Nature in the Backyard: Hot Tubs Get in on the Trend

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Some hot tub manufacturers offer dramatic fountain designs that easily double as an outdoor water feature and, when accompanied by multi-colour LED lights, their appearance at night can spice up an evening gathering. Photo courtesy Dimension One Spas

By Vic Walker

In recent years, portable hot tubs have also joined the water feature design trend. While they have been an integral part of landscaping and pool designs for many years, the growth of the portable hot tub industry, along with the growing popularity of water features, has resulted in the increased use of fountains (as they are sometimes called) in hot tub design.
Taking a cue from many pool designs, hot tub manufacturers are now offering a variety of water feature options for consumers to choose from. These new features are aimed at adding a visual and audio component to the hot tub to enhance the overall hot water bathing experience. Many of these water features can be used (with the cover off) when the hot tub is not in use to provide an outdoor space with both visual and audio ambiance. Some hot tub manufacturers offer dramatic fountain designs that easily double as an outdoor water feature and, when accompanied by multi-colour LED lights, their appearance at night can be further enhanced with soothing colours and dynamic light shows that can spice up an evening gathering.

Read the full article: Water Features

The finishing touches: What determines longevity?

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Surface preparation is particularly important when it comes to interior finishes. Surfaces for concrete pools must be clean, structurally sound, dry, and free of form releases and chemicals that will alter the adhesion of surface materials. Photo courtesy Poolscape Inc.

By Barry Justus

The longevity of a swimming pools’ interior finish depends on a number of factors, such as:
• Water chemistry, long-term;
• 28-day water start-up;
• Ultraviolet (UV) light and weather exposure;
• Structural integrity of the shell;
• Water penetration;
• Site conditions;
• Preparation of the surface;
• Application methods; and
• Maintenance.

Read the full article: Construction Techniques

State of the Industry: A scorcher of a season

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Compiled by Jason Cramp

One of the reasons for the swimming pool industry’s great start to the season was the weather. In addition to disposable income, the weather plays a large role in a family’s decision in spending their entertainment dollars. For instance, do they spend the money on a one-time family trip to a tropical destination or do they invest in their own backyard retreat that they can enjoy for many years to come. Thanks to the spring weather, which according to Environment Canada was the ninth warmest on record, many households picked the latter.
“The very early spring allowed us to get working really early,” said John Petrocelli, sales manager for Backyard Getaways in Brampton, Ont. “We actually surpassed our 2007 sales, which was our previous best year. Our sales increased last season by almost 12 per cent, while our net profit also increased by nearly 10 per cent. It was definitely a good year.”

Read the full article: Market Report

Nature in the Backyard: Waterfalls, Cascades, and Fountains are the Latest Hot Tub Design Trends

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Modern swimming pool and hot tub designs can incorporate a variety of water features that give the backyard character and allow homeowners to develop an emotional bond with their outdoor escape. Photo courtesy Dimension One Spas

By Vic Walker

As the attraction with outdoor living continues to evolve, one design element that has seen increased popularity is the backyard water feature. Not only do water features add a natural ambiance to any backyard setting, they can be easily added to most landscape designs. Many water features are part of a pool or hot tub installation. Modern swimming pool and hot tub designs can incorporate a variety of water features that give the backyard character and allow homeowners to develop an emotional bond with their outdoor escape. For instance, some water features are often integrated into the design of major pool components such as raised spas, which spill over into the pool. This creates a nice transition between two functional zones and adds a tremendous amount of character to a design.

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The next maintenance challenge: Restoring pool and hot tub water to its original state

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The old-school method of treating every water quality problem with lots of chemicals needs to be re-evaluated. Photo courtesy All Seasons Pools

By Terry Arko

Water has been under a lot of stress in modern times. Each year, the world generates roughly 36 trillion kilograms (400 billion tons) of waste, which, unfortunately, for many years ended up in the world’s rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 50 per cent of groundwater supplies in North America are contaminated with pesticides. Water is subject to everything within the environment, including organic debris, petroleum, air pollution, and nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates. What does this have to do with swimming pools and hot tubs? Simple, water is the industry’s main ingredient, without good quality water being readily available the industry has nothing to offer.
For centuries, these water bodies have been viewed as magical sources of dilution for the world’s waste. As a result, water pollution has reached unprecedented levels and sustainable, good water sources are shrinking.

Read the full article: Water Treatment

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