1. Swimmers prefer the feel and taste of water treated with the ECOsmarte system over salt water pools by an overwhelming margin.

2. ECOsmarte systems work within a calcium hardness range of 200-2,000ppm. Because it converts calcium to bicarbonate, the ECOsmarte will eliminate and prevent calcium scaling on pool walls and rock features. Salt water pools do not control calcium scaling and will only work within a calcium range of 200-400 ppm.

3. Since salt water pool systems produce chlorine, the sanitizing effectiveness of the system is impacted by changes in temperature, bather load, sunlight and rainfall. Changes in any of these factors may require additional “shocking” of the water to prevent an algae outbreak. The effectiveness of Ecosmarte is not significantly affected by these factors. An ECOsmarte owner does not have to be concerned about doing anything different to treat their pool if they have 20 kids in the pool all day. The pool water will still provide bacterial and algae protection for a full week or more.

4. Vinyl liners, automated pool covers and solar covers may become damaged from the use of chlorine or salt water pool systems. Since the ECOsmarte system does not require the use of harmful oxidizing chemicals, these expensive pool components can be expected to last their normal life expectancy.

5. Salt water pool systems will use an average of 500 watts of AC power for a 20,000 gallon pool. ECOsmarte systems will use an average of only 40 watts of DC power to treat the same amount of water.

6. Salt water pool systems and the ECOsmarte system both use a chamber in their process. The difference is that a salt water pool system’s cell may need to be replaced in 3-5 years at a cost of over $400. The copper bars in the ECOsmarte chamber cost less than $100 to replace and they should last 4-7 years. The ECOsmarte chamber is warranted for 5 years and should last indefinitely.

7. The backwash discharge from an ECOsmarte treated pool is safe for use on lawns and in gardens since it does not contain any salt or sodium. Backwash from pools treated with salt water systems can kill plant life, sterilize soil preventing plant growth and is prohibited in many municipalities in the United States and Australia (where salt water systems were invented).

8. ECOsmarte offers six days per week of toll-free support at 1-800-ION SWIM to consumers, dealers and service personnel. No such support is available by any manufacturer of salt water pools being sold in the United States.

For more information on Ecosmarte Products, Visit
http://Ecosmarte.net/

Alex Lum
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/8-reasons-why-ecosmarte-is-preferred-by-pool-owners-over-salt-water-pools-53218.html

A swimming pool needs to have various safety components to prevent accidents happening in and around them. These can be perimeter fencing, pool-surrounding fences and adult supervision. Pool covers are also one such safety component. Safety is the most important and foremost virtue of a swimming pool cover. However, it also saves water that will otherwise be lost to evaporation.

These days, you can choose from a wide range of pool covers, with manual, semi-automatic and automatic systems. The benefits of using a pool cover include reduced pool maintenance costs, solar heating, energy preservation and removal of evaporation. All of these things make up for the cost of a pool cover.

Pool covers are often referred to as “horizontal fences”. Unlike conventional fences, pool covers do not isolate the pool deck or backyard, but only the water. A pool cover provides a strong barrier defense as a pool safety device. Various options are available without reducing water features, elevated walls, freeform design, or other pool features.

Water features have become quite popular these days to make a pool spectacular. You can also cover your pool with multiple water features on both ends, with the slide that is only a few inches above the floor.

Tips for Choosing a Pool Cover

Pool covers are available in a number of shapes, sizes and categories. Solar pool covers not only protect your pool, but also warm the water using solar energy. During the winter season, both ground and above ground pool covers will keep dirt, debris and animals out of your pool.

There are certain things that you need to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a pool cover:

• Pool covers should be strong. Its function is not only to keep your pool clean, but also to provide safety. The purpose of using a pool cover is to prevent accidental drowning and entering of dirt or debris.

• Your selection for a pool cover must be as per your state and local law requirements. Contact your local authorities to get the related information.

• Check that the pool cover has a warranty. It should be at least for two years for all defects. Make sure you’re happy with the kind of customer service provided by the company.

• Overlap length of the pool cover must be bigger than your pool’s size. This way, you can safely anchor the pool cover without worrying that your pool is not covered completely.

• Check the pool cover has the required parts for the safe anchoring of it without the fear of slipping. In larger pool covers, a strap or anchor is provided for every four feet of the cover.

Overall, safety must be given first priority while purchasing a pool cover. Make sure that you read all of the instructions given by the manufacturers, and that all the local law requirements of your area are properly fulfilled.

Stefan Rockhaus
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/advantages-of-pool-covers-56299.html

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act Will Protect Children in Commercial Pools

From 1999 to 2007 at least nine people died in pool drains and 63 were injured – this is according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In 2002, Virginia Graeme Baker, age 7, drowned in a spa when she became entrapped by the powerful suction of a drain. Virginia was the granddaughter of former U.S. Secretary of State, James Baker.

The idea behind these new regulations is to save the lives of children.

With pool accidents rising, there are new regulations designed to keep swimmers—especially children—safe. The most notable is a federal act, Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB), which requires that all public pools and spas—such as municipal pools, hotels, country clubs and day camps—install a compliant [ANSI/ASME 112.19.8-2007] drain cover.

Many people are unaware of the injuries and fatalities caused by suction entrapment. Jim Gibson, the owner of Pool X Perts, a South Florida Pool Company, feels a responsibility towards assisting his clients comply with new regulations. He explains, “Our company is dedicated to pool safety. We already have the services and products available to meet the latest safety standards.”

Get expert help to navigate local and federal safety regulations.

The federal safety act (VGB) takes effect December 19, 2008 and it includes potentially hefty fines or even imprisonment for noncompliance. The challenge for commercial pool owners and operators is that in addition to compliance with VGB, they often face an array of new regulations that vary from state to state, and from town to town.

Jim Gibson recommends that commercial pool owners contact a professional pool company in their own community.  Gibson’s company, Pool-X-Perts, which is located in South Florida, has been working closely with manufacturers to find a drain cover that meets both federal and state regulations.

Pool operators, especially with single suction outlet systems, are looking for an easy, cost-effective and readily available product to achieve compliance. Jim explains, “Most pool owners don’t realize how easy it is to comply with the new safety act. The products we’re distributing easily and safely retrofit to most existing frames and meet or exceed safety standards.”

Commercial owners and operators of pools and spas can learn more about the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and how to comply at www.pool-x-perts.com. Pool-X-Perts provides the products and services commercial pools in Southern Florida need in order to achieve compliance prior to the December 19, 2008 deadline.

About Pool-X-Perts

Pool-X-Perts is a complete swimming pool and spa service/maintenance, repair and remodeling company for residential and commercial properties. Pool-X-Perts is a privately held company headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida. For more information please visit www.pool-x-perts.com.

Jim Gibson
http://www.articlesbase.com/water-sports-articles/virginia-graeme-baker-pool-and-spa-safety-act-will-protect-children-in-commercial-pools-686801.html

I would try Craig’s list.

~

looking around Dallas, Texas, but an estimate from anywhere is ok.

In Texas you are looking at anywhere between 75 and 150 dollars a month. (depends on how many gallons and what type of service).

At Aqua~Bower Pools in Houston, the average per customer is about 140 a month. This includes checking equipment, backwashing, baskets, brush, leaf eat or vaccum, testing water and chemicals on a weekly basis.

Some folks only choose to do chemicals only, however, I find if the client is not taking care of the pool the way it should be taken care of, the 75 dollar fee for chemicals only per week is a waste of money.

Many folks don’t seem to realize that keeping a good balance of chemicals in their pool at all times will lengthen their equipment life.

I hope this helped.

http://swimming.about.com/od/poolandspamaintenance/
There a lot of good info on this site. Hope it helps.

Im looking for a good weekly swimming pool maintainance company. I have been through 3 pool guys in 2 years.

I work for a great company but it most likely is not near you. Where do you live near?

I have a 60.000 litre inground pool with a spa on the side. I was quoted $70.- per month plus the cost of chemicals. FYI I am in Perth, Australia so I don’t know if this information is relevant to you.

The poolman had come twice to clean my pool from algae and he was so kind to show me exactly what to do and how to go about cleaning it myself. He said if I needed him he is happy to come again but he thought I should save my money. This is unusual of a tradesman. I now backwash it once a week, keep the water to the right level and check the chemical (chlorine and Acid) with the kit that I bought on ebay. I go to this website to analyse the results : http://www.onlinepoolshop.com.au/index.php?page=waterTester. Once you’ve done two or three times you will see how easy it is. Good luck

Just wondering if somebody can please tell me how much I should expect (approximately) for monthly pool service for a 60,000 gallon pool.

Thanks

I don’t know how many gallons my pool is. It’s considered an average size – not real small – and definitely wouldn’t be considered large. It has a small deep end. I pay $90 a month for one visit per week.

They scrub the tiles quickly with a pool brush that has a long handle. They don’t do much, if any, scrubbing away of hard calcium deposits. They dump out the small filter, make sure the vacuum is working properly, fish out the leaves and adjust the chemicals.

Things do go wrong with pools. I would suggest that you "interview" people before you hire someone. You’ll need to be able to call on someone for repairs. We have a large filter that my husband cleans himself once or twice each year. If we had to pay someone to do that it would be 65 – 75 each time. If the heater breaks, does your pool service know how to fix it? If not, do they have someone they can refer? Our pool has an in-ground spa and the heater wouldn’t work one year. Our pool guy didn’t know how to fix it himself, but he did have someone that he referred us to. Bottom line is that you might want someone who can give you a little more advice than a college student who sweeps out the pool and adds chemicals. We also have an auto-fill that is tricky. You might want to ask if they know how to adjust it if you have one.

The guy that does my pool cleaning generally spends 20 – 30 minutes here each week. I give him $20 bucks at Christmas time – otherwise nothing other than the $90 each month plus extra for repairs.

I live in a large city in Southern CA.