Spa Covers and One Piece Spa Covers Connected to the Pool

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Pietila Pools

To cover the spa with a hard top foam cover, or all as one with the pool is often a question we get in preparation for the winter season here in Michigan. Our answer on which is the best option really depends on the homeowner’s preference.

If you are going to use your spa even when the pool is closed, then you definitely want to go with separate covers on the pool and the spa. If you close them down both at the same time, then go with a one piece. If you want flexibility and options, then I’d go with one of each, a cover for the pool and a cover for the spa. Here’s a bonus consideration…when you have separate covers, you can use the spa cover all year round! That way even in the summer when you are heating the spa to a toasty temperature, you can use the foam cover to retain as much heat as possible!

Hard spa covers can become old and waterlogged over time. If the cover is heavy, or too heavy to lift easily, it’s time to replace it, both for function and safety. Of course, if you need a replacement cover, Pietila Pools Services can provide this for you, so just let us know and we’re happy to help!

Pool with Spa Cover installed by Pietila Pools Services

Pool with Spa Cover installed by Pietila Pools Services

Spa Cover

Pietila Pools sold this Spa Cover

Pietila Pools Spa Cover

 

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What is the best brand of Safety Cover?

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Pietila Pools

There are many makers of safety covers on the market. Our favorite by far is the Merlin Cover.

We have been installing Merlin Covers for decades now, and have found them to be long lasting, great to install, and great to work with as a company. There are many other great brands on the market, each with their own style and features. Some of the other popular brands include: Loop-Loc, Rayner, Cover Pools, Kafko (another brand we highly recommend). You will also find Doheny online and Garrett Covers.

If you are looking for replacement parts including springs and grommets, we can usually help you find those.

We have worked with almost all the brands of covers, from simple installation to complex waterfalls and cutouts. Our installation team can help you with any type of cover that you have – and are happy to answer questions and even put you in touch with the manufacturer’s reps when needed.

As a reminder, you get what you pay for. If your safety cover price is too good to be true, that may be because it is. We encourage you to work with reputable companies for both the quoting and installation of covers. It is an acquired skill, and not all pool builders and service companies are comfortable with the process. Pietila Pools Services sells and installs safety covers with intricate patterns, cutouts, and challenging installation aspects to fairly standard stock covers in rectangles, ovals, custom freeform shapes, and more. Call or use the contact us page if we can help you in any way!

*Pietila Pools Services is also offering financing of Merlin Safety Covers and installations. Inquire to see if you may qualify.

Gunite Pool in Clarkston by Legendary Escapes Pools (41)

Gunite Pool in Clarkston by Legendary Escapes Pools with a Safety Cover and Cutouts

 

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Case Study: what happens if you close a dirty pool in the fall?

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Pietila Pools
Dirty Pool

Dirty Pool in the Fall

It may seem obvious to some of you, but you’d be surprised how often we get the question. If we close a dirty pool in the fall, guess what you get in the spring? You’ve got it, a dirty pool!

Is it a bad thing for the pool to be dirty over the winter, yes and no. The problem would be if there are leaves and debris in the pool that will cause staining over the winter. The water can also leave a pretty unsightly scum line if the water is not clean when the pool is closed. Sometimes though, it is unavoidable. If your pump fails the week before you close and you are going to wait to do a pump replacement in the spring, it’s understandable that the water may not be in tip top shape for your pool opening. If you decide not to touch your pool for two or three of the summer months and then have our team close the pool, we will certainly add chemicals, but be ready for some maintenance and cleaning in the spring. *We are happy to help with additional spring cleanings, for a fee, of course. It’s what we do! Let’s just make sure our expectations match with yours.

If you have any trouble during the fall, spring, summer, or any other time of year (well, yes, winter is the only season left ;o) we are happy to help. We want you to have a great experience with your pool. If you need cleaning, advice, troubleshooting, or any other guidance, just ask, we (and the pool guy) are just a phone call away! You can also Ask the Pool Guy a question via his Facebook page…see you online!


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Should equipment be covered for the winter when winterizing or closing a pool?

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Pietila Pools

This is a question that we get quite frequently. In the past, equipment was commonly covered with plastic or tarps for the winter season here in Michigan. What we found was that covered equipment, especially heaters, began to deteriorate more quickly when moisture was trapped by the plastic under the cover. So our current recommendation is no, do not cover the equipment during the winter months.

Most of the time when a service crew winterizes your system, they will remove all the plugs allowing your equipment to drain. The plugs are usually stored in the basket of the pump (so if you are wondering where everything is in the spring, check there – it’s industry standard).

It is important that your closing crew know how to properly winterize lines so that all residual water is removed that could expand when it freezes and burst a pipe.

Ask the Pool Guy Al Curtis

Ask the Pool Guy, Al Curtis

If you have any questions about proper winterization, or anything pool related that we can help with, Just Ask the Pool Guy …he’s here to help! (and yes, he is a real person!)

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When is the right time in Michigan to close a pool?

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Pietila Pools

That’s a great question, and much is up to personal choice. Our service team has been closing swimming pools since mid September, though we aren’t anywhere close to being finished just yet. The majority of pools are closed between September and October, though some people enjoy their pool right through November, and as long as the system is running if the weather gets to freezing, this is quite all right.

It is common for most pools to be winterized or closed for the season by the end of October. We do still have room in our calendar in September, and are waiting for a few more busy days on the phones which usually happens right after a couple of chilly fall days.

It’s not too late to order a safety cover, or have one quoted, if you are interested. We do have financing options available.

We are also happy to offer guidance and suggestions for when to open the pool in the spring (usually late April and into May), as well as offer any over the winter maintenance questions you may have. We are sharing a new product with our customers who give us feedback via our website this year, the Winter Pill. Let us know if you are interested and we’ll share with you how you can get one for free! (Service scheduling # 248-478-4978.)

Thanks!

Winter Pill, Free with Feedback from Pietila Pools Services

Winter Pill, Free with Feedback from Pietila Pools Services

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Pietila Pools Services is offering financing for Merlin Safety Covers

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Pietila Pools

One of my favorite things is to get homeowners with swimming pools here in Michigan into a Safety Cover for their pool winterization instead of having to use a plastic cover and water bags. Safety covers come with so many obvious benefits, please read about some here: Safety Covers.

I was talking with a homeowner who had a new pool built this year, and we were talking about the cost of the various options for covers. A safety cover is an investment, typically they run between $1600 and $3000 (depends on the size and shape of course) and that’s a good amount of money to pay up front. The alternative is a plastic cover and water bags that go around the perimeter of your pool (estimated cost to start $500-$600).

The good news is that we provide free quotes for safety covers, and can come up with payment plans for any homeowner *who qualifies* and would like to get a safety cover this year without all the up front costs. Please inquire if you are interested!

You can go from this:

Lovely pool cover with waterbags

Lovely pool cover with waterbags

To This:

Safety Covered Pool

Safety Covered Pool *Financing available with Pietila Pools Services


Which would you prefer?

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SuperGloves for DIYers

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Pietila Pools

If you’re a DIYer, you probably know how hard it can be to work with your swimming pool in the winter. The water seems to get colder than some might think possible. However, problems found in the winter often need to be addressed right away, because it can be detrimental to leave them unattended until spring. So what’s the solution? No, you don’t need to pay your kid to do it and you don’t need to have an IronMan competition with all your neighbors to see who can keep there hand in there longest.

Check out Superior SuperGloves. They’re completely waterproof, cotton lined neoprene gloves. They come in two lengths–elbow-length (18″) and shoulder-length (32″). They provide unbeatable protection for your hands and arms against cold water. The hands of the 18″ gloves feature a non-slip coating. And another bonus: they’re impervious to most acids, oils, caustics, alcohols and many solvents.

So, before you hold your breath and polar bear plunge into your pool this winter, you may want to consider investing in a pair of these bad boys! They’ll keep your hands and arms warm and allow you to get that repair done in record time–and leave you with time to head inside for some hot cocoa when you’re done.

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At-Home Test Strips

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Pietila Pools

Insta-TEST strips are unbeatable when it comes to at-home water testing. The strips are easy to use and easy to read. There are several different varieties of strips, designed to fit whatever need you may have. Test chlorine, bromine, alkalinity, pH, cyanuric acid, total hardness, salt, phosphate, and peroxide.

Even the bottle is top-of-the-line. The patented bottle provides unbeatable moisture protection with its molded desiccant liner. There’s no need for loose desiccant bags–the bottle is sufficient for moisture protection.

Insta-TEST makes it easy to maintain your water chemistry and keep a proper balance.

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Merlin Safety Covers

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Pietila Pools

Looking for a great way to keep your swimming pool safe through the winter? Merlin Industries is our favorite source for quality safety covers.

Merlin covers work hard, are stronger and look better longer. Manufactured completely with U.S.A.-made materials and components that exceed industry standards, Merlin covers feature unsurpassed thread and webbing strength, brass anchors and powerful stainless steel tension springs. Each showcases the latest technology to protect your pool against the relentless forces of nature, as well as the unpredictable nature of children and pets. Other covers simply pale by comparison!

Merlin covers work hard to keep your pool and your family safe. Whatever might happen, Merlin safety covers can take it. They also make opening a breeze, because safety covers keep debris out of the pool.

Merlin has innovated an impressive new mesh cover that provides all the protection of a solid cover with less hassle. The SmartMesh cover features a high-tech weave that allows water to pass through while blocking sunlight and filtering debris to 40 microns! Without sunlight, algae can’t grow, so you’ll open your pool to cleaner water in the spring, maintain your pool with greater ease, spend less on chemicals and extend its life.

If you’d like a Merlin safety cover for your swimming pool, we’d be happy to help! There’s still time to get a free quote and order your safety cover in time to close your pool this year. Contact us today–we’d love to hear from you.

 

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Looking for a hard-top pool/spa cover and we could use your help…

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Pietila Pools
14 foot round spa in need of cover

14 foot round spa in need of cover

We have a project currently in need of a hard topped spa cover. The spa is raised out of the ground, and is about 14′ in diameter. We are looking for cover solutions that can be strapped down to operate in the safety function, as well as be simple enough for the homeowner to use for entry and exit into the spa. Our alternatives are a strapped down safety cover, and the only other option is to put up a standard swimming pool fence.

If you’ve come across anything that might fit the need, please leave us a comment here. If you end up needing a similar solution yourself in the future, please check back to see what we’ve found!

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