Sun and chemical overuse can cause the liner to fade, and lead to brittle vinyl. Technology is always improving, so the lifespan of a replacement liner could be longer than that of your original. Never add undiluted granular chemicals to your vinyl liner pool. The particles can settle and cause problems to the bottom of your pool.

Thicker liners are resistant to punctures, but it can happen. If your liner is leaking and you are fortunate enough to see a small hole, it can be patched. If you are losing an inch of water per week, not counting backwash and splashing, you may have a leak. Have it checked out. The consequences of leaks are corroding the walls, washing away sand on the floor, and other damage to the structure.

Installing the liner can be tricky. It requires making sure the liner has no wrinkles and is suctioned to the walls. It may be necessary to smoothly patch any pits or other marred area of the pool wall, so the liner adheres snugly. The flooring may require additional sand or floor padding. If this measurement is off, the liner could be pulled from the sides of the pool. The water holds the liner in place and assists it in fitting into corners and other spaces, such as stairs. Everything must be in sync to ensure a proper fit and a longest possible life.

There are many liner styles available for your above ground pool.

The cost to install a new liner depends on the size, location and complexity of the pool. The cost of a new liner varies depends upon the size and shape of the pool, the thickness of the material and the pattern. Give us a call if you suspect a leak or otherwise would like to replace the liner of your pool. We can help you make an accurate selection and a professional installation will increase the lifespan of your asset, helping you enjoy your water!

It’s water that makes soil. Think about desert areas for a moment—shifting sands? Water sticks the particles of dirt together. You may recall the concept of surface tension of water from your middle school science classes. Water likes to stick together, and it has an affinity for surfaces. These forces cause water to act like glue, which is called “apparent cohesion.” “Apparent” meaning temporary. Should the water evaporate or become completely saturated— the cohesion, the stickiness, is lost.

The moisture content of your soil is important to its sturdiness. How sturdy is mud? Squish! In the Midwest we have a freeze/thaw pattern to our winters. If you have ever accidentally left a soda in the freezer, you are aware that water expands as it freezes. Clay soils expand when water is added. To combat expansion with water, we place an adequate layer of washed gravel under your pool. Water cannot “stick” to the large particles of gravel and expand it. Should water rise from the ground it will have spaces in the gravel to fill. If need be, a pump will be added to your site to pull excess water from the area surrounding the pool. We have many years of experience and the expertise to develop the best solution for your site.

At Pool Tech Midwest, we stand behind our work. We are knowledgeable and follow best practices to ensure the longevity of your asset.

Soil weighs about twice as much as water and is the support for your pool. It is critical to examine the space and determine what, if anything, needs to be done to prep or amend the area that is slated for building. Often the existing soil is sturdy enough to support your new pool. Some yards are made up of soil that is not sturdy enough for construction. Our expertise and experience allow us to develop and implement solutions for the site when needed.

Testing the soil and the site can help avoid costly adjustments prior to excavation and construction. It is also necessary to build your pool patio on a quality foundation of soil.

Some of the consequences of building on poor soil are cracks, cracked finishes, leaks, uneven settling and raised patios. Some problems can be remedied, and some can’t. At Pool Tech Midwest, we stand behind our work, we care enough to get it right from the get go. You can trust that we understand how to analyze your site, giving you insurance and assurance about what will best benefit your investment, and keep you enjoying your water.

Watch the review of the Polaris 9300xi, available at Pool Tech Midwest.

The 9300xi combines advanced engineering, bold styling, innovative aquadynamic design, and unmatched intelligence to be the benchmark of all robotic pool cleaners.

The Polaris 9300xi has a patented Vortex vacuum technology that provides extraordinary suction. The debris container is large and very easy to access. It has a 70 foot cord, which accommodates a pool up to 60 feet long. You can custom program the cleaning cycles or use the Remote Control.

The unit has all-terrain aqua trac wheels for good traction and has a solid, not pleated, blade for aggressive cleaning. It thoroughly cleans the pool floor, walls, and scrubs the tile line. Did you watch that video? This machine works.

Here are the links for the Polaris 9300 website and the Polaris 9300 brochure.

Or, e-mail Pool Tech and we will send you one.

Stop in or call us (319-365-8609) and our experts will help you select the robotic cleaner that is best for your pool. We love helping people enjoy water!

Taxpayers should be aware that it is more cost effective and safe to have a Splash Pad that recirculates treated water than one that runs tap water. Water, a natural resource, should be considered a more valuable resource. Running tap water which needs to go back to the treatment facility can be wasteful. Leaving the faucet on can be costly!

Safety is an issue for Splash Pads as well. Splash Pads have been seen as an alternative to “baby pools,” an option that keeps diaper contents away from other bathers. It seems that contaminants go down the Splash Pad’s drain. In use, contaminants can stay on the flooring of the pad and remain on the water features, on anything that the users come into contact with.

Properly treating the water that swimmers use is necessary for community aquatic facilities. The chemicals used wipe out buggies quickly, reducing person-to-person transmission. Tap water may not eliminate bacteria and viruses that accumulate on handles, pipes, toys and water features, but properly treated water will.

Good planning in the beginning can certainly benefit for the long term! We love helping people enjoy water!

On the commercial side, it’s time for indoor construction. A couple projects under construction this year are the WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, IA and the Therapy Tubs at the University of Iowa Carver Hawkeye Sports Medicine Center.

Our commercial sales staff is consulting with existing pools/aquatics directors. This year there is a deadline for ADA compliance in March. We are assisting facility operators to find the best options for their particular facility and their patrons.

Example of a lift at Landmark Commons, a senior living center in Waterloo, Iowa.

We perform analysis for a variety of pools. We can apply new technology to help an aquatic center operate more efficiently, adjust chemical needs, plan for future additions, and more.

Our staff is very busy right now teaching the CPO (Certified Pool Operator) courses through the Iowa Park and Recreation Department. Classes were recently held in Cedar Falls and Sioux City, and will be held in soon in Des Moines, Iowa City, Clear Lake, and Cedar Rapids. Our expert staff teaches Pool Operators all across the state. Operating Pools in a top-notch way keeps swimmers safe, and we very proud to be a big part of public safety in Iowa. Click here for more info.

PoolTech staffers also spend time in the winter season attending training sessions. We learn about equipment, chemicals, new products, what is going on in the industry, and spend time networking with our colleagues in the Master Pools Guild.

On the residential side, we are gearing up for the construction season in the spring. Our designers are working with customers to plan the outdoor living environment of their dreams. We are working with local governments and strategic partners to meet codes, obtain permits, and take care of details to create a turnkey operation for our customers.

Lovely backyard with pool, spa and fire pits. Great entertaining space, great family space.

Our retail department is busy in the “off-season” too. This is the prime time for Saunas and Hot Tubs. We are helping customers with their chemical needs for the swim season and analyzing what updates might be needed and/or available for pool owners.

We keep busy in the winter to help people enjoy water! Swim season is just around the corner!

Wouldn’t it be great if a business had the ability to discuss their successes, exchange ideas and share the same values and ethics with the most highly respected companies in their industry? That’s exactly why PoolTech Midwest, Inc. is a proud longtime member of The Master Pools Guild.

The Master Pools Guild is a global network of elite custom pool professionals. To be selected a builder must have earned a reputation as a quality builder with superior design and construction talent. Guild members are carefully selected by region, so we are non-competing. This means we have a large resource of experienced professionals at hand to share ideas, best practices and resources with.

Another point to be proud of is the MPG Code of Ethics. When you choose to build your swimming pool with a Master Pool Guild Member, you are selecting a business that meets very high standards in ethics.

We work hard to gain respect for the industry, both on the local community and the national level. We support improving pool products and services, we advertise fairly and we treat our customers fairly. We meet our obligations and we design and build according to applicable codes, always with public safety in mind.

At PoolTech Midwest, Inc. we are very proud of our membership in the Master Pools Guild. We LOVE helping people enjoy water, and we work very hard to ensure that our customers have the best experience at the best value. We stand behind our work and will be here to serve for the lifetime of your pool!

•Accessible means of entry/exit are required for swimming pools. This includes a pool lift or sloped entry, and pools over 300 linear feet will also need either a transfer wall, transfer system, or ADA pool stairs.

•Wading pools must provide a sloped entry and spas must provide a pool lift, transfer wall, or transfer system.

•Wave actions pools, leisure rivers, and sand bottom pools require either a lift, sloped entry, or a transfer system.

The regulations are complex, and contain different standards for different sizes and types of pools. Give us a call (click here) for an expert opinion. PoolTech Midwest, Inc. can help you devise the best solution for your compliance with the new regulations, taking into consideration the uses of your aquatic facility and your budget.

We can consult for and update all types of pools. The Blackhawk County Family YMCA pool is a recent example. This Y chose a portable lift for their indoor lap pool. There was a small amount of assembly after the lift arrived, which allowed for no down-time to the pool. Another advantage of the portable lift is that it can be rolled away from the edge of the pool if the space is needed during a class or for an event.

Want to inform yourself first? Contact the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association. Certified Pool Operator courses and continuing education classes are taught throughout the state by PoolTech Midwest, Inc. instructors. The details of the new regulations will be covered extensively by our experts.

We are proud of our long history in providing aquatic enjoyment to all!

Resources:
http://pooltech.com/commercial/ada-regulations/
http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAStandards.pdf
http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/ISPSC/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.apsp.org/Public/CareerInstitute/EducationontheGo/index.cfm

• In the soothing, relaxing heat of the sauna the core body temperature rises, causing blood vessels to dilate which increases circulation. The warmth stimulates the sweat glands to get to work. Sweat is good for cooling and is also good for detoxifying your system.

• The sauna/sweat also keeps your skin in good working condition, replacing dead cells and cleansing your skin. Bacteria is rinsed away and clean pores improve capillary circulation, giving you a soft, beautiful, youthful glow.

• Aches and pains are soothed away—the comforting heat of the sauna releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving chemical. You enjoy their mild and tranquilizing effect and their ability to accelerate the healing process, quelling pain from arthritis or from an intense workout.

Our Nordic neighbors know how to relax their way toward good health! Look here to see just a few of the options!

We like it not only because it transforms the experience of soaking in your hot tub, but also because it transforms the experience of maintaining your hot tub. Just shake-and-pour! AND, it smells great too, no chlorine-y odor. It can’t get any better!

Here are some customer comments:
“completely happy with the results”
“never dries out my skin”
“makes it feel rejuvenated!”
“likes getting into the spa now”
“Easy, feels good”
“It is so gentle on skin”
“could tell the difference with the water”
“What a difference!”
“relax, and say hurray!”
“it leaves our skin soft”
“skin feels so much softer”
“leaves our skin feeling normal”
“smooth and silky”
“skin feeling refreshed”
“100% pleased with the product”
“changed the hot tub experience”
“my skin is never dry “
“soak for hours without any skin irritation”
“We love SilkBalance”

SilkBalance was developed by a cosmetics company with an interest in making a product that feels good AND works chemically to keep your Spa clean and safe, read here about the science of how it works. Stop into Pool Tech and feel the water for yourself!

We love helping you enjoy water!