The ultimate gift that doesn’t expire, break, get boring, or gets lost.

Well here it is, the secret to the best gift ever, and for everyone in the family.  A fiberglass swimming pool!  That is the ultimate gift that doesn’t expire, break, get boring, or gets lost. This is also the gift that gives every year, over and over.

Now the best part of this gift is the surprise of everyone’s face. First your little gifts will be the packages under the tree. Wrapped floats, snorkels, face masks, diving sticks, pool games, pool towels or even a new bathing suit. At first they will be thinking “maybe we are going on a trip” but the last gift they open is the box that has the picture of the pool of all your dreams. Now you could go on a trip, but that last about 5 or 7 days. But this pool will last you a lifetime and create memories that will never end. Your children, family , friends, and even years later your grandchildren will have a lifetime of memories. Earlier I said this gift is even the best for your pet. Why? Because now not only does your pet get to enjoy the backyard fun with the family but he/she won’t miss you while you are away for that 5 or 7 day if you had taken a trip. This way you will always have a vacation in your very own backyard.

Now is the time to get the best price on your pool. Installers aren’t swamped and can accommodate your needs at your price and time frame. So this year make them believe again. Be the hero in their lives and give them the gift that will never be forgotten!

A Winter Checklist

SOLID POOL COVERS

Above ground pool solid covers:

-Ensure winch system or tie downs are secure. Replace any missing or damaged cover clips

-All air pillows are inflated and are positioned properly

-All standing water is being removed from the cover (siphon or pump)

-Monitor water level of pool ensuring no leak has started

-Remove leaves/monitor water chemistry

In-ground solid cover w/ water bags:

-Ensure all water bags, aqua-blocks, or weights are sufficient in weighing down perimeter of cover, Replace any compromised water tube or bag

-Ensure pump is working and has not become clogged

-Monitor water level to ensure pool water is not being removed from the pool. Patch any hole or tear that may occur

-Remove leaves/monitor water chemistry

MESH POOL COVERS
Mesh covers: Mesh covers have come a long way and have improved on the amount of sunlight that makes its way through the cover and hits the water. Make sure mesh material is constantly allowing water to properly drain.

-Check that all straps are connected to anchoring system which usually consists of an anchor inserted into surrounding decking. Make sure any spring is compressed roughly two-thirds and proper tension is maintained across entire cover.

-Monitoring water level to ensure freeze does not occur at tile line or within the skimmer throat

-Remove leaves/monitor water chemistry – if ice exists, (like in the picture above) don’t try to remove it, you may damage cover.

*Some mesh pool covers filter water down to 20 microns before it enters the pool but to prevent cloudy water, proper water chemistry maintenance is vital with a mesh cover to avoid staining and additional costly chemicals that may be needed to bring pool water back to swim able condition. Use of pool enzymes during the winter, in addition to having good chlorine and algaecide levels, will drastically reduce spring clean-up of mesh pool covered pools.

Solid Safety cover w/ mesh drain panels: These safety covers utilize mesh drain panels located in the center of the cover to concentrate silt and runoff water directly beneath drain.

-Check that all straps are connected to anchoring system which usually consists of an anchor inserted into surrounding decking. Make sure any spring is compressed roughly two-thirds and proper tension is maintained across entire cover.

-Solid covers should allow water accumulation at all areas to drain to a center point. Adjust straps if water pools in area other than drain location.

-Ensure drain is unblocked and water has ability to go into the pool

-Remove leaves/monitor water chemistry. If ice has stuck cover to pool – let it be, it will thaw.

-Monitoring water level to ensure freeze does not occur at tile line or within the skimmer throat

Solid Safety cover w/cover pump: In theory nothing enters the water when using a cover pump so water chemistry is highly unlikely to go bad. Main goal is to ensure cover pump continues to work

-Solid covers should allow water accumulation at all areas to drain to a center point where pump is located. Adjust straps if water pools in area other than pump location.

-Remove leaves/monitor water chemistry

Swim Spa Basics For Aquatic Fitness Routines

Every homeowner can benefit by creating an aquatic fitness routine in a swim spa. And better yet, it’s closer than the gym! You can install a swim spa in your backyard, sunroom, basement, or other convenient location within your home. Swim spas, also known as swim-in-place-pools, offer the swimming environment of a lap pool and the massaging jets of a hot tub/spa, all in one compact unit.

The key component in a swim spa is its current, and all models use one of three types: jet propulsion, paddlewheel, or propeller.

Jet propulsion systems, also known as pressure-driven systems, generate a current by forcing water through one or more jets. They are typically powered with a 4-HP motor and can be adjusted to speeds up to 8 mph. Some jets allow swimmers to change the direction of the current for a customized water flow.

Paddlewheel systems create a current powered by a rotating paddlewheel at one end of the swim spa. The wheel produces a smooth current across the entire width of the spa, moving in a layered, sheet-like flow that can reach as deep as two feet. The water is circulated under the swim current and back to the paddlewheel.

Propeller-powered systems create a wide, deep, smooth current that is essentially turbulent-free. A propeller forces water through a grate in the spa wall; the water continues toward a second grate on the rear wall, which keeps the water circulating. Water often travels back to the propeller through recessed channels, sometimes concealed in bench seats or beyond the side walls.

Fitness in a Swim Spa
Exercise machines typically found in a gym can be used in a swim spa, including exercise bikes, elliptical machines, and treadmills. These are usually add-ons to existing models, but at least one manufacturer offers a swim spa with a built-in treadmill. Some swim spas have optional water wells, which make the spa one or two feet deeper and allow for additional fitness activities such as deep water running.

You can attach resistance bands to fasteners on the swim spa in order to perform arm and leg exercises. You can also attach bands to rowing bars for arm strengthening.

To increase resistance and maintain body position while swimming against the current, you may utilize a swim tether. This aquatic fitness aid is composed of a belt that goes around your waist and is connected to a band that mounts to the end of the swim spa.

A number of other aquatic fitness products are available; these can be used in a pool, hot tub, or a swim spa:

• One unique product is comprised of a stick attached to two resistance bands with handles. By combining stick and resistance training, it allows for many different exercises in the water.
• Using ankle weights in the water can help shape inner thighs, calves, and glutes.
• You can strap buoyancy cuffs around your ankles to increase resistance without adding weight.
• Webbed gloves and fins increase the surface area of your hands and feet, increasing the drag.
• Foam buoyancy belts promote correct posture, support your lower back, and tone your abdominals while water walking or running.
• Certain exercises can be done while using dumbbells or dragging a ball or kickboard through the water.

Benefits of Aquatic Exercise

Aquatic exercise provides many health benefits and is suitable for people of varying fitness levels. Here are the two major advantages to exercising in water as opposed to on land: 

Water’s buoyancy supports the weight of your body. In fact, you weigh only 10 percent of your land weight when in water up to your neck. This means your movements are very low-impact and less likely to become painful; your risk of injury is also very low.

Water is also 12 times more resistant than air, meaning your muscles work harder as they move through the water. 

What do these benefits add up to? A great workout in an environment with a low risk of injury. Your pool, hot tub, or swim spa can be used for many different activities, including exercises to keep you in shape and treat various conditions; just be sure to consult your doctor before attempting aquatic exercises as a form of treatment.

Popular Landscaping Stone

Granite – Hardest, most expensive stone; difficult to quarry and shape; wide range of colors and grains; durable; low porosity

Common applications: Waterfalls, retaining walls, outcroppings

Limestone – Easier to shape than granite; many colors available; shades/patterns are uniform (but vary by location); weathers with an attractive patina; porosity varies by location

Common applications: Coping, retaining walls, waterfalls (harder varieties)

Travertine – Type of limestone formed by hot springs; natural divots can be filled in for more even surface; often honed to create matte finish; multiple colors and graining appear throughout, giving each stone a unique look

Common applications: Pool decking, coping, patio floors; sun ledges/tanning shelves in swimming pools

Sandstone – Easy to cut; resists erosion; softer than limestone; porosity varies; found in a range of earth tones; relatively uniform texture

Common applications: Pool decking, coping, pathways, patio floors, steps, water features (low porosity varieties)

Flagstone – Any kind of stone split into shallow, flat slabs for paving; easy to walk on; helps water drainage

Common applications: Flat surfaces including pool decking, coping, pathways, patio floors

Fieldstone – Thick stone easily excavated from top of soil; exposed surface is weathered and often moss-covered

Common applications: Stacked retaining walls, sitting walls

River Rock – Smaller stones that have been smoothed and shaped into circular forms by natural waterway

Common applications: Engraved marking stones, dry river beds, borders for pathways and plant beds

Stain-Free Salt Chlorination

Staining of cementitious surfaces is a problem in traditional and salt water pools. These stains can develop almost immediately or over time. When stains develop gradually, the pool owners may not realize the problem until it’s too late.

Stains caused by leaves in the pool, metals in the source water, and exposed rebar will impact any type of pool. However, other causes of staining, such as galvanic corrosion and metals in the salt itself, are much more of an issue with salt water pools.

The warning signs of staining in salt water pools include mild streaking down the sides of the pool, or discolored pool surfaces or water. Water discolorations can range from blue-green to dark brown. Interestingly, a significant contributor to staining can be the naturally occurring contaminants found in pool salt itself.

All salt molecules have the same chemical makeup — sodium chloride (NaCl). However, pool salt is not 100 percent pure sodium chloride; it contains different types and levels of impurities. Where the salt comes from and how it was produced — mined from underground salt deposits, mechanically evaporated, or evaporated from saline ponds (solar) — affects the levels and types of contaminants found. Manganese, iron and copper are responsible for the majority of staining issues.

even if high-purity pool salt is used, improperly applying it can also cause stains. If undissolved salt is allowed to remain on a cementitious pool surface, it can cause efflorescence, a type of staining. To put it simply, calcium carbonate is a major structural component of plaster, and it’s not very soluble in plain water; but high salt concentrations greatly increase its solubility.

In a salt water pool, the impact on plaster is minimal since the salt concentration is only about 3,200-3,500 ppm. However, the salt concentration in the immediate vicinity of an undissolved pile of salt on the pool floor could be well over 300,000 ppm. This concentration of salt is high enough to dissolve the calcium carbonate in the plaster, effectively weakening it.

In fact, the calcium carbonate quickly returns to its insoluble state as soon as it contacts pool water with “normal” concentrations of salt (i.e., 3,200-3,500 ppm). As the calcium carbonate falls out of solution, it attaches to and discolors surfaces. This discoloration is especially visible on colored plaster finishes.

Staining due to metals in source water, corrosion of metallic equipment, or salt impurities is exacerbated by pH that is too high or too low. Weekly testing for pH and monthly testing for metals (if source water is high in stain-causing metals or if pools contain copper heaters) is recommended.

Treat when needed
There are many stain removal products available that can be used in salt water pools. Some of the more advanced salt products also contain anti-stain agents, and some manufacturers offer performance guarantees with them.

Avoid phosphorous-based stain-fighters, since they break down into orthophosphates, which are nutrients for algae and promote the formation of phosphate scale in the chlorine generator. Physically removing dissolved metals can usually be accomplished with sequestering agents and filter aids.

Fortunately, by following sound product application procedures and maintenance principles, stains can often be prevented. That way, customers can enjoy all the benefits of their salt pools without the worry of unsightly stains.

Green pool lighting technology

Pool lighting can be one of the largest energy hogs around the pool, especially when used frequently.

LED pool lights, now available, allow you to operate your pool lights at up to 80% less electricity than traditional incandescent fixtures. And what’s more, today’s pool lights are cool running, and with no internal filament to wear out, the bulbs virtually last forever. Combine these features with sophisticated controllers, and you can program patriotic light shows for July 4th, or a scary color theme for Halloween.

But what I’m really excited to tell you about – are the new pool light bulbs available. Yes! Lightbulbs! Halco lighting has introduced 3 new bulbs, at low cost, including a Pool light CFL bulb! These new CFL pool lightbulbs can replace a regular R40 bulb, burning brighter, at huge savings. You’ll want to use your pool light more often. And that’s good!

Two-Person Hot Tubs

There is a growing popularity in compact spas over the past few years—baby boomers are getting older and moving into townhomes and condos. The two-person hot tub fits well into very small yards and because of the size, they are inherently less expensive. In addition, the smaller units appeal to a new demographic: single women. For one, women are accustomed to taking baths, and may desire a similar experience in a hot tub.

It looks like this trend is here to stay.

10 Tips on managing dangerous pool chemicals

1. Store pool Chemicals out of Reach of Children: This would mean on an upper shelf or locked cabinet.

2. Store pool chemicals in a cool, dry location. Very hot or wet locations can cause fumes to develop inside the bucket or bag.

3. Store pool chemicals in separate locations. Keep acids far away from chlorine. Keep different chlorine types separated. This is especially important while transporting pool chemicals. In the event of an accident, mixed pool chemicals could shut down the beltway!

4. Do not allow any contamination of pool chemicals. The smallest amount of foreign substances, such as other pool chemicals, flecks of leaves or dirt – can react with your pool chemicals, resulting in fire or explosion.

5. Use a clean, dry chemical scoop. Small flecks or dirt or trace amounts of other pool chemicals can react violently.

6. Keep all pool chemical lids on tightly. Lock them down – they are fairly childproof, if installed correctly.

7. Never Mix Pool Chemicals. Add them to the pool separately.

8. Add chemicals to water – not water to chemicals. When pre-mixing a chemical solution – fill the bucket with water, and add the pool chemical to the bucket, while stirring.

9. While adding pool chemicals, be up-wind. Strong winds can blow broadcasted chemicals back into your face, or all over the pool deck.

10. Follow all packaging instructions. All pool chemicals have very specific instructions in use and storage. For instance. 1lb shock packages will tell you to use the entire packet at one time. Half full bags of shock laying around is quite dangerous!

Pool Energy Standards

We all know that the air conditioner consumes the most energy in the home, but the pool pump is a close second. The differences in power usage can be huge even between the same pump, one with a standard motor and one with an energy efficient motor. California, Arizona and (coming soon) Texas pool owners must use a 2 speed, variable speed or multi-speed pump when replacing existing pumps or motors over 1 hp.

 According to the new “Pool Pump and Portable Spa Energy Efficiency Standards” which will take effect Jan. 1, 2012 in Arizona, will require two-speed, mulit-speed or variable-speed pumps on all residential installations with a pump size more than 1hp. What this means to the homeowner is that when they’re current pump fails they will have to buy a pump that is either energy efficient”, 2 speed or variable speed. The energy savings is one key point in the war to going green, but the main and long-term benefit is the effect on the environment and greenhouse gasses.  Replacing old equipment with newer green technologies is something that anyone can accomplish to do their part in cleaning up the environment.

Correctly Sizing Salt Chlorinators

Many pool and spa professionals are incorrectly sizing salt chlorine generators, according to a growing school of thought.

If you can have two identical 16,000 gallon pools — one with a family of six that has two dogs, and the other with a retired couple — each of those pools requires a different salt chlorine generator system. “The size of the pool is not as important as chlorine demand.”  The U.S. is the only country in the world where salt chlorinators are marketed based on pool capacity, not chlorine demand.

However, many salt chlorinators are sold to residential customers based not on chlorine demand, but on the gallonage of the pool on which they’re to be installed. A particular model will be listed as having, for example, a 40,000-gallon capacity. The measurement is based on the amount of water a chlorinator can theoretically keep sanitized under an average bather load, when running for about eight hours a day in a cool climate.

Manufacturers and dealers who use this gallonage-based system often are just trying to make things simpler for residential customers unfamiliar with the concept of a bather load. But this system of sizing is actually multiplying long-term costs for consumers. Trying to keep up with a pool’s sanitation needs can quickly wear down an undersized chlorinator, especially in warm climates where chlorine tends to break down more quickly, and in pools with heavy bather loads.

SOURCE: excerpts from article “Experts Say Salt Chlorinators Often Sized Incorrectly” by Ben Thomas