a time consuming, labor-intensive process that, done properly, requires 30 days of daily service.

Experts disagree on the best approach for how to start up a brand-new pool, but they do agree that it takes a month to ensure that a new plaster finish remains durable, smooth, and aesthetically pleasing.

Among the two most popular and totally different methods concerning how to best start up newly plastered pools are the “traditional method” endorsed by the National Plasterer’s Council and the “bicarb start-up” by the pool consulting group onBalance.

Go online to the National Plasterers’ Council at www.npconline. org and to onBalance’s webpage at www.poolhelp.com for their exact methodologies.

So stand back and get ready: If you’re in the pool service business, you are about to embark on a seriously wild ride!