NEWLY PLASTERED SWIMMING POOL CARE INFORMATION

We are pleased that you chose Modern West, Inc. as your pool contractor. We hope the following information will address the most common questions about your newly plastered swimming pool. These instructions are general in nature. Local water and environmental conditions vary from location to location. 

 
FILLING YOUR NEW POOL

To prevent severe cracking and permanent bathtub ring, do not turn water off for any reason while filling the pool. Minor crazing is common and not a defect. The pool must fill continuously to the center of the skimmer. The suggested fill time for an average pool is approximately 36 hours minimum. If you your pool is exceptionally large or your water pressure is poor, we suggest that you make arrangements with a neighbor and or supply a hose from a different area of the property. DO NOT USE WATER SOFTENER SPICKETS.

STARTING UP YOUR NEW POOL

Once the pump and filter are operating, the main objective is to remove the plaster dust or scale before it has an opportunity to adhere to the newly plastered surface. There are several suggested methods. The following options apply: 

• With the filter operating 12 hours daily, brush pool thoroughly 3 times a day with a nylon bristle brush or until the water clears. Dust will collect in the filter and will require back flushing. 
  

• Begin filter operation, adjust timer for 8 hour daily operation for one week. Vacuum pool SLOWLY and thoroughly using a nylon bristle vacuum head (vinyl liner vacuum). This will collect 90% of the dust immediately into the filter. 
  

• Backwash and charge filter. Brush pool thoroughly with a nylon bristle brush. This method will clear pool quickly within 24 hours or less. We still recommend brushing once daily for the first week, and once per week for routine maintenance. 
  

• Have a professional service technician start-up and balance your new pool. 

 
CHEMICAL MAINTENANCE AND BALANCING

Proper balancing and maintenance is an acquired skill that requires personal attention and regular monitoring. One cannot properly balance a pool in one or two quick visits. An entire service industry is devoted to the task of pool maintenance. As your swimming pool contractor our goal is to guide you in the basic requirements for your swimming pool care. 

Whether you are a do-it-yourself person or a property maintenance person we strongly urge you to purchase a Taylor Test Kit. The testing and treatment guide included is well written, accurate, and extremely insightful. For the pool owner who employs a professional service technician we recommend that they follow NPSI water parameters printed in the Taylor Industry Guide. 

The following parameters are listed in the sequence that should be followed once dust has been removed and the filter is backwashed for plaster swimming pools. 

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

• Calcium Hardness Minimum 300 PPM Check initially and periodically 
  

• Total Alkalinity 110-120 PPM Check normally 
  

• P.H. 7.4 - 7.6 PPM Check normally 
  

• Free Chlorine: 1.0 - 3.0 PPM Check normally 
  

• Cyanuric Acid (conditioner) 20 - 50 PPM Check periodically 

***Failure to properly maintain your water chemistry can cause damage not covered under warranty. 

 
DOs ~ DON'Ts ! & OTHER TIPS

• Don’t shut water off while pool is filling for any reason. 
  

• Don’t drain pool without consulting the contractor. 
  

• Don’t use any devices with wheels on newly plastered surface for three to four weeks. Do not use roller vacuums or automatic sweeps with rollers during the first three to four weeks. Some sweeps can be put in sooner, such as a Kreepy Krauly or Barracuda. 
  

• Don’t turn pool light on while the pool is empty. Pool lights are high intensity water-cooled devices.
  

• Don’t scrape surface with sharp objects. 
  

• Don’t add dry chemicals without dissolving in a bucket of water first. Dry chemicals can sink and etch plaster. 
  

• Don’t use water softener to fill the pool. Soft water will damage conventional plaster, tile, grout, and any surrounding cement surfaces. 
  

• Don’t put chlorine tablets in skimmers. 
  

• Don’t let floating chlorinators hover over steps or benches. Tether them off the deep end. 
  

• Don’t heat pool or spa for the first three to four weeks. 
  

• Don’t over dose with chemicals. Calculate the approximate gallonage of your pool and follow the manufacturer's directions. Use a Taylor Test Kit as your guide. For square pools volume is calculated by multiplying length x width x average depth x 7.5 to determine approximate gallons. For circular pool volume is calculated by multiplying the average length x average width x average depth x 5.9 to determine approximate gallons. 
  

• Do take a sample of your water source to a local pool supply company to analyze your water before pool is plastered. You may find that your water has a particular deficiency such as lack of calcium. The pool supply company can conveniently provide you with the appropriate amount of chemicals needed to initially balance your pool if you can provide them with a water sample and estimated gallonage. 
  

• Do brush thoroughly, especially the faces of steps and corners. 
  

• Do monitor your chemicals at least twice a week. 
  

• Do keep strainer baskets and filters clean. Ten to fifteen pounds of increased pressure means that the system is dirty. 
  

• Do clean tile weekly. Controlling calcium deposits requires preventive maintenance. 
  

• Do run filter at least four to six hours daily or enough to filter entire pool once in 24 hours. 
  

• Do add conditioner before each hot season if needed. 
  

• Do use quality chemicals. Inferior chemicals may have many by-products and may produce poor or even damaging results. 

***We hope you will enjoy your new swimming pool. Routine maintenance should be simple once you are familiar with your pool's demands. 

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