitoring from that point, though trench fill, decking, plaster, fill and till turned on.

 

[kimkats]

I have a couple of links for you on how to get the best plaster job for the long term life of your plaster:

Pool Plaster Tips for the Average Homeowner

A quality plaster job can last a homeowner for decades. We help share basic steps that can be taken before, during, and after the plastering of a pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

Start-up New Plaster

The first few months are the most criticle for a newly plastered pool. We're here to share best practices to ensure the plaster will last for many years.

www.troublefreepool.com

Note the part about filling with water-to wait at least 6 hours until first water goes in.

 

[klanel]

My understanding is fill starts as soon as acid wash is complete, and fill continues until full, un-interrupted. Start with main pool, from the deep end, sock on end of hose to protect floor, also add a plastic bottle (think 2Liter size) so hose end will float up to keep water from leaving mark on bottom. Also you can fill spa, but don't let it overflow into the pool. So fill it to spillway level, but not higher.

Recommendations to watch water meter, to get gallon estimates of pool to bottom step, next step, etc.

I hadn't thought about covering the hose bibb. We have some foam noodles that would probably work good to float the nozzle. I have a water meter coming but it won't be here until tomorrow so I may not get to use it in the initial stages. But I can time how long the water runs and when I get it maybe calculate from there.

Admittedly, I've only had one gunite pool built, and the equipment went in immediately after the plumbing was done. It was put under pressure and left for leak monitoring from that point, though trench fill, decking, plaster, fill and till turned on.

All the pipes have been pressurized and they relieved the pressure yesterday.

I have a couple of links for you on how to get the best plaster job for the long term life of your plaster:

I will look over later today. Just wondering about some time frames. How long can they wait to do acid wash? They were coming this morning and may still be coming. But if it were tomorrow before they came would that be an issue?

Water meter won't be here until tomorrow. Test kit says Monday but it may arrive sooner. Will that be a problem before then? I have 6 gal of 6 % clorox. Anything I need to stock up on now? Our well has some elevated iron. Not bad but somewhat elevated. Would I need to get any 'metal out' or wait and see? I figure it may take a few days to fill after starting but just a guess.

 

[Toxophilite]

Is your PB turning it over immediately to you after fill and equipment? They should want to do the initial start up and balance of water before turning it over to you. It was about a 1-week process for mine, where they came every day, treated what needed, got the iron out of my well fill water, waited till water went from clouded to clear and everything to their satisfaction. Then they gave me a bottle of test strips and a goodbye

 

[TampaKathy]

I also would expect PB to be in charge of pool for at least 1 week. My pool was not acid washed the day after plaster...it was 2 days later. When they put the hose in, ask if they put in sequestrant for the metals.

 

[klanel]

Is your PB turning it over immediately to you after fill and equipment?

I have no idea. Getting any information from him can be like pulling teeth.

My pool was not acid washed the day after plaster...it was 2 days later.

I was told they would acid wash after the rain. Don't know if that means today or tomorrow. But tomorrow is supposed to be clear and I have been told they would set the equip then. Good part, I should have the water meter tomorrow. They delivered the heat pump today.

 

[Bperry]

I hadn't thought about covering the hose bibb. We have some foam noodles that would probably work good to float the nozzle. I have a water meter coming but it won't be here until tomorrow so I may not get to use it in the initial stages. But I can time how long the water runs and when I get it maybe calculate from there.

All the pipes have been pressurized and they relieved the pressure yesterday.


I will look over later today. Just wondering about some time frames. How long can they wait to do acid wash? They were coming this morning and may still be coming. But if it were tomorrow before they came would that be an issue?

Water meter won't be here until tomorrow. Test kit says Monday but it may arrive sooner. Will that be a problem before then? I have 6 gal of 6 % clorox. Anything I need to stock up on now? Our well has some elevated iron. Not bad but somewhat elevated. Would I need to get any 'metal out' or wait and see? I figure it may take a few days to fill after starting but just a guess.

You better make sure that Clorox is plain bleach and doesn’t say “cloromax” technology or scents or fabric softeners. It’s getting hard to find plain bleach anymore.

 

[ajw22]

I have 6 gal of 6 % clorox.

If you buy household bleach, you want pure liquid chlorine with no additives. Additives such as fragrances, thickeners (splashless), or surfactants (outdoor bleach) may cause foaming. Bleach with fabric protectors (Cloromax Technology) may also cause foaming.

Most Clorox bleach today says it has Cloromax Technology. They are polymers that create foaming and are not suitable for pools. Clorox Germicidal Bleach did not have additives but the December 2019 label on their website now shows Cloromax Technology. So look carefully at the label and ingredients on any Clorox bleach products you intend to use in your pool.

Most retail bleach is manufactured by a few chemical suppliers. KIK corp is probably the biggest. They all use the "ChloroMax" technology that Clorox patented and then licensed out. So even the store brands like Target or Walmart will say their bleach is regular unscented, etc and somewhere on the bottle will be the phrase "Fabric Protection Technology" (or some combination of words like that). Read bleach labels carefully and look for code words that may imply it has additives other then chlorine.

Liquid Chlorine - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[klanel]

Read bleach labels carefully

Now you have my attention. Here are the labels if you can make out. I don't see anywhere that has the words you mention. I am sure that Ingles purchases somewhere and has their Laura Lynn brand placed on it. So, would you use it or abandon it and go with something else? I would rather be safe than sorry.
Thanks,

 

[ajw22]

I don't see any red flags in that Laura Lynn bleach.

 

[klanel]

I don't see any red flags in that Laura Lynn bleach.

Thanks for looking it over.

 

[klanel]

Acid washing has begun.

 

[klanel]

Acid wash complete and the cover plates installed. They left the water hose running, I will go out and cover bibb and add a float as Tom suggested. No additives put in before they left.

How quick do I need to get something in there to take care of any potential metal in the water issue?

Also, my test kit has been delayed currently showing Monday as the delivery date.
Is this going to be too long to wait, do I need to find a kit locally in the meantime or can I go ahead and add the muratic acid and check when the kit arrives?

I'm stuck here for a while but can pick up supplies later on today.

 

[kimkats]

SO close to be done!!

I would get a cheap ph/TA test when you can. The other stuff can wait.

 

[ajw22]

How much muriatic acid are you going to add if you don't know the pH? Don't wing it.

You can pickup an inexpensive test kit to test the pH. Or you can wait until you get your test kit on Monday.

The chlorine in your water supply will last 2 days. On Saturday I would add 3 ppm of liquid chlorine which should alst you until Monday. If your test kit does not come in on Monday add the LC every other day until you can test.

 

[tommelton]

The chlorine in your water supply will last 2 days.

His water supply is well water - I doubt there is chlorine in it.

 

[ajw22]

His water supply is well water - I doubt there is chlorine in it.

In that case put 1-2 ppm of chlorine in one the pool is filled. If the pump is not running then stir it in with your pool brush.

And if you are filling with well water then put the metal sequestrant in. You are more likely to have metals in well water.

 

[klanel]

The equipment is getting installed. Also, wrapped up the hose bibb with a sock and noodle to keep it off the bottom. Yes, we are on a well and have a whole house iron filter. But using an additive to take care of potential metal issues seems like a good idea. Looks like they have pushed the test kit till Tue. It's stuck in CA. I will look at getting a cheap one to test PH with.

metal sequestrant

Is there a certain brand? Something that Lowes, HomeDepot or Walmart might have? Do I just follow the directions on the label?

Thanks,

 

[ajw22]

Is there a certain brand? Something that Lowes, HomeDepot or Walmart might have? Do I just follow the directions on the label?

I doubt you fill find these in the big box stores but I never looked. Try a pool store that also does weekly pool care.

Sequestrant - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Sequestrants based on HEDP, phosphonic acid, or phosphonic acid derivatives are the most effective.

The top sequestrants are:

• ProTeam's Metal Magic
• Jack's Magic The Pink Stuff (regular)
• The Blue Stuff (fresh plaster)
• The Purple Stuff (salt)

You can also find many other brands with similar active ingredients, some of which are noticeably less expensive.

 

[klanel]

I doubt you fill find these in the big box stores but I never looked. Try a pool store that also does weekly pool care.

Sequestrant - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Sequestrants based on HEDP, phosphonic acid, or phosphonic acid derivatives are the most effective.

The top sequestrants are:

• ProTeam's Metal Magic
• Jack's Magic The Pink Stuff (regular)
• The Blue Stuff (fresh plaster)
• The Purple Stuff (salt)

You can also find many other brands with similar active ingredients, some of which are noticeably less expensive.

What about this one at Lowes? https://www.lowes.com/pd/Clorox-Pool-Spa-32-oz-Pool-Scale-Metal-and-Stain-Control/50333059