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