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New Orleans Swimming Pool Contractor

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The energy efficient pool

GREEN POOL

 

You hear about green pool this and green pool that.  What is all this green pool stuff????  What is the green pool??  Usually a green pool is a bad thing.  We are not talking about any forms of algae.  We are talking efficient equipment to save you money down the road.  The green pool is the way more homeowners are electing to go.  The green pool is what it states, will save you your green money to operate!  The green pool also, is better for our environment.  If you had a green pool your green thumbprint you hear about could be drastic.  But most homeowners want the green pool in order to eventually pay for their green pool equipment and then save/make money on it.

There are different avenues to save you money down the road and eventually paying for the piece of equipment that you may buy and creating the green pool.  For instance there are variable speed pumps now.  A variable speed pump lets you operate your pump at what RPM (rotations per minute) that you want it to.  Ok, a regular 2 HP (horse power) pump will run at full RPM’s or 2HP.  You will get full force out of the pool but the electrical output that the pump needs is drastic.  Now enters the variable speed pump/ green pool principle, you can get the same 2 HP pump but in variable speed.  The pump cost’s in today’s terms around double a normal 2HP pump but the key is you could run the same pool on the lowest RPM”s 24 hours per day as opposed to a standard 2 HP pump 8 hours per day and save over double on your electcity!  Thats where the savings will start to pay for the pump/ establishing it to be the green pool!  Here is one pump savings calculator, remember in the New Orleans area we spend about 12 cents per kilowatt, click here.  Here is another saving calculator, click here. If you went with a computer system on your pool, for instance a Jandy PDA computer would actually tell you the RPM’s but also the wattage output.  If you saw those figures you would definitely elect putting the pool on a lower speed and establishing the green pool.  The reason you would have 2HP is say for a party you could crank up the pool pump to full force for any water features or the hot tub.

 

Next subject on the green pool :

 

 

LED lighting vs. halogen lighting.  Typically in a standard size pool you use to put one 500 watt halogen light into it and if you have a spa you would put one 250 watt light in it.  Well a pool that has a spa with it and pool has one light and spa with one light, you would be burning up to 750 watts of energy when in use.  Well LED is different, the cost of a LED light is quite a bit higher but would pay for itself depending on how long you would use your lights inside the pool/spa.  Click here for a savings calculator to see for yourself.  Also, with LED’s you can get a colored light to display different colors.  See this photo.  With a  computer system you can actually pick out the color you would want and if it was properly installed you could have each light on a different color and see how much wattage output the LED will use and be happy you have a green pool.  And I’m not talking about the color green light, I’m talking about the green pool, the one that saves money!

 

 

 

 

 

The next, that I am having trouble finding a saving calculator for is a heat pump heater.  If you have a pool with a spa/hot tub you need a gas powered heater to heat it because it will boost the temperature up very fast compared to a heat pump heater.  What a heat pump heater does is maintain a comfortable swimming temperature.  So say you had a normal gas powered heater and wanted to heat the pool, it would be VERY expensive to run for what natural gas/propane costs.  If you had a pool only and wanted it heated I would go with one of three options: 1) a heat pump heater, 2) solar heater 3) solar attic.  Heat pump heaters are made by a lot of different manufactures but I prefer Rome Solarium because of their good warranty!  A heat pump heater costs more than a standard gas heater but it would be very efficient compared to a gas heater to maintain/heat a pool.  In Orlando, there are a lot of rental houses around Disney that have both a gas heater and a heat pump heater installed making their heating, a green pool.  A solar heater is expensive up front but there is really no cost to operate until it came time to re-shingle your roof.  The problem with solar heaters is the obvious, the look of them.  And third way to make the green pool is the Solar Attic, this takes the hot air out of your attic and disperses the hot air/water to the pool, lowering your electricity bill because the a/c has to run less.  This unit has never to date been installed by us but I have researched them.  The only thing is when the attic is over 120 degrees is during August/September in the New Orleans area but the pool is already warm or too hot by then therefore you don’t need the extra heat.  I don’t know how well it would work outside of the hot months.  The reason I like a heat pump is because it will heat the pool as long as the outside temperature is above around 50 degrees, this is the avenue I would take to make the green pool.  A heat pump heater really runs the same as a home’s a/c unite.  What is nice also about the heat pump heater at least for the Rome manufacturer is you can cool your pool water too if you elect to pay the extra money for it, which I will talk about next…

 

Lastly is how to cool a pool efficiently.  Well we have to worry about this in the south when the pool temperature can creep to 100 degrees.  There are two ways that I know of one being the heat/cool heat pump stated above or the Glacier pool cooler .  The Rome heat/cool heat pump would cost more to operate but do a better job at actually cooling the water temperature but the Glacier would cost less to operate once bought because it is like running a fan, it may cost $10 max per month in your electricity. If you wanted a green pool and cool the pool these would be the route’s to go.

 

If you had a pool or one being built and it did not have a hot tub, I would defiantly install a heat/cool heat pump if you were thinking about putting a heater on the pool sot that it would be a green pool.  This would pay for itself VERY fast!   If you have a hot tub/spa you would defiantly need a gas heater (a heat pump heater would take just too long to get the hot tub hot) you would have to ask yourself if you would want the heat or heat/cool heat pump heater, most people don’t want to spend that kind of money though.  You have to ask yourself, do I want to pay more now in order to save more now and make later?  If so, you may want to have a green pool!

 

I hope this helped you on deciding if you want your pool to be, the green pool !!!

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Ways to and to not chose your swimming pool builder

Swimming pool builder.

Here is another way, which isn’t really the right way to look at who they will pick to be their swimming pool builder.

 

That person will investigate for their swimming pool builder by looking up the BBB or Better Business Bureau.  The problem with the BBB is they only recommend a swimming pool builder by who is a member.  If a swimming pool builder or his company doesn’t pay the BBB they will not refer you.  This is a big reason Crystal Pool and Spas doesn’t belong.  You mean to tell me that a company people look to for honest input and that may make your mind up on who to go with, does that on the principle of “who pay’s me”??  I find this very unfair and if the BBB is your way of picking your swimming pool builder, then this is a crime.  As a homeowner, you owe it to yourself on doing the necessary homework when looking to who honestly will be your swimming pool builder.  There are a lot of swimming pool builder /s that have been bankrupt and been under multiple names.   You should ABSOLUTELY do your homework but just basing your decision on a company as the BBB to make the decision for you on which swimming pool builder to pick is not the correct avenue to chose.

 

A homeowner, doesn’t have the resources and time to investigate all the swimming pool builder /s.  It would take getting an attorney to research which company has and has not been under a name change.  The problem with this is one company could have re-listed in another state or used their spouse’s name for their new company or even tougher a friend or somebody with a different last name.  This industry is known as a “used car” business.  There are a lot of swimming pool builder /s that will tell a homeowner whatever the homeowner wants to hear, at least initially.

So you ask yourself how do I look into the right swimming pool builder.

Ask friends, neighbors, family members who have built a pool for them.  Ask about their honest experience.  Then investigate if that company is under the same owner and philosophy.  Another way to determine your swimming pool builder, is when interviewing don’t only hear what they have to offer but listen to that person.  Are they throwing out a bunch of beautiful adjectives or are they humble and being honest in what they will provide for you. There are plenty of swimming pool builder /s that give 100% for the sale then 10% for the construction.  If it was my pool, I would want a percentage reversal!  I’d want a swimming pool builder that cared and that his/her job meant a lot to that person and not just money.  You need to go with somebody that is motivated and loves their job.  It goes beyond 3D pool designs and plasma tv’s that show your backyard pool on tv with soft music.  It IS about who will BUILD your pool.  Does your contractor show up only when it is time to pick up his check in his car or non-work truck.  Our philosophy is, take a look in the back of our truck and toolbox.  WOW, used tools!  That is what you need to look for.  A swimming pool builder that cares!  That is what separates the companies that go through name changes and ones that will fix any mistakes made and build relationships.

 

These are just some tools in helping you pick your swimming pool builder.  GOOD LUCK!!

 

 

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Landscaping your swimming pool and what it does to the yard

Pool Landscaping

 

When building a swimming pool you should look into pool landscaping it.  Not only any landscaping but if you can afford it, MATURE LANDSCAPING!!  This will take a plain old swimming pool, that looks too commercial(like a hotel) and turn it into a paradise that looks like it has been there for ages.  You can create the scenery around the pool where the swimming pool almost gets lost in the backyard!  I always tell my clients that pool landscaping will make a nice swimming pool transform into a total backyard transformation.  Landscaping can MAKE a pool!!!  I dislike the contractor that puts minimal (3′ of decking around the pool) and takes the homeowner into going the cheap route and putting grass right up to the deck.  Not only custom pool shapes are important BUT custom deck shapes AND custom dedicated pool landscaping areas ARE important.

Pool Landscaping also:

Would increase the value/integrity of you backyard!  A yard prior to a swimming pool is a blank canvas that presents different opportunities.  The key is DON’T forget about the pool landscaping!!!!  Not only the daytime look but think about how the yard should look at night!  A pool pleasant to the eyes during the day should also be pleasant to look at at night!

 

Here is a pool built by us and one photo was taken 2 weeks before the completion of his swimming pool landscaping.  You be the judge!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ways swimming pool contractors can cut costs or quality

Swimming pool contractors can cut costs by:

1) A swimming pool contractors can cut corners by applying a thinner or less gunite (concrete) or the actual structure.  The thickness of the gunite is VERY important and a swimming pool contractors looking to pocket money will do so in this area.  As a state licensed swimming pool contractors we are liable of providing a lifetime structural warranty.  So if your pool structure cracks, we are on the hook to fix it even if that means breaking out the pool and starting over.  What good is that warranty with so many swimming pool contractors go filing bankruptcy and changing their name, leaving the homeowner with a night mare!!!  

Another way a swimming pool contractors can cut corners

2) Less steel before the pool is gunited.  I will try to get a hold of some sloppy photos of poor quality and post the photo.  The steel structure is the strength of the pool.  If a swimming pool contractors doesn’t supervise and the steel at the bottom of the pool is walked into the dirt, then concreted it will serve NO purpose.  This step is CRITICAL to the integrity of the pool!

 

3)  Less and smaller circulation units.  Another way a swimming pool contractors can pocket money is for example, instead of putting two main drains or two skimmers, they can put one.  One skimmer in today’s swimming pool industry is inefficient!  Another thing, not seen by the homeowner is running smaller piping to save money.  Instead of running 2″ plumbing, some will run 1.5″.  2″ will almost handle 2X the water column than 1.5″.   This may not sound big but it is.  If you don’t supply your pump with enough water not only will it take longer to filter your water properly but it will put stress on your pump/motor meaning more problems down the road!

 

4)Another way some swimming pool contractors cut cost is using cheaper/smaller pool equipment.  For instance look up this filter number S166T and compare it to this filter CL580.  You will notice a very big price difference in just one item!!  Another trick is to install a 1 HP instead of say a 2 HP pump to save money.  Not to mention a 200,000 btu heater vs a 400,000 btu heater.  The list goes on and on.

 

5)  Another way  swimming pool contractors can cut corners is they will buy a couple of different cheaper tiles and give you a few choices to choose from.  A good builder will allow you to choose whatever tile YOU would like.  Some builders after having you sign the contract will make you choose a certain tile or will serve you an up charge.

6) The last example I will give is swimming pool contractors sometimes will PUSH you into going with a non-rectangle shaped pool, so that it is hard to calculate how big your pool is and what that company is stating.  For instance, one swimming pool contractors may be bidding on a 600 ft.2 pool and another may push a shape that is very difficult to calculate and it ends up 475 ft.2.  That is a huge price difference not only on the homeowners’ end but the builders end too.  Some swimming pool contractors will not put how many ft.2 their pool is but instead put maximum dimensions.  What good is that if a pool at the longest point is 35′ and the widest point is 16′ but the pool is shaped that those dimensions are very minimal.  They may want you to tell other swimming pool contractors the pool is 16’X35’=560 ft.2 when it actually may be 410 ft.2.

 

The list goes on and on.  I just listed a couple but make sure you don’t just look at a price when comparing swimming pool builder /s.  Will your swimming pool contractors have your best interest in mind or will he/she have their own agenda first.  Ask yourself is there price less expensive due to corners that will be cut so that in the end they will make more money. Great swimming pool contractors worries about their name and keeping their long term business operating instead of some short term sales.  What good is a warranty if that swimming pool builder changes name or goes bankrupt, for you??

On top of the things listed a MAJOR point you need to look at which also reflects the price is the last point.  Will your swimming pool contractors be there to not only supervise the job but know what they are looking at and step up to make sure not only the client is getting the best product but that there will be less/no problems for that builder.  Or will you hire a swimming pool contractor that will be at your job when it is time to collect a check.  Remember you get what you pay for.

We at Crystal Pools and Spas, will never base our philosophy on giving out low ball prices BUT rest assure we will give you ALL the attention your job requires, not just on pay day!  We have been under our current name since 1984 since Jeff opened the doors and we will continue for the future, God willing!

Remember when narrowing down your swimming pool contractors,make sure that they don’t have it’s own interest most important but has YOUR interest as it’s most important!

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What exactly a lifetime gunite warranty means in Louisiana

 

Gunite Warranty

A state licensed contractor in the state of Louisiana has to provide a lifetime structural/ gunite warranty to the original home owner.  What does that mean for you, the homeowner?  Well it means if your shell develops a structural crack, the contractor is responsible for fixing it.  A structural crack, is a touchy subject.  Some can be fixed more easy than others.  In some cases, the only way to fix it is to break out the whole pool and re-build the whole job.  This is a HUGE liability to a swimming pool contractor!!! What a homeowner does need to realize though is a warranty is only as good as a builder will be in business under his CURRENT company name. There are pool builders out there that say their name is ABC Pools, well they had to go bankrupt and change their name to ABC Aqua Pools, that voids ALL warranty’s from prior customers. It still sounds like the same company because of the first part of the company name but a simple add-on to the name and it can be a complete company restructure.  As a homeowner, you need to realize that a warranty is only as good as the company and people operating the warranty.  If one restructures every say 5 years it is easy to underbid contractors that actual CARRY the gunite warranty and follow through.  A pool cracking can be a very serious issue and you do not want to play around with that principle of the gunite warranty.  To fix a pool completely that suffered a bad enough crack, meaning the pool have to be replaced will cost you more than the pool is actually worth if brand new. Making the TRUE warranty worth EVERYTHING!  So if you are researching for a swimming pool company that has been under one name, still carrying the liability to their prior clients, make sure you see how long they have been in business under their main name and not “ABC Aqua Pools” or give Jeff and Kevin with Crystal Pools a call or email us.

 

If you have ANY questions about a gunite warranty or any type of warranty or anything else pool related email us!  Thanks!!

 

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Gunite Warranty

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Westbank pool complete! Slate coping and more

Pool coping

Pool coping is the 1st foot of the decking , above the pool/tile.

Here is a project we just wrapped up in Nine Mile Point.  It features slate bullnose coping, a raised spa, a raised wall that has tile facing.  The deck material is SunDek and the color is bone white.  The plaster features a fade resistant midnight blue coloring.  The pool also features a suntan ledge, salt water, a seperate pump for the 4′ sheer decent waterfall.  This backyard has a wonderful New Orleans feel that ties in nicely with their existing slate patio with brick fireplace.  I thank Oscar and Jeri for choosing Crystal Pools to build their backyard paradise!!!

 

 

There are a variety of pool coping :

slate, flagstone, cantilever (whatever decking product you use such as Sun Dek), brick, bullnose brick, bullnose travertine, straight nosed travertine, granite and more.

 Pool coping

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The truth about salt water pools

Salt water pool

 

There are mixed reviews of the salt water pool vs. chlorine pools today.  Well to get a salt water pool  with the initial salt startup you will spend around $2,000 upfront.  Let’s look at the benefit’s of the salt water pool:  softer water, easier to maintain a “blue” pool, chemicals less expensive.  The downside’s of salt: can be corrosive to pool equipment (I’ll explain later), upfront expense, high ph.

Payoff of the salt water pool vs. chlorine:

To look from a true cost/payoff of the salt water pool vs. chlorine many companies will tell you that the system will pay for itself in 3 years.  This is a false number because the salt cell, or the unit that actually generates chlorine from the salt, usually will last 3-5 years.  While salt is a lot cheaper than chlorine, you have to figure in the price of acid, or the thing that lowers the high ph.  In saltwater pools the ph continues to rise unlike a chlorine pool.  I figure a true cost/payoff of the salt system will take about 7 years to pay for itself.  If you ever have any dripping by your equipment on a salt water pool and it is dripping on any metal, such as your pump motor, you need to address this ASAP as the salt can corrode the metal. Also, if you have any kind of stone/flagstone on the pool, the water can eat/pit the stone if the stone is soft enough.  You can address this by sealing the stone with a good sealer.

The owner’s of Crystal Pools differ in opinion as Jeff still has a chlorine pool where as Kevin love’s salt water pools. The main thing is to understand the true factors of what each system will do for you.  Kevin likes the saltwater system because your pool should never go “green” unless you are not paying any attention to the pool.  The key thing to remember with a salt water pool is to check the ph weekly as it will rise and address the levels with muratic acid weekly.  The salt systems out there are wonderful but homeowners need to get a true understanding of what the pluses and minuses are of the salt system.  If you have any questions about anything in today’s pool industry or looking for a company you can trust in south Louisiana, please give Jeff or Kevin Knott a call or email and we will tell you the truth, not what will lead to the company making money.  Thanks!

 

Salt water pool :  The final decision is yours but I hope this info guides you into making the right choice!

 

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Why does a pool need a tile band or tile line?

Pool tile

Under your pool coping and above your plaster in your swimming pool lies a band of pool tile.  You may ask yourself why do I need to put tile there?  Or, why do I have to pick a certain type of pool tile to go there?  Well those are good questions

 

to ask.  First, the skimmer or skimmers in your pool has a opening or throat.  The tile will usually enclose the skimmer/s.  The reason you don’t have plaster going all the way up to the bottom part of your skimmer is because plaster needs water to prevent it from cracking.  If it is exposed to pure air without water it will crack at least get hairline cracks.  If it does so the pool would be susceptible to leaking there.  That is the reason you have pool tile there.  To answer the second part of the question, you must select a pool tile that is frost proof.  If the pool tile is not frost proof, during a possible freeze the tile can actually pop off of the pool.  Tile today comes in very many different colors/styles.  Most people today are going with the more earthy, monochromatic colors.  If you chose a pool tile with a pattern you may get bored or tired of the tile in a short time.  The more busy the tile the more you may not like it long term.  If you have any pool related problems or any questions email me at kevin@nolapools.com. Thanks!

 

 

Here is a link to just one pool tile company!

Crystal Pools and Spas offers all swimming pool services include installing new pool tile!

 

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