Splotchy white plaster?

[poolguy968]

Hi folks, I had my pool plastered today and it’s getting filled in now. I used regular white plaster. I’m noticing that especially on the walls of the pool, the plaster looks kind of splotchy and uneven. The plasterer is insisting this is normal. Has anybody seen anything like this? Does it ever go away? Is there anything that can be done at this point?

Thanks!

 

[kimkats]

Love the detail put in the bottom of the pool!

I have to ask some questions to see what is what and how to help you clear this up if possible.

What did they do to the plaster after then put it on?

What kind of start up are they doing once the water if full?

If you don't already have it get a GOOD test kit TODAY!!!
Test Kits Compared

 

[poolguy968]

Thanks! Well as far as I could tell, they sprayed on the plaster and then troweled it and then started adding water. It was all pretty fast, like I think they started spraying at around 8am and then they were done by 11am which seems a bit too fast to me. The plaster also seemed a little watery to me but I haven’t really done any plastering before so I guess I don’t really know enough to say for sure.

They also had me add three jugs of this chemical called Startup-Tec.

For the startup, it hasn’t been done yet since the pool isn’t full but apparently it’s going to be a 5 day NPC certified startup process. I think they basically just said they’ll come vacuum and brush every day and gradually add chemicals.

 

[kimkats]

ask hour installer if they used any acid on the plaster before they started adding water.

 

[ajw22]

You cannot judge plaster until it has hydrated and cured.

A 28 day plaster startup should be followed.

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[poolguy968]

Thanks! That makes sense. I guess I’ll go through the startup and see. They didn’t add any acid, I was there with them during all the work.

 

[ajw22]

Read...

https://www.nptpool.com/pdf/npc-start-up-card-lsi.pdf

 

[poolguy968]

Thanks! By the way I was wondering, with respect to pool startup services, I have two companies that are available. One is a service company that says they can come over every day for 5 days to clean the pool and do a “NPC certified startup” for $1250. There’s another company who says he’ll come and brush the pool and balance the chemicals every other day for two weeks and that would just be included if we become regular customers of his pool service. I don’t want to go cheap but I’m wondering what folks here think of these two options?

 

[kimkats]

YOU do the start up! Order your own test kit for a LOT less that the @1250 price tag and your pool will always look this clear:
How Clear is TFP Clear?

Here are the test kits we trust:
Test Kits Compared

 

[InyoRich]

As my dear old dad used to say, "If you want something done right, do it yourself".

 

[ajw22]

Thanks! By the way I was wondering, with respect to pool startup services, I have two companies that are available. One is a service company that says they can come over every day for 5 days to clean the pool and do a “NPC certified startup” for $1250. There’s another company who says he’ll come and brush the pool and balance the chemicals every other day for two weeks and that would just be included if we become regular customers of his pool service. I don’t want to go cheap but I’m wondering what folks here think of these two options?

No one will take care on your pool as well as you can.

No skills or experience is required to startup the plaster. You just need to be able to follow the startup guide. Which most contractors ignore and don’t do.

Take the third option and DIY. it is not cheap, it costs you some time, and you will learn a lot about pool care.

 

[poolguy968]

Thanks! I fully agree

 

[ajw22]

If you need help or get confused with the directions ask here.

We are here to help you.

 

[poolguy968]

One thing I’m dealing with is that now that I've brushed the pool twice a day for the past 2 days, there's a lot of plaster dust in the water. The pH is also very high, its at least 8. I'm thinking that maybe I should be vacuuming the pool in addition to brushing. But I read online that apparently you should wait two weeks or something before using the pool vacuum? Since right now the pool has only been filled for about two days is it safe to use one of these brush vacuums?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-20-in-Nylon-Vacuum-Brush-Pool-Brush-Safe-For-Concrete-Surfaces-Safe-For-Vinyl-Surfaces-Safe-For-Plaster-Surfaces/5014473727?store=1552&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-ggl-_-CRP_SHP_LIA_SOL_Online_E-F-_-5014473727-_-local-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W_8NMX-pV4hu0j7KKOI4iswP&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_9u5BhCUARIsABbMSPuHyUve3SFO1DiaGGha_hCowh_EuZwlh7fV3IGWoOgxo8G7XJAuZYkaAgedEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

and also is it ok to add muriatic acid when the plaster is so new? And about how much should I add if the pool is about 30000 gallons?

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

It's not only OK to add muriatic acid at this stage, it's required. Keep the pH in the 7.x range.

That vacuum brush head looks fine.

Are you following a new plaster startup process, or just winging it?

See Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

 

[poolguy968]

Thanks! right now I am trying to follow the NPC startup guide. It’s just that the instructions are a little vague when it comes to specific quantities and I wanted to also err on the side of caution and double check here as well before I started adding anything.

I’m just wondering is there a general guideline for how much acid to add? Like I have a 30000 gallon pool.

Also I have a raised spa with spillover and I’m wondering if it would be a good idea to turn the spillway off during the startup since I’ve read that aeration can raise the pH?

 

[ajw22]

Learn to use PoolMath calculator.

You need the spillway running to keep your spa water from becoming stagnant.

Do you have automation?

 

[poolguy968]

Thanks I do, I have the pentair intellicenter

 

[ajw22]

Thanks I do, I have the pentair intellicenter

Put IntelliCenter in your Signature then.

You should have a SPILLWAY circuit. Edit it so it appears in the HOME screen.

Schedule your SPILLWAY to run twice a day at 9AM and 2PM for 20 minutes. Then you can turn off your spillway and not run it any other time.

 

[poolguy968]

Thanks! I updated my signature and set up that schedule as well.

So on another note I tested my water and the readings are:

FC 0.16
TC 0.16
pH 8.2
TA 222
CH 168
CYA 5
TDS 400
Phosphates 290
Iron 0
Copper 0

Right now my pool has been filled for about 52 hours. I am adding muriatic acid as per the NPC startup guide but I'm wondering if I should also add the calcium hardness now as well since its not in the 200-400 range? I think the guide mostly talks about the muriatic acid but doesn't talk as much about when to add the calcium.