Start Up Instructions

OK, my pool is full of water, now what?  Well, that depends… the surface you have selected and the make-up of the fill water in your area will determine how you approach the start-up.  No matter which material you’ve chosen, it is vital that you understand the importance of a proper start-up procedure.  To a large degree, it determines how your new surface will look and how long it will last.

First things first – unless you’ve been asked not to do so, immediately start the pool equipment once the pool is full of water.  Do not install the pool sweep at this time.

I’ve heard the term “balancing the water,” what does this mean?  In simplest of terms, balanced water means that the water is neither scale forming nor corrosive.  How you achieve that balance is determined by the make-up of the water in your area.

Without getting too technical, cement is the binder for most of our interior surface products.  It is comprised of minerals and water contains varying amounts of minerals depending on the source – think hard water vs. soft water.  The ultimate goal is to maintain an ongoing equilibrium between the water and the surface where the water is neither pulling minerals from the surface (soft and corrosive) nor depositing minerals onto the surface (hard and scale forming).  This is accomplished by testing the pool water and then based on the results, carefully adding products that will lead to this balance.

Fortunately, there are invaluable resources available that provide detailed instructions on what to add and when to add it and these can be found on the websites for each product.  We encourage you to click on the appropriate link listed below.  Or, you can hire a pool service professional who will be familiar with the water in your area and the new material in your pool.