So, you’ve just applied a new pool plaster finish? But can you go toe-dipping? Knowing when to go in for a swim is critical for your skin and the water’s chemistry. After all, you want your plaster to cure without marks and swim without your eyes stinging.
It is advised to wait 7 to 10 days before swimming in a newly plastered pool to allow it to cure and set properly. Filling the pool with water and maintaining its chemistry is important during this time to avoid damage to the plaster.
Hang on as I discuss why you can’t swim right away after a new plastering job and the proper startup procedure for filling water in a new plaster pool.
Swimming After Plastering Pool
The time required before you can swim in a newly plastered pool typically depends on the type of plaster used and the weather conditions. As a general guideline:
Standard White Plaster: For standard white plaster, it is advisable to wait at least 7 to 10 days before swimming. During this period, the pool should be filled with water and the water chemistry monitored to ensure it remains balanced.
Colored Plaster or Exposed Aggregate Plaster: If you have used colored plaster or exposed aggregate plaster, it may require a slightly longer curing time, often around 14 days. It is crucial to follow the recommendations of the pool plastering professional or manufacturer to avoid any issues.
How Soon Can You Fill Water in Pool after Plaster?
The initial water fill is critical to new plaster. It can seem relatively simple, but there are important things to know. After plastering the pool, you should start filling the pool right away. Most household pools with a 20,000-liter capacity take 24 – 32 hours to fill.
Here are some critical water filling guidelines by the National Plasters Council.
Use Clean Potable Water
Water has a strong impact on the plaster’s finish. Hence, it’s critical that you use water from on-site (garden hose), public water, or trucked-in water.
Do Not Stop or Pause
You cannot stop the flow or pause until the pool is full, and this is when the water reaches above the tile line. Stopping the flow can create rings in the plaster at the point where you stop.
Prevent Damage from Sloshing
Fill the pool using a garden hose. Then, tie a soft, clean rag to the end of the hose to prevent water from sloshing. The cloth also catches small debris in the water.
Start Running the Filtration Equipment
The filtration equipment should run continuously for at least 72 hours. This is because calcium hydroxide in the plaster leaches into the water, causing the pH level to rise. A high pH causes cloudy water and scaling on pool equipment.
After filling water and running the filtration equipment, you can proceed with the other startup instructions.
They include:
- Testing and adjusting the alkalinity
- Testing and adjusting the pH level
- Testing and adjusting the calcium hardness
- Brushing the pool
- Testing and adjusting the chlorine level
- Testing and adjusting the cyanuric acid level.
Here’s the complete day-by-day pool startup procedure after plastering.
Why Can’t You Swim Immediately After Plastering Pool?
Easy Damage to Fresh Plaster
You can leave marks on fresh plaster in the first 24 hours after application. Even if you see pool guys in their special boots walking on the new plaster, it doesn’t mean it’s safe to go in.
Highly Fluctuating pH
If you’re doing a bicarbonate or acid startup, the pH will be too high or too low for comfort. A low pH level can sting the eyes, while a high pH level irritates the skin and can cause rashes. If you’re doing a normal startup, the pH level will keep fluctuating out of your comfort zone.
Bottom Line
A plaster pool provides years of functional beauty. Thus, it’s best to practice pool owner patience before taking a swim in the freshly filled pool. Wait for at least 48 hours for the water to clear. Also, you’re better off sticking to the startup procedure to ensure years of durable performance.
