It's not easy being green (or is it?)

For years the term “green pool” has been regarded right up there with “dentist appointment”, “income taxes” and “jury duty”. But don’t run for the hills yet, today were talking about Going Green, not Turning Green. Saving energy, the environment and the all mighty dollar is on everyone’s radar nowadays and Secard Pools is here to help.

The swimming pool industry has made leaps and bounds towards energy saving technology thus far, and I’m sure there will be more to come. For now, let’s take a look at the basics.

• Chlorination:

How much money do you spend on chlorine every year? $500.00? $1,000.00? How would you like to say $0.00? A salt chlorinator can save you a bundle of cash in chlorine expenses and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. I won’t bore you with the particulars of converting the molecular structure of salt into chlorine. Let’s just say that you no longer need to pay for chlorine, store chlorine, or worry about the water from your pool breading 3 eyed frogs. Additionally, because you're not using manufactured chlorine in your pool, you're also not introducing these chemicals into the environment through splashing, backwashing your filter etc.

• Lighting:

The latest in LED technology has now come to your swimming pool. The days of looking for the blue plastic light cover to add ambiance to your pool are long gone. Today’s LED pool lights are color changing by the flick of a switch. Not to mention, LED lighting requires 79% less energy than standard incandescent pool and spa lighting and can last 20% longer.

• Pumps:

Yesterday's pumps were turned on or off. That's it. Today's pumps are available with variable speeds from extreamly low to really high, depending on your needs. A variable speed pump can save you up to $1,500 in energy costs every year. It matches the pump flow to your pool’s needs, versus running at full power, 100% of the time. These pumps are fully programmable and very user friendly.

So there you have it. Going Green 101 for pools. If I haven't quenched your thirst on the subject, drop me an email and I would be glad to answer any additional questions you may have. To purchase or schedule prefessional installtion of any of these green products, be sure to visit your local Secard Pools or give us a call at (800) U-GET-WET.


Bob Cannon
Operations Manager
Secard Pools

Why choose vinyl over concrete?

The argument of why you should choose a vinyl pool over a concrete pool has always been the hurtle for us as a 53 year old vinyl pool company. It seems to me that most people trust what they know, and not many people know vinyl. I am going to take the "pool" segment out of the equation for a moment and show you some relatable differences between vinyl and concrete that should open every one's eyes to what we try to achieve in our sales presentations.

Example A)

                                                

This is what vinyl does when you jump on it

This is what concrete does when you jump on it

 

Example B)

This is what sliding on concrete does to you

This is what sliding on vinyl does to you

Example C)

 

This is a product of concrete

This is a product of vinyl

Example D)

Concrete boots? fuh-get-aboutit

Vinyl boots

Any questions?

Visit us at www.secardpools.com for more info on our vinyl pools and all of our other products.

Cheers!


Bob Cannon
Operations Manager
Secard Pools & Spas

To replace or not to replace? Here's how you know when:

There's no doubt that a vinyl lined pool is the way to go. Just ask anybody that has swam in a rough, abrasive gunite pool or suffered the costly experience of replastering and retiling. Any vinyl pool owner will tell you, when you go with a vinyl lined pool, you've made the right choice. However, as with any pool, there comes a time when you need to freshen things up.

There are a few different telltale signs that can help you decide when it is time to change the liner in your in-ground vinyl lined pool. It may be the age of the liner, the overall condition, or even that you have grown tired of a pattern or color. Regardless, here are a few things to keep in mind:

·         A Vinyl liner will last many years but the longevity really depends on how the homeowner takes care of the pool. Improper maintenance, misuse of chemicals and neglect can all contribute to the degradation of a vinyl liner. Over time, the liner can become brittle and wear or tear if not maintained properly. While small tears or punctures can be repaired easily and inexpensively underwater, some pool owners may just opt for a liner replacement.

·         Discoloration or bleaching can occur when the wrong type or quantity of chemicals are used in a pool. Using too much chlorine can take the color off the liner surface leaving its appearance dull and faded. Think about using too much bleach when washing colored clothes. Eventually, the colors may fade and be lost completely. Additionally, using too much chlorine can also contribute to the deterioration of your liner. Fortunately, a quick liner replacement can bring the “wow” factor back to your liner in no time.  

·         Some homeowners may grow tired of the look or color of their pool liner. Maybe the backyard theme has changed. Maybe the house was recently painted. Whatever the reason may be, changing the pattern or color of a liner to complement the décor of the backyard is a great way to tie everything together. As a bonus, a vinyl pool owner has this option without breaking the bank. New patterns and colors are typically available each season and can be viewed at your local Secard Pools store.

The most important thing to remember when considering a vinyl liner replacement is to choose the right company to handle your needs. Secard Pools has been a leader in vinyl lined pools and replacements since the 50’s. Contact your local Secard Pools representative or visit us at http://www.secardpools.com/ for more info. We can also be contacted at customerservice@secardpools.com. We are the vinyl liner experts!

Mention this blog & receive our "past customer discount".


Blog written by: 
Store Manager Greg Budinko
Secard Pools, Pico Rivera 

Summer heat

If there's one way to avoid the summer heat, a refreshing dip in a nice cool pool does it for me. Where most people get into trouble is when they don't realize this until it's 104 degrees, the kids are screaming, and the air conditioner that needed replacing last year finally konks out. If I could give people one bit of advice, it would be to purchase your pool in the February - April time frame. This will ensure that the pool is ready to go on that first hot summer day. If you choose to wait until a week before that 4th of July party, you just might find yourself in hot water.

Be the first, not the last. Visit your local Secard Pools retail store and we can help you beat the heat. You can also visit us at http://www.secardpools.com/ or email us at customerservice@secardpools.com for more info.

Bob Cannon
Operations Manager
Secard Pools & Spas