Why Checking Calcium Hardness Levels Is a Maintenance Must

One of the more critical issues can be scaling on the surface of the vessel below the waterline, especially in hard water areas where the majority of inground hot tubs are finished in plaster.

As most in the industry know, the buildup of scale in a hot tub or pool can be a pain. Literally. Once the scale has formed, the only thing left to do is grab a mild scale remover and start scrubbing. After draining and several hours of elbow grease, some progress may have been made and the pain will be … Read More

Understanding the Electromechanical Process of Galvanic Corrosion

Steel pool walls are eroding and ladder handrails are turning black. New heaters are failing after one year and warranties are void because the casing was not bonded. What is going on here? The pool industry has some difficult-to-grasp concepts such as water chemistry; where on the surface it seems easy enough to resolve, but when traditional remedies do not … Read More

Modern Hot Tubs: Efficiency Redefined

Modern Hot Tubs: Efficiency Redefined

Today, most consumers are very conscious of energy use—no matter the product. Therefore, it is important for manufacturers to consider the impact their products have on the environment. The trend to go ‘green’ is growing and has spawned several innovations as it pertains to product design and development. This method of thinking has also made its way into the hot … Read More

Variable-Speed Pumps Are Not Just a Trend, They Are a Need

One of the biggest advocates for the energy saving features of variable- or multi-speed pumps (VSPs) is Energy Star.®

As far as clichés go, ‘going green’ is a good one. But within consumer markets, the environmentally friendly frenzy is often overstated. Many so-called green products are often overpriced and/or ineffective. It is no wonder why many consumers have become jaded by the green movement. Escalating energy costs and social awareness are still forcing everyone to be more responsible, however. … Read More

The Ugly Grasp of Biofilms

Biofilm is a common word heard in the pool and hot tub industry lately. In the last few years, there has been an increasing amount of information via studies and tests, which can be used to educate industry members and consumers on the subject. In previous articles, there is mention of biofilm existing in wet areas on pool toys and … Read More

Water Sanitation: Knowing the Differences for Proper Care and Maintenance

Water becomes corrosive when pH is too low, and scaling when the pH is too high—especially for areas with hard water.

The difference between owning a pool with a salt system and one that uses traditional means of sanitation may seem expansive. For many, the perception of salt pools is that they are maintenance-free and often times chlorine-free systems. Dispelling the myths about salt pools can be difficult, but as pool professionals, there is a necessity to at least massage pool … Read More

Developing a Successful Business Plan

A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) assessment is useful if owners take the time to carefully and realistically go through each step.

A clear business plan that includes goals and the means to achieve them is the key to running an efficient, profitable company. Business owners who keep their eye on the ball are more likely to complete a profit plan that assures a solid future. The fall and winter, when business starts to slow down, is the right time to reflect … Read More

Popular Sanitation Method Makes Its Way into the Hot Water Market

Several manufacturers are also offering retrofit chlorine generators that simply ‘drape over’ into the hot tub water.

Saltwater systems have become extremely popular over the past five to 10 years. The system’s popularity, however, began with pools, to improve the swimming experience while simultaneously reducing the number of traditional chemicals needed to sanitize the water. Add to this the safety benefit of eliminating the need to store large quantities of chlorine on-site. Now that salt chlorine generators … Read More

Supplementing Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Maintenance

Supplementing Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Maintenance

Almost every aquatics industry professional has likely heard stories about the use of enzymes in water maintenance and for solving water quality problems. Many have also probably asked themselves along the way what, exactly, are enzymes? In performing a quick Google search on the word itself, one would likely come across the following Wikipedia answer: Enzymes are large biological molecules … Read More

Best Practices for Troubleshooting and Repairing Gas Pool Heaters

When a pool heater stops working, homeowners, understandably, get a little cranky. They spent good money on their pool and want to be able to use it the way they envisioned—with water at a comfortable temperature. Today’s pool heaters are generally pretty reliable, but they definitely have components that occasionally need to be replaced—perhaps more so than other pool equipment. … Read More