14 minute read
National Concrete up to $200,000 Gold Winner – Striking Pools
SPASA SPOTLIGHT
STRIKING POOLS
Striking Pools integrate unique and inspiring landscape designs with luxurious, quality-built concrete swimming pools. We pride ourselves on delivering custom designs that delight and surprise our clients throughout Melbourne.
As part of a well-established multi-award winning company, the Striking Pools team takes pride in all aspects of pool construction, from initial design concepts through to handover, our attention to detail and quality workmanship makes us one of Melbourne’s leading pool builders.
This impressive 10.3m x 9.6m pool features an expansive curved beach area and a 2.5m diameter raised rolled infinity edge spa. Adjacent is a lengthy bench of polished concrete featuring three black waterspouts, each one central to the limestone floatingeffect paved steppers crossing the pool. The spa, beach, pool waterline and entry stairs are all clad in white pearl blend glass mosaic tiles and the remaining body of pool in white ceramic tiles. P: 03 9438 6352 E: ADMIN@STRIKINGPOOLS.COM.AU W: WWW.STRIKINGPOOLS.COM.AU
The two-wheel revolution in the fight against hard-to-clean debris
The Pentair Rebel 2 Automatic Vacuum Pool Cleaner packs amazing cleaning performance into a compact and easy-to-use package. It really does have a cause — to clean dirt and debris others miss. Last-minute cleaning will become stressfree and easy!
The Rebel 2’s design and preprogramed steering allows the two-wheel revolution to access hardto-reach corners where debris often hides. The Rebel 2 gives you a chance to spend less time on your pool and more time enjoying it with family all year round.
MORE THOROUGH CLEANING COVERAGE AND POWER
With more debris in the air, pools can become grimier than ever before. The Rebel 2 has enhanced cleaning power from the enhanced extra efficient hydraulic design that perfectly complements variable speed and flow pumps.
SmartTrac Navigation programmed steering helps with varied straight runs and turning durations and steady-grip tyre traction, both for superior floor to wall cleaning. It climbs walls effortlessly with its powerful suction and enhanced traction tyres. The Rebel 2 pool cleaner zooms around the pool with fast wheels turning the cleaner at 16RPM. This pool cleaner has marine grade stainless steel wheel bearings that create long lasting protection against corrosion and ensures a quick detailed cleaning experience with total coverage.
EASY TO CLEAN AND SERVICE
Time will be on your side when maintaining the easyto-use Rebel 2 package. A fast and simple top cover access provides a quick and simple maintenance regime. Just undo the clip and open the lid. It’s that simple! It is easy to remove leaves and there are only two tools required
for service. Along with a Pentair Rebel 2 Tune Up Kit available that can be installed in under five minutes providing an easy to clean and service experience.
JUST SET AND FORGET
As everyday life becomes busier, let the Rebel 2 take over and do all the work. Your pool will not only be clean for swimming season, but will continuously be clean all year round, ready for family occasions. The Rebel 2 installation process is quick and easy along with continuous clogfree cleaning that avoids blockages. The Sure-Flow Turbine design captures large and small rubble with ease. It maneuvers from deep to shallow ends, up 90-degree floor to wall angles all the way to the water line and into tight spaces. The pool cleaner embraces a dual-action roller skirt and upgraded chassis design that provides uninterrupted cleaning. This efficient pool cleaner can help you spend time on memories you cherish.
IDEAL FOR ALL POOL TYPES AND SURFACES
Thinking of your next pool? Make easier decisions knowing the revolutionary pool cleaner can clean it all. Suitable for any type of pool from concrete to fiberglass and vinyl liner materials. There is no need to buy additional tyres for pool surfaces as the Rebel 2 tyres suit any surface. It works on fully tiled pools, pebblecrete coating, glass and plaster. Hence, you can use the Rebel 2 on your current or next pool, keeping the decision and build process faster and simpler.
Be a proud pristine pool owner. Embrace efficient cleaning performance in an easy-touse and compact package. Built for all, the Rebel 2 Automatic Vacuum Pool Cleaner will assure your pool will keep clean all year and all season long.
PENTAIR AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
P: 1300 137 344 E: AU.SALES@PENTAIR.COM W: WWW.PENTAIRPOOL.COM.AU
EVERYTHING
OLD IS AGAINNEW
Does your concrete pool need a facelift?
IT HAPPENS TO THE BEST OF US... A FINE LINE HERE, A BIT OF DISCOLOURATION THERE, THE EFFECTS OF AGING ARE INESCAPABLE — AND THE SAME APPLIES TO YOUR CONCRETE SWIMMING POOL. SO, HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO RESURFACE AND WHAT SHOULD YOU DO ABOUT IT?
© Stock.Adobe.com/au/Galaxy_love_design
Just like us, no swimming pool or spa can escape the effects of aging forever. Unavoidable exposure to sun and chemicals eventually shows when it comes to your pool’s interior surface. In the Summer 2021 edition of Pool & Spa, we explained what to do when your fibreglass pool has seen better days. If you need specific advice on fibreglass pools, you can find past issues of the magazine on the poolspalife.com.au website. In this issue, we’re taking a look at a slightly different beast — concrete swimming pool constructions.
SIGNS YOUR POOL NEEDS RESURFACING… AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
As a concrete pool ages, you may start to see cracks, chips and discolouration. If your pool is leaking, if it is hard to remove stains or the texture has become uneven, it’s time to act.
The first thing to do is speak with a pool resurfacing professional — this is not a job you want to take on yourself. There is a range of available resurfacing materials, each with their own specific set of characteristics that make them more or less suited to your application.
RESURFACING MATERIAL OPTIONS
As with many other industries, technology advances keep delivering improvements in pool interior finishes. The best solution for your specific application depends on many variables, which is why you need expert advice. Some general information on available options follows.
PLASTER
Plaster is a simple and cost-effective option. It is also one of the least durable choices and doesn’t perform that well in high-use areas like stairs and swimouts.
POOL PAINT
Another economical option, pool painting is usually only a cosmetic, short-term fix. It won’t address the underlying problems, which means you are just delaying the inevitable.
AGGREGATE
Aggregate choices range from the familiar pebblecrete to newer options that incorporate reflective materials for a shimmer finish or light-coloured cement flecked with brilliant coloured stone, offering a multitude of design choices.
TILE
Tiles offer a huge array of design options, with virtually endless colour, size and pattern choices available. Of course, that flexibility comes with a price tag — tiling is one of the more expensive pool
resurfacing options. It’s also one of the easiest to clean.
FIBREGLASS
Fibreglass is a popular resurfacing material because it delivers a smooth, stain-resistant finish and is relatively quick to apply.
VINYL LINER
Another cost-effective option, application of a vinyl liner can rejuvenate the appearance of your pool.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Once you engage a professional and decide on your finish, you’re ready to roll. Of course, they’ll give you a complete project timeframe and outline the steps required. Timing is weather dependent and also affected by the surface choice, but you expect it to take at least a week and possibly two. You can also bank on the following general steps.
Clear the area — before the team arrives, remove all furniture and other loose items, like potted plants. Talk to your professional about protection for other areas beyond the outer perimeter of the pool, as things can get messy.
Draining the pool — this job obviously means the pool needs to be emptied. You won’t need to do it, but you should ensure that all your equipment is in working order before the water is removed. Check that lighting, circulation and skimmers are all operational while the pool is still full.
Patching and preparation — your chosen pool surfacing professional will remove damaged surface materials and start preparing for the new application.
Tiling, coping and masonry — waterline tiling, coping and masonry details are taken care of at this stage.
Plumbing and sealing — ensures that your pool is watertight.
Surface application and additional
required washes — some material choices might call for application of an extra wash as part of the process.
Cleanup, fill and initial water
treatment — in the first week, your ‘new’ pool will require monitoring, as the curing process occurs. Your resurfacing professional will provide all the information you need to carry out appropriate water treatment and how to monitor.
Resurfacing your pool is a great way to give it a lift. A design change will not only deliver a completely new look, you’ll also end up with a smoother surface finish that is easier to clean and resistant to algae, stains and discolouration.
Don’t forget, if you want expert advice on the best options for your pool, speak with a SPASA member.
©stock.adobe.com/au/ArchiVIZ
Creating a lowmaintenance pool
Low maintenance is a term that is rarely associated with pool ownership. In years gone by, the work required to keep a pool in tiptop condition and looking the right colour whilst being safe to swim in was enough to turn some people off the idea of pool ownership.
However, with pool equipment manufacturers racing to incorporate timesaving technology into their products along with internet integration and apps, we asked Hayward Pool Products whether it really is now truly possible to spend longer in your pool than working on it.
FOR BUSY HOMEOWNERS, WHAT ARE THE BEST CURRENT TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE FOR REDUCING THE WORK REQUIRED TO RUN A POOL?
Probably the quickest and easiest thing that you can do to make maintenance easy is to cut down on the time and effort it takes to clean your pool. You can do this by investing in an automatic pool cleaner. It will remove debris and scrub the pool for you — all you have to do is remember to empty it. The new AquaVac 650 Robotic Cleaner from Hayward has even done away with filters, meaning you can stay away from the mess and empty it with the touch of a button.
A more long-term solution to improve the ownership experience would be to invest in an automation system to run your pool. Many owners install a pool to improve the lifestyle of themselves or their families. In the past they have been unable to fully enjoy this change due to the work required to maintain and run a pool. Automation removes many of these time-consuming and labour-intensive tasks so the owner can enjoy the lifestyle improvements that a pool can bring.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC HAYWARD POOL PRODUCTS THAT YOU’D RECOMMEND FOR A BUSY HOMEOWNER? WHY?
Hayward OmniLogic pool and backyard automation is the perfect system for a busy homeowner. It provides an easy way to control the chemistry of your pool and spa, as well as the heating, lighting, water features and any other pool or backyard equipment required by the user. The system takes the hassle out of pool ownership by bringing together all the elements of a modern energy-efficient pool and allowing the user to control it with an app. With an OmniLogic installed you can quickly and simply get your pool running exactly how you like it, at the touch of a button.
Owners can access their pool from anywhere as long as they’re connected to the internet. So rather than having to manually switch valves or press buttons around the pool, the owner can do this from the comfort of their sun lounger. You can even get your pool up and running before you arrive home from work, allowing you to get straight in and make the most of your evening.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR BUSY HOMEOWNERS LOOKING TO INCORPORATE AUTOMATION INTO THEIR NEW POOL?
When choosing your pool equipment make sure that you are comfortable with understanding how it operates — modern systems can appear complicated and this can be off-putting to some people. The last thing you want is to be standing around scratching your head trying to figure out how to get your filtration running when you could be in the pool splashing around. However, if a system is set up in accordance with the needs of the pool owner and a good handover is provided by the installer, pool automation can truly transform your ownership experience and turn it into the dream you always hoped it would be.
To find out more about the products mentioned in this article and to find your nearest Hayward dealer, just head to www.hayward-pool.com.au.
HAYWARD POOL PRODUCTS AUSTRALIA
P: 1300 766 571 E: SALES@HAYWARD-POOL.COM.AU W: WWW.HAYWARD-POOL.COM.AU
QUICK
What to do with old inflatables
Take a sneak peek inside any family pool fence and you’re guaranteed to see some brightly coloured inflatables.
Toys, beach balls and sun lounges bring hours of enjoyment, while flotation devices are a valuable aid in developing kids’ confidence in and around water. But these ubiquitous signs of an Aussie summer don’t always stand the test of time. If you own a pool, it’s odds-on you’ve got a few old, damaged inflatables lying around.
Unfortunately, many of these items are made from PVC, a material that is difficult to recycle, so they end up in landfill if torn or if the kids outgrow them. This doesn’t have to be the case, if you repair, reuse or repurpose.
REPAIR
This option is recommended for toys and leisure inflatables only, not for flotation aids and water safety devices.
The problem with many pool toys is their low initial cost, which makes it seem more economical to simply replace them when they are damaged. Before you rebuy, take a minute to assess the damage. A small hole or tear may be repaired using heavy-duty gaffer tape, which is available from hardware suppliers. If this doesn’t do it, try heavy-duty inflatables repair patches designed for the purpose.
REUSE
You may no longer have a need for kids’ inflatable toys, but plenty of others will. See if friends and family can extend the life of pool toys by providing a new home. Try online marketplaces as well — you probably won’t get any money for them but you will get the satisfaction of keeping them out of landfill.
REPURPOSE
As the problem with non-recyclable inflatables becomes clearer, new services are cropping up. Queensland company PLOYS is dedicated to reducing plastic waste from inflatables by repurposing into unique waterproof bags, purses and accessories. Check out their website (ploys.com.au) for more details on how to recycle. They’ve also partnered with inflatables supplier Sunnylife for its PVC Recycling Campaign, where customers provide details and receive a label for free shipping to PLOYS.
Compare your energy savings with the AstralPool VIRON XT Pump Calculator
AstralPool has been a leading brand of swimming pool equipment in Australia for over 30 years and strives to keep pool owners informed of the latest technologies to ensure they make the right choice when selecting their pool equipment.
Along with the latest energy star ratings, AstralPool has now launched a new online pool pump calculator to compare different single speed pumps against the new energy-efficient VIRON XT MKII range.
Pool owners are now able to compare and calculate their energy costs and carbon footprint and select the right pool pump for their swimming pool. • Easy input of your pool size and energy cost. • Quick selection of all available
AstralPool pool pumps to compare. • Configure selected pumps to the individual use of your pool. • Instantly compare your energy cost saving and carbon footprint.
The new pool pump calculator can be accessed on the AstralPool website www.astralpool.com.au.
ASTRALPOOL
W: WWW.ASTRALPOOL.COM.AU
