Pool School — Your First Year as a New AZ Pool Owner
The pool's filled. Now what? A month-by-month playbook so a brand-new owner doesn't blow up the plaster or burn out the pump in year one.
Week 1–4 (plaster cure)
Brush twice daily — pebble plaster releases dust that becomes etching if not brushed off. No salt for 30 days (degrades fresh plaster). Test chemistry every 2 days. No pool sweep or robot for the first 2 weeks.
Month 1–3
Switch from start-up chlorine to your normal sanitation (salt cell, tab feeder, or liquid). Set pump to variable-speed schedule (low 18 hr + high 4 hr is the AE default for residential).
Month 4–6 (first monsoon)
Cover skimmer and pump basket weekly during dust storms. Brush waterline tile after every storm. Shock after heavy rain. Pull and clean filter cartridges or backwash DE after each major event.
Month 7–12
Wind up to first full summer. Pump runs longer. Watch CYA (stabilizer) — over 80 ppm and chlorine stops working. Drain & refill ~20% if CYA climbs. Schedule first equipment-pad inspection at month 9–10.
Things to stop doing immediately
Pouring pucks in the skimmer (eats the basket and pump). Adding muriatic acid through the skimmer (eats plaster + pump seals). Letting pH climb past 8.0 unchecked (calcium deposits at waterline). Skipping brushing for a month (etching forever).
What AE includes
Every new AE pool comes with a printed care PDF, hands-on orientation at fill-up, and 30/90/365-day check-ins. Your texts about "is this normal?" go directly to David or your build manager — not a 1-800 line.
