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Swimming Pool Slides

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Swimming Pool Slides

Swimming Pool Slides

In Ground Swimming Pool Slides

Swimming Pool Slides are designed for adults and children of all ages and are made with safety, innovation and fun in mind.  All of these swimming pool slides are designed to be scratch resistant, fade resistant, and are vacuum-formed for strength and durability. We have a variety of pool slides such as the Turbo Twister, G-Force, Typhoon and others slides for the young and young at heart. The G-Force Swimming Pool SlideFor those tired of seeing the same old straight down pool slides available? Well with the G-Force, sliding fun has just taken a 360 Degree Turn! The G-Force slide lets you have water park fun right in your own backyard! Measuring a full 6 feet tall at the seating area, this innovative slide winds you a full spiraling 360 degree circle before splashing you into the pool. The patented “Zoom Flume” splashes up to 35 gallons of water per hour down the slide to insure slip-sliding action. G-FORCE’s steps are built for safety with an extra deep non-skid design. Extra high sidewalls provide added protection.

The G-FORCE boasts rugged, high quality construction throughout, with an impact-resistant body that is extremely strong and durable. The slide comes complete with plumbing for connecting to your pump/filter system, hardware kit, and deck anchors.

Available in attractive summit gray. Weight limit 250 lbs. 3-Year warranty.

The Turbo Twister Pool Slide

The Turbo Twister pool slide will bring the fun of a water park to your own Backyard! The Turbo Twister is over 8 feet high

The Water Delivery System gives you a generous 40 gallons of water per minute. Everyone pops out of the water grinning from ear to ear after a trip down a Turbo Twister pool slide. The Turbo Twister Slide is designed for adults and children over 48″ tall. Because they’ll be so popular with your guests, we make sure all our slides are scratch resistant, fade resistant and vacuum-formed for strength and durability. Every slide is designed for safety, innovation and most of all, fun!

Typhoon Pool Slide

The Typhoon swimming pool  slide was designed for maximum fun while insuring safety for everyone. This big time 7 ft slide delivers thrilling rides into the pool while its deep enclosed ladder with exposed handrails insures safety. Made of study roto-molded resin, Typhoon can accommodate up to a 275 lb adult. To keep you slip sliding and never sticking, the slide’s -Grand Rapids- water delivery system supplies lots of water to the chute. (Up to 40 gal per minute!)

Not only is this slide a blast it is the only slide of its kind that passes the Consumer Product Safety Commissions Safety Standards for pool slides. Typhoon has a small footprint so it won’t take up too much of your deck and it is quick and easy to install. Comes with plumbing kit and deck anchors.

X-Stream 2 Turn Pool Slide

This big slide puts water park excitement in your backyard. This big 6’6″ slide with double curves will insure your family has a blast this season. The patented “Zoom Flume” slashes up to 35 gallons per hour of water down the slide to create slippery heart-pounding excitement. The X-Stream Pool Slide is also built for safety with 5 large non-skid steps and high sidewalls for added protection. The X-Stream slide boasts rugged high quality throughout with a durable resin body that can be easily configured in either a left or right curve. The slide comes complete with plumbing and hardware kit and deck anchors. Available in gray only. Backed by a 3-Year Warranty.

These are just a few of the p0ol slides available today. A lot of the residential pool slides available now are much more like slides you would see at public pools and water parks. Invest in your own pool slide and increase your swimming pool fun. No need to go to a water park bring the water park to your own backyard.

Pool Alarms, Pool and Spa Safety

Swimming Pool Safety Measures: Part 2

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Swimming Pool Safety - Pool Alarms

Swimming Pool Safety – Pool Alarms

How to Choose the Right Swimming Pool Alarm to increase Swimming Pool Safety

Residential pool alarms are only one of the many layers of protection that should be implemented in and around the backyard swimming pool to lower the incidence of childhood drowning accidents. There are so many varieties of pool alarms available to pool owners, though, that it may be difficult to know which one to choose. By considering the following information regarding pool alarms, you should be more prepared to be able to make an excellent choice for the safety of the children in your life.

An evaluation of swimming pool alarms conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 2000 tested three different types of pool alarms: surface wave sensors, subsurface disturbance sensors, and a wristband sensor. Surface wave sensors float on the surface of the water. Subsurface disturbance sensors attach to the side of the pool, and a portion of the sensor is submerged below the water’s surface. The wristband sensor is worn by the child and the alarm sounds if the sensor goes underwater.

The CPSC’s study included many different tests of each type of alarm in 6 backyard swimming pools of various styles and shapes. The goals of the study were “to determine whether the surface and subsurface wave sensors would alarm when a test object entered the pool, and to determine whether the wristband would alarm when exposed to pool water.” Additionally, the study tested for false alarms that that possibly might go off inadvertantly due to weather such as wind and rain, and those that may be triggered by an object such as a volleyball or large pool float.

According to the results of the CPSC study, the surface wave sensors performed less positively as the subsurface disturbance sensors when a test object was thrown into the pool. The study concludes that subsurface disturbance sensors “were more consistent in alarming and less likely to false alarm than the surface alarms.” The wristband sensor sounded an alarm each time it was submerged in pool water and each time it was exposed to other water sources, such as that from a faucet or hose.

The CPSC study did not include tests of infrared motion detection alarms, which are another type of swimming pool alarm system. Infrared motion detection systems routinely set of an alarm when a child, adult, or object enters the beam path that surrounds the pool. Some alarm systems include a subsurface disturbance sensor in addition to the motion detection feature to increase the level of protection.

Factors to look for when purchasing a pool alarm

While pool alarms may come with many more features than are presented here, the following is a list of recommended features to look for when deciding on a pool alarm for your own backyard swimming pool:

  • Easy installation
  • Tamper proof
  • Includes a remote receiver with a range of up to 200 ft or more
  • Low battery indicator on alarm and on receiver
  • Recommended for the size and shape of your swimming pool
  • Able to detect an object as small as a 1 year old child, approximately 18 pounds
  • A loud and distinct alarm should sound within 20 seconds when a child simulator is dropped into the pool.

After you decide which pool alarm you need, performing regular tests of the alarm’s effectiveness will ensure that your alarm continues to function properly over time.

Finally and most importantly, no swimming pool alarm is totally infallible no matter how many technologies and features it has and no matter what claims are made by the manufacturer. Pool alarms should be considered as one of many layers of protection in the effort to halt children from drowning, along with protective barriers, door alarms, and safety pool covers.

The first and most important way to protect children from drowning accidents, though, is to provide close and constant supervision by a responsible adult. A combination of safety measures are required for a safe backyard environment for your loved ones.

Source:

Whitfield, Troy W. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. “An Evaluation of Swimming Pool Alarms.” May 2000.

Pool and Spa Safety, Pool Safety Covers

Swimming Pool Safety Measures: Part 1

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Swimming Pool Safety - Pool Fencing

Swimming Pool Safety – Pool Fencing

Swimming Pool Safety – Protecting Children From Drowning

Drowning is often a “silent death” because a victim is usually unable to splash violently or call for help, as one might expect. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children 1-14 years old, and an extensive study performed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that “75 percent of the children involved in swimming pool submersion or drowning tragedies were between 1 and 3 years old.”

In addition, the CPSC’s study revealed the following statistics: the victims were typically being supervised by one or both parents when the swimming pool accident occurred. Nearly half of the child victims were last seen in the house before the pool accident occurred. Twenty-three percent of the victims were last seen on the porch, patio, or in the yard. Sixty-nine percent of the children who became victims in swimming pool accidents were not expected to be in or at the pool, but were found drowned or submerged in the water. Protecting children from drowning or becoming submerged in a backyard swimming pool calls for more than a single type of safety device. Providing “layers of protection” is the best strategy for keeping children safe in and around the pool.

Swimming Pool Safety – Pool Fencing

The first step for swimming pool safety or layer of protection is a barrier that surrounds the pool area; generally, this is a pool fence or wall. Swimming Pool Safety begins with Fences or other barriers around the pool area that should be at least four feet high, and the spaces between slats or holes in the barrier need to be so close together that it stops a child from gaining a handhold or foothold which would allow them access to the other side of the barrier. Any gates in the fence around your backyard swimming pool should have the ability to close and latch by themselves so there is no incidence of the gates standing open for any length of time. In addition, gate latches must be adhered high on the barrier out of the reach of children.

Door Alarm

Any door that comes from the house to the pool area should be equipped with an alarm that provides a warning sound if the door is opened. Door alarms should sound within 7 seconds after a door is opened and for a duration of at least 30 seconds, and the sound of the door alarm should be loud and distinct to avoid confusing it with another alarm that may be in the house. In addition, door alarms should be equipped with a switch or keypad to allow adults to enter or leave through the door without the alarm sounding. This switch or keypad needs to be installed high on the interior wall out of a child’s reach.

Swimming Pool Safety Cover

The next layer of protection is a pool safety cover. Solar pool covers and winter pool covers are not safety covers. In fact, solar covers and winter covers could possibly be very dangerous because a person who steps out onto the cover while it is on the pool will quickly become trapped as the pool cover sinks into the water. Escape is extremely difficult without immediate assistance. When installed, a safety pool cover must be able to hold a minimum of 485 pounds per 5 square feet, according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard F1346-91. Pool safety covers are anchored to a deck with straps . The straps usually attach to stainless steel springs and are anchored to recessed brackets in a deck surface. A mesh pool cover does not allow water to stand on the cover, but debris may accumulate in the pool while the cover is in use. A solid cover prevents debris from accumulating in the pool, but it does not allow rain and snow to drain through; as a result, the pool cover can sag and present a drowning danger to small children who may wander onto the cover if not carefully supervised. Choosing a solid pool cover with drain panels or obtaining a cover pump to remove the accumulated water is recommended.

Pool Alarm

Another layer of protection is a pool alarm. Pool alarms come in different varieties. Some are designed to detect movement on the top of the pool’s surface, some are developed to detect underwater disturbances, some act like motion detectors using infrared beams, and some are worn on the wrist and sound an alarm when the device is submerged. The topic of pool alarms is described in more detail in Part 2 of this article.

Adult Supervision

No matter how many safety precautions are taken to protect children from submersion and drowning accidents in the backyard swimming pool, close and constant supervision by a responsible adult is the most important “layer of protection” for keeping children safe. Believing that a child is a good swimmer and providing them with flotation devices cannot ever take the place of adult supervision. Using most of these protective measures described in this article is the best defense in preventing children from experiencing a “silent death” by drowning in the backyard swimming pool.

Sources:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/communication/tips/drowning.htm.
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Document #359. “How to plan for the unexpected: Prevent Child Drownings.”
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Document #362. “Safety Barrier Guidelines for Home Pools”

Pool Closing and Winterizing

Winterizing your Swimming Pool

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Winter Covers for Swimming Pools

Winterizing your Swimming Pool. 

Is Your Swimming Pool Prepared for Old Man Winter?

Most pool owners have an off-season to think about, and it’s important that they take the time to do things right. If you own a pool, whether it’s above or in ground, you need to make sure that it’s ready for every season of the year. Summer is easy because you just open it up and enjoy. Winterizing your pool, however, can prove to be a bit more of a task if you’re not prepared. Do you have all of the tools and supplies that you need to get your pool ready for the winter months? Now is the time to make sure that you’re ready, before it’s too late.

Winterizing your pool does a lot for you, and you have to make sure that you have the right tools and supplies to get the job done. By taking the time to learn about the process, it will be easier for you to get everything that you need.

Winterizing Supplies

Winterizing your pool starts with having all of the right supplies. You will need winterizing chemicals, the right pool cover, and weights or ties to hold the cover on the pool through the winter. There are different types of chemicals that you have to use to balance your pool before you close it up for the winter. You will need to make sure that you have the right pH and chlorine balance, as well as alkalinity and calcium balance. These things will ensure that your pool stays healthy and clean all winter so that it’s easy to open next spring

The good news is that pool suppliers often sell a variety of winterizing chemical kits. That allows you to get everything that you need in one purchase without having to buy a handful of different chemicals separately. Give yourself the chance to learn about these chemicals and explore the kits that you can buy to get what you need. They come in different sizes for different pools, giving you the chance to choose what you want based on how big your pool is. How easy is that?

Next, you need to find the right cover and weights (or tie downs) to protect your pool from the elements during the winter months. Depending on where you live, you might need a certain type of cover. For example, someone in a state like North Dakota will probably need a much heavier duty cover to protect from snow and winter weather than someone in Tennessee, where winter weather might not be as severe as it gets in other areas.

 

You also have to choose between in ground and above ground covers. There are different styles of covers for each, giving you the option to get the perfect protection, no matter what type of pool you have. Within each group, you can choose from so many different styles and designs of covers that it will be easy to get the perfect protection for your pool. Just take the time to check out pool covers and winterizing supplies to make sure that you get everything that you need.

 

The Process

 

The first part of winterizing your pool is to clean it well. Once it’s clean, you can cycle the winterizing chemicals through and test the water until you get the right pH and chlorine balance in the water. The chemicals that you put in will also include cleaners, stain protection, and algaecide, which ensures that your pool will stay as clean as possible so that it’s ready to open when spring rolls around. Then, you’ll need to drain the water past the pump or skimmer systems, or if you have an above ground pool you will have to drain it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. You’ll place the cover over the semi-drained pool (NEVER drain it completely), and then use the weights or tie downs to secure the cover. It’s quite a simple process, but you do have to make sure that you follow all the steps.

 

The most important part is making sure that you clean the pool before you close it because you will have a much harder time opening it back up if you let it sit dirty all winter long. Another problem is that leaving the pool dirty for months can cause serious maintenance issues or needs for repair. If you want to get the most out of your pool closing, clean it well before you drain it and cover it up for the winter.

 

Why Winterize?

 

A lot of people are asking why they need to winterize their pools. Most people have pools open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, depending on the climate that they live in. After the pool season has ended, the weather will change. Pools are not built to handle debris like leaves and inclement weather that follows with the winter months. As such, it’s critical that you bundle up your pool and protect it from the weather that is about to come. Even when you live in a milder state, leaves and other debris can still create problems so you need to make sure that your pool is covered properly and ready for the oncoming winter.

 

Winterizing your pool will make your pool last longer and stay in good shape. It will keep things clean and running smoothly, and help you avoid huge maintenance costs that could occur if you left it open all year round. Having a pool is an expensive and time-consuming investment, but proper winterization can save you a lot of time and money when it comes to reopening your pool and caring for it in the summer months. You have all of the tools and supplies that you need at your fingertips and can walk through the process before you get started, making it easy to do. Just remember that your pool needs protection from the winter months just like you need a winter coat, and that it’s important to do things right.

 

Choose a cover, find the right winterizing chemicals, and make sure that you follow the process for buttoning up your pool for a long winter’s nap so that you can protect your investment no matter what type of winter you’re facing.

Pool Opening, Pool Opening Spring Start Up

Opening Your In Ground Swimming Pool

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In Ground Swimming Pool

Opening your In Ground Swimming Pool

Easy Guidelines for Opening Your In Ground Swimming Pool

Plan early for next summer by preparing now for opening your in ground swimming pool.  Take inventory of your supplies, and replenish your stock of pool chemicals.  Now is also a good time to check your pool equipment for wear or damage and replace or upgrade as needed.  When it comes time to open your pool again next season, you’ll be ready to go.

Make your pool opening even easier by following the easy steps below.  You’ll be swimming in no time.

1. The first step in opening your in ground swimming pool is to remove any leaves or debris that have settled on the cover over the winter season.  Also, remove any standing water from the cover using a cover pump.  Then, remove the water tubes and the cover itself.

Note: if your cover has a hole in it, and you use your cover pump to remove standing water, you may actually end up pumping water out of the pool.  This can lead to a drained pool, so be sure to watch for this.

2. After removing the cover and water tubes, be sure to clean them, let them air dry, and store them away until the end of the swimming season.  Proper care of your cover and water tubes will ensure that they stay in good shape for many years.

3. Re-insert drain plugs you may have removed from your pump and filter.  Then, add water to the pool, bringing the level up to its normal operating level.

4. Remove freeze plugs, skimmer guards, or air pillows.

5. Next, start your filter system — make sure to prime the pump before starting the motor.  Purge all the air from the plumbing and equipment. Warning: Air will be compressed during this procedure. Be sure to release any built up pressure before opening your filter, pump, or chemical feeder. Make sure that the valve is turned to the backwash position (for sand filters).  Doing so will ensure that any old water left in your filter will not go into your pool.

6. Check for leaks.

7.  Assess the cleanliness of the pool itself.  If you used a solid cover over the winter season and secured it well, the water should be as clear as it was when you closed the pool last year.  If not, remove any large debris using your leaf net, leaf rake, or leaf eater.

8. Vacuum any dirt, sand, algae, or other small debris that cannot be removed with the leaf rake or net.

9.  After cleaning the pool, check the water chemistry:

  • Allow the water to circulate at least 8-12 hours so that the water that was added has time to mix with the water in the pool.
  • After that time, test the water thoroughly, then add the necessary chemicals in the proper sequence to balance the water chemistry. We suggest taking a water sample to your local pool professional to have it tested for pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, etc. Be sure to follow the procedure they describe to avoid damaging your pool.

10.  Install handrails, ladders, and other deck equipment making sure to inspect them for wear and damage. Car wax applied to stainless steel rails will help protect them from corrosion.

11. Inspect the diving board.  Look for stress cracks, and replace the diving board if any cracks are found.  Also, be sure the surface of the board is non-skid. If the surface has been worn smooth, use a refinishing kit to correct this.

12. Clean tile lines with baking soda and a sponge if you do not have any pool tile cleaner. Do not use household cleaners (especially abrasives) to clean the tile. You do not want to swim in these chemicals.

13.  Go swimming!