How Soon Can You Swim After Plastering Pool?

Can’t wait to dip into your pool after plastering it?

Do not hurry!

It is a good idea to first find out how soon you can swim after plastering the pool.

Common Pool Filling & Start-up Questions

We will first answer this question and other common questions regarding pool plaster curing time.

How Soon After Filling a Pool Can You Swim?

After filling the pool, you need to wait for 48 hours before swimming in the pool. However, forty-eight hours is the bare minimum, and seventy-two hours is desired. It is, however, better to wait for 72 hours as the pool’s equipment will clear the water entirely by then.

The reason to wait this long is to allow the pool equipment to clear the water. It is common for the paint dust to be infused with the water when you fill the pool after plastering or painting it. Repeated filtration will clear the pool water after forty-eight hours for swimming.

How long after plaster can you fill a pool?

It is a good idea to fill the pool immediately after plastering it. It takes approximately 24 to 32 hours to fill the pool, considering the average capacity of 20,000 L. Even though filling the pool is pretty straightforward, there are a handful of tips you need to follow to do it right.
• Fill it up with clean water:
A good option is to use an on-site garden hose or trucked in water. If you use impure water, it might also impact the coat of paint.
• Fill the pool:
When filling the pool for the first time after plastering, fill it up to the brim. You shouldn’t stop or pause even for a bit. Doing so can create rings in the plaster, damaging the pool’s finishing. If you fill it only half a, there might be a difference in the finish of the plaster below the waterline and above. This is usually pretty difficult to repair.
• Ensure smooth filling of water:
Sloshing around the water might once again damage the finish of the plaster. To reduce the force of water, it is a good idea to tie a rag at the end of the hose and, after that, let the water flow into the pool. It will not only prevent sloshing but also filter out any debris.
• Immediately start the filtration equipment:
Once you have filled the water up to the brim, now is the time to start the filtration equipment. You should do so without any delay. After starting it, you should ensure that the water filtration equipment functions consistently for seventy-two hours.

To understand why this is so important, you have to look at the chemical composition of plaster. It is such that it releases calcium hydroxide into the water. It certainly increases the pH level of water. The higher the pH level, the more will be the scaling on the pool equipment. It will make the water cloudy.

To avoid all this, it is good to consistently run the water filtration equipment.
If you aren’t familiar with the water filtration equipment, you can read the manual, which comes with the same, to better understand how to operate it.

The water filtration equipment offers multiple benefits like:
• Maintains the alkalinity
• Helps you adjust the pH level
• Reduces hardness of water
• Prevents scaling
• Helps you avoid stains on the plaster
• Helps you maintain a proper chlorine level

How Long Does it Take to Plaster a Pool?

An average-sized pool takes 4 to 7 days to plaster. This includes brushing pool after plaster, pool plaster curing time, and so on.

It can take longer if the pool suffers from extensive plaster damage or any other issues.
Apart from that, a few factors determine how long it takes to replaster a pool, like the type of plaster you go with.
For example, quartz plaster finishing can take even longer.

Pool Interior Finishes Curing Time

If you are wondering how long plaster takes to cure, the answer is between 7 to 28 days, depending on the type of plaster. We will now go into the details of the curing time of your pool plaster so that you can know better when you can reuse the pool.

Curing Time of Gunite Pool Plaster

Gunite pool plaster can take up to 28 days to cure. During this time, you must keep the pool underwater so the finishing does not get spoiled. Some pool experts even recommend you install tiles on the upper 6 inches of the pool. This is to ensure that the upper part, which is exposed to air, has a proper finish.

Thus, curing it will take a lot of time when you go with gunite pool plaster. You need to keep the pool submerged, but heating the pool after plastering is not advisable.

Pool Start-up After Plastering

Rather than thinking about when to fill the pool after plastering, you need to follow the proper pool start-up procedure. We will highlight the three steps of the same below.

Brushing

After filling up the pool on the first day, you need to wash it twice daily for at least a couple of days. This is done to ensure that you are able to eliminate the plaster dust.

However, the plaster dust which comes from the walls of the pool will be added to the water. Because of the same, you need to consistently run the filtration system for at least 72 hours. Only then will this test be eliminated.

Another reason plastering is needed because it opens up the pores of the plaster and accelerates the curing process. Any loose plaster dust which might have come off earlier will be coming off directly after brushing. That way, the plaster is further strengthened.

Circulation

After brushing, a lot of dust will be added to the water. The pH level of the water will change. You need to eliminate all these dust and contaminants for the curing process to take place appropriately.

For the same, you have to consistently circulate the water.
Irrespective of the plaster you use, you need to circulate water consistently for at least one month. Circulating the water consistently will fortify the plaster. It will accelerate the curing process.

Doing so will ensure that whenever plaster dust is added to the water, you can eliminate it completely and always get clear water.

It means that you will be able to use the pool after a few days rather than waiting for a month to use the pool.

Chemicals

Achieving proper chemical balance is pretty important after plastering the pool. Unbalanced water is hazardous not only to the users of the pool but also to the plaster. Calcium hardness is one of the main problems which cause unbalanced water.

If the calcium hardness is low, the water will extract the calcium from the plaster, making it rough. This will reduce the lifespan of the plaster as well.

When the calcium level is high, the water will, in turn, deposit access calcium on the walls of your pool. Once again, the walls of your pool will become rough. After that, you will need acid washing or sandblasting to smoothen the walls once again.

In case you’re wondering about the ideal hardness of calcium, it is between 200 to 400 ppm.
Apart from calcium hardness, you must also look at other contaminants like iron, copper, and other metallic substances in the water. You must test the pool water from time to time to know its metal content. The metal content should be below 0.1 ppm. You need to also look at the pH and chlorine levels.

If the pH level is too high, the water might become alkaline and scale your plaster. In case it is too low, the water will become acidic and then, in turn, corrode the plaster. It means that the life span of the plaster is once again reduced.

If you’re wondering about the ideal pH level, it should be between 7.2 to 7.6.
If, even after a couple of weeks, the pH level is not appropriate, it indicates that the plaster quality is not up to the mark, influencing the swimming pool’s pH level. In that case, you won’t be able to use the pool, and it is best to contact the pool experts.

They will be able to advise you regarding the chemicals which you can use and the modifications which need to be made to bring the pH level within the range.
Once you complete these three steps and take care of the associated factors, your pool is ready for use.

How Often Does a Pool Need To Be Replastered?

You need to replaster your pool only once every ten years. It means you will not have to worry about completing this entire procedure again and again.
So, if you’re wondering how soon you can swim after plastering your pool, it is possible to do so in 48 to 72 hours. However, it is better to wait longer, that is, for a month, to do the same.