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The Start-Up of New Plaster

IF WE DID YOUR SPA:

MOST IMPORTANT!!!! DO NOT HEAT YOUR SPA OVER 85oF FOR 14 DAYS AFTER RE-SURFACING – However, your guests can get in there after 24 hours upon completion assuming the chemicals are balanced. *****FOR SPAS ONLY*****

IF YOU HAVE A SALT SYSTEM FOR YOUR POOL IT SHOULD NOT BE USED UNTIL 14 DAYS AFTER PLASTER IS COMPLETED

There are several approaches to initial start-up. The main objectives are to balance pH, total alkalinity and hardness levels, and to remove the plaster scale (dust) created by fresh plaster and water. The start-up procedure plays a critical role in the cosmetic appearance of the plaster surface in the years to come.

  • Add 2 gallons of STAIN FREE per 10,000 gallons of water one time at start up. Pour around sides immediately after the pool has been filled. This complies with the National Plasterers Council recommendations of adding a sequestering agent to ALL pools with new plaster. STAIN FREE will reduce the risk of plaster stains and mottling.
  • Brush walls and floor with a nylon bristled brush everyday for 10 days to 2 weeks (or until white powder quits coming up when you push brush across surface) to dislodge loose plaster.
  • Backwash filter frequently during this 3 to 4 week period to remove plaster from filter before hardening. Make sure you add FILTER FLUSH when backwashing to thoroughly remove all loose plaster.
  • Do an "Acid Demand Test" to determine how much pH LOWER to add initially to get pH to the 7.2 to 7.6 range (ph will run unusually high for the first 4 to 5 months)
  • Then, work on the Total Alkalinity. Adjust with ALKA BLUE to get Total Alkalinity reading to @ 100 ppm (80 to 120ppm is acceptable)
  • After pH and Total Alkalinity are adjusted, then, gradually bring the Calcium Hardness up to the 200 to 350ppm level with appropriate amount of SURFACE GUARD (add it incrementally / not all at once)
  • Last in the line of chemicals to adjust would be Cyanuric Acid (aka-"Stabilizer"). After all of above have been adjusted to proper parameters, work on the Cyanuric Acid – contact your Original 7 sales representative for the proper amount of SUN GUARD to add
  • Always check with your Original 7 sales representative when uncertain of dosages to achieve required results


****Swimmers can swim as soon as the chemicals are balanced without harming the surface******

During the time period above, it is important to remember the following:

  1. Never shock pool with granular chlorine / gradually bring it up with chlorinator slowly eroding chlorine into pool instead
  2. Never adjust more than one chemical reading per day
  3. If large amounts of chemical are required to adjust readings, always add in small amounts split up over multiple applications
  4. Never use a roller wheel vacuum head for the 1st ten days
  5. Upon initial startup and balancing, chemical adjustments should be done in this order (and NEVER should any 2 be adjusted in same day at this initial stage):
    • PH
    • Total Alkalinity
    • Gradually Raise Chlorine
    • Calcium Hardness
    • Cyanuric Acid (aka-"Stabilizer")

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