Trying to sell a pool to a family that isn’t quite convinced? Hit ’em with this fact: Kids who swim are smarter. According to a recent Australian study, children who participate in swim lessons at an early age reach significant developmental milestones earlier than their non-swimming peers. They score higher in tests and are generally better coordinated. The research was … Read More
Mobile Apps for Pool and Spa Care Professionals
There’s no question that mobile apps are popular, and while no one knows exactly how many are out there, analysts estimate the number of app users is growing by nearly 30 percent annually, with 4.4 billion expected worldwide in the next few years. So it’s not surprising that mobile apps are flourishing in the pool and spa industry. There are … Read More
Solving the Saltwater pH Problem
California Polytechnic State University’s National Pool Industry Research Center conducted a study examining the rise of pH levels in swimming pools sanitized with salt. Researchers tested pH levels every Monday, Wednesday and Friday over the course of several weeks. pH was adjusted to 7.4 after every Friday reading. Over the weekend, pH spiked from 7.4 to 8.0. The pH in … Read More
Commercial Pool Sanitation
Salt chlorine generation has been used as a primary sanitizer in swimming pool applications as early as the 1960s. Today, there are more than three million salt-chlorinated pools around the world—a number that continues to grow significantly every year. Most systems can be found on residential pools but, within the last decade, this sanitation equipment has made inroads into the … Read More
Swim Ponds Present Safety Concerns
The pool industry is keeping a watchful eye on swim ponds. These natural alternatives to traditional swimming pools have gained in popularity in recent years, yet questions remain regarding its use. “We don’t make ponds necessarily for swimming,” said Fred Pape, specialty project manager at Aquascapes in St. Charles, Ill. But Aquascapes does build ponds large enough for swimming. “We … Read More
Should Pool Owners Switch from Chlorine to Saltwater?
With the savage winter a memory, Lisa Busso-Raglievich last weekend finally got to test her swimming pool’s new saltwater chlorination system, and she quickly was convinced it was a good use of $2,000. No stinging eyes. No need to store bottles of chlorine in the shed. No more trips to the pool store to test the water’s contents. “The expense … Read More
A Concerted Effort: Designing Energy Efficient Pools
Designing pools and spas for maximum efficiency means more than just getting the right pump. Pool and spa professionals are becoming more proficient at creating energy-efficient plumbing systems. “Within the past 10 years, I’ve seen a marked improvement in the industry as far as people wanting to do better plumbing,” says Dan Johnson, owner of Swim Inc. in Sarasota, Fla. … Read More