Pool Ratings UK - Everything Swimming Pool Related

Cheshire Wellness Win Awards at Spatex 2010

2010-02-27T22:46:00.004Z

Cheshire Wellness attended the annual SPATEX event last weekend at the Hilton Hotel in Brighton. As per usual it was a fantastic event and thankfully just a flurry of snow this year compared to the arctic conditions of 2009.

The prestigious SPATA awards and Gala Dinner were held on the Sunday evening were black tie was the order of the day. Cheshire Wellness entered in to four categories and were delighted to win the following:

Domestic Pool of the Year 2010: A Northwest residential pool made from Quartzite stone imported from Switzerland featuring freeboard, deck level and cascading edges. Also fiber optics were inserted into the water cannons to create ambient water colors and a tropical garden created by the developers of the Eden Project. A mosaic tiled spa was the final addition to the award winning project.

Commercial Pool of the Year for 2010: Hoole Hall, a Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Chester involved a basement 18m x 4.5mtr Lap Pool, sunken lounge area, Hydro Pool and an outdoor Watsu Pool, as well as experience rooms. The Lap Pool being tiled in white tiles to create a Mediterranean blue water color with a secondary stone grating set below floor level to aid drainage. The sunken lounge lies between the Lap Pool and Hydro Pool with glass panels, soft seating and an area for a real fire. Moving on to the Hydro Pool with its air loungers with duel massage jets, which then links to the outdoor Watsu Pool with bubble benches, cascading waterfall and all lying under a retractable roof to utilize the area all year round and create different experiences.

Cheshire Wellness have now won Commercial Pool of the Year consecutively for three years.

Non Traditional Pool of the Year 2010: The Spencer Dock project in Ireland involved 11 Swim Spas being manufactured on site, delivered and installed on the rooftops of luxurious penthouse apartments.

Cheshire Wellness work closely with developers, architects and interior designers throughout the design and build stages to ensure every scheme meets with the clients expectations. Specialising in the manufacture, supply and installation of the following:

· Swimming Pools / Heated Loungers
· Spas / Hydrospas
· Hydropools / Swimspas
· Steam Rooms / Traditional Saunas
· Log Cabin Saunas / Mud Treatment Rasuls
· Turkish Hamams / Salt Rooms
· Snow Rooms / Laconiums
· Caldariums / Tepidariums
· Ice Fountains / Experience Showers
· Pedicure Units / Dry Floats
· Hamam Tables / Spa Furniture
· Heated Loungers / Spa Treatment Products

For further information call 0151 336 3417 or visit http://www.cheshirewellness.co.uk/

Natural Swimming Pools - Design, Build and Options

2009-07-11T13:18:00.027+01:00

Swimming in a natural swimming pool is a harmonious experience, a seamless blending of environments. While you are separated from the plants, you still feel surrounded by them when you swim, which creates a very special kind of mood.

The colour of the flowers from spring throughout the summer and into the autumn, along with the chorus of the birds and the frogs, makes people feel far closer to nature. It provides them with a very special place to be at any time of the day or night, throughout the whole year. It is a natural oasis.

Most pools ponds and lakes are cleaned and purified by the combination of plants and micro organisms including beneficial bacteria. These micro organisms break down organic wastes into substances which plants can use directly as nutrients. These are now being used in hundreds to private and public swimming locations across Europe over the course of some 25 years.

Natural swimming pools are based on ponds and pools that were once found so abundantly in the landscape. The comparison to a landscape pool is deliberate because that is what a natural swimming pool is, a large pond with special provision for people to enjoy the water as well as the various creatures that are attracted to it. The original concept was developed in Austria by a number of people, who were very conscious of the health benefits of bathing in natural waters found at spas and health resorts.

It was not until 1985 that the idea was commercially developed by an Austrian based company, called Biotop, by the founder Peter Petrich, who conceived the idea of a self cleaning biosystem for swimming pools.

Ecological Balance

Natural Swimming pools are a chemical free combination of swimming zone and aquatic plant garden, known as the regeneration zone. Both zones merge together creating an environment that is intertwined and mutually dependant on one another. These ecologically balanced, self cleaning swimming pools combine the natural cleaning properties of plants with filtration and skimming systems so that there is no need for harmful chemicals.

The result is a biologically chemical free clean swimming environment. The water is clear but not sterilised, as in the traditional swimming pool and it is able to sustain the normal range of pond life, microscopic organisms, invertebrates and even frogs and toads. The aquatic flora and fauna are indicators of the state of the environment and at present their loss in the landscape is huge and very worrying.

The swimming zone ranges between 1200 and 2400mm deep and is plant free. It is usually lined with a rubber liner to prevent water leakage and it is separated from the regeneration zone by a barrier wall. This wall prevents invasion of plants and the substrate. It also makes it much easier to service and drain each zone separately. The wall terminates approx 250mm below the surface of the pool in order to allow free transfer of water into each zone.

Within the regeneration zone, the water is cleansed biologically in co-operation with the roots of the aquatic plants and micro organisms. The aquatic plants act as living filters in this zone and provide an important function in the whole system. These plants absorb decomposing materials and bacteria as well as pollutants from the water and convert them into biomass (organic matter produced by plants and other photosynthetic producers) before providing clean water.

Water plants need these nutrients released through the decomposition process for there growth. These nutritional substances, along with Ecoli and other harmful bacteria are then transformed into mineral salts and are either destroyed or become nutritional elements for the plants. Zoo plankton are important for the natural swimming pool as they feed on single celled algae and filter it out of the water. Through this natural self cleaning process the use of harsh chemicals is not required to keep the pool free from algae and there is very little need for maintenance.

Good Housekeeping

The care and upkeep of the pool can easily be undertaken. The use of a vacuum cleaner for the removal of any silt in the bottom of the swimming zone is an easy task. Likewise the removal of any algae in the springtime and this also presents an opportunity for the owner of children especially to see pool life at a much closer range. The removal of died down vegetation in the autumn is no different from other garden work.

The basic construction requires a deep area of at least 1500 to 2200mm with near vertical walls which need to be constructed for the swimming zone and waterproofed by means of a rubber liner with geotextile under liner. The internal walls are constructed from sustainable materials wherever possible such as recycled plastic, stone, timber or geotextile bags. As they will be acting as a retaining structure for the material and plants in the regeneration zone, they should be carefully engineered.

The water is drawn down through the substrate in the regeneration zone and through perforated pipework to the pump. The water is also taken via the surface skimmer to the pump where it is again filtered before going to the bottom of the swimming zone. The regeneration zone must be of the same size as the swimming area and have an average depth of 300mm of substrate, usually graded from 50 to 450mm.

In some pools the plants would surround the swimming zone, giving a soft planted margin to the pool. In small pools it is better to plant on one side only so as to avoid a tight enclosed effect. Where space is at a premium, an alternative is to create a second pool, perhaps uphill and allow water to flow between the bodies of water, probably using a waterfall.

The regeneration zone utilises a coarse inert substrate, such as shingle/gravel and not topsoil or any other growing media as this would bring high levels of nutrients to the water and would counteract the cleaning effects of the plants. By planting the aquatic plants in shingle they must draw their nutrients from the water itself and so clean the pool. Also by cutting and removing the plant mass each autumn, the impurities held in the plants are physically removed from the water, allowing the cycle to begin again in the following spring.

A surface leaf skimmer is also used to help remove floating debris from the water silt, a combination of decaying vegetation, dust and other detritus will always form in any body of water and depending upon the size and location of the pool it can easily be removed by either vacuum or bottom drain system. A drainage ditch is constructed completely around the pool to ensure that no water runoff enters the pool thereby causing any differences in the pH and the water quality.

Natural Process

Existing swimming pools can easily be converted to the natural process providing that there is space for the regeneration zone, either as a separate pool or as a subdivision. The quality of the water is of special significance. The layout of the pool with it's natural regeneration zone promotes the self cleaning forces of the water and the mechanisms provide a long term stable and hygienic quality. The use of chemicals would only lead to the destruction of the biological balance in the water.

The shallow warmer water of the regeneration zone circulates with the cooler deeper water of the swimming zone and increases it's temperature much quicker. Solar methods can be used providing care is exercised and it is not used until the plants have grown to combat the algae. Fish are not allowed in the pool as they cause damage to the water quality and also encourage birds such as herons, as they could also damage the liner. Ducks, geese and other wildfowl, as well as any pets such as dogs and ponies are also discouraged as they can contribute pests and diseases.

Engine Room

The plants are the engine room of the whole natural swimming pool and are vital for the correct biological functioning of the system. In addition they also provide habitats for wildlife both in and out of the water as well as an attractive visual scene. The use of aquatic plants as a water purifier is a crucial element as they clean the water in several ways. Not only do they provide an excellent habitat for zoo plankton which effectively feed on algae, they die down in the autumn and winter and when the vegetation is removed any impurities are also taken away.

They produce oxygen through photosynthesis which is necessary to support all pool life. This assists in keeping the water clear and many plants can have a growth inhibiting effect on the algae. Different kinds of plant groupings occupy pools with any streams and bogs thereby creating a distinct ecological niche for the locality. This local character should if possible be reflected in the overall planting design.

While the technical factors are of the utmost importance there is still the need for consideration of the design principles. The wide range of aquatic plants provides the designer with considerable opportunities for the creation of a wonderful water garden or landscape. The natural swimming pool provides an attractive biosphere for various kinds of animals and is quickly inhabited after it's creation. They stay mostly in the regeneration zone that serves them well with food and shelter.There are many predatory insects that feed on mosquito larvae.

Amphibians use the regeneration zone as a breeding ground too. They appear in early spring to lay there eggs. However people and frogs do not swim side by side as the amphibians migrate before the swimming season commences. With the emphasis today on a more holistic lifestyle that incorporates organic food, alternative medicine, spring drinking water, physical exercise and the like, then it makes sense to swim in natural water.

Chlorine used in conventional pools is a skin irritant and can be associated with rashes like eczema and a number of serious diseases. Chlorine has been documented to aggravate asthma, especially in those children who make frequent use of chlorinated swimming pools.

While no design can surpass the one created by nature, the role of the landscape architect is to design in a harmonious and ecological manner ensuring that the impact on the environment is minimal. It is very important that the positive attitude to natural bathing and swimming as well as the health giving properties of water, sunshine and gentle breezes on the human body should now be widely recognised both by the leisure industry and governments in provision of their facilities.

Further Details - Gartenart - Eco Design Scape - Woodhouse Natural Pools

Do you have a natural swimming pool, does it work for you? email us poolratings@sky.com or add a comment to this post.

Prevent Drowning in Domestic Swimming Pools

2009-07-10T00:09:00.020+01:00

Ever since swimming pools have existed in private homes companies have thought of ways to prevent drownings which unfortunately is still a real danger today. We'll look at the options available in the current market and usual costs involved.

Drowning Prevention Option 1 - Fencing

If a child can't reach the pool then there is little chance of them drowning in it. This method can be expensive depending on what you use for a fence and it's not going to be the most attractive feature in the garden lets face it. Not always as safe as people think, gates can be left open or a child could work out how to get into the pool area by opening a gate or climbing a fence. This method can be reinforced by using a gate or perimeter alarm to warn when someone gets through the fence but still doesn't stop them falling in.

Drowning Prevention Option 2 - Alarms

Many alarms are available on the market today to warn of an approach to the pool side or when someone actually falls into the pool. A product such as Poolguard which sits on the side of the pool can cost around £300-400 and alerts the owner as soon as someone enters the water giving you precious time to retrieve said child or pet straight away. Another method which can be useful if you have both a pool and spa or more than one water feature is to tag the child using a Safety Turtle. This uses a lockable wristband that the child wears at all times and alerts the base station alarm if at any point the child enters a body of water and needs assistance. These are useful if you have multiple locations, for use in holiday swimming pools and can be used on a whole family of kids with just the one base station. From around £200 for two kids the Safety Turtle is great value for money and feedback on the product seems to be more than positive.
Another type of alarm worth considering if you don't really want your child in the pool before you know about it is to install a perimeter alarm to alert you when a child or pet enters the pool area hopefully giving you time to stop them before they even enter the pool. By setting up posts around the pool area which emit beams any break in the signal by someone crossing the beams will activate the alarm system. With a decent perimeter alarm costing from £750 it is certainly more expensive than the other alarm options but gives you alarm pre warning of a possible immersion.

Drowning Prevention Option 3 - Full safety Cover

Automatic safety covers for pools have been around for a good number of years and are the only true method of preventing a child entering the water. Being powered it is key lockable so without the key no one can gain access to the pool, this gives the added bonus of pool security and means less debris and wildlife in the pool. Naturally having a fully automatic safety cover fitted is not cheap, from around £8,000 plus installed it is expensive but then what value do you put on a child's life. You also get much more than a safety device, you get an all year round cover that will last for years, fully automatic operation and good solar and heat retention properties.

Conclusion
It really comes down to how much of the time will children be around the pool area unsupervised and what sort of budget you have to spend. Having a system in place is better than no system and for less than a few hundred pounds you can get a great alarm setup. However for full security an automatic safety cover is the only way to go, just remember nothing here replaces good old fashioned parental supervision and common sense around wet leisure environment's.

Have a safety product already? than we want to hear from you. Post a comment here and give your feedback on this topic..

Swimming Pool Dealer Information

2009-03-01T23:32:00.004Z

Are you a UK Swimming Pool Distributor or Retailer?

If so then we would love to make sure the public know of any deals, special events, shows and open days you have planned so customers can benefit from all your hard work. Simply add a comment to this post with details or email us and we will add a post to the blog totally free of charge!

Swimming Pool Q & A

2009-03-01T23:05:00.005Z

Q. Will I need planning permission for my swimming pool?
A. That depends. Outdoor pools, or those in a detached building for domestic family use, usually escape the need for Planning Consent. However…a pool in a listed building, or a conservation area will need Planning Consent. Indoor pools always require Building Regulations Consent – and so do some outdoor pools. So the real answer is: ask your SPATA contractor and contact your local authority Planning and Building Control Departments.

Q. Is there a recommended temperature for an outdoor pool?
A. No. It depends on the swimmers – and the pocket of whoever pays the energy bill. The cost of heating increases twofold every 5°F because the differential between the water and air temperatures increases. Most outdoor pools will get solar gain and most have a temperature of about 80°F or 27°C. A floating cover on the pool at night will greatly reduce running costs.

Q. Can I use solar panels to heat my pool?
A. Yes. However there will be a fluctuation of temperature due to the daily variation in solar energy. You should run the filter pump and therefore the solar panels from dawn to dusk to maximise the available energy. You should cover the pool at night to reduce heat losses and have a system that is controlled by differential temperature to prevent the panels acting as a radiator at night. If you want to have a more regular temperature in the pool then combine the panels with another form of heating to keep the base temperature in the pool.

Q. What if there's another water ban this year?
A. If there’s a hosepipe ban, you are still permitted to fill or top-up your swimming pool or hot tub. If there’s a drought order, your new pool can be filled during construction – but it can’t be topped up. At present hot tubs are not covered by drought orders. We have found that if the pool needs to be emptied for good reason then the water suppliers will allow refilling, but it’s best to contact your pool contractor first. Additionally your SPATA contractor can advise on various ways in which water can be conserved. Past experience shows that, with help, owners are still able to enjoy their pools. Recent Government announcements you may have read about extending the hosepipe ban to private swimming pools and hot tubs cannot come into effect until legislation has been passed in Parliament, and we have not seen any reference to this for the coming session of Parliament.

Q. Are indoor pools more expensive to build and run?
A. Yes. The building costs are higher and, because of the need to keep the air in the pool building warm and de-humidified, there is also extra equipment. Against this must be balanced the fact that the pool can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks of the year. During warm summer weather, there is little or no need to heat the pool hall.

Q. How can I cut carbon emissions and heat my pool in a green manner?
A. By choosing the right equipment. A carefully selected heat pump, combined with one of the new-generation solar systems will provide a constant water temperature, with very low consumption of electricity – and lower electricity bills, into the bargain. And don’t forget the all-important heat-retaining cover for your pool, which can save as much as 80% of heat loss from the pool surface.

Q & A Courtesy of SPATA

Heatsavr Liquid Pool Cover - An Interview

2009-02-26T22:39:00.008Z

Bob White (Heatsaver Distribution) describes coming across Heatsavr as his ‘Eureka’ moment. The innovative liquid pool cover product has moved on now to be in it’s 6th energy saving year.“Having been involved with energy conservation equipment for swimming pools embracing subjects as solar heating, heat pumps, environmental control, heat recovery etc., I was excited by the prospects with such a simple product as Heatsavr could offer.

I knew from my understanding of energy requirements, particularly with regard to indoor pools, that if Heatsavr worked it had to be a winner. Heatsavr had been on the North American market for 11 years and no one had attempted to introduce it to the European market. Initially it was difficult to get Heatsavr taken seriously. Liquid cover - whatever next!! Can’t see or detect it in water -sounds too good to be true!

What is Heatsavr?
Heatsavr is a flexible cover that forms a transparent monomolecular surface layer whenever the water surface is not too disturbed. This layer reduces evaporation, which saves on water heating but, with indoor pools, can reduce the cost of air heating and humidity control.

“This is the best energy saving product that I have been involved with. It’s simple to use, has a low capital outlay and running costs that should provide a 400 to 600% return on investment!”

Have you used or do you use this product in a domestic or commercial environment? if so we want to hear from you. Post a comment here about your experiences and if possible what sort of savings you are seeing.

Polaris Pool Cleaners

2009-02-22T20:23:00.008Z

Leading the industry for nearly 40 years, Polaris is the #1 brand in automatic pool cleaners. With a full range of cleaners to fit every application of pool design, Polaris offers superior cleaning performance backed by excellent customer service.

However there are various models for different swimming pools, take our advice and use the manufacturers walk through product selector to make sure you get the right cleaner for your pool, especially if your buying from the Internet.

Do you own a Polaris pool cleaner? if so post a comment here on the model you own and what you think of it, thanks.

Latest High Efficiency Gas Boilers

2009-02-20T23:55:00.006Z

The Certikin Genie range of condensing gas pool heaters is one of the worlds only condensing pool heaters. Following the unprecedented success of the initial launch of the Genie boiler and acting on constructive feedback from the trade, the Genie now features a water to water heat exchanger with cupro nickel tubes. This means that even if you are struggling to maintain perfect water balance, the Genie is robust enough to cope. Still using condensing technology, the Genie range delivers up to a fantastic 94% efficiency compared to standard direct fired pool heaters which typically operate at between 60 to 80% efficiency.

Features
Available in 36kW (123,000 btu) and 49kW (167,000 btu) outputs
Only one unit to stock for either natural or LPG - supplied natural gas with a conversion kit to LPG included
Tamper proof lockable pool temperature display in C or F
Up to 94% condensing efficiency - equivalent to Sedbuk A
Running cost reduced by up to 30%
Environmentally friendly
Modulating output for accurate temperature control and increased efficiency
IP44 for indoor or outdoor installations
Quiet running
Lightweight compact design
Pool connection left to right OR right to left
Simple condensate disposal connections left or right hand side
Pre-plumbed c/w a double non-return valve and filling loop
Plastic flue kits, push fit horizontal and/or vertical up to 20m
Honeywell CVI controls
Multiple heater kit options up to 400kW output (8 heaters)
CCP pool control panel compatible
Wall mounting kit available
Commissioning / diagnostic display with service indicator (2000 hrs run time)
Suitable for use with salt chlorinated pools

http://www.certikin.co.uk/

Have you bought or own one of these boilers, then post a comment giving us your feedback on what you think of the product.

Replacing Swimming Pool Equipment

2009-02-19T22:36:00.006Z

So you have a pool pump (or any piece of equipment) that's seen better days and needs replacing. There's no make on it and you have no paperwork, changing the pipework is a pain so what do you do.

Firstly check out the current suppliers websites to see if you can match what you are looking for then search for someone to buy from.

Pool Distributors by Brand:

Have a Tale to Tell?

2009-02-19T22:26:00.007Z

The blog is here to give news and reviews both positive and negative so others can benefit from the experience's of others. Think your pool dealer is great then let others know, had a bad time of it, then warn others before they have a similar experience.

Buying a Swimming Pool?

2009-02-19T22:20:00.006Z

Want to enhance your lifestyle with an Indoor or Outdoor Swimming Pool at your house? Not sure where to go to get the best advice then check out SPATA. They are the trade association for Swimming Pool construction in the UK and every member must be proficient in giving expert advice and service.

Quote from the SPATA website:

'Every swimming pool is unique – designed individually to the customer’s requirements. How can you be sure of getting the best pool to fulfil your dreams?
You want it to look right.
You want it to be technically well-designed
You want a hassle-free installation
You want a great investment, at the right price.
At SPATA - the Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association – we register around 250 of the finest swimming pool companies in the UK and Ireland and overseas.
They include: Contractors, Designers, Service Engineers, Trade Suppliers, and Retailers of pool equipment and ancillaries.
The benefits of using a SPATA member are clear:
The association has an internationally-respected reputation for excellence.
Customers – whether domestic, or commercial – can find the right supplier.
So come in and find out more, the water really can be lovely'

SPATA - Use there site to find your local SPATA dealer.