Our blog has moved, it can now be found at:
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Hot Tub Care During the Polar Vortex
As I write this, our current “feels like” temp is -23; with these fridge temperatures you need to keep a very close eye on your hot tub. Because of the sub zero temperatures we've had for the past few weeks, it is more important than ever to ensure your spa is running properly. In the extreme cold like what we are currently experiencing, as a good rule of thumb, you should be checking on you hot tub at least twice a day. Make a habit of checking on it in the morning when you are leaving for work, and again when you return home from the day. Should something go wrong, the water can freeze very quickly in these conditions, causing extensive damage. If you find that your hot tub is not functioning properly, call a service professional right away. If for some reason you cannot have your hot tub serviced right away, you will want to drain and winterize it until it can be serviced.
If the Power Goes OUT:
If you have a very short term loss of power, keep the cover closed tight to keep the heat in. If you have a generator it would be a good idea to hook that up to keep your hot tub from freezing. If you do not have a generator and/or you expect the power to be out for a prolonged time, anything more than a couple hours, we would recommend draining and winterizing your hot tub until power is restored.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Top 5 Mistakes Installing An Above Ground Pool
Posted by Lysti Grassman
Pool Pros Inc.
Green Bay, WI
920-321-0016
www.PoolProsWI.com
Mistake 1: Building up the low areas with dirt taken from the higher areas.
This is probably the top mistake we see people make. If you are pushing the dirt around to level out the site for the pool, eventually the dirt will settle and your pool will no longer be level. This might happen right away when you fill the pool, or shortly down the road, one thing is for sure, it will happen. Pool Pros always digs out to the lowest spot so the entire pool is sitting on virgin soil.
Mistake 2: Using too much mason sand.
The ground should be dug level on virgin soil always. The sand is simply a buffer from the pool liner to the ground. The purpose of the sand is not to level your pool. If you are using sand to level things out you will have nothing but problems.
Mistake 3: Setting the track on sand.
The sand should be inside the pool track, never under the track. If the track of the pool is set on sand, it will wash out and the pool will settle or sink, reducing the longevity of your pool.
Mistake 4: Not compacting or troweling the sand.
First the sand should be compacted with a plate compactor, and then hand troweled to a smooth finish. If this is not done, the first time you get into the pool, your feet will sink into the sand creating divots in the sand which could lead to wrinkles in your liner, and ultimately shorten the lifespan of your liner.
Mistake 5: Placing patio blocks under your uprights.
This is another very common mistake, especially because most install manuals will actually recommend this. We get countless calls every spring for torn liners and when we get to the site we see a patio block that has heaved out and cut through the liner. Pool Pros never uses patio blocks. Again we level the entire site down to virgin soil and place the up rights and track right down on the ground. Note: This is only a mistake in our area and climate; this is do to our ground movement during winter. In other parts of the country, I’m sure this is a fine practice, just not here in the Frozen Tundra:)
Pool Pros Inc.
Green Bay, WI
920-321-0016
www.PoolProsWI.com
Friday, April 20, 2012
Why it is Important your Swimming Pool or Spa Builder is a Certified Building Professional (CBP)
Posted by Lysti Grassman
What is The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP)?
The APSP is the world’s largest international trade association and leading advocate representing the swimming pool and spa industry. Members adhere to a code of business ethics and share a commitment to public health and safety in the use of swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs.
It is important that your pool builder, and even service professional, be a member of the APSP because it points to their credibility and professionalism. Any reputable swimming pool builder or service company will be a member of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. Pool Pros is a member of the APSP.
The APSP also offers professional certifications. These certifications are an important indicator to both the knowledge, and the commitment towards safety and continuing education, of your swimming pool builder or service provider. Some of the certifications offered by the APSP include:
So what is a Certified Building Professional?
Here is what the APSP has to say about their CBP certification:
What is The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP)?
The APSP is the world’s largest international trade association and leading advocate representing the swimming pool and spa industry. Members adhere to a code of business ethics and share a commitment to public health and safety in the use of swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs.
The APSP website has a wealth of information for perspective pool owners you can check it out here:
It is important that your pool builder, and even service professional, be a member of the APSP because it points to their credibility and professionalism. Any reputable swimming pool builder or service company will be a member of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. Pool Pros is a member of the APSP.
You can search for members of the APSP in your area here:
The APSP also offers professional certifications. These certifications are an important indicator to both the knowledge, and the commitment towards safety and continuing education, of your swimming pool builder or service provider. Some of the certifications offered by the APSP include:
NSPF Certified Pool and Spa Operator (CPO)
Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS)
Certified Service Technician (CST)
Certified Hot Tub Technician (CHTT)
Certified Building Professional (CBP)
Mike Bowers President of Pool Pros has earned ALL of the above certifications.
So what is a Certified Building Professional?
Here is what the APSP has to say about their CBP certification:
The CBP certification further enhances the knowledge, credibility and professionalism of an APSP member builder. This is the highest of the professional certifications from the APSP that your swimming pool builder can hold. Finding a swimming pool and spa builder who is a member of the APSP and has attained the CBP should be an important step in the process of finding a reputable builder.
The APSP CBP program enhances the professional identity and academic background of our builder members through an emphasis on ethical standards, commitment to the highest standards of construction and workmanship, business stability and superior customer relations. To earn this certification, qualified APSP members must successfully complete a standardized written examination that measures their knowledge of residential and commercial pool and spa construction. APSP builders who have attained this academic achievement are allowed the privilege of posting the prestigious designation of CBP with their name. And much the same as any professional certification, CBP must complete ongoing continuing education requirements on a regular basis in order to maintain their certification.
For more information on the APSP recommendations for Choosing a Professional Pool Builder: http://www.apsp.org/utility/showDocumentFile/?objectID=68
Pool Pros Recommendation:
Hire only those professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to sound building standards, ethical business practices and your safety by becoming members of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. In addition, to further protect your investment and give yourself the added peace of mind, hire a CPB to build your swimming pool. Basically, a pool builder who is a CPB is akin to an accountant who is a CPA, or a dentist who is a DDS. Mike Bowers President of Pool Pros is a CBP.
You can view a list of current APSP members who have earned their CBP designation here:
Pool Pros
Inc.
Green Bay, WI
920-321-0016
Green Bay, WI
920-321-0016
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Your Home Is Insulated, Your Swimming Pool Should Be Too.
Our Blog has moved! You can read the original post below or visit our our new blog and read this article and more here:
Posted by Lysti Grassman
At Pool Pros we are always trying to come up with ways to save our customers energy and money and in our Wisconsin climate, insulating your swimming pool makes great sense.
 |
| Thermo-Wall Roll |
In fact, we encourage all of our customers to insulate their above ground swimming pools with both Thermo-Wall™ Reflective Insulation for Pool Walls and Insul-Floor™ Reflective Insulation for Pool Floors. This insulation reduces heat loss by up to 80%!
The Termo-Wall itself is a 3/16” thick metalized foil/bubble/clear poly material, it is ultra resistant and light weight, with a 69 PSI puncture rate. The insulation comes in a roll like this and can be installed by Pool Pros or purchased from Pool Pros for the do-it-yourselfers.
The Thermo-Wall insulation reflects solar energy in the water, adds R-value, and is also an excellent vapor barrier.
Similarly, the Insul-Floor, is a bubble/foil/bubble material with a 140 PSI compression rate and 69 PSI puncture rate, and is ultra resistant and light weight. The Insul-Floor also reflects solar energy in water, is an excellent vapor barrier, and breaks thermal bridge between the liner and ground.
Pool Pros RecommendationIf you are thinking about getting an above ground pool, you should definitely consider insulating it with both the
Thermo-Wal and the Insul-Floor.
The Thermo-Wall is also a good idea for in groud vinyl pools too.
If you have an existing pool, consider having it insulated the next time you have a liner replacement.
Both the Thermo-Wall and the Insul-Floor are quick and easy to install and relatively inexpensive.
Pool Pros Inc.
Green Bay, WI
920-321-0016
www.PoolProsWI.com
www.facebook.com/PoolProsWI
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Things to consider before buying a Swimming Pool Liner
Posted by Lysti Grassman
Mil vs. Gauge (GA)
When buying a swimming pool liner, it is very important to verify if the thickness measurement of the vinyl you are being quoted for is in Mil or Gauge.
It is important to note that a Mil is a standardized measurement that can be measured with a micrometer, where a Gauge is not. One Mil is equal to an exact .001 of an inch. A 20 Mil liner is .020 of an inch thick, and a 25 Mil liner is a little thicker at .025 of an inch thick. One Gauge, on the other hand, can mean different things from one manufacturer to the next. Some will use Mil and Gauge interchangeably and this might not be correct.
Most reputable swimming pool retailers sell their swimming pool liners measured in Mil.
Above ground liners usually are between 20 and 25 Mil.
Many online retailers sell their liners measured in Gauge, they want you to assume that a 20 Gauge liner is the same as a 20 Mil liner, when in fact it is almost always a thinner liner. Unless they specifically say their 20 Gauge liner is 20 Mil thick, then you should assume it is not.
You will also want to verify if the liner is the same measurement on both the sides and bottom. Some liners are thicker on the bottom, and a little thinner on the sides. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, you just will want to verify what the retailer is offering, so you can be sure you are comparing apples to apples and know exactly what you are paying for.
Embossed vs. Non-Embossed
Embossed vinyl liners vary in thickness. The thickness of an embossed pool liner is measured from the thickest point of the liner or the high point of the embossing, rather than the thinner valley, which is the true thickness of the liner. Simply put, a 20 Mil embossed liner is not 20 Mil but in fact thinner.
Pool Pros Recommendation
Buy a non-embossed liner from a reputable local dealer, measured in Mil.
Better yet, buy from Pool Pros!
Pool Pros Inc.
Green Bay, WI
920-321-0016
www.PoolProsWI.com
www.facebook.com/PoolProsWI
Mil vs. Gauge (GA)
 |
| Micrometer |
It is important to note that a Mil is a standardized measurement that can be measured with a micrometer, where a Gauge is not. One Mil is equal to an exact .001 of an inch. A 20 Mil liner is .020 of an inch thick, and a 25 Mil liner is a little thicker at .025 of an inch thick. One Gauge, on the other hand, can mean different things from one manufacturer to the next. Some will use Mil and Gauge interchangeably and this might not be correct.
Most reputable swimming pool retailers sell their swimming pool liners measured in Mil.
Above ground liners usually are between 20 and 25 Mil.
Many online retailers sell their liners measured in Gauge, they want you to assume that a 20 Gauge liner is the same as a 20 Mil liner, when in fact it is almost always a thinner liner. Unless they specifically say their 20 Gauge liner is 20 Mil thick, then you should assume it is not.
You will also want to verify if the liner is the same measurement on both the sides and bottom. Some liners are thicker on the bottom, and a little thinner on the sides. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, you just will want to verify what the retailer is offering, so you can be sure you are comparing apples to apples and know exactly what you are paying for.
Embossed vs. Non-Embossed
Embossed vinyl liners vary in thickness. The thickness of an embossed pool liner is measured from the thickest point of the liner or the high point of the embossing, rather than the thinner valley, which is the true thickness of the liner. Simply put, a 20 Mil embossed liner is not 20 Mil but in fact thinner.
 |
| Embossed Liner |
 |
| Non-Embossed Liner |
Pool Pros Recommendation
Buy a non-embossed liner from a reputable local dealer, measured in Mil.
Better yet, buy from Pool Pros!
Pool Pros Inc.
Green Bay, WI
920-321-0016
www.PoolProsWI.com
www.facebook.com/PoolProsWI
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Blue Hawaiian Fiberglass Pools
Posted by: Michael Bowers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)