Posted by Josh Bush on Wed, Dec 07, 2011 @ 10:34 AM
Created by Bonnie Forsyth.
IGG What is it andwhv should I care?
Part One : What is it?
As a homeowner,you are always given the new "hot term"or "marketing
pitch"of why something is better. We understand that everyone can have a
claim to fame and frankly it can be overwhelming sometimes to sort the fact from the fiction.
This is why we wanted to talk about a subject that truly puts the "proof in the pudding".This is
something that you can refer to, is not exclusive to us and more importantly is something that
you should ask for! What is this,you may ask???? lt is your manufacturer's ICC approval certificate!
For those of us that would like it in layman's terms.....
We have put our product to the highest possible endurance tests and passed!
Passing some of the toughest tests in the marketplace and they have met all of the standards
without being "grandfathered' in as some of our other competitors were in the past.ln XXXXX,
after three and a half years in the application process,LeisurePools was granted lnternational
Code Council (lCC) approval."This is a major milestone for our company" says CEO Ashley
Gill. Leisure Pools was the first company to pass the ICC's new acceptance criteria AC274 and
comply with the entire alternative testing requirements for new entrants."We were told that it
would be extremely difficult to pass but persistence has paid off' says Gill.
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IGG What is it andwhvshouldI care?
Part Two : What Does lt Mean To Me?
One of the biggest concerns for the life of your pool is of course what you are going to stare at
every day.... The interior! One of the big alternative tests Leisure Pools had to pass was the
exposure to ultra UV done via a Carbon Arc test. Basically, 'pool samples are exposed to
welding rods in a chamber for 1500 hours continuously (62days). When completed the surface
must not show any UV effects. lt equates to around 30 years UV exposure and the fact that our
pools passed speaks volumes about the quality and integrity of Leisure Pools.
More importantly, did you know that this "standard of construction"is not required across the
country? Did you know that the ICC approval is always subject to inspection and renewal? You
have to build the best and then you have to keep it that way. Leisure is proud to say that we
build in one facility and to a certain level of quality. With that in mind, every pool is built the
same way to ensure that we are always meeting the guidelines expected by us.
Those manufacturer's with multiple facilities (and some with ICC approval on the West Coast
where required) may not follow this same rule of thumb. lf it not being built somewhere where
this is mandatory, how do you know that it is being built the same way?
*PS..... There are no vinyl builders or gunite builders that can pass this test!**
We all want to know that we are making the best investment in the best product that will serve
our families interests for the long haul. This is why we would certainly recommend you research,
ask questions and most importantly...... See if the manufacturer you are looking at purchasing
has been willing to let an independent third party rate and approve their product. lf not, then
there may be "different proof in the pudding down the road"....And that is not always a good
thing.
Posted by Josh Bush on Wed, Dec 07, 2011 @ 09:55 AM
When are Retaining Walls Really Neccessary?
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Many yards that pools are installed in are not your typical flat area. We deal with many differences in elevation throughout our area that we install in. Obviously a pool has to be level, and to achieve that in a lot of cases a retaining wall is needed to level off the desired area where the pool must go.
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Some installations can be managed with just tractor work and changing the grade of the area, but in many situations we may build a wall of two feet or less at times for the cosmetic enhancement that comes along with the wall and the look it adds to the project.
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Drainage is one important factor you must consider when installing a pool. When the pool builder changes grades in a backyard the existing drainage flow goes out the window, so to enable proper drainage away from the house or pool area a retaining wall is needed.
There are many different types of retaining wall materials that are used throughout the nation by different builders. The main thing that needs to be remembered with retaining walls is that some walls work better for different applications. For instance, if I were to be installing a vanishing edge pool to where the pool is situated up close to the wall i prefer using a solid poured concrete wall. If a stacked block wall were used in this process grid is required in accordance with the wall, so therefore I may not be able to place the pool as close to the wall as desired to make sure that my wall was built properly.
Retaining walls do add cost to the overall project, but are sometimes just needed. They add the curb apeal is some applications, but in some cases add the ability to actually install a pool in some backyards.
Posted by Lynn Bush on Wed, Dec 07, 2011 @ 09:34 AM
Anytime is a good time to install a fiberglass pool, but with temperatures not very warm and wet conditions in the winter months the installation of certain pools can be challenging. Cold weather is not a good time to hang a liner in a vinyl liner installed pool. Cold and wet weather is not a great time to install a concrete pool because of the curring process and the time it takes. Anytime is a good time to install a fiberglass pool, due to the elements of weather not delaying or changing the installation process.
Advantages to Installing your Fiberglass Pool
1. Installers are generally not as busy and can have more personal time with the buyer.
2. The buyers have time to have their yard ready by the spring to start enjoying their newly installed fiberglass pool.
3. Buyers have more time to think about extra projects such as water features, outdoor kitchens, and fire pits.
Posted by Josh Bush on Wed, Apr 20, 2011 @ 10:46 AM
The types of spas that we install here at Earl's Pools are fiberglass spas made by the same manufacturer of pools that we also install. There are many different things to think about when considering installing an inground spa instead of the conventional portable spa at your residence.
Advantages:
- The warranty on inground spas exceeds the warranty on portable units. The warranty on the spas that we install manufactured by Leisure Pools USA carries the same warranty as their pools, which is a fixed 35 year on the structure of the spa and a 15 year warranty pertaining to the color of the spa.
- The custom rock, tile, or whatever you may choose to venere around the spa allows a look of your own.
- The many choices of coping that can be placed on top of the spa is unlimited. Flagstone, brick, pavers, cantilevered concrete, ect..
- The look you create by installing an inground spa makes the unit look like it actually was meant to be there, instead of just sitting out on your patio.
Disadvantages:
- The cost of purchasing an inground spa is greater than a portable unit depending on the options that you choose on either unit.
- With inground spas you can't easily access the plumbing underneath like you can with portable units, so with inground spas you see much less jets throughout the spa. The same generally goes to say with lighting options on the spa.
- Inground spas are installed with the idea that it will stay at that site, but with portable units you can actually move them to different locations.
No matter which spa type you decide to go with there are things to weigh out on what spa application is best for you and your family.
Posted by Trent King on Sun, Apr 17, 2011 @ 09:02 PM
We finished up 15 under par in the afternoon round and it was good enough to get us a 1st place trophy. This event helps support Kevin Derryberry ministries to share the love of Jesus Christ through giving to the needs of youth homes, prisons, the homeless rehabs, transitional facilities, and more. KDM goes to these areas of need and shares the gospel through music, God's word, as well as meeting physical needs of thousands of people each year. As always it was a privilege to be able to help support an event like this including beautiful weather, good food, door prizes, and great fellowship. If you enjoy any of the things listed, including golf, or just feel the need to give back please come out and get involved with this event next year. A special thanks to Kevin and everyone behind the scenes that make this event happen each year. Also to Wade Warren, a recent customer of ours, for being able to play on the team in this event. We truly enjoyed it!
Posted by Josh Bush on Mon, Apr 11, 2011 @ 02:51 PM
One of the most frequent questions that I have asked to me is, "How much time do I have to spend maintaining my swimming pool?" I hear stories all the time of people that have had a neighbor, friend or a relative that tell them that they hate their pool because of the amount of money and time that it takes to maintain their pool. I certainly feel their pain in this area, but with technology advancing with different pool cleaners, salt systems, and vast improvements with the fiberglass pool manufacturers, this is no longer a problem. The one problem that I find from those that have this complaint is the fact that they don't check their pool chemicals weekly and really don't mess with the pool until it starts turning green on them.
We install fiberglass pools only, mainly due to the question that this article is being written for. There is no other pool available that is easier to maintain than a fiberglass pool. Here are a few reasons why:
- Fiberglass pools are not a pourous material. (no bacteria and algea bleeding through from the backside of the pool)
- The side walls of the pool are slick and are hard for algea to form on.
We install salt systems and automatic pool cleaners on all of our pools. We include these two upgrades with others to ease the burden of maintaining a swimming pool from the consumer. My consumers spend less than 30 min. a week to maintain their pool. We want to enjoy our pool with family and friends, not take care of it so this can happen. Don't let the myth of pools being a hassle turn you from one of the best investments you can have. What price can you put on spending more time with the ones that you love.
Posted by Josh Bush on Mon, Apr 04, 2011 @ 02:57 PM
Many of our sales are to homeowners who are installing a new pool for the second or third time. They have owned gunite and vinyl pools before and know all too well all of the problems. ‘We just want a fiberglass pool, it makes so much sense’ is a common statement we hear all the time. So why is a fiberglass pool the smart option?
Speed of Installation
Your fiberglass swimming pool comes direct from the manufacturing facility, pre-made and ready to install. In fact, you can be swimming in as little as four days. Compare that to a concrete pool that can take months to complete and during that time your backyard looks a mess.
Smooth Finish
Fiberglass swimming pools have a smooth clean gel coat finish that is non-abrasive. There are no sharp edges or rough finishes. Compare that to some pebble pools that are so abrasive they can harm your skin.
Surprising Strength
The high tensile strength of fiberglass will allow the pool shell to flex without cracking to accommodate earth movement. No wonder airplane manufacturers are using fiberglass to build planes!
Maintenance Free
The gel coat finish on a fiberglass pool not only looks great, it's so easy to look after. The surface is smooth and non-porous so it cleans easily and is very stain resistant.
Low Chemical Usage
No one likes swimming in a chemical cocktail but some pools require constant monitoring and expensive chemicals. Not so with fiberglass. The surface is chemically inert so there is absolutely nothing in the pool surface that can alter the water chemistry. Hence, very low chemical usage and considerable cost savings on running your pool.
The Right Choice
Sometimes what we see in our minds doesn't always translate to the pool builder. With fiberglass, what you see is what you get. The swimming pool styles and sizes come off molds and cannot vary in any way.
Compatibility
Salt chlorinators, chlorine, fresh water systems, ozone systems all work wonderfully well with fiberglass swimming pools. Whatever your choice may be, it will be compatible.
Warranty
Leisure Pools fiberglass pools from Earl’s come with a 35 year structural warranty. At best with a concrete swimming pool you will get a 10 year warranty – do you hope to have your pool last longer than 10 years?
Consider also that Leisure Pools USA offers a 15 year surface warranty and exclusive Aquaguard® gel coat finishes. Most other fiberglass manufacturers can only offer a 1 year warranty or no warranty at all.
Dispelling the Myth
The most common myth surrounding fiberglass pools and propagated by competitors in gunite pools or vinyl liner pools is that "Fiberglass pools pop or float out of the ground." When you are told this you should immediately ask just how a pool with 80 tons of water in it pops out of the ground.
The reality is that no more will gunite or vinyl liner pools pop or float than will fiberglass pools. In fact any watertight object will float if there is more water under it than in it. Pools can only float when they are drained and the water under the pool exerts upward pressure because there is no water in the pool.
So why would you need to drain a pool? Gunite pools need frequent draining to remove cracks, acid wash, clean stains and re-plaster the pool. Similarly, vinyl liner pools must be drained to replace liners or repair liners. Fiberglass pools carry a lifetime warranty and never need resurfacing so there is no need to drain the pool. So the end result is that many more gunite and vinyl pools float than do fiberglass; don't be fooled.
Anyone concerned with water under the pool should consult their pool dealer and have a simple drain installed so that water under the pool can be monitored and drained if necessary. There is a wide selection of solutions so there should never be any damage to any pool as a result of high water levels under the pool.
Posted by Josh Bush on Mon, Apr 04, 2011 @ 02:14 PM
Earl's Pools of Alabama has expanded in the year of 2011 in a few different areas. Lynn Bush, the owner, has taken on two new positions: Southeastern Dealer Rep. for Leisure Pools USA and head of the Southeastern Pool Depot Yard for Leisure as well. This acquisition for the company comes after the purchase of the new property off of I-65 in Calera, AL and the new facility that was built there. Lynn has been in the pool installation business for the better part of 25 years and looks forward to helping set up other dealers across the southeast as well as educating them in the installation area with his experience he has gained throughout the years.
Leisure Pools USA will now be shipping pools to this facility to be sent out over the southeast. The first year we have hopes of around 100 pools coming through the new depot yard. We look forward to building relationships with new dealers all over the south.
The pool installation department of Earl's Pools is now being headed up by Josh Bush, son of Lynn, with over 10 years of experience himself in the pool installation business. Trent King, son-in-law of Lynn, also plays a big role in the installation department. Earl's Pools remains a family owned and operated business that prides itself in new innovative products and customer satisfaction. We look forward to a great year with you all in 2011.
Posted by Josh Bush on Mon, Apr 04, 2011 @ 01:21 PM
We here at Earl's Pools of Alabama have used many different types of equipment throughout the years when excavating a hole for installing a swimming pool. We use a trackhoe excavator to install our pools in our installation department for a few different reasons.
- This excavator is on a track system, which allows us the oportunity to work in areas that a tractor with tires wouldn't.
- The 360 degrees of motion with the cab of the excavator allows you to sit in one area and dig as well as load a dump truck with ease. This speeds up the excavation of a swimming pool hole dramatically.
- The weight of the machine we use is about 33,000 pounds and can be used to compact fill dirt outside of the pool area by walking it in.
- The legnth of the arm on the tractor that we use is long enough to pick up all of the fiberglass pools that we carry, so we use the excavator to actually set the pool in the hole once the hole has been dug and gravel placed in it.
Contractors across the nation use several different types of equipment to accomplish the installation of swimming pools, but a trackhoe excavator works best for us.
Posted by Trent King on Thu, Mar 31, 2011 @ 07:11 AM
Here is a thought for some to take into consideration when planning the investment of a new pool. Although you may be able to pay for your pool up front or looking to finance it, take in consideration of refinancing your home and get the greenbacks to do what ever you please. Use the bad economy in your favor by taking advantages of the lowest interest rates available. After recent conversations with mortgage lenders it is beneficial to refinance now while the interest rates are bottoming out and if you can get at least a 1% decrease in your current rate it is worth the effort to get it done. The towering rumor of you having to be in a home for 7 years to build up equity is not true. Put yourself in the same or lower monthly payment and get the money you need to invest in a pool that will not only increase the value of your home, but have an investment and vacation that will last you a lifetime.
Sr. Loan Officer
Cathy Gapen
office-205.795.3833
cell-205.305.0093
from Hometown Mortgage told me to give her direct contact info. out and she would be glad to answer any questions or concerns to see if this fits you. Hometown Mortgage has a great reputation and deals with all their customers direct because they are the lender. Tell her Trent at earl's pools sent you.