Tips for Increasing Renovation Profits: Raising Revenues by Updating the Functionality of Pools

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Accessories come in a wide range of categories—from slides and diving boards, to water features, games, fire pits, outdoor TVs, lighting, even control systems and variable frequency pumps and drives. Photos courtesy All Seasons Pools

By Jill Thompson

Renovation projects are becoming a larger segment of every pool business. Profit margins on these projects are often higher than those earned in new pool construction. Not everyone is able to track which part of the renovation project makes the most money, but universally, pool builders say today’s accessories are definitely contributing to the bottom line.

Accessories come in a wide range of categories—from slides and diving boards, to water features, games, fire pits, outdoor TVs, lighting, even control systems and variable frequency pumps and drives. Most pool builders will agree, once they are in the backyard of a homeowner who is interested in updating their pool, having the ability to offer various accessory-related options for consideration is beneficial to their business.

Read the full article: Tips for increasing renovation profits with accessories

Advanced Cleaning Devices: Making Pool Maintenance Easier

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Just when the industry thought swimming pool cleaners could not become any more advanced, manufactures of all cleaner types (i.e., robotic, suction side and pressure side) continue to improve the technology behind these maintenance devices.

By Jason Cramp

Just when the industry thought swimming pool cleaners could not become any more advanced, manufactures of all cleaner types (i.e. robotic, suction side and pressure side) continue to improve the technology behind these maintenance devices, making them some of the most technologically advanced pieces of equipment available to pool owners.

These devices were originally invented with one purpose in mind—collect debris and sediment from the swimming pool with minimum human intervention, allowing pool owners more time to enjoy their pool rather than cleaning it. Even though pool cleaners have evolved greatly in the last 10 years, dealers can rest assure one thing will always remain a constant, that is, consumers are continually looking for products that combine cleaning efficiency with high performance and value.

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The Evolution of Pool Cleaners: Following the Path of Cleaning Technology

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By Richard K. Cacioppo, Sr. J.D

This year marks the centennial of the known invention of the swimming pool cleaner. These devices owe their evolution to imaginative tinkerers, engineers and designers from all over the world. Like swimming pools, there is almost certainly no single inventor or single swimming pool cleaner that has been recorded in history as the first such machine. However, by tracing key patent records,1 one can begin to appreciate how these devices, whether suction-side, pressure-side or robotic, developed into the popular swimming pool maintenance products they are today.

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Interior Pool Design: Water Quality & Hydraulics

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Proper hydraulics also ensures adequate circulation, which allows for even heat and chemical distribution. Photo courtesy Poolscape Inc.

By Barry Justus

The mechanical components, which work within the pool’s interior, are critical to safety and the project’s long-term performance. Suction entrapment avoidance is of utmost importance in pool interior design. As a minimum standard, each pool pump requires two separate points of suction, which should be separated by a minimum of 1 m (3 ft) on centre. Pools built with surge tanks are extremely safe, as all suction points are located inside the tanks, away from the pool interior and bathers.

Properly designed hydraulics will limit the use of fittings and utilize large-diameter plumbing, which lowers line velocity and decreases entrapment risks in suction devices. In all cases, strict attention should be paid to the use of safe drain covers, making sure they are kept in proper operating condition at all times while the pool is in operation.

Proper hydraulics also ensures adequate circulation, which allows for even heat and chemical distribution. One option is to return pool water through floor jets in the base of the pool, as the warm, filtered water will naturally rise to the water surface and eliminate thermoclines (thin but distinct layers in a large body of water in which temperature changes more rapidly) and dead spots throughout the entire pool.

Water quality can be maintained via automated systems or manual controllers. Salt chlorine conversion generators can be used to simplify maintenance for most pool owners. Further, water quality and clarity can also be significantly improved via proper circulation using multiple return lines and skimmers.

Automated cleaning systems can be as simple as pressure-base or suction-side, self-propelled cleaners to more elaborate cleaning systems, which use pop-up pressure heads. Automated cleaners require a considerable amount of rigid plumbing but have the added advantage of improving the pool’s circulation and creating even, warm filtered bodies of water.

In the age of ‘green’ pool design and technology, a number of measures can be incorporated into the pool’s interior to reduce energy consumption and save the owner money.

Read the full article: Interior Design Key to a Project’s Success

Using Fitness Spas to Improve Health: An Exercise Alternative

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Fitness spas can be beneficial to those seeking an alternative to traditional dry-land exercise. Photo courtesy Cals Spas

By Rob Santos

Fitness spas continue to be a smart alternative for consumers seeking the health benefits and lifestyle improvements associated with aquatic exercise without the installation or maintenance of an inground pool. When used to their full advantage, fitness spas can be beneficial to those with physical injuries or limitations, as well as for those seeking an alternative to traditional dry-land exercise.

Read the full article: Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation