Pool Openings Bring Great Possibilities!

            This winter was an especially tough one all over the nation. Thankfully, the weather is warming up and it is finally time to open your pool!  You may find that the amount of snow and ice that inhabited your pool area for months over the winter may have caused some damage. 

            Pool opening is a great time to have your safety cover inspected by your local dealer or another professional.  If repairs or a remake need to be done, this is the best time of year to have it taken care of.  You won’t need your cover while your pool is open all summer, so this gives plenty of time for the remakes and repairs process to occur before your pool will need to be closed in the fall.  With Merlin Industries repairs and remakes, there could be an opportunity to participate in cost savings programs the earlier in the season that a cover is brought to the manufacturer to be fixed or remade.

            When opening your pool, you may think you can get “one more year” out of your safety cover. In some cases, the cover may be able to remain safe and fully intact for an additional winter, but there may be others that bring inherent dangers if they are put on the pool and are not performing properly. Make sure to have your cover inspected thoroughly by a trustworthy dealer to assess the current condition that it is in and get a professional opinion if it can last for another year. To find a dealer in your area, visit the Dealer Locator section of the Merlin Industries website (www.merlinindustries.com/dealerLocator.html) 

            The spring and summer time is also a chance to purchase a safety cover if you do not yet have one. If you are still covering your pool with water bags or other dated types of covers, there is no better time to explore the option of upgrading to a safety cover. Merlin Industries has 5 different grades of both mesh and solid safety covers, with one sure to fit your needs. If you have a service company open your pool, have them take a look and explain to you the benefits of a safety cover.  Some of them may even be able to take some measurements while they are at your pool so you can order a cover as soon as possible.

            The winter may have been bad, but it will not stay that way forever. Now that the temperatures are rising, it is time to finally enjoy the pool and put those cold thoughts in the past. Happy Spring and Happy Summer!

At Merlin Industries, Inc. we take pride in both our mesh and our solid Safety Covers.  We offer several different types of mesh safety and solid covers, as well as our patented SmartMesh™ and our new Dura-Mesh II. SmartMesh™ features a high-tech weave that allows water to pass through while providing 100% shade and filtering debris to 40 microns. Dura-Mesh II is the new standard in standard mesh, providing the most shade protection and durability than any other standard mesh on the market. All of these covers have different colors to choose from.  We provide measuring and installation training to our independent dealers and installers. For more information, visitwww.merlinindustries.com.

Winter Pool Care

It’s that time of year again – the time to trade in flip flops and swimsuits for boots and scarves. The dreaded day of closing the pool has arrived, and now it’s time to prepare for winter.

Although the pool has been covered, that doesn’t mean that it can be completely forgotten about until it’s time to open up in the spring.  There are several steps that can be taken to make sure your pool is prepped for winter and will be in top shape for opening.

A Good Cover

The better the cover you put on your pool, the better your chances for an easy pool opening. Both solid and mesh safety covers do a great job of keeping debris like leaves, sticks, and the occasional wayward animal out of your water. Merlin’s patented SmartMesh™ Safety Cover technology provides 100% shade, which inhibits the growth of algae and other contaminants. This makes it nearly impossible for algae to grow under the cover.

Periodically throughout the colder months, it is a good idea to check on your cover to make sure that everything is working properly. Keep an eye out for anything that looks out of the ordinary or potentially harmful to your pool or cover, like large sags, loose straps, or any wear of the cover on the coping. These issues should be addressed immediately. 

Water Levels

Inspecting the water level on a pool is imperative – even during the winter. Never drain your pool completely when winterizing. The water is needed for both the liner and the cover to function at their best. It is important to check the water level from time to time, even in the winter, to make sure it is at the appropriate level. Do not lower it more than 18 inches from the deck level. Also, keep the water below the tile on a concrete pool.  An automatic pump can be placed on your steps to help maintain these proper levels.
 

Remove Debris

If your pool is surrounded by many trees, leaves falling around the pool area and onto your cover are going to be inevitable. A covered pool will keep leaves out of the water, but they tend to accumulate on top of the cover.  In order to make sure that falling leaves and branches do not harm it, take the time to remove the debris off of the top of the cover.  This is as simple as using a leaf blower to remove them. Make sure not to use anything sharp that could puncture the cover.
 
Allowing leaves and debris to collect and remain on your cover can create a situation like a steeping tea bag which can result in a pool opening mess.
 

Checking the Pump

Some covers come equipped with pumps that take the water off of the top of a cover. This pump should be checked regularly to make sure that it is properly removing the water. Without this, too much water can accumulate, putting stress on the cover.  If too much weight is left on the cover, this will cause it to over-stretch and reduce its useful life.

Following all of these steps will aid in a better pool opening, and will also increase the longevity of your cover.  A safety cover that is taken care of can last for many, many years. Good luck with and have a safe winter!

At Merlin Industries, Inc. we take pride in both our mesh and our solid Safety Covers.  We offer several different types of mesh safety and solid covers, as well as our patented SmartMesh™. SmartMesh™ features a high-tech weave that allows water to pass through while providing 100% shade and filtering debris to 40 microns. All of these covers have different colors to choose from.  We provide measuring and installation training to our independent dealers and installers. For more information, visit www.merlinindustries.com.

Why Do I Need a Safety Cover?

Although the summer heat is still a-blazing, it is not too early to start thinking about how to cover your pool for the winter months.  There are many options on the market, which can leave pool owners confused and feeling unsure about what is the best for their pool.  Ultimately, they can really benefit from the installation of a safety cover.

 What is a Safety Cover?

A safety cover is a swimming pool cover that has been designed to protect your pool and your loved ones as well as maintain a very clean look during the winter.  Safety covers are custom-made so they stay taut and tight over your pool. The cover is secured in by crisscrossed straps attached to springs and anchors installed into the surrounding area.

 What types of Safety Covers exist?

Mesh

Safety covers made from mesh can filter rain and melting snow through the cover and keep large debris out of the water, but allow sunlight through the material which can allow algae to form during the off season.  Merlin SmartMesh™ covers are different in that they have the ability provide 100% shade for the pool, creating less of a chance for algae and bacteria to grow, helping to make pool openings faster and smoother. Mesh safety covers are lightweight and are easy to put on in the winter and to remove once it’s warm.

Solid

Solid safety covers are made from a heavier material, but completely block out all of the sunlight, also making it practically impossible for algae to grow beneath the surface.  Since there is nowhere for rain water or melted snow to go, an automatic pump or a drain panel accompany a solid safety cover.

Why choose a Safety Cover?

Security

Many families tend to choose safety covers to prevent access to the pool by small children and pets during the off season. Both solid and mesh safety covers are more than strong enough to hold the weight of a child if they wandered onto the cover as well as two adults to walk onto the cover to rescue.  Safety covers create a peace of mind for families that their loved ones will be safe and that the yard or pool area can still be utilized in the winter. In fact, they can even support a car!

Time

Once the weather gets nicer, many pool owners want their pool ready for use as soon as possible.  SmartMesh™ and solid safety covers require less cleanup and can eliminate issues with the water once the pool is uncovered, leading to quicker opening times.

Protection

Safety covers are tailor-made to make sure that the cover is an exact fit for each pool.  Safety covers can also be made to accommodate unique shapes, water features, steps, and other different configurations that a pool may have. This ensures that your pool will be completely covered and the investments you have made in your pool will be protected too.

At Merlin Industries, Inc. we take pride in both our mesh and our solid Safety Covers.  We offer several different types of mesh safety and solid covers, as well as our patented SmartMesh™. SmartMesh™ features a high-tech weave that allows water to pass through while providing 100% shade and filtering debris to 40 microns. All of these covers have different colors to choose from.  We provide measuring and installation training to our independent dealers and installers. For more information, visit www.merlinindustries.com.

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