Pool Start Up

When the plaster surface application is complete, the plaster crew will begin filling the pool with your garden hose. Please make sure there is one available to them. The end of the hose will be wrapped with a protective cloth to protect the newly plastered surface. The filling process will take approximately 24 hours depending on pool size and water pressure. IMPORTANT: Allow the water to fill the pool continuously until it reaches half way up the width of your waterline tile. DO NOT STOP filling the pool FOR ANY REASON until the water reaches this point! If the filling process is stopped before the water level reaches the tile, a “ring” will be left in the plaster around the perimeter of the plaster surface. Once the pool is full, the water can be shut off, the hose pulled out of the pool and the brushing process can begin.

During the first week, it is very important to brush the plaster finish surface (floors, walls, steps and benches) as often as possible. We suggest 2-3 times a day for the first 5-7 days. We suggest you run the filter continuously until the water is clear. Continuous filtration helps speed up the elimination of plaster dust and can filter out the dust, dirt and other fine particulates that make the water look cloudy.

Begin brushing with the brush at the tile line and then forcefully drive the brush downward along the pool walls and across the bottom, in the direction of the main drain. To help clear out the “dust”, it’s more effective to have the main drain open and the skimmer closed down while brushing. With most Ladner’s Pools, you can adjust flow at the equipment area between the main drain and the skimmer with a 3-way valve. IMPORTANT: DO NOT close skimmer off completely. This may cause an insufficient intake of water into the pump, creating a situation know as cavitation.

NOTE: if you have a PebbleTec or PebbleSheen surface in your pool, this brushing of the surface during the curing process is not necessary. These two PEBBLE products are applied and subsequently washed free of dust and most particulates. It can actually take 2 to 3 months before plaster can be considered cured. During this time dirt can attach itself to the plastered surface. Frequent brushing will prevent this. In addition, the brushing will further smooth and “polish” the surface and help to clean the plaster dust out of the pool. (The term plaster will be used synonymously with interior finishes such as PebbleTec, PebbleSheen, etc. and other interior finishes throughout this document).

Ladner’s Pools and Spas offers, with all their new pool and spa customers, a start-up and 1-day chemical service. Between 24 and 48 hours after your new pool and/or spa is filled with water, a Ladner’s Pools service truck will arrive at your house to begin the pool filtration by starting your pump and filter and will also chemically “balance” your pool. This service technician will return approximately every seven days to maintain the chemical balance in your pool.  

Note: within 7 days of your new pool being plastered, a Ladner’s technician will contact you to schedule your Pool Orientation. IMPORTANT: Newly plastered spas should not be heated for at least 10 days after plaster in complete. Heating spas before plaster is cured will result in discoloration of spa plaster.