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Be sure to talk to Scott Calwell, Natare’s product manager of PVC pool systems. Natare is currently seeking qualified builders and contractors to supply our new AlkorPlan PVC membrane pool lining system to exclusive territories throughout the United States and Canada.

The AlkorPlan system makes pools perfect – it offers the best solution for the renovation and restoration of residential and light-commercial pools, spas, and water features. Its unique durability and reinforced construction provides watertight security and long term protection, regardless of the pool’s original construction, age, or condition. AlkorPlan is a tremendous upgrade from a traditional liner, and it is the only one with a true 10-year warranty.

We will also have samples, literature and brochures about Natare stainless steel swimming pools, spas, specialty equipment and components.

Visit the MPG’s event website for more information about special events, sponsors and the education agenda. Hope to see you there!

Lining and containment systems are a critical element in planned developments. They can increase property values and even quality of life, but in many cases, the soil on a project site is not suitable to hold water. In other areas, environmental regulations are enacted to prevent contamination, erosion and soil subsidence.

Natare offers standard and custom lining solutions using the technology we’ve developed for swimming pools and applying it to decorative, environmental, industrial and agricultural water containment systems.

Natatec PVC lining can accommodate a wide range of landscaping needs including decorative and display water features, ponds, water gardens, waterfalls and water fountains.

Our heavy duty lining systems are approved for environmental and industrial containment systems such as wastewater and raw water storage, and even oil- and petroleum-based liquid storage.

Natare also provides lining for agricultural water systems such as irrigation channels, irrigation water storage and fire ponds, stream linings and systems for fisheries and aquaculture.

Field installation services are a key part of your total solution from Natare. Trained field personnel can quickly and efficiently install a Natatec PVC lining system and ensure its integrity with field testing, sampling and certification. Our personnel assist in all aspects of PVC lining installation to ensure an efficient and economical solution to containment and waterproofing challenges.

Contact us to see how we can help you with these special features.

Maryland Olympic Pools Fountain

Wednesday, we talked about caring for stainless steel in aquatic environments; today for our Friday education post, we’d like to share a some of our favorite tips and products for care and maintenance of stainless steel, tile and PVC pool linings.

In our decades of experience, we’ve found a few general maintenance products that are tremendously effective in removing stains and lines typically found in swimming pools.

1. Enzyme Cleaners. These formulas break down organic matter such as body oils, sweat, dirt and most foreign substances found in swimming pools.

2. Diamond Lustre. An instant cleanser for tile, vinyl and chrome that removes grease and oils.

3. TLC. Cleans and removes scale from slides, tile and vinyl.

4. Soft Scrub. Not just for bathtubs! A commercially available multi-purpose, light-abrasive cleanser. Most effective in removing scum lines from the pool lining when used with a Scotch Brite pad.

5. Pressure Washing. For initial spring cleaning, washing the pool lining with clear water under pressure has been found to be quite effective. Take care not to use excessive pressure at seam edges and where any slip-resistant material overlaps the primary pool lining material. If done improperly, high-pressure spray cleaning can damage the pool lining.

6. Granular Chlorine. In certain cases where it is extremely difficult to remove a stain or discoloration has occurred, granular chlorine used in a manner similar to scouring powder may be used. The granular chlorine should be made into a paste and a stiff bristle brush used to scrub the stained area. Granular chlorine left on the PVC material will result in “bleaching” or discoloring. After cleaning with granular chlorine, be certain to thoroughly rinse the pool lining with clear water.

Whiteman Air Force Base - we installed a Natatec PVC liner with the Stealth logo!

IAAPA:Water park conservation efforts result in far less water use than commonly thought.

Aquatics International: Pool safety campaign set to heat up in 2011.

San Diego Union-Tribune: 8 year old swims to raise money for friend’s heart transplant.

Master Pools Guild: Spring meeting coming up March 8 in San Diego.

AQUA Magazine: VGB in Perspective.

What’s going on in your world this week?

Arlington Country Club, Richmond, Ken.

The life expectancy of stainless steel is measured in a span of decades, not years. In order to understand how stainless steel can be used in the aquatic environment, it is necessary to understand the origin of stainless steel and how it chemically responds to certain environmental and man-made conditions.

What exactly is stainless steel?

Stainless steel is a common chromium/nickel alloy steel used in thousands of products from ocean-going yachts to tableware. In most aquatic environments, stainless steel will not rust or stain, even after many years of service. There are some chemicals that can corrode stainless steel, but these chemicals do not appear in high enough concentrations in pool environments to affect this alloy. Properly installed and maintained, a stainless steel pool will remain rust and corrosion free.

What makes stainless steel corrosion resistant?

The general corrosion resistance of stainless steel is achieved by the use of chromium as an alloying element. The chromium combines with oxygen to form a thin transparent protective film on the surface of the steel. In the case of stainless steel, this oxide film is quite stable and actually protects the steel in normal atmospheric or mild aqueous environments.

Although this protective layer is quite tough, it can be pitted or broken down by the presence of the concentrated halide salts (chlorine, bromine, iodine) used to disinfect pool water. These halide salts are most damaging when splashed, sprayed or carried onto stainless steel surfaces and allowed to evaporate.

Regular cleaning

A regular cleaning program prevents the buildup of halide salts and protect your pool from corrosion. Moreover, regular, preventative cleaning eliminates the need for exhaustive, heavy-duty cleaning down the road.

Flush with water and wipe dry all stainless steel railings, bulkhead trim sections, exposed edges of stainless steel gutter systems and other areas that are not regularly submerged. You can also regularly wipe down these surfaces with a soft rag lightly coated with Natare SS SuperClean (our patented stainless steel polish), lemon oil polish or silicone spray.

Proper pool chemistry

Rusting, staining or corrosion problems are almost always linked to chemical concentration or pH. In many pools, chemical levels are frequently too high and chemical consumption is much greater than that required for proper operation. By adjusting these levels to a proper chemical balance, you will greatly reduce the risk of corrosion.

Additionally, the cleaning products and chemicals you use to treat your swimming pool decks and other surrounding areas can also lead to staining or rusting problems if these materials find their way into the pool. Do your best to avoid products that contain or produce halide salts.

Do you have a stainless steel pool? What is your regular cleaning and maintenance routine?

Marina Bay Sands' SkyPark infinity pool comprises 422,000 pounds of stainless steel.

Monday: Therapy Pool Q&A

Wednesday: The Model Aquatic Health Code

Friday: A few common pool problems

See you next week!

Bloomington Country Club - Bloomington, Ind.

Green water. If the water is clear, green water may be due to dissolved iron, improper use of bromine or iodine, or the use of anthracite filters. Chlorination or superchlorination will convert the dissolved iron to a red-brown precipitate, which can be vacuumed and filtered from the pool. Proper pH control will prevent the water from dissolving iron from the pool pipes and filters. The precipitate can be settled and vacuumed or filtered from the pool water. In extreme cases, the settling process can be aided by sprinkling an ounce of powdered aluminum sulfate over each 100 square feet of pool surface. Allow the aluminum to settle quietly overnight. Be sure the pH of the water is above 7.6 before using aluminum.

Cloudy green water. Usually due to algae growth. Immediate superchlorination and maintaining proper free chlorine residual may solve the problem. An algaecide may be needed. In cases that have progressed beyond the curable stage, drain the pool and scrub the walls and floor with muriatic acid. (Use the acid with great caution.)

Dark and/or slippery spots on the pool bottom or side-walls. Usually due to algae growth. Treat as stated above. Sometimes, sprinkling a few granules of calcium hypochlorite directly on the spots may stop the growth, but this may also cause white spots on a painted or colored liner bottom. Dark, slippery spots in puddles on the pool deck may also be treated with calcium hypochlorite, but the solution should be rinsed thoroughly before allowing patrons to use the area.

Milky cloudiness. Usually due to excess dirt particles or to precipitation of calcium compounds. The cloudiness should disappear with adequate chlorination and efficient filtration. Superchlorination will help if the cloudiness is due to organic dirt.

Eye irritation. Usually due to improper pH control or build-up of chlorine compounds in the water due to insufficient chlorination. Chlorinate to pass the breakpoint and maintain the pH constantly at 7.8. Maintain a free chlorine residual of 0.4 to 0.6 ppm.

Helpful Hint: Are your pool managers and water feature engineers certified pool operators? CPO® certification courses are designed to provide individuals with the basic knowledge, techniques, and skills of pool and spa operations.

What, if any, problems have you encountered in your pool or spa operation? How were they resolved?

Crystal clear, clean water at the Beau Rivage rooftop pool, Biloxi, Miss.

Spearheaded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the MAHC “will provide local and state agencies with uniform guidelines for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of swimming pools and other disinfected swimming venues.”

A technical committee has been established to create the code, and the CDC is encouraging interested parties to comment on early drafts of the code via a comment form on their website.

All available drafts of the code can also be found on the CDC website.

According to Aquatics International, “The MAHC project is an ambitious — and potentially controversial — effort to eliminate the patchwork and establish one single uniform set of aquatics operations standards.”

And Athletic Business says, “the time is now for those aquatics professionals to weigh in on the specifics of the model code, as most of its individual components are either currently or will soon be involved in a public comment-and-response period.”

In addition, the World Waterpark Association has established an industry support committee “to keep the WWA and its membership informed of needed action by the waterpark sector of the aquatics industry to assure the MAHC is a valid and beneficial document.”

What are your thoughts on the MAHC? How will new codes affect your facility?

Lieber State Park Rec Area, Owen County, Ind.

1. Our facility is thinking about adding a Fitness/Wellness Center. Where do we start? Who has the expertise we need?
Adding a pool of any type to a facility requires extensive thought and preparation. A therapy pool is a long term investment that can’t easily be changed once built. Not only do design choices need to be made, but forecasts of facility needs, program implementation and maintenance requirements have to be considered. Fortunately, although this decision process may be new to you, it’s not new to us! We have been designing special purpose pools and spas for decades. We have developed a thorough knowledge of the unique requirements and specialized considerations needed in an aquatic therapeutic environment.

2. What guidelines are there for designing a swimming or hydrotherapy pool for therapeutic or clinical use?
Your state and local health codes generally mandate some of the many factors for the design of a swimming pool in a clinical or therapeutic environment. Natare can help you to interpret these codes when considering your design. Therapy pools are normally viewed subjectively by the reviewing code officials; health department officials will be concerned with safety, cleanliness and water quality, but physical dimensions and other traditional guidelines are not normally mandated.

3. How big is a therapy pool supposed to be? What should it look like? What features should it incorporate?
This is the fun part. These decisions are not set in stone, nor are there any absolute standards. Your particular needs will govern the choices that you make. No two therapy pools are typically alike. Each pool must be unique and individually planned for a custom fit to your facility. We believe the design process should start with preliminary discussions which include your therapists and other staff personnel. They will have valuable ideas regarding what they need to provide better care for your patients. Often these people are left out of the design process and the therapy pool often doesn’t work well for their programs or treatment regimens.

Pool size and shape is usually a result of program needs, space available and budget constraints. The final design will be a comprise of all these considerations.

Features of a therapy pool can include hydrotherapy, varying terraced depths, temperature modulation, underwater exercise equipment, submerged walking tracks, underwater viewing/video windows, handicapped access equipment and submerged or surface-level parallel and ballet bars.

4. What about recirculation, filtration, and water chemistry? I don’t know anything about that these areas. Do we have to become experts in order to have a therapy Pool?
No, that’s where Natare can help. The technical considerations regarding filtration, recirculation and water chemistry will be thoroughly engineered by Natare before the pool is ever built. We will make sure your equipment is sized properly to ensure sparkling clean water and patient comfort. Systems from Natare provide years of trouble-free service with minimal upkeep and maintenance. Additionally, we can provide automated operation and chemistry control systems that make daily pool maintenance hassle free. Most facilities will have a person responsible for the overall operation of their pool; with our help this will not a full time job, it will only require occasional responsibilities.

5. Most pools I’ve been in are constructed of concrete. Is this the method of construction you recommend for therapy pools?
Our experience has shown us that concrete pools require regular involved maintenance and upkeep. Cracking, spalling and frequent patching, painting and plastering are at least yearly events. We believe stainless steel is the absolute best choice for therapy pool construction. Natare pools are aesthetically pleasing, hygienic, low-maintenance and long-lasting. The stainless steel surface of the pool can also be covered with a colorful PVC lining or even ceramic tile or stone.

6. We want a therapy pool in our facility, what is the next step?
Tell us your needs, wants and wishes. We can help transform your vision and practice requirements into reality. You will find that a few suggestions from us can help get you started with your thought processes and design considerations. Any particular problems or areas of concerns can also be discussed as they are likely situations that we have encountered with other therapy pool projects. We can help with budgets and we can assist in meetings with your therapy staff.

7. What kinds of general comments can you offer about the planning, design and construction of a therapy pool?
Recognize the inevitable compromise that will occur. No matter what final pool design is chosen, not everyone involved with the project is going to get every feature that is important to them. Not only are budgets usually restrictive, but some design features, such as temperature, size, depth, and layout can be mutually exclusive and prevent other therapy pool features from being incorporated. Sometimes two pools are built, side by side, but each with a unique and special purpose.

Does your facility have a spa or therapy pool? What unique considerations were important to your facility?