New plaster, high ph after adding acid yesterday

[stinsontx]

They did mix a cement aggregate with it, but it’s a totally smooth surface (almost butter smooth). My last surface lasted 15+ years but it was in pretty rough shape the last two years (rough texture, lots of issues). I expect any plaster maintained to the standards of TFP will extend well beyond what most pool surface salesman would ever dream of.

 

[Dirk]

I believe there is a type of aggregate just below the "cream layer" of smooth plaster, but it doesn't do much to extend the life of that cream finish. I chose pebble because I'm going to try to get 25-30 years out of my new finish. But I sure miss my old plaster! Smoooooooooth... Before it was ruined by a badly-performed acid wash, it was incredibly comfortable. My new pebble can't even compare...

 

[stinsontx]

I believe there is a type of aggregate just below the "cream layer" of smooth plaster, but it doesn't do much to extend the life of that cream finish. I chose pebble because I'm going to try to get 25-30 years out of my new finish. But I sure miss my old plaster! Smoooooooooth... Before it was ruined by a badly-performed acid wash, it was incredibly comfortable. My new pebble can't even compare...

Hard to choose among all these available finishes for sure. The durability and color palatte of the pebble surfaces are wonderful, even if they are more textured than white plaster.

 

[CarolinaCamper]

So today I added 96 oz of 31.45% muriatic acid and 3 hours later the pH was STILL off the charts purple! I guess I'll throw another 96 oz in there tomorrow. Is this normal after a replaster?

 

[ajw22]

Check the pH 30 minutes after you add acid, not 3 hours.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Are you running any fountains or water overflow type doodads? Those will raise pH some and you don't want this now.

Later... these water type features are best used a little each day but not continuously.

Maddie

 

[CarolinaCamper]

Are you running any fountains or water overflow type doodads? Those will raise pH some and you don't want this now.

Later... these water type features are best used a little each day but not continuously.

Maddie

Nope, nothing.

 

[CarolinaCamper]

Check the pH 30 minutes after you add acid, not 3 hours.

Okay, I can do that... but does checking it 3 hours later invalidate the results (which doesn't make sense to me, but...)?

 

[Dirk]

Well, it can. With new plaster your pH can change a lot in 3 hours. The closer the 2nd test is to the 1st, the better you'll be able to determine the result the dosing achieved.

You're trying to get the pH down to a level that will register on your test. The longer you wait to do the second test, the better the odds it'll rise back above 8, and you'll be right back where you started: not knowing what your pH is...

 

[ajw22]

Okay, I can do that... but does checking it 3 hours later invalidate the results (which doesn't make sense to me, but...)?

Yes, as soon as the acid is dispersed the pH begins riding again. The pH is a moving target and not stable. After 3 hours you don’t see what you lowered your pH to. You see what your pH is after about 2 1/2 hours of pH rise.

I question if your TA is really 40. Your pH acts like a much higher TA.

 

[stinsontx]

Can you provide a little bit of information for us about when the plaster job was completed. Perhaps what the startup method was for the fill water, etc?

 

[Cena_sea]

Could your chlorine be high? I had elevated ph and then I realized my chlorine has been over 10 during that same time.

 

[CarolinaCamper]

I'm back again with another question. Finally getting a handle on the pH. I have no CYA in the pool yet as my pool guy said it would contribute to additional pH rise and that I shouldn't need it this time of year. I have so far added 2 lbs of granular cal hypo 56% - HTH brand FWIW. My FC is still reading 0. Pool Math says that 1 lb should raise my FC to 3.1. Before I go dump 4 or 5 lbs of chlorine in my pool out of frustration, is there something I'm missing?

 

[mknauss]

Without CYA, the half life of FC in a pool with the sun shining on it is less that 50 minutes.

The pool guy is not real bright.

You need to get 30 ppm of CYA granular stabilizer dissolving using the sock method.

Be careful with Cal Hypo, it raises your CH, though your last test showed 200 ppm so a little will not hurt. But do not let the granules sit on your plaster, or they will stain it.

 

[CarolinaCamper]

Without CYA, the half life of FC in a pool with the sun shining on it is less that 50 minutes.

The pool guy is not real bright.

You need to get 30 ppm of CYA granular stabilizer dissolving using the sock method.

Be careful with Cal Hypo, it raises your CH, though your last test showed 200 ppm so a little will not hurt. But do not let the granules sit on your plaster, or they will stain it.

LOL thanks. I'll add the CYA. You would think owning a pool for 5 years, I would have learned more.