Famous International Aquatic Consultant - Swimming Pool Construction Defects Expert

The look remarkably simple, water flowing over an edge, appearing to flow into a lake on the horizon.  Even though a pool builder has a website with beautiful images, does not mean that they know what they are doing.  On the surface everything is gorgeous, unless you scratch the surface.  And most of the time, you don't have to scratch very deep to find abscesses.

Undersized Catch Basins and Surge Tanks

Look closely at the image.  It is barely catching the water falling into it.  Add swimmers splashing and causing waves and the water shoots beyond the basin wall.

But look even closer at the water level within the basin (near the top of the picture).  The water level is near the bottom of the tank.  This is because the basin is too small and does not hold a sufficient quantity of water to flood the upper pool.  As water is pumped into the upper pool, the level in the tank is drawn down and the auto-fill turns on.

But when the pumps shut off, all of the original water flows back to the tank... PLUS the water that was added while the level was too low.  Where does the extra water go?  Out the overflow line to waste.  Yes, that results in hundreds of gallons of water - wasted every single day the pool operates.  But, their website was pretty....

Click on the image to enlarge it

Lack of Engineering and Construction Basics

The simplest of minds know that concrete walls and stairs need to be in contact with the earth for support.  Usually that even entails a footing or deepened structure to ensure that there is adequate support to prevent cracking and movement.

The National Electric Code prohibits the use of any electrical boxes for swimming pool lights that are not specifically designed for use as pool lighting junction boxes.  Yet, many pool builders make their own bootleg boxes.  

Digging trenches is labor intensive.  But the codes require that electrical conduits be protected by a minimum of 18 inches of soil.  Laziness or ignorance?  You decide....

Click on image to enlarge it

The plastic polyethylene gas line was left exposed on the surface of the soil.

Click on image to enlarge it

The slot for the perimeter overflow portion of the pool was dangerously wide.  Typically only 1/2 of an inch is required to collect the water.  

However, the pool builder installed a 1.5 inch slot - 3 times the required width.  A toe could easily get caught inside the slot when running, walking or diving.  Imagine wrapping you toes over the edge into the slot then diving into the pool, only to find that your toes stayed behind in the slot.  PAINFUL!

Click on the image to enlarge it

A pool builders portfolio of pools may look pretty on the surface, but oftentimes there is a disaster waiting to happen down under the surface.

Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
www.AquaticTechnology.com 
International Famous Swimming Pool Designer, Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Consulting, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management, Pool Plans & Engineering, Pool Construction, Owner's Rep

Office: 408-776-8220 
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com 
Major Markets Serviced: 
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.

Pool Design Expert - in-floor pool cleaning systems

Things may look great on demonstration videos and promotional materials, but in reality do they work as well as advertised?
 
The best persons to obtain an opinion about the functionality, reliability and benefits of any swimming pool component are the people who must operate and clean pools - the pool service technicians.

Pool Builders and Specifiers - Special Motivation

Why do pool builders and designers specify in-floor cleaning systems?  
That's simple: Profit Margins and Manufacturer Incentives.

In-floor cleaning systems provide a substantial profit margin to the pool builder.  The manufacturers also provide quantity discounts and incentive trips to exotic locations for installing their equipment.

Really Functional?

Take a poll of pool service technicians.  An overwhelming majority of them will tell you that in-floor cleaning systems are a waste of money and energy.  Why?  They simply do not function as advertised.

Energy Efficient?

Most in-floor cleaning systems do not filter the pool water.  They merely push the dirt and debris around in hopes of it falling into a drain.  With the implementation of the VGBA Safety Act, suction inlets (drains) have so little suction at them, that they cannot possible suck debris into them.  The debris must be pushed into them.  And the debris must be pushed gently so as to not cause it to swirl and float in suspension.

In-floor systems merely capture the debris in a mesh bag or canister.  Fine particles pass right back into the pool.

The pump required to operate the in-floor cleaning systems is a large energy eating beast - usually a 2 to 3 horsepower pump operating at full speed.

Ugly

The floor of the pool will be visually marred with plastic "sprinkler heads." Though they retract flush into the floor, they cause visual clutter.  And because they are in the actual structure of the pool, they cannot be removed if one tires of looking at them.

Pressure side cleaner

Though also ugly, with their hoses and robotic head.  However, they can be removed and stored away while swimming or hosting a party.  No indication that it ever existed is left behind.

Most pressure side cleaners utilize a small 3/4 horsepower booster pump.  Though they also use a fine mesh bag to collect debris, they do not risk pushing debris into suspension.  The booster pump is located after the primary filter and heat source, so the cleaner is actually assisting with the heating and circulation of your pool.

When clean-ups require the collection of bulk debris, such as twigs, leaves and branches after a storm, the booster pump can be attached to cleaning devices to speed the collection process.

So why would you spend thousands of dollars for an in-floor cleaning system?  Doesn't make sense does it?  

If you still have any doubt, as the people who actually the clean pools what they think !

Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
www.AquaticTechnology.com 
International Swimming Pool Consulting and Design, Aquatic Consulting, Watershape Consultants, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management, Pool Plans & Engineering 
 Office: 408-776-8220 
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com 

Major Markets Serviced: 
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.

Hamptons Vanishing Edge Chlorine Free Pool - Really?

Recently, pool builders, watershape designers and aquatic consultants have been touting "chlorine free pools."  A true chlorine free pool is a rarity.  

NEWS FLASH - A salt water pool is not chlorine free!  

Just because you don't ADD chlorine to a salt water pool does not mean that chlorine is not there.  The addition of the chlorine is hidden back at the equipment pad -  where a machine turns the salt into chlorine.  Salt is sodium chloride - get it?  So, a salt water pool is not chlorine free.  

You're just not adding chlorine, instead you're making your own chlorine!

The worst part is that most salt chlorine generators have no sensors to monitor or prevent the over production of chlorine.

Ozone

Ozone is probably the only viable alternative that is truly capable of oxidizing and sanitizing the water.  However, because ozone is a gas, it does not remain in the water for more than a few minutes.  So it does not provide any residual sanitizing when the gas has dissipated.

In order to achieve a truly chlorine free pool it must be operated 24/7.

Ionizers & Minerals

Mineral canisters and electronic ionizers work on the same basic principal - they put heavy metals into the water.

Mineral canisters have metals in a compound that erodes as the water passes through the canister.  Ionizers use electricity to dissolve metal ions into the water.  Which ever delivery method is used, they both pollute the water with heavy metals.  

These metals are usually nickle, manganese, silver or copper.  Their sole purpose is to prevent algae formation - basically an algaecide.

Metals do nothing to sanitize the water (kill germs and bacteria) or oxidize bather waste (perspiration, urine, lotions).

They do not monitor the levels of these metals in the water, to prevent over dosing the pool.  High levels of metals, in the presence of oxidizers (ozone, chlorine, bromine, etc.) will cause staining of the pool surfaces and green swimmer's hair.

Why Chlorine?

Chlorine is inexpensive.  It can remain in the water for weeks.  It is safe to handle and is stable. 
The EPA standard for drinking water allows a chlorine level as high as 4 ppm.  So chlorine is safe. 
 
Contrary to popular usage in swimming pools of 3 - 5 ppm,  chlorine can function at extremely low doses of less that 1 ppm. 

How?  By utilizing ozone in conjunction with chlorine, the chlorine levels can be maintained at extremely low levels.  The chlorine keeps the water sanitized when the ozone system is off.  

Or for a near zero chemical pool, if the ozone is ran 24/7, then the chlorine levels can be maintained at near undetectable levels.

You can achieve a virtually chlorine free pool.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist www.aquatictechnology.com You may contact Paolo Benedetti at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220 ©Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa All rights reserved

Swimming Pool Design, Aquatic Consulting, International Watershape Designer

Designer - Teacher & Educator

Pool salesmen will talk all day about the "benefits" of using their company, the features they can add to your pool and the equipment that they sell.

Many items that they peddle, are being sold to you because they bring significant mark-ups, not because they are the best products for your pool.

Education

Just because a client read on the internet the benefits of a salt water pool, they do not take the time to really educate the consumer that it is really salt chlorination?  To educate that it is really chlorine generated from salt in the water?  Do they teach the consumer about the negative effects those salts may have upon the metallic components, cements, masonry, stones, plaster or grout?

Do they teach the consumer about the various types of available tiles, why some glass tiles are ten times more expensive than others, and why home improvement store tiles may not be the best for an outdoor application?

Make an informed decision


An educated and experienced designer and expert will diplomatically dispel preconceived notions that a consumer may have through education and facts.

Once armed with the knowledge, the consumer can make an informed decision based upon facts.  Decisions not based upon emotions or sales, marketing or promotional materials.

Value Engineering
 
The quality designer knows what is functional and beautiful, durable and economical.  A soft stone may initially be less expensive, but it may need to be replaced sooner than a slightly more expensive material.  A reputable designer will work with you to establish a budget and suggest the most durable materials that will satisfy those goals.

A designer that is knowledgeable about the maintenance and care of swimming pools can even save you money "after the sale."  They may recommend a filtration system that costs more initially, but who's reduced maintenance and service expenses will quickly recoup the added costs.

Hiring an educated and knowledgeable aquatic designer and watershape consultant, can save you thousands of dollars per year of pool ownership - in reduced replacement costs, energy consumption, maintenance and service expenses.

Now that is "value engineering!"


Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist www.aquatictechnology.com You may contact Paolo Benedetti at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220 ©Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa All rights reserved

Aqua International Swimming Pool Designer Consultant Expert Witness

Internationally Famous Aquatic Designer and Watershape Consultant Paolo Benedetti discusses the fine points of swimming pool design.

Uniquely Yours

You should have what you want.  You should not be limited by a catalog of shapes or a sketch that your salesman gives you.

A "design" should result from the cumulative efforts and collaboration of the designer and property owners.  This collaboration should cover such topics as the demographics of the intended users, type of events to be held, expectations for maintenance and operating expenses, budgets and construction details, amongst other topics.

There is no purpose in the designer creating concepts that are beyond the client's budget or inclusive of components the client will never use.  To do so just results in delays, hard feelings and wasted money that could be spent on desirable elements.

Aesthetics

The project should be aesthetically pleasing to look at.  After all, most swimming pools are used very infrequently.  When they are in use they generate loads of fun, decades of memories and fantastic parties.

But lets face it... when you are not throwing a party or the kids are not frolicing, it is sitting unused.  Considering all of the hours it is not in use, compared to the hours people are actually swimming - it should be something beautiful to look at as well.  

Your backyard should be a retreat, a place to go unwind by the pool with an ice-tea or morning cup of coffee.  It should be a place for evening poolside cocktail parties and gatherings around the firepit or pizza oven.

The reality is - you're going to be looking at it, more than swimming in it.

Demand something of beauty.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist www.aquatictechnology.com 
You may contact Paolo Benedetti at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220 ©Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
All rights reserved

Google Ping

East Hamptons Watershape Consultant and Swimming Pool Designer

Concrete Reinforcement - Placement matters.


The placement of the reinforcement within concrete is critical.  So much so, that every building code in the country specifies a minimum spacing from the surface of the concrete, to the exposed surface, surface against the earth or the surface exposed to water.

Blocking 

Concrete blocks or plastic chairs (spacers) should be installed in sufficient quantity to ensure that the reinforcement steel does not sag or bow under normal construction activities.

Steel on the bottom of a slab is worthless.

An insufficient quantity of plastic chairs are used to support the reinforcement steel in this slab.
On the edges the wire is on the soil and the workers foot is also depressing the wire.

The thought was there, but the execution wasn't.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist www.aquatictechnology.com 
You may contact Paolo Benedetti at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220 ©Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
All rights reserved

Plagiarism Checker

Expert Swimming Pool Designer Paolo Benedetti

Swimming pool designer and watershapes consultant Paolo Benedetti, caters to the unique desires of his clients, exceeding their expectations & delivering unique material applications.  Exhibiting the utmost in client confidentiality, he has previously held the highest Top Secret Security Clearances.  Paolo is also an industry recognized construction expert.  He has provided expert witness testimony and has inspected hundreds of swimming pools, spas and fountains - reverse engineering them to determine the cause of the construction defects.

 

About me:

 

I specialize in the architectural integration of water into the architectural and landscape environment.  Each client is extensively interviewed, to ensure they never outgrow one of my creations.  I integrate elements into a project's design, which allow it to magically evolve with the clients lifestyle. 

 

This design foresight prevents future disruption of the clients life, in order to "update" the project - THE TRUE definition of value engineering & design! 

 

My projects have been featured in the NY Times, USA Today, WaterShapes, Options, AQUA, Seasons, Millionaire Magazine, Homes by Design, Dream Homes, Pool Lifestyles, episodes of Food & Wine, HGTV, Tech TV.

 

What others in the industry are saying about my work: 

 

Ed Kahn, Editor - Luxury Pools Magazine, said  "Paolo of the top 5 aquatic designers & builders in THE WORLD... & I review thousands of pools annually." 

 

Eric Herman, Editor - WaterShapes Magazine: "Mr. Benedetti is one of the most gifted watershape designers working in the field today. Watershaping, meaning the design and construction of pools, spas, fountains, streams, ponds, sculpture and water features, etc. is nothing less than an architectural art form that is gaining greater and greater recognition as a specific design discipline. Benedetti's wonderfully creative work is an important example of how and why "watershaping" or "water architecture" is such a vibrant and exciting field."

Kevin Woodhurst - Swimming Pool Contractor: "I have followed his career for sometime now and he is certainly an inspiration to many. His articles are always informative and educational. The guy truly cares about this industry and the mark he leaves on it with everything he does. He is a real professional operating at a real professional's level. If you want to be great in the pool industry Paul has set a high standard and has raised the bar substantially, this is one of the people to follow and learn from, he truly is a ROCKSTAR in our industry" -- Kevin Woodhurst. 

Clients: 

 

M.S. - described me as, "the most knowledgeable, detailed & creative person I have ever met." 

 

D.D. - remarked, "he envisions things others can not even dream."

 

Paolo Benedetti

Aquatic Artist, Expert Witness, Construction Consultant

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa

www.aquatictechnology.com

paolob@aquatictechnology.com

408-776-8220