Start it Up!

It’s hot and you are waiting to jump into that beautiful new pool or spa in your backyard…But it’s not finished….And you are watching the hose slowly fill it up…

What could be wrong with kicking around in the giant puddle that’s forming in your backyard? Well, you could completely destroy your investment.

We understand the desire to jump in, but after your new pool (or renovated pool) is finished, there are a few steps to ensure that you don’t mess up your new toy before it’s finished. How? After construction is complete, Tropical Pools and Pavers gives you a step-by-step process that is easy to follow, but each step is critical. Why? During the first 28 days the pool finish starts to hydrate and your pool is susceptible to staining, scaling or discoloration.

You can always compare filling your pool to watching paint dry. You want it to hurry up and dry so you can see your efforts, but if one of the kids puts a big hand print in the middle of the wall, you know you will be repainting. The pool surface is just as sensitive and needs this time to absorb the water so it can sparkle.

tropical-swimming-pool-installersSo even though we provide you with the step-by-step info for filling your pool, make sure that you:

  • Fill your pool as rapidly as possible to the middle of the skim line without interrupting the water flow. This will prevent a “bowl ring” from forming.
  • Attach a clean rag on the end of the hose and put it in the deepest area of the pool to protect the surface from damage.
  • Don’t allow any wheeled devices (such as a pool cleaner) into the pool for the first 28 days.
  • Don’t allow people, pets or external water sources (such as sprinklers) to get into the pool while it is filling.  During this critical period any of these can easily mess up the water balance or the pool surface.
  • Once the water level reaches the middle of the skim line, test the pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness and metals. Record all of these results.
  • As soon as the pool is filled, start the filtration system immediately.

Now based upon the size of your pool or hot tub, it can take a few days to completely reach the skim line. In the meantime, go visit the pool store and pick up those new floats, toys or those chemicals that you will need as soon as it is ready.