Penguin Pools » General Pools News

Strong Pool Krete Mixer & Pump – Vermiculite Mixer for Pool Bottoms

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:42:19 +0000

Vermiculite is the preferred base for vinyl liner swimming pool bottoms as they require a smooth, level, & nonabrasive base. Strong is the leader in vermiculite (pool krete) for the swimming pool market. Strong premix pool krete is easily applied and gives a perfectly formed bottom so the liner will not slip or wrinkle. All of the pools that Penguin Pools builds in the Milwaukee, WI and Minneapolis, MN area, have vermiculite bottoms.

Along with just doing vermiculite bottoms on all of our inground vinyl liner pools in WI, MN, & IL, we also apply it with a special mixer and pump from Strong Manufacturing. The mixer and pump give us a perfect consistency throughout the entire pool so we don’t have to worry about some areas being too dry or wet. The time that it takes us to pour a bottom has been greatly reduced, and we have 10% – 15% less waste then with a simple paddle mixer. Penguin Pools is also able to keep the site cleaner as we have over 75′ of hose, so we can keep the mixer away from the house in the corner of your site to minimize the clutter & mess.

Penguin Pools also re-pours bottoms for older pools that had original sand bottoms. The key to a good inground vinyl liner replacement is a solid base. In the Milwaukee, WI & Minneapolis, MN areas we do a ton of vinyl liner pool replacements that are damaged do to a bad or poor subsurface.

In the SE WI, Penguin Pools does pool bottoms, for various pool companies in the region who due not have the equipment to do them as quickly or efficiently as us.

* Vermiculite is must easier to apply to steep side walls & will not wash away with changes in water tables.
** Vermiculite forms a monolithic, permanent, cast and will always remain in place.
*** Vermiculite becomes an insulating barrier from the cold temperatures of the soil beneath it.

The pictures in this article were from Racine, Merton, Sussex, and Waukesha.

Peeing in the Pool . . . Go Figure It Happens

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:13:37 +0000

By Megan O’Neill, Rodale.com

Public pools across the country are open for the summer season, but a recent survey could make you think twice about jumping in. According to the poll, almost half of swimmers admit to one or more behaviors that contribute to an unsanitary pool. And you’ve probably suspected as much, since the poll also shows 84 percent of us believe our fellow swimmers participate in unhygienic pool behavior.

THE DETAILS: The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted in late April and early May of this year by the Water Quality and Health Council, a body of scientific and other experts who advise the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade association. One in five respondents (17 percent) admitted to urinating in the pool, while almost eight in ten (78 percent) are convinced that their fellow swimmers are guilty of this act. Plus, about a third (35 percent) jump in without showering first, and three-quarters (73 percent) think other swimmers do the same. Even though most people seem wary of the hygienic standards of the swimmers around them, only 36 percent say that pool water cleanliness is on their mind when they take the plunge.

WHAT IT MEANS: Besides being just plain gross, filthy pool practices can lead to unsafe swimming conditions. Urine—as well as sweat and even sunscreen—contain nitrogen, which eats up a pool’s free chlorine. Free chlorine is what kills waterborne germs that could make you sick if ingested. So if too many people are peeing in the pool or diving in while sweaty, that could mean less chlorine’s available to wipe out nasty critters.

Even when chlorine levels are at proper levels, some illness-causing organisms can survive. For example, about two-thirds of all recreational water illnesses (or RWIs) are caused by Cryptosporidium, a chlorine-resistant microorganism that causes diarrhea. “Crypto can survive for as many as 10 days, even in a well-maintained pool,” says Michele Hlavas, epidemiologist in the Division of Parasitic Diseases for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Which is why swimmers need to take on some of the responsibility for maintaining the safety of their pools. “Pool operators can’t do it all by themselves, as it’s the swimmers who bring the parasites into the water,” says Hlavas. “Swimmers have to get invested in keeping their pool clean and keeping themselves healthy.”

Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself, and other swimmers, from pool-related illness:

Don’t swim if you have diarrhea.

It sounds like common sense, but it bears repeating. And don’t send your kids to the pool if they’ve been having stomach problems.

Get to know your pool operator.

Showing you care about pool cleanliness can ensure that certain standards are met. Ask pool management about the training employees receive to operate and keep the pool clean, and how often they check the chlorine and pH levels of the water (both should be checked at least twice per day, more often on crowded days). You can also ask about how they fared on the most recent inspection, and how they’re correcting any problems that were uncovered.

Test the water yourself.

Inspectors aren’t on site every day, so what’s happening when they aren’t around? To find out, the CDC recommends purchasing easy-to-use testing strips at a local hardware or pool supply store, and measuring the pH and chlorine levels before swimming. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8, and there should be 1 to 3 parts per million of free chlorine in the water, according to CDC standards.

Don’t swallow pool water.

Don’t even swish it around in your mouth! You don’t have to swallow large amounts of contaminated water to get sick.

Shower before swimming.

Shower with soap and water before entering the pool so you don’t bring anything unhealthy in to the water. Don’t think you need to? Consider this fun fact: The average person has about 0.14 grams of feces on their bottom! Parents should also wash their children before swimming.

Check diapers often.

And make sure older children take regular bathroom breaks when swimming. It’s also important to change diapers in the bathroom, or other designated changing areas, and never on the pool deck or anywhere near the water.

Know the signs of a clean pool.

These include clear water, smooth pool sides (no sticky or slippery tiles), and no strong odors. A well-maintained pool should have little smell of chlorine, as a strong chemical smell can actually indicate a maintenance problem. You should also be able to hear the sounds of properly functioning pool equipment, such as pumps and filtration systems.

Pool Water Chemistry, pH & Total Alkalinity

admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:27:13 +0000

However, th e relation ship between pH and total alkalinity (TA) is the most instrumental one that resides in your body of water…If the total alkalinity is in the right range, pH won’t be so volatile. If your pH is bouncing, chances are the TA is too low. TA is the real driving force to controlling the pH.

If a service tech or do it “yourselfer” doesn’t understand this relationship, poor water balance can result.

TA is the governor of pH. Don’t try to change the pH unless the TA is in the right range. The first correction is always TA…then you address any pH issue. And you may never have to change it if the TA is OK.

Here’s a look at exactly what pH and TA are, how they relate and interact and what service techs can do to keep it all under control.

What is pH?

Let’s go back to High School chemistry class (I’ll keep it painless and I promise there’s no test at the end).

pH is defined as a measure of water’s acidity or alkalinity. This is done by determining the power of hydrogen ions (H+) in the water. These ions are measured on a logarithmic scale from 0-14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 the most basic or alkaline.

In simplified terms, pH is actually counting how many hydrogen ions are in the water.

Ideally, one is shooting for 7.4 to 7.6, slightly on the base side of neutral. This is a comfortable range for humans as well as the optimal pH range for chlorine to do its job.

Keep in mind that extraneous factors from both people and Mother Nature can alter pH levels. Things such as pool parties with high bather loads or heavy rainstorms, especially when the rain tends to be on the acidic side, all have an impact. In the wake of such events, we need to check water chemistry variables as soon as possible.

If the pH is allowed to dip below the 7.2 minimum standard, the water becomes more acidic or, as it is sometimes known, aggressive. This can lead to equipment corrosion, pool surface damage and inefficient sanitizer use.

If the pH rises above the 8.3 level, the pool may experience scale and high turbidity. In either case, skin and eye irritation can be an end result here.

It is important to monitor pH levels because the number drastically impacts the Saturation Index equation – a formula used to diagnose water’s chemical balance.

When the pH changes (for any reason), so does the Saturation Index.

That’s because although both TA and pH figure into the Saturation index, pH has a larger impact on it.

For example, a TA reading of 150 ppm uses a factor of 2.2 in the formula. A reading of 200 ppm is represented by a factor of 2.3. In fact, TA ranges from 100 to 300 ppm are represented by factors ranging only from 2.0 to 2.5. Consequently, it takes a major shift in TA ppm to affect the results of the Saturation Index formula.

On the other hand, the Saturation Index uses the actual pH reading in the formula – not a factor–so the change in the pH will have a profound effect on the outcome.

Whatever the pH changes, the index will change in the exact same amount. It’s a 1:1 factor. If you want to change the Saturation Index, lower or raise the pH.

When pH levels stray, most employ muriatic acid to lower it and sodium bicarbonate or soda ash to raise it.

However, it’s not always that simple. If all the variables are not in their proper ranges as well, particularly total alkalinity, it can be difficult keeping the pH within ideal limits.

The TA/pH relationship

Total alkalinity has an important relationship with pH in swimming pool water. But first, what exactly is TA?

Total alkalinity is essentially a natural buffering system that helps to stabilize pH readings. If pH is counting how many hydrogen ions in the water, TA is counting how many things in the water are capable of absorbing hydrogen.

Simply put, total alkalinity is made up of things that can take on hydrogen.

At higher pH ranges, total alkalinity is the combined presence of hydroxide ions (OH-),carbonate ions (CO3) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3).

However, in swimming pools and hot tubs, where the pH range shouldn’t stray too far from the recommended mid 7 range, TA remains strictly a bicarbonate.

TA is nearly 100 percent bicarbonate in pools unless the pH is in the 9.0range or better. You can define TA as the sum of alkaline salts and, in essence, to simplify things…the primary one is bicarbonate.

When TA levels are too high or too low, it affects overall water balance. For example, with water that has very low TA levels, the pH is under stabilized and will change dramatically whenever even small additions of chemical are made.

Water becomes more corrosive to plaster and metal fittings and heater elements. In conditions of excessive bicarbonate alkalinity, the pH is overstabilized and tends to remain around 8.3. The pH level is likely to bounce back to the 8.3 range even after acid is added. With TA and pH in such high ranges, dull, turbid water also can result.

I truly hope this pH and TA “overview” helps manage this interesting relationship – it can be a complicated one. I’ve really tried to break it down to something that isn’t terribly technical so it can be better understood.

Harmony Outdoor Living Products

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:58:14 +0000

Penguin Pools of Milwaukee, WI is now pleased to announce that we are offering and installing the full line of Harmony Outdoor Living Products. Harmony Outdoor offers modulated outdoor living spaces made from Unilock Pavers.

By having your designs pre-built, we can install them quicker and for less money than if we built the whole thing from scratch. You can combine fireplaces, wet bars, grills, benches, tables, firepits … the options are endless.

These units really transform and inground vinyl liner pool into something great.

The great thing is that Harmony is located in WI so it has distributors like us (Penguin Pools) in Waukesha, New Berlin, Merton, Waterford, Brookfield, & Sussex.

If you have any questions or would like Penguin Pools to give you a free estimate, don’t hesitate to contact us directly.

Swimming Pool Plumbing

admin — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:59:16 +0000

Why do pool builders always skimp or rush through the plumbing? If it is done wrong or looks like junk, no one will be happy.
Straight lines and having everything symmetric is always more appealing to the eyes, but not always possible. Excessive use of 90 degree elbows will hinder water movement and add a lot of friction loss.

Penguin Pools builds and designs pools to meet Federal Guidelines for flow, turnover rate, entrapment protection, and placement of returns. Differences in plumbing setups and equipment sizing will affect water clarity, chemical usage, and overall operating costs from month to month.

Lets try to make this simple.

As water moves through pipes it creates friction, slowing it down . . . just like the air against your car as you drive down the road.
Each 45 degree elbow slows the water down a little and even more so with a 90 degree elbow . . . just like taking a turn in your car.
You can go faster down a straight road, but must slow down at a bend & even slower for a corner.

Each time the water slows down due to friction or an elbow, the less water you are moving though your filter and sanitation system.

Pools without variable speeds pumps should have their water turn over once (1 time) every 6 hours !!!

If something looks wrong, SAY SOMETHING.

There is no way this plumber or pool company got paid, how do you even think to plumb somethinglike that?

These are pictures that were taken off sites where pool companies were “showing off” their plumbing setups.

Penguin Pools builds and plumbs pools so that the the equipment pad isn’t more of an eye sore than it already is.

Penguin Pools also does some standard things that other companies, we just found out, don’t do in the Milwaukee & Minneapolis area.

Each suction line gets their own valve . . . helps for suction based auto cleaners.
Main drains aren’t plumbed to skimmer.
Each return line gets a dedicated line, not plumbed together . . . easier to fix or replace lines years down the road. It also makes for better water pressure throughout the system.
Water features, especially fountains, all get dedicated lines with valves. That way you can dictate exactly how much water gets to each water feature.
Penguin Pools only uses actuator compatible (diverter) vales for future expansion . . . ball valves are cheap and less “beefy”.
Unions are put on the pump, filter, and heater for easy access and repair.

Swimming Pool plumbing doesn’t have to brain surgery. Simply make it look pretty and ALWAYS use glue & primer rated for swimming pools. Oatley products at Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, or any other hardware store is no good. It will dry out and crack over time leaving you with tear drop leaks.

When using threaded fittings, do NOT to glue them. Penguin Pools use top rated Teflon tape with magic lube or silicone. The seal will be better and yet you don’t have to worry about getting the fitting out.

When Penguin Pools builds or rehabs a pool, we always try to prevent problems before they occur. We always make sure one of the return lines doesn’t have a valve on it. Many companies, we don’t, valve off each return line even when there aren’t water features. There is no real reason to restrict flow to the returns, so we don’t do it. When water features are present on a pool, we will valve off each water feature and each return MINUS 1. That way if someone (kids) accidentally closes all the valves, there will be one return still moving water so your system doesn’t explode or blow some connections.

While we feel we can fix or help any situation, there are some that are just past the point of return . . . like below.

Please contact Penguin Pools if you want a free quote or if you need us to rework the plumbing on your current swimming pool equipment.

Why Automate Your Swimming Pool?

admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:52:45 +0000

Automating your swimming pool does one primary thing, it simplifies everything.

Depending on the severity of your swimming pool and how many water and light features you have, will determine the size and cost of your automation system. The more water features (fountains, waterfalls, spas, cascades, wet decks …) you have the larger the system you need with more relays. While automating your entire swimming pool can be costly, there are ways to benefit from an automation system without getting ridiculous.

Penguin Pools generally puts a Pentair EasyTouch 4P automation system on each new build to help customers reduce utility costs. By putting in an automation system you can control key components like when you want your pump and light to turn on / off , what temperature to set your pool at (provided you have a heater), or controlling your salt water system. Manual timers work well to control your pump, that is until they fail and never turn the pump on (algae growth) or off (wasted energy).
By only running your pump enough to turn your water over 2-3 times day, you can save money rather than running your pump 24 hours a day . . . which people do.

When building a new inground swimming pool, Penguin Pools will actually charge more to run the electrical without an automation system (additional $400). The Automation acts as an electrical sub-panel by the pool, if you don’t have the automation control panel then the electrician must create his own. That equates to more wiring and hardware that the automation panel already provides, plus you get all the features of it. The cost of the automation system installed is only $900, but you are saving $400 compared to not having it installed.
With the automation system installed, the electrician will bring a single 20 amp circuit to the panel and run everything off of that. The EasyTouch, and all other automation systems, has knockouts for the breakers making the installation very easy. The pump, heater (electric, gas, or solar), salt generator, lights (pool or outdoor), auto cleaners, water features . . . get hooked up directly to the automation system.

When plumbing your equipment and pool, make sure you plan ahead to include everything you want automated. By placing valves in the plumbing, you can control what water features get water and which don’t. WHY? Maybe you don’t want your spa, pool, waterfall, and fountains to run at the same time . . . maybe they are on different pumps. The automation system can simplify the process of turning each feature on and off for you.
Adding valves that can accompany actuators, the automation system will actually open and close valves to turn on and off what features you want. Penguin Pools always valves each water feature separately and will also design the pumps needed for each feature.

Basically it comes down to cost, convenience and ease of use. Using an automation system on any pool will make life easier for you, your builder & electrician. The minimal cost in the automation system is well worth the money, especially since you are spending a pretty penny to get the pool done.

If you really want to add convenience you can add a wireless remote control to operate your pool. Now you can show off to your guests while sipping a drink next to you pool and never have to get up. Little things like automation systems really jazzes up a pool, even if you don’t have separate water features. Most pool owners like to have a pool they are proud of and not a plain water hole that looks naked.

Swim Spas Take Off as Space Becomes Smaller

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:35:24 +0000

5 Years ago the Swim Spa market was small and custom. No one wanted to spend $20,000 + on a spa when they could spend a little more and have a full inground swimming pool. Times have changed!

People are more exercise and health conscience (or they want to be), plus they are looking to utilize every square inch of their home. Older Swim Spas only allowed you to swim in place for exercise and rehabilitation. As the hot tub market has expanded and grown, they have become more influential in the Swim Spa market. Newer Swim Spas act and look like a large glorified spa. You can use it to relax, party, or work out. They come in different colors, shapes, sizes and can now have radios, tvs, or even fountains . . . a far cry from the old “box models”.

The most common and expensive seems to be provided by Endless Spas which has been around for years. We (Penguin Pools) have installed many of these spas and they do a great job, however they don’t have any of the

bells and whistles that other swim spas on the market have. They get built like a standard vinyl liner pool, except that they have the swim machine incorporated into it. Not bad, but it costs just as much as a 16′ x 32′ rectangle swimming pool after installation. With that being said, Penguin Pools is also able to add the custom features to an Endless Swim Spa that has made our inground swimming pools famous . . . LED Lights, Auto Covers, Fountains, WaterFalls, Auto Cleaners, Salt Generators, Automation Systems.
Endless Spas claims their units move more water and have a better sanitation system, but there are mixed reviews on that.

The newer “Jetted” Swim Spas are generally made from spa manufacturers and take what they know to a new level. They move water through multiple nozzles to create resistance that you mush swim through. The unit itself is a 1-piece fiberglass unit that sits inside an outside housing, usually made of wood or fake wood. Theses units retail for $25,00 – $30,000 but are completely self contained. They are pre-plumbed, run for electrical, and insulated; unlike the Endless Swim Spas where that is all extra for the installer.

One unit that I personally have installed in the past, is the H2X by MasterSpas. The customers of this unit have claimed that is is everything they expected it to be, great as a hot tub and perfect for swimming in place. These units are rather expensive from “traditional” spa dealers ($22,000), but Penguin Pools can get them for closer to $15,000. That might seem like a lot, but a top of the line hot tub or spa can cost you upwards of $10,000.

Master Spas has even caught the eye of Allyson Felix, a Olympic Medalist and World Champion, who owns a Master Spa.

Allyson Felix

HydroWorx has gone in a little different direction and taken the best of both worlds. They have created a high end system that gives you more than just a Swim Spa or a Hot Tub. They have taken the Endless Spa system and made it more appealing and desirable like the H2X system. These units are expensive and start out at $28,000 . . . not installed!
HdyroWorx has taken what they do to a new level be even adding an underwater treadmill. Just like the Endless Spa, Penguin Pools can add Auto Covers, LED lights, Waterfalls, Fountains, Auto Cleaners, Automation Systems, Salt Water Sanitation . . . to these units.

These units have different options for installation, above ground, partial covered or inground (Endless Spa or HydroWorx type Swim Spas Only). Penguin Pools will sell you just the unit or we can install it for you also. The electrical connections will be done by a licensed electrician, although we recommend installing an automation system 9 times out of 10 to help reduce utility costs. Adding custom features or concrete work will liven up your Swim Spa and not make it feel so naked and plain.

Please contact Penguin Pools for a free quote or free site evaluation for you new Swim Spa.

Penguin Pools adds New Location in Lacrosse, WI

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:39:35 +0000

Penguin Pools of Milwaukee & Minneapolis is opening a new retail location in Lacrosse, WI. The new store will handle above ground and inground pools along with spas and hot tubs.

The Lacrosse, WI location will be the third location for Penguin Pools (parent company Penguin Systems Unlimited) creating one of the strongest companies in the Midwest. Penguin Pools can handle any swimming pool installation or repair job in WI, MN, or Northern IL, Northern IA.

Penguin Pools specializes in Vinyl Liner, Concrete, 1-piece Viking and free form Armor Fiberglass swimming pools along with spas, custom water features, and designer concrete patios. With offices in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Lacrosse & Milwaukee, WI we have the manpower to service anyone in the Midwest.

Feel free to contact us directly at any of our stores.

Public Swimming Pool Safety

admin — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:54:47 +0000

Swimming pool operators are now required to install new safety devices aimed at preventing entanglement and drowning. Despite having nearly a year to comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act , commonly referred to as the Pool and Spa Safety Act, a lot of operators failed to update their facilities. Many pools and spas remain open in flagrant defiance of the law, with the owners often citing the cost of the upgrade and the unavailability of necessary drain covers.

Pool operators could also face civil liability if someone is injured or killed due to drain entrapment. Under the legal doctrine of negligence, the pool operator could be held responsible if an unapproved drain cover causes a drowning or similar injury. measures cannot completely prevent drownings.

Always use caution when swimming and supervise young children and other poor swimmers. With those tips in mind, swimming can be safe and enjoyable. Call Penguin Pools in Minneapolis or Milwaukee if you have any questions about keeping your pool in compliance.