News and Updates

Which is better a Chlorine Feeder or a Salt Generator?

SignaturePools · Jun 13, 2010 ·

One of the most exciting advancements in residential swimming pool technology has been the development of salt water chlorine generators. This type of system works on vinyl and concrete pools but is expecially effective on fiberglass swimming pools and makes them even easier to maintain. These systems are used as a replacement to an in-line chlorine feeder that sanitises the pool water. But, as with anything ‘new and improved’, there are pros and cons to the products and a few common misconceptions. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding which kind of sanitation to use on your fiberglass swimming pool.

Chlorine Feeder: Cons

-Uses processed chlorine tablets that dissolve into your pool water

-A manual hand valve is used to control amount of chlorine put into the pool

-Chlorine may cause unpleasant odor, uncomfortable skin and eyes, and faded bathing suits

-Tablets must be added to unit continually throughout the season

Chlorine Feeder Pros:

-Chlorine is being added to the pool as long as filter pump is running

-Unit does not need to be cleaned or serviced throughout the season

Misconception: Chlorine feeders are expensive because the tablets need to be replaced all the time.

Truth: A typical fiberglass swimming pool owner in the Midwest will spend between $100-$200 for a year supply of chlorine

Salt Water Chlorine Generators: Pros

-Chlorine is produced in its natural state and added into the water.

-No detectable taste, odor, or discomfort on skin.

-Chlorine level is controlled electronically

Cons:

-Salt level in the pool must be maintained within a certain range in order for unit to produce chlorine

-Cell must be acid washed several times a year to remove mineral deposits

-Chlorine is only produced when pump is in high speed

-Cell can deteriorate over time and will need to be replaced

-Stabilizer must be added to pool water to help prevent chlorine burn-off from sunlight

Misconception: Chlorine generators provide a completely automated system and no other chemicals need to be checked in the swimming pool.

Truth:Even though chlorine is produced by the cell, all other chemicals- pH, Alkaline, Stabilizer etc- need to be tested and regulated manually.

The decision is ultimatly up to the customer to decide. We at Signature Pools highly recommend salt water generators to our clients because of the ease of use and resulting water condition of the pool. However, these systems are not for everyone and do not replace the need for regular chemical checks. If you have any questions about chlorine generators or in-line feeders, please feel free to contact Signature Pools and Spas at 630.845.1145.

There is air in my pool pump

SignaturePools · Jun 2, 2010 ·

This past week we have received several calls from customers asking about their pool pumps. In many cases they are not able to prime the pump completely or it looses prime when turned off. Here are a few things to look for if you come across this issue yourself.

1. Pump Lid- Make sure the lid for the pump is seated correctly and tightened all the way. Also check and see that the gasket between the lid and pump housing is in place and lubricated. A damaged, worn, or misaligned lid or seal can cause the pump to suck in air- preventing a full prime.

2. Skimmer and pump basket-check both the basket in the skimmer and inside the pump housing to make sure they are sitting correctly in place. A skimmer basket should align flush to the bottom of the skimmer pot. The pump basket should always be seated in the bottom of the pump. Many pump manufacturers such as Jandy and Pentair have a notch in the top of the basket that lines up with a grove inside the pump.

3. Water Level- make sure the water level is high enough in your pool. If it’s too low, air can be sucked through the skimmer and into the pump. Over time, this air can damage your pool equipment.

4. Loose pump union- check the threaded plumbing on the front of your pump. A loose union fitting may be allowing air to leak into the pump. Make sure to also check that the gaskets between the union fittings are also seated correctly and in place.

Preventing air from leaking into your circulation pump is important to keeping your pool equipment working well for years to come. If you have any questions about pool pumps, or any other pool equipment and maintenance, feel free to contact us at Signature Pools or call 630.845.1145.

Signature Pools attends the 2010 Leisure Pools Dealer Conference

Todd Emmerson · May 24, 2010 ·

Continued training and education is imporant if you are going to excell at anything in life and this holds true to being a high quality swimming pool company. Each off season the team at Signature Pools attends many different national, regional, and local conferences in order to remain the leading fiberglass pool builder in Illinois. One of the conferences we most look forward to is the annual dealer conference hosted by Leisure Pools. In early spring of this year Todd Emmerson (sales/design manager) and Tom McNelis (president) attended the Leisure Pools 2010 Dealer Conference at Leisure Pools national headquarters in New Braunfels, TX (San Antonio area). This three day event is designed to educate pool companies on proper installation techniques, new and upcoming products, and overall industry analysis. It was also a great opportunity to network with other quality pool builders from all over the country.

The dealer conference also consists of an awards presentation for the best pools built the previous pool season. This year Signature Pools was honored to be awarded in two of the five categories. We were awarded with the Best Roman Model pool for a beautiful pool that we designed and built in Vernon Hills, IL last season. This job consisted of a Roman 19 model pool in the outback blue color finish, an automatic pool cover, 2 deck jets, a 2′ SunDek border around the pool, with the remainder of the patio being Yorkstone Pavers from Unilock. This was a challenging job due to the size of the yard, existing landscaping and playground, and the homeowners desire for a large area of grass to remain for two young children, but the team at Signature Pools pulled it off again.

We were also the winner of the Overall Category (Leisure Pools – Pool of the Year) for a stunning backyard transformation we designed and built using a Grand Elegance model pool in St. Charles, IL. The pool was finished in the Australian Blue Aquaguard gelcoat. It also has a large limestone patio, pegola, outdoor fireplace, automatic pool cover, and plenty of entertaining areas for large social gatherings. This same pool is also currently a finalist for the 2010 Master of Design Awards. The Master of Design award is one of the most prestigious awards given yearly in the swimming pool industry. Last year we were awarded a Master of Design award for a beatiful fiberglass pool/ spa combination in Yorkville, IL. You can see the article and a picture of that job here: 2009 Master of Design Award. We will keep you posted on the status of our 2010 entry.

The team at Signature Pools would also like to congratulate the winners of the other categories. Best Riviera Model Pool: Parker Pools in Kileen,Texas. Best Moroccan Model Pool: Enchanted Pools in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Best Elegance Model Pool: Earl’s Pools in Calera, Alabama.

As always, to keep up to date with the latest information on Signature Pools and the fiberglass pool industry you can subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog by clicking on the orange square on the upper right hand corner of this page. You can also follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/Signature_Pools or join our page on facebook at www.facebook.com/SignaturePools.

Five important steps to take after your fiberglass pool is opened for the summer…

SignaturePools · May 17, 2010 ·

So your swimming pool is open for the summer! It’s time to grab those patio cushions out of the garage, put on your suit, and get the blender workin’ hard for the parties to come….

Not so fast!! Before you jump in the water for the first time this season, there are a few things to check with the swimming pool equipment and water chemistry. Here are some good tips to remember to ensure your swimming season is relaxing, enjoyable, and low maintenance.

1. Clean Your Filters- when the pool is first started up for the season, there is plenty of debris in the water that is now being circulated through the pool equipment and cartridge filter. By giving the filters a good washing at the beginning of the season, you will have clearer water more quickly, and allow for proper filtration of the water.

2. Test Your Chemicals- this is an important step to remember. Your pool was most likely ‘shocked’ with chlorine the day it was opened and started up. This water treatment will sanitize the swimming pool for a short period of time, but you will need to make sure chlorine levels are maintained throughout the season. Also make sure to check the pH, alkaline, and stabilizer levels of your pool water. If you have a chlorine generator (salt system) make sure the salt levels in your pool water are at the proper levels.

3. Vacuum Your Pool- this one might be a no-brainer, but keep in mind that debris in the water has settled to the bottom of the pool over the winter and needs to be vacuumed out. Make sure to clean out the pump after every vacuuming to clear any larger materials that are caught in the basket.

4. Clean Your Auto-Cover- use a garden hose to spray out the tracks and guides of your auto-cover. This will help keep the cover operating smoothly. You can also use a pool brush and water to lightly scrub off the vinyl cover material of any dirt or debris that has collected over the winter.

5. Maintain Proper Water Level- this is an ongoing maintenance check throughout the swimming season, but it’s good to get in the habit of checking your water level right away. Keep the water line about half way up the skimmer box on the pool. If the water level is too low, you may be sucking air into the pump and could damage the equipment. Turn off the skimmer and fill the pool to the correct level before turning it back on.

Hopefully these 5 tips will help you enjoy your swimming pool this season. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about pool or equipment service this season – the team at Signature Pools is here to help! You can stay up to date with Signature Pools and the swimming pool industry by subscribing to the RSS feed in the upper right hand corner of this page or by joining our Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/SignaturePools.

Largest Freeform Fiberglass Pool from Leisure Pools is Nearing Completion

Todd Emmerson · Apr 14, 2010 ·

Several months ago we announced that Leisure Pools was working on a brand new pool model called the “Grand Riviera”. Our team at Signature Pools just wanted to take a few minutes to update our future customers who are looking for a deep end pool on the status of this new model as well as show you a few recent pictures of the progress. You can see the beginning stages of the pool by clicking here: www.sigpoolschicago.mysites.io/blog/2010/01/04/leisure-pools-announces-new-model-for-2010-the-grand-riviera.

The good news is that the plug for the pool is almost complete.

Upon completion of the plug the mold will be built and then finally the actual pool shells can be produced. As you can see from the pictures, the Grand Riviera will be one of the largest free form fiberglass pools ever produced. With dimensions of 40′ x 16′ x 8′ it will be one of the most innovative and stylish deep end pools in the industry and the only 8′ deep swimming pool in the United States available with the industry leading Aquaguard Gelcoat. The pool will also come with a modified version of the very popular family play bench available on the current Riviera models. Due to the size of this pool the steps have been moved to the center of the shallow end as opposed to the side of the pool. This small change gives the pool a truly grand entrance.

The lastest news is that the mold should be complete and be available for production by the middle of May 2010. If you would like additional information on this pool or any other pool models from Leisure Pools please contact our sales and design department at 630.845.1145 or visit us on the web at: www.sigpoolschicago.mysites.io Also, to keep up to date with updates on this pool, other news within the swimming pool industry, or status updates from our team at Signature Pools we recommend subscribing to the RSS feed of this blog by clicking on the orange square on the upper right hand corner of this page. You can also follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/signature_pools or join our fan page on facebook at www.facebook.com/signaturepools.