Fountains are often referred to as living water.
And it’s no wonder. Technology has afforded us incredible ways to create spectacular features using gorgeous combinations of water, light, and music.
Once of the jewels in the crown of the fountain is almost certainly the Mylar Fountain. Also called the Lace fountain, it is a popular choice for upmarket malls and other large, indoor spaces
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Swimming pool covers are a no-brainer.
Besides the fact that they are required by law in order to keep our little people safe, there are numerous other benefits to fitting a pool cover.
Thankfully, gone are the days of having large and cumbersome swimming pool nets which need some sort of PhD and permanent gym membership to operate. Today we are fortunate to enjoy a variety of options when it comes to pool covers.
What pool cover is right for you?
Thermal covers, slat cover, leaf covers, bubble blankets and custom-made wooden or plastic covers are all great options, depending on your needs. Bubble blankets are a firm favourite, being incredibly easy to use and often coming with a tool to remove and replace the cover. They are generally the cheapest option with a great life span and are a cinch to install. It’s worth checking, however, on the safety aspect as you may require additional features to keep children safe – depending on the installation and the product itself. Installing a full swimming pool cover, and not just a net, adds many benefits. A pool cover:- Prevents water evaporation by up to 95% - essential in our hot South African climate.
- Reduced the amount of chemicals needed to keep your pool clean.
- Increases the temperature of the water in cooler months, extending your swimming season.
- Reduces cleaning time, as leaves and other garden debris are caught by the pool cover.
Public or commercial pools are such a great addition to any community. They offer a fun mix of fitness, sport, and family time in a safe and happy environment.
While your needs may run on the side of fun, many commercial pool owners have to pay careful attention to the water temperature. Competitive swimmers will often use public or commercial pools for training and you may be surprised to know that there are some pretty stringent guidelines dictating the water temperature.
FINA is the International Swimming Federation based in Switzerland, and they determine the rules and regulations for competitive water sports around the world. Both standard and Olympic competition requires a water temperature of between 25 – 28 degrees C. Polo, synchronised swimming and diving have their own set of temperature variants around this mark.
Does the water temperature really make a difference?
Evidently so. Warmer water is less dense and therefore produces less friction for swimmers. However, water that is too warm can result in muscle cramps, overheating and dehydration. In a commercial pool which may be used for recreation, a temperature warmer than 29 degrees C provides an unhealthy breeding ground for bacteria and algae.
Water that is too cold can shock the system and can prove dangerous for swimmers with heart problems. Medical reasons aside – who wants to immerse themselves in an icy pool and lose the feeling in their extremities?
So the guys at FINA have a valid point: A water temperature of around 26-28 degrees C is a healthy and pleasant one for everyone.
Keeping your swimming pool temperature constant is easy enough with a swimming pool heater, which is available from any good pool specialist. While you’re here, take a look at our product range at www.poolspa.co.za, and give us a call with any questions that you may have.
For those of us that love the quiet tranquillity of a water feature, garden ponds are hard to beat. Besides the gentle beauty of the water and the rustle of surrounding plants, we can enjoy the animal life that is drawn to our little oasis.
Without shattering your illusion, garden ponds do tend to bring an extra set of chores to our otherwise busy day.
And this is exactly why you would use a pond skimmer.
What is a pond skimmer?
These clever little devices reduce your workload by skimming off the debris that falls into the pond. Leaves, grass, dirt, insects, and twigs are caught before they become waterlogged. Once they sink to the bottom of your pond, they start to break down and can increase the levels of algae in the water. Too much algae in a pond will choke out plants and use up the available oxygen – making it uninhabitable.
Sitting just above the water line, this busy little pump keeps the water flowing in order to continually skim the surface of the pond. A net or basket serves to catch the large pieces of debris and is easily emptied, but you may also need finer filter to catch seeds and pollen.
Most pond skimmers also aerate the water. This key factor helps to keep the water clear and allows fish and plant life to thrive.
The right pond skimmer for your pond will depend mainly on its size. However, other factors may need consideration, such as your climate: Is your pond likely to ice up? In hot months does your water level fluctuate significantly?
Whether you need a pond skimmer, or a whole pond, we are here to assist and answer any questions that you may have. Give one of our team a call or visit our website at www.poolspa.co.za.
As children and adults alike stop and gaze at jets of water shooting high into the air, and watch hypnotised as a halo of rainbow colours decorate the spray as it falls onto the ground below… there is no denying the beauty of a floating fountain.
Up until the end of the 19th century water fountains were functional items, bringing drinking water to a city or village. Even then, many of them were gravity fed making use of reservoirs or aqueducts to force the water into the fountain.
With the advent of indoor plumbing water fountains became purely decorative. And of course, as technology advanced it brought with it mechanical and electrical pumps which changed the landscape significantly.
Floating fountains now decorate buildings, city squares, parks, and homes. They have been used as commemorative symbols to honour a significant person or event, as artistic expression, or just plain fun for families in a beautiful outdoor space.
Our team have installed an impressive portfolio of fountains in prestigious locations. We custom build to suit the needs of our client, and we include features such as musical interaction, coloured LED or ultra-bright halogen lights, varying heights and program sequences, and any number of patterns.
If you are considering a floating fountain to grace your space, then we would love to hear from you. Our team enjoy decades of experience and we know that we can deliver exactly what you need. Contact us today on 011 793 1381 or take a look at our website at www.poolspa.co.za.
There are only a handful of people in the entire world who cannot be enticed into a bubbling warmth of a Jacuzzi on a cold evening.
If you are fortunate enough to have a Jacuzzi in your home, then no doubt you will want it in full working order at the touch of a button.
Jacuzzi maintenance is simple enough, but does require frequent checks to make sure it’s safe and clean.
How can you maintain your Jacuzzi?
It’s important to understand that even though you have a relatively small body of water (compared to a swimming pool), you still need to maintain optimal chemical levels. Any standing water is going to start to stagnate after just a few days, and ongoing Jacuzzi maintenance is far more beneficial than having to empty and replace the water.
Cloudy water, the presence of algae, or foaming, are all symptoms of incorrect chemical levels. Talk to a professional to find out the optimal chemical balance in your Jacuzzi. Once you know this, you can keep a home testing kit available, and a selection of the chemicals that you need. Test strips should be used twice a week so that you can keep a close eye on the levels and tweak as necessary.
Keep your Jacuzzi covered when it’s not in use: the pump and filters can block up pretty quickly in the presence of leaves, dirt, and insects. It also helps to keep the heat in which reduces your electricity usage.
Whether you use your Jacuzzi every day, or less frequently, you will still need to replace the water every so often. Depending on use, we recommend fresh water at least twice a year. You can use this time to give your Jacuzzi and its pipework a thorough clean out.
If you don’t have the time to maintain your Jacuzzi, then give the pros a call. Cleaning, maintenance, pumps, chemicals – and good old fashioned advice are available from the Pool Spa team. Find us at www.poolspa.co.za.