I dont use chlorine, I have a salt water pool.

Honestly only a very small number of pool owners can truthfully make the above claim, which we will explain in a few minutes. 

Salt chlorine generators have been around for decades, however their popularity has just mushroomed in the last 5 or 6 years.

What most people don't realize is that the purpose of the salt chlorine generator is to do what its name suggests, generate chlorine from salt water.  Some of the confusion most likely stems from these systems only being referred to as Salt generators.  Since chlorine is not mentioned in the name, pool owners don't think their pool uses any.  Also, because chlorine tablets or granules are not regularly used anymore, pool owners again don't realize or are not knowledgeable of how a salt chlorine generator works and what it does.   For the record, a "salt generator" or whatever you want to call it, creates hypo-chlorous acid from salt water using electrolysis.  Hypo-chlorous  acid sounds like some scary stuff right?  Well its the same stuff that chlorine tabs or granules releases into your pool water when they dissolve so don't be alarmed.

Lets talk about the differences in salinity levels of a "salt water pool" verses a pool with a salt chlorine generator.

True salt water pools, of which there are very few, will have salinity levels like ocean water.  Now ocean water salinity levels can vary from ocean to ocean but for a nice round number lets use 35,000ppm.  That's pretty salty!  The recommended salt level for a pool using a salt chlorine generator is about 10 times less than that at around 3,500ppm.  At 3,500ppm the feel and taste of the salt is still present but not nearly as much as it is in the ocean.

So hopefully that clears up the miss-conception regarding "salt" swimming pools.  Pools utilizing salt generators are generating chlorine, not salt!   Always remember that water balance with a salt chlorine generator is as important as a pool that uses chlorine tabs.  PH, Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Stabilizer, Etc. are all still important parts of your water balance and need to be maintained properly to insure the safety of your swimmers and the longevity of your pool.

Things to know when Shopping for a Spa/Hot Tub Cover

All Spa Covers are not created equal. Although seemingly uncomplicated, there are a variety of factors that are important when choosing a Spa Cover to fit your needs. In order to be a conscious consumer and make an educated decision about your Spa Cover choice, make sure to pay attention to these five factors:

1.        Shape/Size

We will start with the obvious. Take a look at your Spa and ask yourself if a conventional cover is appropriate? If your spa is backed into a corner too tightly, a traditional cover may not work. If you have a large in-ground spa or one with unusual coping or a raised wall, a standard cover will not work. In these cases, it is best to have a custom cover made to fit your specific spa rather than trying to force a conventional cover. 

 

2.      Safety features

Not all spa covers are technically “safety” spa covers, meaning they may not conform to A.S.T.M. standards (The American Society for Testing Materials). A.S.T.M. is an international organization that sets product safety standards to promote product quality and build consumer confidence worldwide. The pool and spa industry conforms to these standards in identifying any safety product as such.  This might be important if you have small children or have a Spa that is not in a gated area of your backyard. Floating spa covers are not considered “safety” spa covers. Depending on the type of foam inside, some traditional spa covers may not meet safety standards either. Decide if your situation requires a “safety” spa cover prior to starting your search.

Also note that there are other products that can provide additional safety features to your hot tub such as a Hold-Down Kit (pictured below), which is comprised of easily removable, yet locking straps with which you can anchor your spa cover down when not in use.
 

 

3.      R-Value

Now we will get into more technical details of a spa cover that you may not be familiar with, but that absolutely affect the functionality of your cover. The R-Value of a spa cover has to do with the energy efficiency and ultimate cost-savings of using your spa. Technically, an R-Value is a measure of Thermal Resistance, or the ability of a material to resist the conduction of heat flow through a solid. When a cover has an R-Value attached, it is referring to the foam on the inside of the cover and its ability to insulate the heat inside your spa. Most manufacturers offer varying grades of spa covers, which are made with different thicknesses and densities of foam. The higher the R-Value, the better energy efficiency and cost-savings the cover provides. If you live in a colder climate or your spa is outdoors, the R-Value of the cover you choose will be more important than if you live in Florida for example or have an indoor spa. Below are standard R-Values for different tapers and densities of foam:

 

 

4.     Taper 

The taper of a spa cover refers to the decrease in thickness of the inside foam. For instance, a spa cover can have a 3” to 2” inch taper which for a two-piece spa cover means the inside foam will be 3 inches in center and taper down to 2” at the ends. This is important because the more tapered a cover is, the better rainwater will run off the cover which prevents pooling in the center. Other tapers include 4” to 2” taper, which would provide excellent water runoff, and 5” to 4” taper. It is important to notice that with less thick foam at the end of any taper, you are also decreasing the R-Value and insulation capabilities of the cover. You should pay attention to taper if your spa is not covered by a porch or roof and subjected to the elements. If you live in a climate subjected to heavy snowfall, you may want to choose a thicker foam taper that will more easily support weight.
 

5.      Internet vs. brick and mortar

Once you decide on the type of cover that fits your needs, the final question is where to purchase. With the internet, you aren’t required to leave the couch and you may find cheaper pricing. However, it is important to note the fallbacks with ordering a spa cover online. As I said before, not all spa covers are created equal… and neither are all spas. Precise measurements are critical to obtaining a cover that is an exact fit for YOUR spa. Pool and spa professionals are trained to measure radius corners and irregular coping and skirt lengths. You can be assured accurate measurements, and they can confidently tell you if a certain cover type will better fit your needs.

It is also important to note the warranty on any cover you buy online. Many internet spa covers do not have great warranties, and you run the risk of an internet company hiding behind anonymity if you do have a problem.

A spa cover is no off the shelf item. It is a purchase that should last you a while. Make sure you are educated about the facts and what is right for YOU prior to decision-making time.

View Merlin Spa Covers HERE

National Water Safety Month: Be Aware, Be Prepared

In the pool and spa industry, water safety is an essential, yet delicate topic of discussion. The continuous balance industry professionals face between making sure the public is educated to the responsibilities of pool ownership, yet not afraid to enjoy the classic American past time, comes to light each May for National Water Safety Month.

How can you as a pool owner make sure your backyard is a safe place this summer?

Pay Attention to Available Information.

A multitude of information on safely enjoying your swimming pool is provided by various manufacturers and agencies within the industry. With new purchases of pool equipment, liners, covers, and pool accessories safety information is provided via pamphlets and instruction manuals. Most of these materials will include tips to make your pool environment safe, procedures to know in case of emergency, proper diving techniques, and how to teach your children about water safety. It is important to read all this information and be prepared. You will enjoy your backyard oasis in a much more relaxed way if you know you are aware and prepared should an emergency arise.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (www.apsp.org) is dedicated to water safety and has excellent safety information available to consumers.

 

Invest in Safety Products.

The pool and spa industry has made significant strides in offering products to make swimming pools a safer environment.

Non-Permanent Safety Fence—Because this fence is easy to assemble, you can keep have it up as your children grow, and take it down after a few years, or leave it up during the week and take it down for your weekend pool party!

 

Pool Alarms— Pool alarms can be set to activate if a child falls into an unattended pool. Additionally, pool alarm technology has greatly advanced in the past few years, minimizing false alarms.

Safety Covers— Safety Covers are your best option for a worry-free winter. Typically installed and removed by a pool professional, it protects your pool from unauthorized entry during the colder months.

Proper Supervision.

Nothing can replace the safety and security of attentive human supervision.

Water safety is not just the pool owner or pool builder's responsibility. It is the responsibility of the entire community to become educated and remain aware at all times. Don't be afraid to create the backyard you've always imagined, but learn to enjoy it safely.

 

 

 

 

View Merlin's line of Safety Covers and Safety Fencing at www.merlinindustries.com 



Hurricane Sandy - Swimming Pool Aftermath

(Photos courtesy of Millennium Pools and Spas, Pt. Pleasant, NJ)

Hurricane Sandy, Super-storm Sandy, Post-Tropical Depression Sandy, no matter what you call it, the aftermath of the October 28th and 29th storm was nothing like I ever could have imagined it would be.  Living on the Jersey Coast, I was lucky and saw very little damage to my house or pool.  I have however witnessed first hand the semi and total destruction of homes, hotels, boats, cars and the subject of this blog post - Swimming Pools.


We have received a good number of emails and phone calls from both pool owners and pool dealers looking for advice on what to do about vinyl lined swimming pools which were under water during the storm.   Many pool owners have not even begun to evaluate the damage to their swimming pools and the timing of this post is relevant as we approach swimming pool opening season.

When it comes to Sandy flooded vinyl lined pools, removing the "contaminated" water is a good idea.

Pools flooded with ocean water look and smell a lot different than pools flooded with back bay, lagoon or river water but they both have reasons for a water change. 

The photos shown here are of a pool on a river which connects to the Barnegat Bay in New Jersey.  The water color itself tells you it needs to be removed from the pool.  This was a definite drain, clean and refill situation.  Contaminants in the back bays such as marine fuel, engine oil and such are  a reason why many pools will need to be cleaned and re-filled or have their liners replaced.  We have also seen pictures of some really strange staining issues related to the storm.

Draining a vinyl lined pool in order to perform this clean-out may not be an option depending on how old the liner is.  As a liner ages it will loose some pliability.  This is normally not an issue for normal operation of the pool, but when the water is removed and then refilled, the liner may not have the ability to stretch like when it was first installed.  The liner pictured here was less than 5 years old and had plenty of life left in it.  If you are thinking of draining your vinyl lined pool, you should consult with your pool company to determine if your liner will be ok after it is drained and re-filled.  Depending on the age of the liner, the amount of U.V. (Sun) exposure, and your chemical habits, your liner may not survive this type of clean-up and you may need a new liner in order to clean up your pool.

Pools flooded by ocean water present different reasons for draining and refilling.  Although not riddled with contaminants like the back bays post storm, ocean water presents a problem because its salinity level is around 35,000 parts per million.  This is very corrosive and if left in a swimming pool can cause a number of problems with equipment and the swimming pool itself.  Pools using salt chlorine generators operate at a salinity level of 2800 to 4500, far less than ocean water levels.  Ocean water also carries lots of micro-organisms which can lead to all types of fun algae blooms which is why it is good to shower off and rinse toys used at the beach before they or you enter a swimming pool.

If this storm affected you or someone you know, we wish you our best and hope that you are on the road to recovery.  Visit our website to see what we are doing along with our vendor, distributor and dealer partners to help the cause.
Merlin Industries, Inc. Hurricane Sandy Relief Program

Choosing a new swimming pool liner, Merlin has one that fits your backyard perfectly!

Ah, Spring is in the air! Well in some parts of the country anyway! For those of you who are looking to replace your current in ground swimming pool liner, or those of you planning a new swimming pool construction project, choosing a liner fabricator should include some key considerations:

1. The fit and finish the fabricator is known for.  Different fabricators design and manufacture liners differently.  It is important that the liner you purchase is designed specifically to fit your pool.  Certain fabricators design liners small so they "stretch" to fit.  A small amount of "stretch" is normal in any liner design and is OK but a liner designed to rely on a large amount of stretch sometimes called a "parachute cut" is a recipe for another new liner sooner than you should need to.  It is important to work with a knowledgeable installer as well.  Better measurements provided by the installer to the fabricator results in a better fitting liner.  You know what they say... "Measure twice, cut once!"
2. The way a liner is constructed shows if it is a quality liner.  No pool liner can be made without seams.  A fabricator should strive to have as few seams as possible.  The mathematics and shape of your swimming pool will determine how many seams it has, so don't think that because you have more seams than someone else you know does, that you have a bad liner.  It is important that the seams of your liner have proper feel and overlap.  This is where an experienced liner shop will shine.  There should be little if no need to trim any of the seams after welding them together.  This comes from a good crew putting your liner together at the factory.  Liners with large flaps of vinyl hanging past the weld are not well assembled.  Although this material is behind the liner and may not be visible from inside the pool, it is an indication that not enough time and care was spent aligning the edges of the pieces and putting the liner together.
3. Patterns are important.  A good liner fabricator spends time and works with the material suppliers to design patterns that combine years of tried and true designs along with new design trends in interior and backyard designs.  Researching pattern designs with pool owners and liner installers before putting ink to vinyl is key.  If you are having to look through tons of brochures to find something you like, then maybe you don't have the right brochures in front of you.
4. Research and ask questions.  What does the industry say about the product or service offered by the fabricator.  A few fabricators have answered a need in the marketplace for something different.  27 mil. liner thickness has been around for years and offered somewhat of an upgrade when it came to something a little thicker or stronger, now a new vinyl is available which features an upgraded vinyl polymer and better printing inks.  This liner material is more chemical resistant, will look better longer and can withstand the punishment of the sun better.

At Merlin Industries, Inc. we take pride in our fit, finish and pattern selection.  We offer over 36 different pattern choices including four patterns in our Aqua-Max high molecular weight polymer vinyl.  We provide measure and installation training to our independent installers and dealers.  Visit our website at www.merlinindustries.com.