New Pool Startup Guide: The First 28 Days
A new pool requires proper care during the first 28 days to ensure a smooth, durable finish. Following the correct startup process helps prevent plaster dust, staining, scaling, and premature surface damage.
Proper startup and water balancing help protect a new pool for years to come.
Before Filling Your Pool
Test your fill water for pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness.
Fill the pool continuously with clean, potable water.
Do not use softened water.
Keep people and pets out until the pool is completely full.
Do not add salt for the first 28 days.
Start the Equipment
Once the pool is full:
Start the pump immediately.
Run it continuously for the first 7 days.
Brush the entire pool twice daily during the first week to remove plaster dust.
Maintain Proper Water Chemistry
Keep your water balanced throughout the curing process:
pH: 7.0–7.4
Alkalinity: 80–90 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 200–250 ppm
Free Chlorine: 1–3 ppm (after 48 hours)
LSI: -0.3 to +0.3
It's normal for pH to rise during the first few weeks, so regular testing and adjustments are important.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
During the first month:
Don't add salt.
Don't use the heater for the first 14 days.
Don't use robotic or wheeled pool cleaners.
Don't allow plaster dust to sit on the surface.
After 28 Days
Once the plaster has fully cured, you can begin normal pool maintenance, add salt to saltwater pools if applicable, and maintain balanced water chemistry to protect your investment.
Need Professional Pool Startup Service?
Proper startup is essential to extending the life of your new plaster finish. Our team provides new pool startups, weekly pool cleaning, water balancing, and pool maintenance for homeowners throughout Palm Beach County, Broward County, and the Treasure Coast.
Schedule Your Pool Renovation Today!
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