Okay, I want a pool, what are some of the issues we should consider?

Once you have established your budget for the pool and the landscaping, what other pool related questions or issues should I consider?

1. Obtain a Certificate of Survey from your local city’s planning or engineering department to see if there are any easements, set backs, or other restrictions for your property.

2. Site conditions will also affect the placement of the pool. Some of these are overhead electric lines, hill or slope proximity, septic systems, and soil conditions.

3. Where will the pool equipment be located? Pool equipment is designed to be placed outside and it is not necessary to place them next to the home. If they are adjacent to the home, they should be kept away from windows that open and your air conditioner condensing unit. In addition, the pool pump is going to work better when it is at or even below the level of the pool. The reason is that pool pumps are good at pushing water, not drawing water above two to three feet above a pool.

4. What type of pool construction is desired? Vinyl lined, concrete, or fiberglass.

5. Size and shape of the pool? Most pools in our market are rectangular to accommodate an automatic cover, but free formed pools can also have an automatic cover if properly designed.

6. Do you want a diving pool or an activity pool? The minimum water depth for a diving pool is 7’ 6”. But the national trend is for activity pools with a maximum depth of five feet.

7. If you want a diving pool and a diving board, there is a wide range of board/stand styles and quality levels. We recommend the SR Smith Cantilever stand.

8. How will you enter and leave the pool? Stairs will be used in the shallow end. Stairs add a lot of beauty to a pool and should be given careful consideration as to design and location. Some pools now also incorporate a sun shelf that is only a few inches deep to allow the placement of lounge chairs in the pool.

9. Do you want the pool to have under water lights? Options range from incandescent, to fiber optic to LED lights. The current trend is the installation of LED lights that provide color options, last longer and use a fraction of the energy of incandescent or halogen lights.

10. What type of deck and coping do you want? How much deck will you want for both walking around the pool and for pool side activities such as lounge chairs and tables – which are typically located at the shallow end of the pool.

11. If your pool will have an automatic cover, will the lid over the cover be aluminum, concrete or stone pavers? When the pool cover is closed when the pool is in use, will the cover be exposed or hidden beneath the lid?

12. Do you want to incorporate any family activities for the pool such as basketball or volleyball? You can have anchors installed in the deck (and properly bonded) so that games will be properly secured.

13. Will your pool have a winter mesh cover? These are important in our climate. If your pool deck is using pavers, you may need a concrete base under the cover to secure the anchors.

14. Do you want to have any special features such as deck or laminar jets? Attached spa? Water fall? All of these add beauty to the pool and increase the use of the of the pool beyond just our warm summer days.

15. Will your pool have an automatic cleaner? If so, will it be a suction side, pressure side or a robotic cleaner? (see our blog article on types of cleaners)

16. When your pool loses water (typically a ¼” a day in the summer due to evaporation), how will you fill it? With a garden hose? We always recommend an electronic water level controller.

17. How will the pool be sanitized and what chemicals will be used? Systems range from (least expensive ) putting chlorine pucks in the skimmer baskets to an automated chlorine generation system (which is what we recommend and install).

These are just a few of the issues you should consider before you decide on your pool.

Why is my Spa Foaming?

The formation of "suds" or foaming on the surface of your spa is typically caused by one of three factors:
 
1) Excessive amounts of lotions, deodorants and/or cosmetic products contribute to spa foaming. 
2) Aeration from the therapy jets can increase the amount of foam.
3) Low Calcium Hardness levels. This foam generally occurs when the calcium hardness level drops below 100 ppm (mg/L).

In some cases, your spa foam may be caused by a combination of 2 or 3 of these items. In any case, your first step should be to perform a full water chemical test (pH, alkalinity, metals, calcium hardness, temperature, TDS and sanitizer level). If your test kit does not test for calcium hardness levels, we suggest contacting or bringing a water sample to a pool/spa professional. If your calcium levels are too low, calcium hardness may be increased by the addition of calcium chloride (calcium increaser).

With regards to causes # 1 and # 2, a defoaming product may be used to reduce the visual effect of foam. These products typically contain silicone emulsions that will help break down the foam. Besides being visually unappealing, foam is often full of contaminants. When contaminants are allowed to concentrate, foaming similiar to dish soap will occur. If defoamers, oxidation treatments and water clarifiers don't take care of the problem, a full spa dump and fresh fill may be justified.

Please Give me a Bid...

We hear this frequently from people that just want a price on a ___ x ____ pool, ____ deep with a diving board, filter, heater, and pump. The assumption is that every pool is pretty much the same and by getting competitive prices, they will get the best “deal.” Unfortunately, what this process will most likely insure is that they will get a cheap pool, but not necessarily a good value. A good value pool will be a pool that is properly designed and built to be easier to maintain, use less chemicals, and cost less to operate.

Only specifying the size, depth and few amenities for the pool is like specifying the size of the home you want to buy or build, allowing the contractor to define how much to spend on the floor coverings, cabinets, and windows. If you want to get a well built pool that will be easy to maintain and stand the test of time, you should consider identifying the following:

1. Will the area around the pool the pool be excavated with the on site soil or will engineered soil be brought in?
2. How many skimmers will be installed? You should have at least one for every 400 square feet or faction there of a pool. For example, a 600 square foot pool should have two skimmers.
3. What is the flow rate and will they have a flow meter on pool equipment pad? A well designed hydraulic system will have a return every 20 feet around the perimeter of the pool and a turn over rate of six hours or less.
4. Will they have a single speed pump or variable speed pump?
5. Will the filter be a sand, DE or cartridge filter? Is it sized properly for the required flow? We prefer cartridge filters because they do not waste water and chemicals in the back wash cycle.
6. Will the pool have an electronic water leveler controller or will you have to fill the pool with a garden hose?
7. Will you need filtered water to fill the pool or is the source water (from the home) adequate (it should be tested in advance)?
8. Will the pool have an automatic cover and if so, what type of lid will be on the cover, aluminum, brick, or pavers?
9. How will the pool be covered in the winter, with the automatic cover or a separate winter cover?
10. If your pool is going to be built close to a hill or a slope, proper engineering should be considered for a retaining wall to prevent slope creep or differential settling.

These are just a few of the types of questions that should be considered on any pool design, or bid request.

Do I Need a CPO? What is a Certified Pool Operator?

According to the National Swimming Pool Foundation, there should be a trained and certified operator at every pool/spa facility. We strongly encourage all owners, managers and anyone overseeing the safety of a pool or spa to become certified. The owners, managers and maintenance staff, should all have a comprehensive knowledge of statutes, codes, regulations and common accepted practices. The CPO certification program will provide this educational base.

With regards to public swimming pools and spas, the American National Standards and the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals says: "Both existing and new public swimming pools and spas shall be maintained under the super-vision and direction of a properly trained operator who shall be responsible for sanitation, safety, and proper maintenance of the pool, and all physical and mechanical equipment. The operator shall be certified in accordance with state/local codes."

Essentially, any individual who evaluates and adjusts pool or spa water chemistry should be certified. Any individual who performs routine maintenance on a pool or spa should be certified. Many organizations also require head lifeguards or swimming instructors to be trained and certified. The CPO certificate is presented with the individuals name (not the facility) and is valid for 5 years. A CPO certificate also provides an individual with opportunities for advanced learning, potential promotions within an organization and even wage increases.

Whether a facility owner or maintenance technician, manager or lifeguard, the Certified Pool Operator is one thing- an aquatics facility professional.

For more information, please check out http://www.olypools.com/ or http://www.nspg.org/.

Three Types of Pool Cleaners

Robotic: 
These are the newest, most popular and most technologically advanced automatic pool cleaners on the market. Robotic cleaners are self-contained and operate independently from your filter system. The majority of these cleaners can calculate the size and contours of your swimming pool and can clean the entire vessel within a short period of time. Typical robotic cleaners will carry a bag or cartridge system to collect debris. The electric motors in these cleaners run on low-voltage power and simply plug into ground fault protected outlets. These cleaners are more popular in southern regions because an automatic cover is rarely used. Features to look for include a user-friendly control panel that will allow you to input your pool's specifications for cleaning customization, a wireless remote control, a sensor that can tell you when the filter/bag requires cleaning and energy-saving cleaning cycles.

Suction-Side:
Suction automated cleaners have fewer bells and whistles than their robotic counterparts and are correspondingly more affordable. They are a very effective method of cleaning above-ground pools and are the popular choice among do-it-yourselfers. Suction pool cleaners plug into your swimming pool skimmer and work off the suction of your pool's filter system; dirt and debris is sent directly to your filter. Because suction automatic cleaners draw water through the filter system, the circulation of your pool improves with their use. Some of the drawbacks include the physical labor, the potential to clog the filter and remembering which valve to open or close. Features to look for include easy installation and maintenance; removal of pebbles in addition to dirt, debris and leaves; and quiet operation. If you want the kids to get involved with the cleaning, look for a colorful vacuum head or one in the shape of an animal (bug, whale, etc...).

Pressure-Side:
Pressure-side cleaners plug into your return jet or use a separate booster pump and line. These pool cleaners use pressure from the return side of your swimming pool's filter system to move the cleaner around the pool. Pressure side cleaners work very well in northern regions and in areas with a lot of foliage. They especially work well in conjunction with an automatic pool cover. All debris is collected into the cleaner's bag, not your filter, keeping your filtration system clean and clear. Features to look for include quick installation, a cleaner that will vacuum the bottom as well as sweep the debris and a detachable bag that can contain larger debris like leaves and twigs.

Considering all the hard work your cleaner will be doing, a lot of pool owners will give their cleaners a “name” and welcome them to the family.

Congrats to Pentair

Pentair was voted the 2nd place winner at the Pool Spa Patio Expo in the category of 'Best Green Product' for the IntelliFlo Variable-Speed Pumps.



Energy savings equals money savings.

Energy Conservation Tips From Pentair ®

Heating & Heat Loss

• Fencing, hedges, landscaping, and cabanas that shelter your pool from prevailing winds will further reduce heat loss.
• Reduce heat loss by using a pool cover. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, savings of 50%-70% are possible.
• If your pool heater is more than five years old, chances are a new high efficiency gas heater could quickly pay for itself in utility bill savings.
• A pool heat pump can save up to 80% in energy usage compared to a gas heater. Check with your pool professional to see if a heat pump is appropriate for your region.
• If you use your pool only on weekends, reduce your heater or heat pump thermostats settings by eight to ten degrees during the week.
• When leaving for vacation for more than a week, turn off the pool heater or heat pump, including the pilot light. Please use caution in freezing conditions.
• According to the National Swimming Pool Institute and the American Red Cross, the most healthful swimming temperature is 78 degrees. Reducing your heater or heat pump thermostat to maintain a 78 degree or lower temperature will also help conserve energy.
• Install a timer or a control system to automate the hours of operation.
• When reopening your pool, make sure your heater or heat pump is working properly.

Circulation

• Replace your pool pump with a more energy-efficient model.
• New variable speed pumps with permanent magnet motors and digital controls can save as much as 90% in utility costs compared to one- or two-speed pumps with induction motors.
• If using an energy-efficient one- or two-speed pump, make sure your pump is sized to your pool’s requirements.
• Reduce run time or speed to reduce energy use.
• If using a one-speed pump, reduce filtration run time. In general, water needs to be circulated through the filter once every 24 hours.
• If using a two-speed or variable speed pump, use the lowest speed to appropriately circulate the water. Reducing speed saves more energy than reducing run time.
• Run your pool's filtration system during off-peak hours when electricity demand is lower, generally between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. Install a timer or a control system to automate the hours of operation.
• Keep intake grates clear of debris. Clogged drains require the pump to work harder.
• To obtain maximum filtration and energy efficiency, backwash or clean your filter regularly, as required.