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Sunbuilt Pools

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  1. Who said you don't have a leak? You definitely have a leak and it's a doozy! 6" in a 15x30 pool is 1710 gallons of water. Based on the loss it is either a broken pipe or a crakk at the bottom of the pool. My guess is a broken pipe likely at the return. Get a second opinion from a leak detection company.
  2. In all likelihood your alkalinity not pH is low. Have your water tested or buy a test kit that checks for alkalinity. This will cause discoloration of the water, can cause wrinkling in a liner and the pH will not change. You will have to add Alkalinity up if it is low.
  3. There seems to be a couple misconceptions here. There are a very large number of liner pools out there ranging in age(up to 40 years). As a result, some do need more extensive work. The most common repair is liner replacement which happens every 10-15 years depending on chemicals, climate and use. The second most common repair is plumbing leaks on older pools. For holes in liners, the repair is simply a patch done by the home owner. Liner pools were created because they can take more punishment caused by ground movement. There are fewer fiberglass pools in the ground, but they have captured a larger share of sales in recent years. They too can have problems and I expect as they age, you will see an increasing number of posts regarding repair needs. Just remember, whatever pool type you choose, discuss drainage if you have a high water table, discuss deck support in expansive ground and discuss issues such as roots
  4. You can install an acrylic built in spa with spillover feature. Baker products has a line called spillway spas designed to be used as spill over spas. You can choose from Octagon, round or rectangle with a recliner. So this way you can have comfort and still have the suken spa.
  5. Your quotes seem a little on the high end. i would expect the quotes to come in at around 3K for that size. Measuring the liner correctly is definitely the critical thing. If you are wrong you've just bought a $900 boat cover. Once measured you will need replacement faceplates, and gaskets as well as some patching material for any rough spots on the bottom. If your walls are rusty you will also need wall foam. It is critical that you position the liner correctly when putting the liner in. Finally you need a vacuum to hold the liner in place as it fills. You'll have to make a liner holder if you have a step. I use plywood and a piece of coping.
  6. It sounds like a leak in your return line. The line needs to be pressure tested. It is possible to build your own tester, but unlikely you'll be able to find the leak. I use an underground listening device and air tank to locate leaks. This is the best method as it requires the least destruction as the leak can be found within a few feet. Then you can choose to do the repair yourself or hire someone. Leak detaction varies from 225-325 depending on the service. Check your yellow pagesunder pool companies or leak detaction.
  7. Hi Luke, Based on your info you have given, you have a 11,500 gal pool which means to turn the water over once a day you would require a pump that will pump 24 gallons per minute. So you don't need to large a pump to circulate the water. However, if you plan to run an automatic cleaner you will need sufficient horsepower to operate the cleaner. This can be done either using a booster pump or upsizing the pump depending on the type of cleaner and the how much you want to invest in the equipment. Also, with a water feature you will have to decide what the water demand will be for it. Sorry, a bit long winded. For efficiency you may want to put a 2 speed pump, running it on low for basic filtration and on high for the cleaner and water feature (with a valve to choose between the two) The lower speed will pull less power and still provide adequate filtration. The other choice is the two pump option, less valves more equipment. As for filter types you have 3 choices: Sand, DE and Cartridge. Tradittionally DE removes the smallest particles, Cartridge then sand. Sand is the easiest to use then cartridge and finally DE. As mentioned above, there are new materials for sand improving it's efficiency and effectiveness. There is Zeolite and as mentioned Glass. While these media add to the cost, the net effect is a much better, easier to use filter that requires less maintenance. Cartridge works well except when you have a clarity issue, as it does not have the circulation choices of the other two. DE is a favorite among builders in my area because it works well to keep the water clear and works well in high flow applications. I am a dealer for the Ecosmarte system and am a true believer in it as the best sanitation system for both you and the environment. But a a dealer I am also a bit biased. You can look at info on www.ecosmarte.com. Other choices for sanitation is the salt water chlorinator which converts a salt residual in your water into chlorine (this is the most popular option today), a chlorine ozone mix or chlorine bought from the store or a service. Pat Fitzgerald sunbuiltpools.com
  8. Note that ther is new technology for liner pools out this year. A new coping has been created so you can put real tile at the waters edge. This will eliminate the biggest issue for pools in the South which is deterioration at the water line. Couple this with a Chlorine free solution such as Ecosmarte and your liner will outlast a plaster finish.
  9. Interesting math but your hypothesis of 80 to 20% is wrong. The sides and bottom of a tub and the pipes represent a much larger surface area (tipically 3 times the top) that can be exposed to the elements. While heat rises so the larger % loss is from the water surface, the cold transfered from the floor will also have a sizeable effect on the tub. Your monthly bill will be based on the climate, so you are right, in more temperate areas the heat loss is less of a factor. However, a well insulated tub can offer a 10 to 15 dollar savings in winter months in colder climates where the heating bill is $30-40. When using a tub the heat loss is caused by the addition of cool air to the water and insulation plays no factor. While the argument for a fully foamed vs. sprayed foam is waged for marketing reasons, the fact remains, the better you insulate your tub, the more efficient it will be reheating after use. Personally I prefer full foam casing because it acts as a support for the tub and makes the tub easier to move.
  10. There is no reason you not to show your bid to the other companies. While some pool builders may take offense, it is reasonable to discuss the quotes. However, trying to create the perfect builder by marrying the attributes of each may be more of a problem than a solution. If you change equipment the crews may have trouble installing equipment which they are not accustomed to, or a builder will commit to a water feature he does not fully understand. My suggestion is bring the number down first and then do the final negotiation so that the companies know it is either them or a competitor. Otherwise the one you want may just pull out because they think you are simply trying to wittle down his or her price.
  11. I would put a loop in the plumbing so that the pipes go above the water level then go down to the pump. This will make repairing and maintaining equipment and aboveground pipes easier as you will not have the water pressure from the pool affecting the pipes. You still need shut off valves or you will have to empty the pipes of water everytime you open your pump lid to get debris from the basket. And yes a self priming pool pump is preferable because of the strainer lid is a perfect seal and if you put in the loop it will need priming ability. As for water feature, I suggest it's own pump. You will have to determine how much water you desire to be coming from the feature and then choose a pump with adequate flow rate. I put seperate suctions in and the pump runs as an unimpeded loop. Pat Fitzgerald SunbuiltPools.com
  12. I am an ecosmarte dealer. I have been for about a year and have yet to get a single complaint about the system. The water in my pools has been very clear and clean with no odor in my installations. Ecosmarte has two basic settings, one is to ionize copper and the other is to oxidize using oxygen. The system leaves a copper residual to be kept between .4 and .7 ppm, wellunder drinking water acceptable range. The system then oxidizes using titanium plates and a low charge to create theoretical atomic oxygen and oxygen creating 20-80 grams per minute of oxygen radicals (varies based on flow rate). This sytem requires the customer to test their water to ensure the pH, copper and water hardness are at the right levels so a dealer who tries to sell this as a turn on and forget it system is not properly educating their client. However, once installed, the system carries a 5 year component repair or replacement warranty. There certainly is marketing involved. However to date, the pools are clean, the water tests safe for swimmers and there is no chlorine, no salt, no cyanuric acid and the systems are holding up. I am not a chemist so I can't explain the process in scientific detail. I have read the science behind the system and would be happy to discuss with anyone who is looking for a chlorine alternative.
  13. I agree that pool companies generally subcontract some or with others most the work. However I disagree with both your assessment of value and profit. As the builder, we are responsible for material selection and staging, design (often the subs spend little time understanding the hydraulics, design and engineering considerations), warranty, customer support once the pool is installed and the liability for the pool (the sub is a secondary insured). Both the sub and the builder must have comparable insurance. If you have the time and the inclination to do this yourself, then it will save you money as it would with any home improvement project, but be aware of the risks and responsibilities. If you have friends who have done this then talk to them because postin the open ended question with no difinitive question is a waste of time. If you are trying to address a slope issue, determine how to find reputable subs for your area, looking for design literature then ask for it, but to ask for advice is like asking "I want to rebuild a car, how do I do it?"
  14. I just finished working on a pool that was built byu the homeowner. The pool was 2" out of level (yes, 2"). The plumbing leaks (found drain PVC fittings rather than underground fittings and he did not slant the deck properly causing water to pool at one end. So if you are going to build your own pool, be careful because you'll have only you to blame afterwards. Also a the General Contractor you will be liable for injuries in your pool so follow APSP standards.
  15. contactc Hayward and ask them how this affects warranty. This will give you a good gauge.
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