After planning, designing, digging, plumbing, pouring concrete, and answering the question, “So… when will there be water in it?”, one of the best days of the entire pool installation process finally arrives:
It’s pool start-up day!
This is the moment your project officially goes from “construction site” to “backyard vacation.” And it’s one of our favorite parts of building pools in St. Louis.
What Is Pool Start-Up?
Pool start-up is the final phase of the pool installation process, when the equipment is turned on, systems are tested, water chemistry is balanced, and everything is prepared for swimming.
For both shotcrete and fiberglass pools, start-up typically includes:
- Filling the pool
- Starting the pool equipment system
- Testing pumps, filters, and heaters
- Balancing pool water chemistry
- Checking circulation and water flow
- Testing lighting, automation, and water features
- Making sure everything is operating properly
Think of it as the final quality check before your backyard officially enters pool mode.
Gunite, Shotcrete & Fiberglass Pool Start-Up
Homeowners researching a custom concrete pool often come across both the terms gunite and shotcrete. The two construction methods are similar, but Meramec Pools and Outdoors builds our custom concrete pools using shotcrete.
If you have been searching for a gunite pool builder in St. Louis, much of the information you will find about gunite pool start-up also applies to shotcrete pools. Both are concrete pool construction methods, and both require special attention to the new interior finish and water chemistry during start-up.
Shotcrete Pool Start-Up
With a new shotcrete pool, start-up is especially important because the interior finish is brand new and needs proper water chemistry from the beginning.
What does that look like in the real world?
- The pool is carefully filled
- Pool equipment is brought online
- Water chemistry is balanced to help protect the new finish
- Pumps, filters, heaters, and other equipment are tested
- The pool is typically brushed during the first days and weeks to help keep the new surface clean and smooth
It may sound technical, but this is one of the areas where working with an experienced St. Louis pool builder really matters.
A proper shotcrete pool start-up helps protect the new finish and sets the stage for how the pool looks and performs long-term.
Fiberglass Pool Start-Up
Fiberglass pool start-up tends to move a little faster because the fiberglass shell arrives pre-finished from the factory.
The process typically includes:
- Filling the fiberglass pool
- Activating the equipment
- Balancing water chemistry
- Testing pumps, filters, heaters, and automation
- Checking circulation and water flow
- Making sure all pool systems are operating correctly
One of the reasons homeowners choose fiberglass pool installation is the straightforward and efficient construction process.
That efficiency becomes especially nice when you realize you’re already floating in your new pool while the neighbors are still talking about construction timelines.
The Goal: Getting Everything Working Together
Whether you’re researching a gunite pool, shotcrete pool, or fiberglass pool, a great pool start-up involves much more than simply flipping a switch.
It’s about making sure:
- Water flows and circulates correctly
- Pool equipment runs efficiently
- Automation systems respond properly
- Heating systems operate correctly
- Lighting and water features perform as designed
- Water chemistry is balanced and ready for swimming
This is also when homeowners get to learn how their new pool actually works in real life.
Not in a “Here’s a 400-page manual. Good luck!” kind of way.
A quality pool builder should walk you through your equipment and controls so you understand the basics of operating your new pool and feel comfortable using it from day one.
From Pool Construction to Backyard Vacation
Pool start-up is the final step that brings the entire backyard project together.
The water is clear. The lights come on. The equipment hums quietly in the background.
And suddenly, the project you’ve been imagining for months is sitting right outside your back door.
Ready to Start Planning Your St. Louis Pool?
If you’re considering a new pool installation in St. Louis or the surrounding area, Meramec Pools and Outdoors can help guide you through the entire process, from initial design and backyard planning to construction, pool start-up, and that first jump into the water.
We offer free at-home pool consultations throughout the St. Louis area, where we’ll walk your property, discuss fiberglass and shotcrete pool options, and help you create a pool and outdoor living space designed specifically for your backyard.
If you’ve been searching for a gunite pool builder in St. Louis, it’s worth understanding the difference between gunite and shotcrete. Meramec Pools and Outdoors specializes in shotcrete and fiberglass pool installation, giving homeowners options for both fully custom concrete pools and high-quality fiberglass pools.
Whether you’re planning a fiberglass pool, custom shotcrete pool, new pool deck, landscaping, or a complete backyard transformation, our goal is to make the process as simple as possible from start to finish.
Choose Meramec Pools and Outdoors for your St. Louis pool project, because the best part of pool construction is finally getting to use it.