New Plaster Pool Startup Schedule Generator (28-Day)

Free 28-day new plaster pool start-up schedule: enter the fill date, get a day-by-day brushing, testing, and chemical timeline from the NPC procedure with a responsibility block. No signup.

Fill date and operator

Pool fill date

The day the pool is filled with water. The 28-day schedule counts forward from here.

Calcium hardness target

NPC figure shown; your finish manufacturer may set a different target. The NPC procedure says 150 ppm minimum on day 2, not to exceed 200 ppm.

Company header

Company / builder name

Company contact (phone / email)

Builder / remodeler name

Responsible party for the start-up period (printed on the schedule).

Pool owner name

Takes over after day 28 (printed on the schedule).

Pool details

Pool address

Finish type (optional)

Enter the fill date and operator details. The schedule regenerates live. Print or save as PDF for the field.

[Company Name]

New Plaster Start-Up Schedule

28-Day NPC Procedure

Responsibility

Builder / Remodeler: ____________________
Pool Owner: ____________________

The NPC procedure states the remodeling company or builder normally handles the start-up to maintain the warranty on the pool finish. The pool owner takes over for ongoing maintenance after day 28. The responsibility column is a printed default; amend it per your arrangement before signing.

Restrictions during start-up

Do not shock the pool for the first 30 days
Do not swim until the water is properly balanced and sanitized
Do not use the pool heater until all plaster dust has been removed (typically day 4 to 10)
No wheeled devices until after the 28-day start-up is complete
No automated cleaning systems (built-in or robotic) until after 28 days
No chemical feeders other than ORP/pH controllers until after 28 days
No salt-water generators until after 28 days (waiting up to 6 weeks may be beneficial)
Mix and add every chemical per its product label. Follow the label for safe handling.

Fill Day (Day 0)

Task	Done	Responsible
1. Fill pool continuously to mid-skimmer without stopping Stopping leaves a distinct ring at the water line.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
2. Wrap hose end in a clean cloth or attach a float bottle to cushion impact	☐	Builder / Remodeler
3. Test fill water: pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and metals. Record results.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
4. No people or pets in the pool during fill	☐	Builder / Remodeler
5. Confirm filtration equipment is operational before filling	☐	Builder / Remodeler
6. Start filtration immediately when water reaches mid-skimmer	☐	Builder / Remodeler

Day 1

Task	Done	Responsible
1. Test pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and metals. Record results.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
2. Adjust total alkalinity to 80 ppm Mix and add every chemical per its product label.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
3. Adjust pH to 7.2 to 7.6 (if TA is already 80 to 100 ppm)	☐	Builder / Remodeler
4. Brush the entire pool surface twice: top of walls down, shallow end to deep end Brushing at least twice daily is critical to removing plaster dust and protecting the finish appearance.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
5. Add a quality sequestering agent at the manufacturer start-up dosage (recommended) Optional but highly recommended as insurance against metal staining.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
6. Run filtration continuously for a minimum of 72 hours	☐	Builder / Remodeler
7. DO NOT add chlorine for 48 hours	☐	Builder / Remodeler
8. DO NOT turn on pool heater until all plaster dust has been removed Plaster dust typically clears between day 4 and day 10.	☐	Builder / Remodeler

Day 2

Task	Done	Responsible
1. Test pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Record results.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
2. Repeat Day 1 chemistry adjustments (TA, pH) The NPT Day 2 text reads 70 ppm for alkalinity (Day 1 says 80 ppm). Follow the finish manufacturer's guidance for the target.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
3. Adjust calcium hardness to the minimum target (operator input below) Add calcium chloride in increments if a large adjustment is needed. Mix and add every chemical per its product label.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
4. Brush the entire pool surface at least twice daily	☐	Builder / Remodeler

Day 3

Task	Done	Responsible
1. Test pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Record results.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
2. Repeat Day 1 chemistry adjustments (TA, pH)	☐	Builder / Remodeler
3. Chlorine may now be added to achieve 1.5 to 3 ppm (first chlorine) No salt should be added for 28 days.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
4. Brush the entire pool surface at least twice daily	☐	Builder / Remodeler

Days 4 to 7

Task	Done	Responsible
1. Test pH, corrected alkalinity, and calcium hardness daily. Record results. Corrected alkalinity = total alkalinity minus one-third of the cyanuric acid reading.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
2. Continue adjusting calcium hardness slowly (not to exceed the ongoing target)	☐	Builder / Remodeler
3. Adjust cyanuric acid (CYA) to 30 to 50 ppm	☐	Builder / Remodeler
4. Brush the entire pool surface at least twice daily	☐	Builder / Remodeler
5. Day 7: if plaster dust remains, remove it with a brush-type pool vacuum Do not use wheeled or robotic devices until after the 28-day period.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
6. Heater: OK to turn on only after all plaster dust is gone (typically days 4 to 10)	☐	Builder / Remodeler

Days 8 to 14

Task	Done	Responsible
1. Test pH, corrected alkalinity, and calcium hardness daily. Record results.	☐	Builder / Remodeler
2. Continue chemistry adjustments as needed (TA, pH, calcium)	☐	Builder / Remodeler
3. Maintain free chlorine at 1.5 to 3 ppm	☐	Builder / Remodeler
4. Brush at least twice daily until all plaster dust is gone, then as needed	☐	Builder / Remodeler

Days 15 to 28

Task	Done	Responsible
1. Keep testing pH, carbonate alkalinity, and calcium hardness and record results (the NPC procedure as published sets no frequency for days 15 to 28).	☐	Builder / Remodeler
2. Maintain chemistry balance: pH 7.2 to 7.6, TA 80 to 100 ppm, chlorine 1.5 to 3 ppm	☐	Builder / Remodeler
3. Brush at least twice daily until all plaster dust is gone, then as needed	☐	Builder / Remodeler
4. No automated cleaners, robotic devices, chemical feeders (other than ORP/pH), or salt generators until after day 28	☐	Builder / Remodeler

After Day 28

Task	Done	Responsible
1. Maintain Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) between 0.0 and +0.3 for day-to-day water balance	☐	Pool Owner
2. Automated cleaners, salt generators, and chemical feeders may now be used For salt-water generators, waiting up to 6 weeks may be beneficial.	☐	Pool Owner
3. Continue regular water testing and chemistry maintenance per the pool chemistry target chart	☐	Pool Owner

Calcium hardness target (operator input)

150 ppm minimum, not to exceed 200 ppm (NPC procedure). Your finish manufacturer may set a different target; enter your preferred value above. The NPC procedure says to adjust slowly over the 28 days.

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How this schedule works

This is a fill-in start-up SOP, not a dosing calculator. Enter the pool fill date and the 28-day schedule computes every phase's calendar dates automatically. Each phase lists the tasks the NPC (National Plasterers Council) procedure prescribes for that window: what to test, what to adjust, when to brush, when equipment restrictions lift, and who is responsible.

The NPC 28-day start-up procedure (as published by NPT) is the industry-standard reference for new cementitious pool finishes. 86% of the cement in plaster cures within the first 28 days, which is why timely filling and dedicated start-up maintenance is critical.

Fill Day fills the pool continuously to mid-skimmer without interruption. Day 1 tests and adjusts total alkalinity (to 80 ppm) and pH (7.2 to 7.6), begins twice-daily brushing, starts continuous filtration (72-hour minimum), and bans chlorine for 48 hours and the heater until plaster dust clears. Day 3 is the first chlorine window (1.5 to 3 ppm). Days 4 to 7 introduce cyanuric acid (30 to 50 ppm) and begin slow calcium hardness adjustment. Days 8 to 28 continue monitoring and maintenance. After Day 28 the owner maintains the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) between 0.0 and +0.3 and may enable automated cleaners, salt generators, and chemical feeders.

Calcium hardness target is an operator-editable input. The NPC procedure states a minimum of 150 ppm on day 2 and says to adjust slowly, not to exceed 200 ppm during the 28-day period; your finish manufacturer may set a different target. Enter your own value based on the finish manufacturer's guidance and local water conditions.

This schedule prints no dosing amounts. It tells you what to test and when; for the actual chemical doses, use the pool chemistry target chart against your measured volume and the product label. The pool plaster and resurfacing material calculator computes the material bags for the replaster itself, and the acid wash pricing calculator prices the acid wash that may precede it.

Sources

NPC 28-Day Start-Up Procedure. NPT (republishing the National Plasterers Council procedure). Retrieved Oct 17, 2026.
Skimmer NPC Startup Card Reference. Skimmer. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026.

How we choose and check our formulas