Gunite Swimming Pools

Gunite Pools Have Many Advantages

    There are many types of swimming pools available today. Gunite and shotcrete are popular because they are built permanently in the ground. They are reinforced with steel bars that typically require engineering. The biggest difference between gunite and shotcrete pools is that gunite is a sprayed on dry mix that is blown through a hose with water added, whereas shotcrete is sprayed on as a wet application. Gunite is a very long lasting product that stands up well to most chemicals, is extremely strong, and able to withstand most weather conditions.

  Gunite is a dry mixture of 1 part cement and 4 parts sand. The material is mixed and compressed while it is dry. This dry mixture is blown through a hose under high pressure. Water is than added to the mixture as it goes through the hose and out the nozzle at the end which makes the material extremely sticky. With the right amount of water and control of the mix, this material can be placed with any thickness and still maintain its uniform quality. Gunite has a rating of 6000 – 7000 psi which makes it extremely strong. This rating is higher than most concretes and bricks. It also has a high bonding rate allowing it to adhere to concrete, brick, rock, tile, stone, rebar and mesh.

  Gunite pools are a very popular choice for residences because of the endless design options. The sizes and shapes are limited only to the designer. It is very easy to adapt a natural looking waterfall feature or grotto. The bond beam can be notched to allow moss rock or other types of rock to appear as if they are built into the pool naturally. Raised bond beams can easily accommodate different types of sheer descents or water sculptures. Curves and edges have no boundaries. Raising a spa can also add a spillway representing another water feature. The infinite edge adds another dimension to the look of your more exquisite gunite pools. Swimming pools that are designed with gunite and proper landscaping can add years of enjoyment for you and your family.

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  To discuss how California Trademark Pools can assist you with your gunite questions, please contact our office at 916-683-1202   

 Jerry Johnson

President

trademarkpools@gmail.com

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Swimming Pool Filters

Different Swimming Pool Filter Types

 Swimming Pool filters are designed to clean the fine particles out of the water. Different regions of the country are partial to different types of filters. There are basically three different types of pool filters offered today. They are Sand, Diatomaceous Earth, and Cartridge. Depending on the number of gallons of water in the pool will determine which size filter is needed. 

 Sand filters use specially graded silica sand for its filter purposes. It generally will trap particles in the 20 – 100 micron range. The water enters into the tank through the diffusers and goes down into the sand where the dirt and debris become trapped in the sand. After the water reaches the bottom of the tank it enters into the laterals and is than returned to the pool. This particular filter has to be backwashed to clean. If your pool is sized correctly it should last some where around 4 weeks between backwashes.

 Diatomaceous Earth, or DE filters as they are commonly called, is the most efficient way to filter water. It has plastic grids that are covered with a plastic type of fabric where a powder called Diatomaceous Earth is layered over the top of the grids. Because the DE powder is much finer than the silica sand in sand filters, it is able to trap particles in the 5 – 8 micron range. This type of filter, like the sand filter, also needs to be backwashed to clean and should last around 4 weeks between backwashes. You will also have to add the appropriate amount of DE powder back on the grids after each cleaning.

 The filter of choices among most pool owners today are the Cartridge filters because of there simplicity. They use a paper type filter that is similar to that of an automobile. It will trap particles from 25 – 100 micron size. The cartridges should be replaced every 2 – 5 years depending on how much work it is asked to do. If the filter is undersized, of course it will not last as long. Typically, the right sized filter will go 6 months without cleaning. There is no backwashing with a cartridge filter. Simply remove the cartridge from the tank and hose it thoroughly from top to bottom and than replace it.

To discuss how California Trademark Pools can assist you in your pool filter decisions contact our office at 916-683-1202.

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Jerry Johnson

President

trademarkpools@gmail.com

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Swimming Pool Safety

Pool Safety Issues

There are many different reasons for building a pool today. These reasons range from family entertainment, to being able to enjoy various water features and from the luxury of a spa, to the mere purpose of enjoying a little physical exercise. Regardless of why a swimming pool is built, each individual who has a swimming pool today should hold safety as a top priority.

There is a variety of ages that use these pools that range from infants to the elderly. Unfortunately pool safety is often ignored. Many home owners with pools are under a false opinion that most inadvertent drowning deaths happen when the family is outdoors using the pool or entertaining guests. Nevertheless, many accidents come about when young children leave the safety of the home without a parent or guardian knowing it. Children are attracted to water without understanding the dangers that are involved. At the other end of the age spectrum, without the proper safety equipment installed, the elderly could slip and fall or have trouble getting out of the pool.

The key to handling the pool safety issues is to be well prepared.  The Sacramento, CA building department gives a list of pool safety specifications prior to building new pools. Here are a few tips to prevent a drowning:

• Fences and walls should be at least 6 feet high and installed so that it completely enclose the pool. Gates should be self-closing swinging away from the pool and latches should be out of a child’s reach. Check with your local building codes for proper requirements.

• Any doors leading from the house or garage to the pool area should be protected with alarms that produce a sound when a door is unexpectedly opened.

• A pool cover that can be removed while the pool is being used.

• Make sure all rescue equipment is close the pool and that a phone with emergency numbers is near by.

• For above-ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should be secured or removed when the pool is not in use.

• If you can’t find a child, always look in the pool first. Every second counts in preventing death or disability.

• Pool alarms can be used as an additional precaution. Underwater pool alarms generally perform better and can be used in conjunction with pool covers.

The key to preventing these tragedies is to be well prepared for the worst case scenario. This includes placing barriers  around your pool to prevent access, using pool alarms, closely supervising your child and being ready in case of an emergency. Last but not least, use your fundamental common sense skills. Common sense is a necessity around a pool.

To discuss how California Trademark Pools can assist you in your swimming pool safety decisions contact our office at 916-683-1202.

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Jerry Johnson

President

trademarkpools@gmail.com

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Multi speed pumps

Yes, as of January 1, 2008 all swimming pool pumps added or replaced with a rating of 1hp or more are required to have the capability of operating with a multi speed pump or have at least a minimum of two speeds. The low speed must have a rotation rate that is that is no more than half of the motors maximum rotation rate. This rule only applies to the filter pump. If you have water features or spas that require separate pumps, they will not have to be replaced.

  I prefer to use the multi speed pumps in our new swimming pool construction. When bidding new pools for customers, I get asked quite often “how much will my savings be” by using this multi speed pump. To calculate your own savings, you can log on to multi speed pool pump energy calculator. Here is a general example of how much you can save with a 20,000 gallon pool (Click here for our Pool Volume Calculator. ) with an electricity rate of 15 cents per kilowatt hour by using a multi speed pool pump. It is always recommended that you circulate the water in your pool at least once in a 24 hour period:

1)      If you currently have a 1 hp pool pump it is taking approximately 5.3 hours to circulate 20,000 gallons of water per day. At a rate of 15 cents kilowatt per hour the costs would be $458.40 per year.

2)      If you have a 1 ½ hp pool pump it takes approx. 3.9 hours to circulate that same water. At 15 cents per kilowatt per hour that comes to $438.89 per year.

3)      Now with the multi speed pump, you can take 10 hours to circulate 20,000 gallons of water at a cost of $114.43 per year.

 These comparisons are general and may vary with your own utility company, but they do offer some idea of what your utility savings could be. Also, most utility companies are offering rebates for the use of these multi speed pumps. This only makes them more attractive over the long haul.

  Besides the fact that you are saving money on your utility bill, the multi speed pump has many other options. I have had several of my customers call me after the pump has been installed to verify that the pump is even running. This sounds hard to believe but the Starite Intellipro 4×160 variable speed pump  is so quiet that you hardly notice it! Some other facts are you no longer need that booster pump for your pool cleaner. Set one speed for the filter and another speed for the cleaner. It’s that simple. Now you still have two more speeds to maybe add solar and or a water feature!  In my opinion, these facts make the variable speed pumps a much wiser choice that than the two speed pumps.

For more information on the variable speed pumps and two speed pumps see http://www.pentairpool.com/products/products2.php?s=43

To discuss how California Trademark Pools can assist you in your swimming pool pumps decisions contact our office at 916-683-1202.

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Jerry Johnson

President

trademarkpools@gmail.com

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