Covering All Bases

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Industry veterans offer tips for ensuring a perfect automatic-cover installation.

Installing automatic pool covers requires a team effort, with the builder and subcontractors playing important roles.

“The pool cover installer should make sure they’re coordinating with whoever is building the pool,” says Mark Sheinman, president of Pennco Automatic Pool Covers in Havertown, Pa. “You need to make sure everyone’s on the same page.”

Here, specialists explain how all parties can contribute to a long-lasting automatic cover.

BUILDERS:
• Make everything square and follow the specifications.


The most important part of the automatic-cover installation rests in the pool builder’s hands. Unfortunately, it’s also where most mistakes are made.

“Most covers will work well for the first couple years, but after that, you’ll start to see issues if the pool is out of square or not constructed correctly,” Sheinman says. “The customer starts having little problems like, ‘It was out of alignment today,’ or, ‘It didn’t close evenly.’ You just won’t have consistency in operation.”

For the cover to glide smoothly through narrow tracks, several elements must be precisely aligned. To make this happen, builders need only to take a little extra time to make sure the pool is level, plumb and square — and built to the planned specifications.

And remember: No improvising on the job. If the pool plans need to change, coordinate with the cover installer so everyone is up to speed.

• Set up proper drainage.
Even the newest hydraulic cover systems and waterproof motors are not meant to sit submerged in water, but that’s exactly what will happen if the cover mechanism box floods out due to rain, pool overflow or ground water.

Some cover installers prefer when pool builders drain the cover box to daylight, with the pipes gradually sloping until they empty out to daylight at a lower level. This usually requires a gradual slope in the yard, but on flat sites, the pool sometimes can be slightly raised to create enough of an elevation differential.

“Then there’s very little to no chance that the mechanism enclosure could flood or clog up,” Sheinman says. “It’s the least expensive method, and extremely effective.”

On sites that won’t accommodate this scheme, there are other options. Some like to send the drainage to the sewer. Before doing this, make sure it is permitted by local code.

Another possibility is to dig a dry well with crushed stone on the bottom. However, be aware that dry wells probably will require some maintenance. For instance, when the soil doesn’t drain properly, it can get backed up and flood out the mechanism enclosure.

Some builders don’t like to tie this system in with the deck or backwash plumbing. If the other systems back up, they say, gravity will send water right into the lower-sitting cover box.

As with pools, larger pipe is generally better when plumbing a drain. Sheinman prefers 4-inch plumbing, so that leaves and other debris can move more freely. Three inches is just adequate, he says. If you go with 2-inch plumbing, though, the drain may have to be snaked more often than the homeowner likes.

In addition, use sweep 90s rather than hard corners — these make it easier to get a sewer snake through for unclogging.

Drains can be placed throughout the box, as you would on a deck. However, many
installers recommend placing them on the ends of the mechanism enclosure, so they’re more accessible to service techs for cleaning.

• Make stone lids service-friendly.
Builders often choose to integrate their cover boxes with the deck by covering them with stone or a cementitious material.

That’s forward-thinking in terms of design. But consider how this will affect service down the road. A single technician can only lift so much, which is why Nikk White recommends breaking the lid up into sections that max out at 50 pounds.

“If it weighs 75 pounds and you have to drag it off and pinch your fingers, [service techs] are going to ignore it and not do it,” says the service manager of Cascade Pools in Lake Oswego, Ore.

If possible, he may use hollow artificial rock to make for a lighter product.

When using a natural, flat material such as flagstone, keep the joints between the sections separated — do not grout them together.

“You have to break the grout to get the lid off,” White says. “Some masons say, ‘It’s silicone.’ But you still have to cut it, and then it’s going to look like heck. It’d be better not to put anything in there in the beginning.”

• Provide proper support for deck-mounted installations.


These applications — where tracks are placed on the deck to cover a freeform pool — will only work on a stable surface. Otherwise, the deck won’t properly hold the tracks.

Pavers that sit directly under the tracks or other cover components should not simply be installed on a sand bed.

“It’s important to either set the pavers in concrete, or have concrete between them to lock them into place,” Sheinman says. “When you do, you have a good, permanent foundation that’s not going to move over time. Otherwise, you’re going to have problems long-term with the installation.”

 

Source: Rebecca Robledo- Pool and Spa News | 3.27.2009

Commercial Swimming Pools

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Apartment complexes, condominiums, campgrounds, country clubs, and hotels can greatly benefit from commercial swimming pools. A pool can attract guests and residents, and it will even make some people more willing to pay higher rent on a property. Commercial pools can be as customized as residential pools. Custom designs and original landscaping can greatly enhance the appearance of a pool. Also, complexes can choose from several different types of pools. For instance, a country club might have a standard swimming pool, a lap or exercise pool, and a game pool on the same property.

We at Expert Pools are a leading distributor of commercial pools in in Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The pools we install are constructed from fiberglass as opposed to concrete. Fiberglass pools are more durable and far better equipped to handle cold climates than concrete pools.

Maintaining Commercial Pools

There is no rule that says a commercial pool has to be larger than a private pool, but it should be designed to allow several people to swim at once. There are also safety concerns that come with commercial pools that are not always necessary with residential models. Often, commercial pools are shallow because lifeguards are not always present, and children will often swim on their own.

Commercial pools are usually more susceptible to abrasion, debris collection, and bacteria build-up than residential pools. Our fiberglass pools will greatly reduce the amount of maintenance required to manage these problems. They are easier to clean than concrete pools, and they are built to stave off algae penetration and other surface problems that often occur when groups of people swim in a pool on a regular basis. The total savings on chemicals and routine maintenance will save you several thousand dollars per year. Some of our clients said that they even saved enough after 10 years to pay for the pool !

Cleaning Your Filter

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Cleaning   Your Filter

Keep your pool filters free and clear   with regular maintenance

Keeping   the pool clean is a dirty job, which is why to clear dirt and debris   effectively, pool filters need periodic cleanings themselves.

The   three most common types of swimming pool filters are diatomaceous earth (DE),   sand and cartridge filters. Understanding how these different pool filters   work and how to maintain them can make your job easier, keep your pools   looking good, and keep your customers happy.

Micron   ratings

The   filter’s job is to trap all of the fine dust, dirt and sand particles that   pass through the skimmer basket and the hair-and-lint pot. Filters can make   the pool water look beautifully blue and crystal clear, but the water is not   necessarily pure. The misconception that a filter can purify water leads too   many homeowners and pool techs to blame cloudy water on filters instead of   proper water balance and sanitation.

Filters   remove only solid particles from swimming pool water. They generally cannot   remove dissolved contaminants, such as oils, bacteria or disease-causing   pathogens.

A   swimming pool filter’s efficiency is measured by its micron rating, meaning   how many microns can pass through the filter. A micron is a unit of length   equal to one millionth of a meter (1/1,000,000 m), or 0.0000394 of an inch.

A   grain of ordinary table salt is about 100 microns, and the human eye can see   down to about 35 microns without the aid of magnification. The lower the   micron rating on a pool filter, the smaller the particles it can remove from   the water.

Diatomaceous   Earth filters

The   DE filter is a favorite of pool builders and service technicians because it   has the best micron rating. A DE filter can strain out particles as small as 1   to 3 microns.

Diatomaceous   earth is a white powder that is made of the tiny skeletal remains of sea   creatures, called diatoms, which died prehistorically. Inside the DE filter   tank are eight semi-circular grids. The DE coats the grids and forms a filter   cake, which acts as a micro-screen to strain out tiny pieces of debris.

Pure   DE will not compact, so the pool water can easily pass through it. The dirt   and debris that is trapped in the filter cake will cause the filter cake to   pack and restrict water flow.

The   DE filter may be partially cleaned by backwashing. All DE filters have a   valve that allows the pool water to run backwards through the filter. Pool   water enters the filter and rinses most of the filter cake, dirt and debris   away to the sewer drain.

The   filter grids must be re-coated with a new filter cake after each backwashing.   Because backwashing does not remove all of the dirt and debris from the   filter, it is necessary to periodically open the filter and clean each grid   individually.

Separation   tanks

The   separation tank, found on many systems, is used to backwash a DE filter. The   job of the separation tank is to separate the DE and filter dirt from the   water while it is being backwashed.

Many   cities have banned DE and filter dirt from being backwashed down the street   and into storm drains. Some cities also don’t want DE and filter dirt   entering the sewer system, lest it clog the pipes. Therefore, during   backwashing, the discharged water must pass through a separation tank.

The   separation tank contains a strainer bag, which traps the DE dirt and muck.   Depending on the city ordinance, the clean, DE-free pool water is either   returned to the pool or sent down the sewer drains.

The   separation tank should be cleaned every time the filter is cleaned, and its   contents must be disposed of in a proper trash receptacle. It is important to   clean the separation tank at regular intervals — i.e., every time you clean   the filter — because the more impacted it gets, the less effective it   becomes; the heavier the strainer bag gets, the harder it is to remove; and   the more oils it collects, the worse its odor will be.

Adding   DE

After   backwashing the filter, you will need to add more DE to it through the   skimmer. Some pool techs will put the DE into a bucket, add water, then pour   the whole mixture down the skimmer; others will scoop the DE into the skimmer   directly.

DE   is added at a rate of 1 pound per 10 square feet of filter (always round up).   For years, a 1-pound coffee can was used as a DE measure; a 1-pound coffee   can holds 1/2 pound of DE, so you would use two 16-ounce coffee cans per   pound of DE. But coffee cans now hold only between 10 and 13 ounces — not 16   — so they are not recommended anymore. A 1-pound scoop is available at any   supply house. A 44-ounce drink cup also holds a pound of DE.

Sand   filters

A   sand filter is the oldest and simplest filter in use: The water used in the   famous Roman baths was filtered by running it through sand. The sand inside   the filter is called the sand bed. As the pool water passes through tiny   openings in the sand bed, dirt particles and other debris are trapped.

Sand   filters are virtually maintenance-free. A good sand filter can go years and   years on backwashing alone, if the backwashing is done right. There are no   grids to clean and no DE or sand to add — just backwash and go.

The   edges of the sand particles create tiny crevices to filter the water and   catch the debris. As dirt passes through the filter, it becomes trapped in   these crevices while the clean water passes through.

Just   as you would with a DE filter, when you backwash a sand filter, you run the   water backwards through the system so that all the dirt in the crevices and   gaps rises to the top of the filter and goes down the backwash line.

Sand   filters have the highest micron rating. They start out at about 40 microns   and go down to 20 microns over time. “A sand filter starts to clean better   the dirtier it gets,” says John Ott, Western Regional Technical Training   Manager at Hayward Pool Products, Elizabeth,   N.J.

Because   of this high micron rating, the water in a sand-filtered pool could start to   look cloudy. When this happens, simply add a good clarifier. A clarifier will   gather all of the small pieces of debris that pass through the filter and   clump them together into a larger piece of debris that will become trapped in   the sand filter’s crevices.

Backwashing   a sand filter

The   only way to clean a sand filter is by backwashing it. And it’s important to   remember that this is a two-step process.

First,   backwash the filter for at least two minutes, or until the water runs clear.   In normal run position, the sand gets packed down. During backwashing, the   sand rises and separates, thus releasing the debris trapped inside and   allowing it to flow out of the filter.

Second,   allow the filter to sit for 15 to 30 seconds. This lets the sand inside   settle down again. Then, set the backwash valve to the rinse setting and   rinse the filter for 30 seconds, or until the water runs clear.

A   common complaint about sand filters is that a small amount of dirt will shoot   back into the pool after backwashing. This is often because the second   backwashing step — allowing the filter to sit for 15 to 30 seconds so the   sand can settle and re-trap the dirt, followed by rinsing the filter — was   not performed. Bypassing this step may cause some dirt to escape the filter   and re-enter the pool. With proper backwashing and rinsing, and the addition   of a clarifier, a sand-filtered pool should stay clean and blue.

Cartridge   filters

Developed   in the 1950s, cartridge types are the newest of the swimming pool filters.   They are also the simplest to maintain, which is why they are so popular   today.

The   cartridge of the filter closely resembles a car’s air filter, but much   taller. The cartridge material is made from a pleated polyester cloth. As   water passes through the pleated material, dirt particles and debris are   trapped within the pleats. A new cartridge filter can strain out particles at   about 20 microns, but will go down to as low as 5 microns. The micron rating   actually gets lower as the filter gets dirtier.

The   cartridge must be removed for cleaning, as the filter cannot be backwashed.   It’s a good idea to clean a filter every six months to a year, depending on   the bather load and the size of the cartridges. (See “The Pressure’s On” for   more information on when to clean a filter.)

To   clean the filter, remove the cartridge and simply hose it off.

After   hosing the filter clean, take a minute to inspect it. The pleats should be   straight, not buckled or crooked. Also, inspect the molding on the top and   bottom of the cartridge. Is it in good shape, or is it starting to tear away   from the pleats? Buckling and tearing are signs that the cartridge is getting   old and needs to be replaced.

Source: Robert Foutz Jr.- Pool and Spa News | 3.26.2010

Building An In-ground Pool

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Everyone at Expert Pools knows that having an in-ground pool installed is a major project for a person or family. That is why we make the process as easy as possible from the beginning to end. Before purchasing a fiberglass pool, you can visit one of our   locations to view a variety of designs, see what the pools look like when they are in the ground, or even take a look at some of our past projects at customers residences.

No one should have a pool built without first getting an idea of how everything is going to look and how much the entire project is going to cost. We will happily come to your home to inspect your backyard, and we can even show you how the pool will be laid out. At this time, you can receive a free estimate, as well.

Installing an In-ground Fiberglass Pool

There are a few steps that need to be taken between the purchase and installation of a fiberglass pool. Underground lines, overhead lines, fences, surface drainage, retention walls and other landscaping elements need to be surveyed. Once this is done, and it is determined that there are no  issues, initial design and construction can be completed, and the real building process can get under way shortly thereafter.

First, the hole is dug and graded using a stone mixture. The dirt from the excavation is then hauled to a dump site. Next the fiberglass pool arrives, and  is set into the hole and laser leveled. Water is then added, and plumbing and concrete forms are set. In approximately 3-4 weeks the pool is finished. The building process for fiberglass designs is typically much faster than it is for concrete pool because much of the construction happens at the factory. The product is built in a temperature controlled environment which makes the quality much more consistent. In some cases, pools can even be completed within a few days. There are many factors that contribute to actual construction time. Please ask a sales associate for more details.

Backyard Pools

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For children there is nothing quite like heading out to the backyard pool on a hot day and impressing friends and family members with a series of cannonballs, jack-knifes, and can openers. The joy derived from a pool is not limited to kids, though. Pools provide a great source of exercise for those looking to drop a few pounds, and they are perfect for anyone who wants to spend a little time in the sun during peak tanning hours.

In most Southern states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Texas concrete pools dominate backyards. People do not have to worry about cracks forming due to long, cold winters. However, in places like Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin concrete pools generally are not strong enough to make it through the cold weather changes. Anyone who wants a backyard pool that is going to last in the harsh weather can really only rely on fiberglass pools that are built to flex with the ground movement.

Benefits of Backyard Fiberglass Pools 

At Expert Pools, we are aware of the fact that not every fiberglass pool or spa is exactly the same. That is why we employ the latest technology and use only the finest materials in our designs. We have developed a distinctive fiberglass composite that features a ceramic layer between the vinyl ester and polyester resin layers. This ceramic interior makes the pool stronger and it waterproofs the pool’s finish.

Technology is not the only thing that separates us from other fiberglass pool distributors. We are the number-one ranked builder of in-ground pools in the area, our work has been featured on the hit TV show Extreme Home Makeover, and our stock of one-piece fiberglass pools is unmatched. We are also willing to take the time to see that a customer gets exactly what he is looking for when purchasing a pool. For instance, if you can’t visualize what a pool will look like in your backyard, we can stop by with a full-sized, fabric template that will give you a better picture. We also offer three dimensional design for no additional charge.

Backyard Ideas

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When summertime rolls around, most people want to spend as much time outside as they possibly can. After battling a brutal winter, it is time to kick back, fire up the grill, and enjoy a few months of the hot sun. There is no better way to take advantage of the season than by taking a dip or swimming a few laps in the backyard pool.

Many people in the area shy away from buying in-ground pools for their backyards because they think that winter (and fall for that matter) will be too cold for the pool to last. In the case of concrete and gunite pools, this is often the case. However, the latest fiberglass pools can actually take a stand against Mother Nature, and remain undamaged by frost, lake-effect snow, high winds, and even blizzards.

Changing the Look of a Backyard with Fiberglass Pools

People are often under the impression that there is only one design for fiberglass pools–the standard rectangle. This is not actually true, and at Expert Pools we are happy to offer a variety of designs that rival any concrete pool. We have over 65 standard models of different shapes and sizes.

Additions such as cascades, streams, and fountains can be added to fiberglass pools in order to complement any landscaping ideas a person might have for his backyard. There are also color options and fiber optic lighting choices that can greatly affect the look of a pool and the yard itself. It is even possible to create a mosaic out of inlaid tiles.

AUTOMATIC POOL COVERS

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Discover the Possibilities Pool covers are fitting the bill as energy-savings and safety top consumer concerns

About half of all pools installed today  now come with automatic covers.

Though the top concern remains safety, more customers are requesting the equipment to extend the swimming season by saving on heating costs, according to Michael Downes, vice president and general manager of the company based in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Ill.

“In the industry and the country, there’s a big push nowadays that everything be green,” agrees Dave Bachman, general manager at Don Marcum’s Pool Care in Newtown, Ohio. “Maybe consumers are listening a little bit more.”

Indeed, the trend has reached beyond standing in a customer’s backyard with calculator in hand to determine exactly how many dollars can be saved by a cover through reduced energy use. And the product category has received further attention via the national spotlight on drowning-prevention — thanks in large part to a handful of high-profile child drownings, and subsequent passage in 2008 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

The result is an opportunity to expand the market — and manufacturers, dealers and distributors alike are seizing on the pool cover’s primary selling points, as well as some timely rebate programs, to do exactly that.

Opportunities
Not many cover dealers cast as wide a net as Pennco Automatic Pool Covers. The Havertown, Pa.-based company finds business from New York to Virginia, says president Mark Sheinman.

“The key for us is running far and wide,” he says. “We have a lot of repeat builders, but we keep in touch with others through phone calls and mailers. You may have a builder come back to you after a few years, so we try to maintain those relationships.”

Seeking untapped markets has always been a hallmark of the firm, and these days it’s no different. In fact, Sheinman says he’s found pockets of business among wealthy homeowners who seem to wait for an economic downturn to invest in larger projects. Venturing to the local permit office to determine who has recently pulled permits is one technique that’s traditionally borne fruit.

These days, however, much more business comes simply through referrals, whether from homeowners or contractors. And with that often comes opportunities to sweeten the deal.

“If a customer recommends another customer, we’ll frequently help them out with a discount on service,” Sheinman says.

As for nontraditional clients, some dealers have mentioned teaming with automotive service companies like Jiffy Lube, adapting automatic covers to fit over open work areas. The covers help protect employees from the sun while complying with requirements set forth by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Public bus depots and terminals have been raised as other potential automatic cover clients.

Pools of foreclosed homes have proven to be yet another fertile area for safety covers, as banks and property management companies look to reduce the potential liability associated with abandoned vessels.

On Long Island, temperatures can drop 20 degrees or more overnight, says John Lochren, owner of Solar Pool Enclosures of New York Inc. in Holbrook, N.Y., a pool cover distributor since 1990. So promoting the benefits of covers in the areas of heat, as well as chemical, retention has given his marketing efforts a boost.

Still, securing the pool remains top priority for homeowners when it comes to questions about covers, Bachman says. Nine out of 10 consumer inquiries on pool covers focus on safety, he reports.

But in addition to young families installing covers to protect their children, Bachman sees another demographic evolving into solid customers.

“You’re getting a lot of grandparents buying automatic covers for their children’s families, because now they’re thinking about the grandchildren,” he says. “Or you get the flip-side of that, where the toddler comes over to the grandparents’ house, and because they’re watching the child, they now want to install an
automatic cover to give them that peace of mind.”

With new pool construction yet to rebound from the current recession, the aftermarket has been keeping many cover dealers afloat. Replacement fabrics, according to Bachman, have provided “a great jump-start to the season.”

And though the need may only arise every six to seven years, tapping into the existing pool market — at an average of $1,200 to $1,500 per cover — has helped offset the slowdown in new installations.

Incentives
In 2008, local lawmakers in Southampton, N.Y., established the Sustainable Southampton Advisory Committee. Comprised mostly of volunteers, the committee was charged with recommending policies, programs and legislation to the Town Board that encourage sustainability and help reduce the town’s carbon footprint.

According to Lochren, they’ve begun pushing pool covers as a preferred method of energy conservation.
“We’ve gotten a good kick from that,” he says. “It’s really becoming part and parcel with the safety movement in terms of covers. I think you’re going to see more of a trend on that nationally.”

 Across the country, several municipal utility districts now offer incentives for homeowners who install pool covers. For example, customers of the North Marin Water District in Northern California are eligible for a rebate of 25 percent (up to $50) off the purchase cost for certain solar or safety covers. The program gains steam during years when drought conditions force emergency water ordinances, officials say.

“It’s basically a good-faith kind of rebate,” says Ryan Grisso, water conservation coordinator for the tiny NMWD. “We’re just trying to help the customer out. We may do 10 a year, but that usually picks up when we have water restrictions in place.”

Similarly, residents in the Sacramento suburb of Roseville, Calif., can receive rebates up to $200 if they purchase and install a permanent automatic pool cover; they may also be eligible for a rebate
of $50, or 50 percent of the cost of the cover, from the city’s Water Conservation Division.

And in May, the city council of Menlo Park, also in Northern California, surpassed state law by requiring pool and spa covers on new pools and spas — commercial and residential — as part of its water-efficient landscaping regulations. The ordinance was set to take effect July 1, according to city officials.

With comparable incentive and sustainability programs taking hold in cities and counties nationwide, pool cover dealers today might just find more business opportunities than ever.

Source: Dan Schechner – Pool and Spa News | 6.25.2010

Alternative Sanitizers

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Alternative   Sanitizers

 

Alternatives to traditional sanitizers   and filtration media

All-natural.   Biodegradable. Non-toxic.

By now, pool professionals have heard the hype over the latest   environmentally friendly purification and filtration alternatives. And many   are finding a captive audience among pool owners who seek “green” solutions   to their service needs.

But green, in many cases, is a concept that resides in the eye of the   beholder. Fewer chemicals up front could mean greater toxicity or increased energy   use on the back end.

“Of the 80,000-plus chemicals that are in the stream at the moment, only a   small handful have been studied for their health and safety impacts,” says   Maziar Movassaghi, Acting Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances   Control in Sacramento. “So there are many claims, but the efficacy of those   claims is really unknown in a lot of cases.

“The point is that claims of being greener may in fact raise more questions   than answers right now,” he says, “so you have to be careful.”

That said, following are some technologies or systems with swimming pool   service applications that could be considered environmentally friendly,   accompanied by thoughts from professionals on their own experiences. Note:   This is not an endorsement of any particular product or methodology.

Ionization-oxidation sanitizers
These hybrid water-purification systems typically involve a pair of   sanitizing agents that are used in conjunction with low levels of chlorine.

One such system supplies a dual stream of sanitizing metallic ions — often   copper and zinc — to the pool water. The copper ions work as an algaecide,   while the zinc ions act to kill bacteria. Another set of electrodes produces   active oxygen, which also seeks to eradicate organics, algae and waste   matter.
Weekly testing of pH and copper levels is required. And chemicals such as   muriatic acid or baking soda may need to be added to neutralize pH.

But manufacturers maintain the amount of metals dispensed into the pool is   low — typically much less than what might cause staining. And benefits may   include smoother-feeling water and less corrosion of pool surfaces.

“One of their claims to fame is that you can actually drink up to two gallons   of the water, and it still only produces the equivalent copper as you’d get   in a multivitamin,” says Dale Given, owner of Brite Pool Service in Arcadia,   Calif.

“Plus you avoid the bleaching of the skin and bathing suits that you might   get with [more] chlorine,” he adds. “And they use around 10 percent of the   energy as a salt cell system.”

Given has been testing the product in his own pool for some time, and he’s   been pleased with the results thus far. Plus, he says about half-a-dozen of   his route customers have requested the systems.

Though he’s taking it slowly, Given is nonetheless impressed with his own   personal experience. “So far it’s working,” he says. “And environmentally   it’s very sound — there’s no eye burn, no chloramines, and it’s cheaper to   run. The pool is very swimmable and very fresh.”

Catalytic enzyme/phosphate remover


These   systems use natural enzymes to break up contaminants and remove bacteria. And   weekly maintenance is said to be sufficient to prevent future algae growth   and maintain clear water.

Manufacturers claim the product, which is added straight to the water or   circulation system, is non-allergenic and nonflammable, carries a lengthy   shelf life, and is non-corrosive to decks and coping.

Service techs have found the systems create reduced chlorine usage, little to   no recurrence of algae, increased water clarity and stabilized chlorine   levels.

In spring, Todd Starner began converting about one-third of his 100 Tampa,   Fla.-area pools to enzyme sanitizers. In the first 30 days, he says, chlorine   levels increased slightly. But soon after the enzymes became active and those   levels steadied.

“It will give you the clearest water you’ve ever seen,” says Starner,   regional director of the Independent Pool and Spa Service Association’s   Region 11 covering Florida and Georgia.

“You can also manage your TDS levels better with it,” he adds, “and you can   knock down the bleach you’re using. It’s been my method for satisfying   customers who want to go green.”

They do tend to run more expensive than traditional bleach sanitizers (about   $.50 an ounce vs. around $.92 a gallon in some markets), according to   Starner, who uses 5 ounces per pool, give or take.
“The green concept always has a price,” he says. “But so far I’ve been very   happy with it.”

Cellulose fiber filtration media


Non-toxic   when backwashed, natural cellulose fibers are becoming popular replacements   for diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration. They also work as filter aids and can   help boost water clarity when used in cartridge and sand filters.

Cellulose fibers, which may resemble crushed paper, actually come from trees,   so they’re a non-silica-based renewable resource that’s also biodegradable.   And because of their makeup, they filter particles down to 2 microns in some   cases — finer than even DE, according to manufacturers.

Most types of cellulose fiber are very low in density, meaning much less is   required to achieve a similar filtration rate as DE. A shorter   backwashing/recharging cycle may occur following the initial application. But   once the water has been stabilized, those cycle times typically increase to   at least twice those of DE cycles.

In Ramsey, N.J., Bob Baron has been experimenting with cellulose fiber   filtration for some time. In fact, about two- to three years ago, he used the   fiber media on every pool along his residential route.

And though Baron did note cost was a concern among customers, making it more   difficult to distribute on the retail side, he still speaks highly of the   technology.

“I don’t have to breathe in the DE,” says the owner of Baron Pool Service. “And   it’s not clogging things up when we dump it into the waste lines. It’s a   better product for the environment — we use it in a lot of places.”

Sonic waves and metal removers
In the past few years, the service marketplace has seen even more purportedly   greener products emerge to address persistent problems like algae and heavy   metals in pool water.

Though still a relatively unproven technology for recreational aquatics use,   sound waves have been shown to kill algae and contaminants. These sonic   systems can be used in concert with aeration systems or UV filtration.

Much like a high-pitched shriek causes glass to shatter, these cleaning   systems emit complex sound waves to vibrate and allegedly break up algae   cells. Still, at this point they may be better suited for pond settings — or   large commercial vessels — than residential pools.

In contrast to traditional metal eliminators, another technology uses a   powdered chelating agent to quickly attach to heavy metals like iron and   manganese. The material acts as a sponge to absorb the dissolved metals, and   traps them in a bag that is immersed in the skimmer basket.

Also billed as nontoxic and biodegradable, this system is engineered for   fresh and saltwater pools, and does not interact with other pool chemicals,   proponents say.

Source: Dan Schechner – Pool and Spa News | 9.30.2010

Above Ground Pools

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Above ground pools have always been the choice of people who live in harsh climates, because they can easily be covered or stored when the swimming season ends. They also offer an affordable alternative for those who simply are not willing to make the financial commitment that is required for an in-ground pool. Not only is the initial cost much less for an above ground model, but maintenance costs are also much easier to handle.

At Expert Pools, we can happily install an above ground pool for you and your family. We can also answer any questions you might have regarding upkeep or construction concerns. Our sales staff will talk you through all of the options you have with designs, sizes, accessories and options.

Maintaining an Above Ground Pool

Most people do not see an above ground pool as a long-term investment. While they are not built to last as long as in-ground pools, there are above ground designs that can last for several years. However, even the best above ground pools will decay rapidly if they are not taken care of properly.

Maintenance is not difficult on an above ground pool, as their surface is generally made of a smooth vinyl liner which does not build up quickly with bacteria or algae. It is important to take care of debris that collects in the water, especially sharp objects such as tree limbs. If tree limbs are not removed they may cause damage to the liner. One of the most common problems with above ground pools is the poor filtration system included with the initial package. Without the addition of a quality filter system the water can quickly stagnate, and it can become a breeding area for bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. In order to avoid problems with build-up, the pool should be cleaned and chemically balanced regularly, and water should be replaced or treated on a regular basis.