Relaxing
poolside is the ultimate in summertime self-preservation. The calming
effect of water is well known for its health benefits, including
relaxation and reduced stress. But, to promote personal well-being,
pools and spas need to be kept clean and safe. Here are some tips on
how to keep water sparkling blue, and how to build and maintain
energy-efficient pools that will keep your environment, body and budget
healthy.
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| The
tranquil infinity pool overlooking Hawaii Kai is made even gentler to
swimmers by Aloha Salt Pools’ Watermaid saltwater system. The pool is
constructed of Nudura insulated concrete forms, which utilize Styrofoam
shells filled with concrete, by ACS Construction. Photo by Olivier Koning. |
Soft Water
Regular,
weekly maintenance is necessary for the health of any pool. However,
keeping the pool clean can turn this luxury into a chore. Buck’s Pool
Service takes the stress out of pool maintenance. For the past 10
years, Buck Degener and his team have checked the pH balances, scrubbed
tiles and skimmed Oahu’s pools and spas.
“On
a weekly basis, balancing the chemicals in the water is the most
important thing,” says Degener. He adds that imbalances cause
irritations and are unhealthy for swimmers. Without the proper pH
level, algae can grow and the water may become cloudy, both of which
impede proper filtration.
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| Custom
Marble Design completed the Whiting family’s poolscape with quartzite
from Bella Pietra, A Natural Stone Design Center, and Limu ceramic
tiles from International Tile Inc. Photo by Tomas Del Amo. |
For
chlorinated pools and spas, the correct level of bacteria-killing
chlorine is a must. The chemical balance keeps the water clean and free
of algae, but it can irritate swimmers. “People are switching to
saltwater, because it is softer on the skin,” says Degener, who adds
that about one-third of his customers have saltwater pools.
Jon
DeLuca, of Aloha Salt Pools, agrees. He says that many homeowners
convert from chlorine to salt to avoid the smell and taste of chlorine,
red eyes, stinging nose, dry skin, green hair and damaged bathing suits.
Aloha
Salt Pools offers a chlorine alternative called Watermaid. Its
salt-based chlorine is a softer cleaning agent and is gentler on the
skin. “It is comfortable; the water is soothing. It has none of the
common chlorine irritations,” says DeLuca.
How
does it work? It comes down to basic chemistry. A metal electrolysis
cell is installed between the pool filter or heater and the pool
return. Then, the salt is added to the pool at an appropriate
salt-to-water ratio. An electric current is allowed to flow through the
cell and it shocks the saltwater into its natural elements, chlorine
gas and sodium (sodium hypochlorite). The natural chlorine produced is
a disinfectant and bleaching agent that helps control pH levels and
kills contaminants. The systems can be installed into any pool,
including established chlorine pools.
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| Blue Champagne Pool & Spa’s Hot Springs Vanguard spa, with a white pearl shell and postal gray skirt. Photo courtesy of Blue Champagne Pool & Spa. |
Another
product perk is that Watermaid saltwater pools are more affordable than
chlorine pools. Saltwater costs to install, but, afterwards, you save,
because salt is added less often than chlorine. Plus, the system
reduces pool maintenance costs.
To
keep hot-tub water clean and healthy, Hot Springs spas installed the
Fresh Water 3 Ozonation system. According to Cheri Hadenfeld, of Blue
Champagne Pool & Spa, this system sanitizes with ozone and
circulates hot-tub water 24 hours a day, keeping the water fresh.
Adjustment of the pH balance is still necessary with this system,
although less often. Depending on usage, chlorine may need to be added,
and the spa should be drained every three to four months, Hadenfeld
adds.
Blue
Champagne Pool & Spa has supplied Hawaii with high-quality Hot
Springs spas for more than 30 years. The company also does repairs and
keeps replacement parts for every spa that it has ever sold. Recently,
Hot Springs introduced new color options for its hot tubs, such as
Azurite and Champagne Opal. Other upgrades include chrome jet nozzles
and durable, composite spa skirts that look like natural wood.
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| Rooftop
solar heating panels, from Hawaiian Island Solar, offer homeowners an
affordable alternative to electric heating, plus tax credits. |
Friendly Energy
For
the environmentally conscious, as well as the budget-minded, Hawaiian
Island Solar recommends installing solar panels to heat pool water. “We
have been doing a lot of pools and spas lately, because electricity
bills are outrageous,” says Jodi Kidd, of Hawaiian Island Solar.
Good
for chemical chlorine and saltwater pools, these panels let the sun do
all the work. The pool’s water is cycled through pipes in the roof-top
panels, heated by the sun all day long, then returned to the pool’s
filter.
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| Lagoon-shaped pool, by Gemini Pool & Spa. |
And,
the savings aren’t limited to monthly electric bills. The state of
Hawaii rewards homeowners who install solar panels. “There is a 35
percent state tax credit for the cost of solar panel equipment, up to
$1,750,” says Kidd.
Pool-Side Manner
Beyond
clean, healthy water, what makes a backyard pool or spa relaxing? Being
part of its surroundings, says Charlene Sloan, of Gemini Pool & Spa.
“Free-form
pools are popular now,” says Sloan. Gemini Pool & Spa is a
full-service pool construction, maintenance and supply company. For 21
years, Gemini has custom-designed in-ground pools and spas with curves
that flow with tropical landscaping. Add to that Gemini’s non-chlorine
Bioguard Mineral Springs sanitation system or its solar heating panels,
and the pool will not only look like part of the environment, it will
be kind to it, too.
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| Above: Turtle mosaic being prepped for installation, by Thomas Deir. Photo courtesy of Thomas Deir Studios. Below: Tile Mart Poolstones, with ceramic tile detail at the water line. |
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In
keeping with the natural pool trend, many homeowners are steering away
from the rectangular, concrete box in the middle of the yard. Instead,
they are designing lagoonlike pools, with roundabout decks. From rock
formations with cascading falls to mosaic turtles swimming at the
bottom of the pool, people want to incorporate nature.
For
starters, a pool’s color—from brilliant, crystal blue to deep-lagoon
green—is determined by the varying shades of tile. Selective Stone
offers a wide selection of glazed ceramic and glass pool tiles in
shades of blue, green, teal, gold and white. The company’s
one-by-one-inch and three-by-three-inch ceramic tiles are double-fired
for durability.
“With
varied color tones, the tiles create a feeling of depth as they sparkle
in the water,” says Selective Stone’s Jinny Nip. Weekly brushing will
keep them sparkling, she adds.
According
to Mike Ferguson, of Tile Mart, ceramic-tile pools are superior,
because they are fade-proof and won’t stain or deteriorate over time.
Tile Mart features its own ceramic-pool tiles called Pool Stones, as
well as glass tiles.
To
add visual interest to a pool, Ferguson suggests installing colorful,
patterned tile along the water line. “Accenting water lines with
dolphins, turtles and other sea creatures is always popular. Tile Mart
offers pre-made mosaics, and supplies tiles for custom fabricators.
For
wonderfully lifelike sea creatures, call on local artist Thomas Deir.
Tile mosaics are his specialty. His hand-painted porcelain tiles are
perfect for personalizing kitchens, baths and, especially, pools. Sea
turtles, maile lei and dolphins by Thomas Deir Studios bring flat pool
floors to life.
“I
especially like the turtles. With a drop shadow, they look like they
are swimming when viewed from above,” says Deir, who completes
commissioned projects in a few months’ time.
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| Spa featuring ceramic tile from Selective Stone. |
To
help create a natural-looking atmosphere around the pool, Custom Marble
Design, a stone masonry company, specializes in natural stone and tile
installation for floors, countertops, bathrooms and pools. Nick Nye, of
Custom Marble Design, recommends travertine or quartzite around the
pool deck and aquamarine shades of porcelain tile under the water. Nye
says, “Quartzite or Antico travertine look elegant and are less
slippery. The new trend is breaking travertine slabs, then setting the
pieces randomly.” He notes that stone around a pool requires little
maintenance if it is sealed well, and recommends Miracle Sealants,
reapplied every three years.
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| Stonecast waterfall by Big Rock Manufacturing. |
To
finish a watery haven, consider Stonecast from Big Rock Manufacturing.
Stonecast is a veneer, faux rock. Its preformed waterfalls, sea life,
benches and boulders, look natural and stand up to sun and water like
real stone. Stonecast’s Swimming Pool Edge waterfall requires no extra
plumbing. Just attach it to the pool’s edge and turn it on.
The
beauty of faux stone is that it is easy to work with, as it’s one-fifth
the weight of real rock. It is also a good alternative to removing
boulders from the environment, which are a finite resource and an
expensive choice. Check out Big Rock’s selection of water features, as
well as it’s collection of faux-lava rock finishing touches for the
backyard.
