Have you recently plastered your pool? Learning how to take care of your plaster after it is installed is essential for your plaster’s lifespan. While it’s very tempting to dive into your pool the minute it’s finished, you have to ensure the water is safe for swimming and that the plaster goes through the curing process without any hiccups. You’ll also want to avoid heating your pool for some time after installing pool plaster. So if you’re wondering how soon you can heat your pool after plastering, I’ve got you covered.
In this article, I will answer this question and provide additional tips on heating your pool and looking after your new pool plaster.
Main Takeaways
- Do not heat your pool for approximately a month after your pool is first plastered.
- Heating your pool too soon after plastering can damage both your heating equipment and the newly-applied coat of plaster.
- Brushing your pool is a primary aspect of new plaster aftercare, along with filtering and treating your water with the required chemicals.
How Soon Can You Heat Your Pool After Plastering?
Simply put, heating a newly plastered pool is inadvisable for, at the very least, the first two weeks after the pool has been filled. If possible, avoid using the heater at all for the first 28 days of the curing process. This period is critical for the curing process. Instead, focus on allowing the plaster to cure and balancing the water chemistry and pH levels.
Why Can’t You Heat Your Pool Immediately After Plastering?
When your pool has been newly plastered, the walls of the pool will shed plaster dust for the next few weeks. Plaster dust is a very fine, silt-like material and can clog the smaller tubes of the heater, damaging your equipment significantly.
Heating your pool before it has been adequately cured can also cause the plaster to expand. This will eventually lead to cracks and fissures in the wall.
In short, you should absolutely avoid heating your pool immediately after plastering. A little patience will go a long way in ensuring your investment in the new plaster and heating equipment lasts.
New Pool Plaster Aftercare Tips
Here are some of my top tips to help you take care of your new pool plaster. In addition to avoiding heating the pool for a month, you should listen to these tips to ensure long-lasting plaster.
Brush The Pool
Brushing the pool a minimum of twice a day for the first 2-3 weeks of the first month is a mandatory step for new pool plaster aftercare since it aids in the curing process. Use a nylon brush. A nylon brush will be gentle and has bristles that will not damage the pool walls. Brush from the top to bottom of your walls and start at the shallow end, moving to the deep end.
Run The Filter
Once you’ve filled your pool, run your filtration system for 72 hours non-stop to clean the water and treat it for chemical balance immediately. After that, you should still run your filter regularly.
Dilute The Chemicals First
When mixing chemicals, dilute them in a five-gallon bucket first! Do not pour them directly into the pool. Pouring strong undiluted muriatic acid into the pool may result in the acid corroding the walls of your pool.
Avoid Vacuuming
Do not use an automated cleaning system, such as a robot pool cleaner, for the first few weeks. And avoid using a vacuum cleaner with wheels as well. Instead, clean debris manually using a pool net to fish out any debris, and shield your pool with a cover to protect the water from the debris when not in use. Your filter will take care of any smaller particles, like plaster dust.
Don’t Shock The Pool
Do not shock your pool during the first month of usage. After the first month, read my article on pool shock treatment for all the steps.
Dos And Don’ts For Heating Your Pool
After 28 days, your pool is sufficiently cured enough to be heated, so you can go back to enjoying a nice, warm pool. Here are some ways to get more out of your heating system. These tips can even help save you money on your electricity or gas bill in the long run!
Do Cover Your Pool
Covering your pool when it is not in use does a lot to keep your water clean and warm. A solar cover is a great option to speed up the heating process and keep your water warm for longer. As an additional plus, a solar cover will save you money on your electricity bill and lower your carbon footprint.
You can also invest in a liquid solar cover if you want a low-maintenance option. Liquid covers are not as effective as solar covers, but they still slow the heat loss and reduce evaporation in your pool. Think of it as sunscreen for your pool.
Don’t Forget To Maintain Your Pool Heater
Like any other piece of pool equipment, pool heaters will need maintenance from time to time. Many things can go wrong with your heater, from plumbing to gas leaks and electrical issues. Check the heater occasionally to ensure it works correctly and fix potential problems.
Do Block The Wind
An often overlooked agent of evaporation and heat loss is wind. If you live in a particularly windy region, you can expect the water in your pool to evaporate as quickly as it would under the sun and lose quite a few degrees in the process as well. You can minimize this simply by blocking off portions of your pool with solid fence enclosures, hedges, or wind barriers to break the wind’s passage across your pool surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Soon Can You Fill Your Pool After Plastering It?
It is strongly advised to fill the pool immediately after plastering. It takes approximately 24 to 32 hours to fill the pool, considering the average capacity of 20,000 gallons for a regular-sized pool. Fill with clean water as quickly as possible at an even and steady pace. Once filled, start your filtration system and let it run constantly for 72 hours.
How Soon Can You Swim After Plastering Your Pool?
Avoid swimming until you have properly treated and balanced your water. You should generally wait at least five days before using your pool, but in my opinion, you should wait around two weeks. If you swim in it too soon, it could damage the plaster, not to mention the fluctuating pH levels will mess with your skin. Once your pool is filled and the water is being filtered, get a professional to assist you in mixing chemicals for the first treatment, and only take a dip when the pool is balanced according to safety guidelines.
How Long Does It Take To Heat a Pool?
Heating a pool depends on several variable factors, such as the method used to heat the size of the pool, local climate patterns, etc. For the average 20,000-gallon pool, the general answer is that it does take a while, no matter what method is used. You are attempting to raise the temperature of a large body of water by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit. You can expect to wait between 8-72 hours, depending on if you’re using gas, electric, or solar.
More questions? Let me know.
