Apr 6, 2011

The New Chemical Balancing Tool, the Pool Calculator

Balancing the chemical levels in your swimming pool is now easier with the help of the POOL CALCULATOR.


A pool calculator is a hand-held device that really looks like the usual math calculator. To use it, all you have to do is enter all the details (chemical levels) of your swimming pool. The calculator will then calculate the amount of the chemicals needed to make the water chemicals balanced. 

In using the pool calculator, guessing is a NO-NO. All information is accurate because of the software that it uses. 

KINDS OF POOL CALCULATOR

Pool calculator evolved and now has 3 different types. The first is the original hand-held calculator, the second is the software application for the computer, and the last is the latest iPhone application. 

1. Hand-held Pool Calculator - the one mentioned above, the pool calculator that looks like the usual math calculator but is exclusively used for swimming pool chemistry balancing.

2. Pool Calculator for Computer - a free software application made by Jason Linehart that can be used in a computer or laptop without the need of downloading or installing it. All you have to do is run it from the website http://poolcalculator.com, enter the number of gallons of water in your swimming pool and pool chemical readings such as FC, CYA, PH, TA, and it will literally do everything. Pool owners can even calculate Salt, Borates and CSI. 

3. Pool Calculator for iPhone- as the named suggests, it is an application for iPhone. It is the latest pool calculator which combines the two world. Any pool owner can do what you can do on the computer and it is also a hand-held device. The pool calculator for iPhone costs only $4.99.

Choose which of the one stated above is right for your needs. Whichever you choose, the best thing is that, you maintain the balance in the pool water for you and your loved ones safety. Remember, swimming pool maintenance is one of the key for your pool's safety.

Mar 21, 2011

Visualize your pool liner's design with www.plastimayd.com

Finding it hard to visualize what your pool will look with various pool liners that you can only see and purchase in the internet?

Now, it will be easy for you to see what type and design of swimming pool liner will be suited for your pool with the new visualization tool that can be found at www.plastimayd.com.

Www.plastimayd.com is the latest electronic tool that can definitely help pool owners to see how the different patterns of pool liner will look in their swimming pool. Through this, it will be easy for them to choose the kind that they will buy. 

To use the tool, here are the steps:
  1. Click www.plastimayd.com.
  2. Click the "Pool Liner Visualization Tool" found at the right side of the page.
  3. Choose the pattern of pool liner that you would like to visualize.
  4. To change the pool liner pattern, just click the other patterns found on the left side of the page.
This tool is very useful to those who wants to decide which pool liner is suited for their pool area since it is difficult to "just imagine" how it will look on your pool with only a small piece of vinyl.

Mar 9, 2011

Age and Gender: Major Factors Affecting Drowning

In line with the previous post on this blog regarding drowning, (click here to view the post) World Health Organization named age and gender as major factors that affect drowning.

1. AGE. According to WHO, age is one of the main factors of drowning which is also associated with the lack of supervision. 
Generally, children ages 5 and below are more prone to drowning worldwide except Canada and New Zealand where male adults are more at risk. The following statistics are very alarming:
  • In Australia, drowning is the major cause of unintentional injury death among children with 1 to 3 years of age.
  • In the United States, drowning is the second major cause of unintentional injury death among children with 1 to 4 years of age.
  • In China,  drowning is the major cause of  injury death among children with 1 to 14 years of age.
  • In Bangladesh, drowning accounts 20% of all deaths among children with 1 to 4 years of age.

    2. GENDER. Men are more prone to drowning than women. 
    According to studies, it is because men are more exposed to water and risky behaviors like swimming alone, drinking alcohol before swimming and boating. The number of mortality rate of men regarding drowning is double the number as women.


    Other factors affecting drowning are the following:
    • low socio-economic status (member of an ethnic minority, lack of higher education)
    • use of alcohol
    • lack of supervision (for children)
    • overcrowded vehicles used in water transportation
    • medical conditions including epilepsy
    • unfamiliarity of the water features and risks (for tourists)
    • floods and other natural disasters


    Reference: World Health Organization

    Mar 7, 2011

    WHO: Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional death

    World Health Organization (WHO) said that DROWNING is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional death worldwide. With 7% of injury-related death, there are estimated 388,000 death worldwide caused by drowning.



    Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion in liquid that may cause death. It was in 2004 when the number of cases regarding drowning boomed to more than 300,000, making it a major public health problem all over the world. 

    The following are the regions and economies that are more prone to drowning:
    • low- and middle-income countries which account for 96% of unintentional drowning deaths
    • WHO Western Pacific Region and WHO South-East Asia Region over 60% of the world's drowning
    • WHO African Region where the drowning death rates are highest and are more than eight times higher than in Australia or the United States of America (USA)
    • China and India have particularly high drowning mortality rates, when combined can contribute 43% of the world's drowning deaths and 41% of the total global DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) lost related to drowning
     
    It is very important to be very vigilant whenever you go swimming. Whether it is in a swimming pool or not, safety must always come first. Children must be well-supervised because they are the the ones who are more prone to drowning.


    Mar 2, 2011

    World's Most Dangerous Pool

    Do you know which the most dangerous swimming pool in the world is? Would you risk your life just to be able to swim on it?

    Without a doubt, the most dangerous pool in the world is the Devil’s Pool. The pool is located at Victoria Falls located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe which is considered by some to be among the Seven Wonders of the World.


    The Victoria Falls have a drop of 128 meters and has a place where one can swim in the so-called Devil’s pool but only during the months of September to December when water levels are comparatively low. The pool has taken 17 lives since 1959. The local council urges visitors to stay within a designated swimming area to be safe.
     


    Many believe that the pool itself is a cursed place. The dangers are held to be geographical, but local tribes people and Babinda locals generally believe and recount the legend of an Aboriginal woman's curse on the waterhole.

    The legend arises from the story of a woman who married a respected tribal elder but ran away with a beautiful young man visiting for the event. When they were captured she threw herself into the waters to escape, calling for her lover to follow her. The legend goes that her spirit guards the boulders and that her calls for her lover can still be heard.

    Whether the legend is true or not, Devil's pool is truly a dangerous pool which have taken a lot of lives.

    Resources:

    Feb 28, 2011

    Different Styles of Swimming Pools

    Summer is about to come soon and it would be nice if you will have a stylish swimming pool at home if ever you choose to organize a summer party. If you are still on the planning stage of establishing your own pool, there is a wide array of shapes to choose from for you. Here are some:
    • Play Pool – this type of swimming pool is not deeper than 5 feet. Best for playing volley ball and other water sports. This design is built for cooling off and relaxing.
     
    • Freeform Pool – this pool is a lagoon style pool or close to a natural body of water. It is usually composed of rock features and is built to mimic an oasis. This type of pool is very popular in Phoenix area and throughout the country for many years now.
     
    • Diving Pool – these type of pools are generally about 8 ½ feet deep with a diving board or platform. This pool can be a real safety hazard, and should only be built to NSPI and ANSI standards.
    www.overnightpools.com

        There are a lot of styles to choose from. These are just some of them, just to spill the bean, there are more than 7 styles and can be combined if you wish to. It would depend on whichever type you like and will be needing your skills in designing.

        Feb 24, 2011

        Swimming Pools that fit your Lifestyle

        Have you thought about adding a pool to your home? Or, if you have a pool, have you wondered how you might alter the design to fit your lifestyle? Pool designers and home owners have taken pool designs to another level recently, bringing pools indoors, adding fountains and fire pits, and creating shapes and landscapes that imitate small, private lagoons. And, as you’ll see below, at least one home owner decided to change a pool into something else altogether.

        In the spirit of adding an essential element to your home (water), a tool for relaxation (beautiful decks and scenery), and a means to stay fit (swimming), we offer some of the most beautiful pool designs found on the Internet. Additionally, we made a few calls to the pool designers listed here to bring you some ballpark prices on what it would take to replicate some of these ideas. Although most pool builders and designers are localized, they do not mind a call for help or for ideas when you decide to make the leap into a new residential pool. You can contact those builders and designers through the links connected to the pool descriptions.

        The list below is in no particular order. While the sites are numbered, the numbering does not indicate that we favor one pool design over another or that they are listed in order of value.

        1. Australian Delight. What caught our attention to this pool is the seemingly endless scheme to its design. Partly informal, yet dripping with elegance, this pool is just one of many redesigns and builds offered by Renovations Perth and New Pools Perth. This western Australian-owned company specializes in unique pool designs and landscapes, and they can redesign or newly design a custom pool to suit a particular lifestyle and budget. They specialize in the use of Nylex Aqualux, a product that won’t chip, crack or flake and it resists algae and fungal growth. Additionally, its multi-layer construction protects against damage caused by UV rays. Glance through their portfolio to fire up your imagination. Their styles range from a mix of Roman classic to cabana to an amazing waterway such as the one shown here.
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        2. Waterfall Pool. This pool, built as part of Kodiak Home overlooking Corner Canyon in Draper, Utah, is an amazing feature for its attached home (view more photos of the home through the link). The rock walk includes a climbing feature and the pool is fourteen-feet deep, so swimmers actually can dive from the top of the rock formation into the pool. The back yard for this home is small, and the designers fit this pool into the yard and still provided the owners with a lawn. Kodiak Homes is Salt Lake Valley’s newest premier builder, and the homes are built with natural materials and with refined taste. A pool like this, according to Kodiak Homes, can easily absorb $400,000 from your wallet. But, how can you pass it up?

        3. Genesis Pool and Spa. This company works out of Austin, Texas, building pools with a personal touch. They also deal with rough landscaping situations like the one shown here, with a slope that many homeowners would dread to own (let along mow!). The rock, which is plentiful around the Austin area, is not the issue here – it’s the landscaping and the ability to provide a pool that is easy for the owners to maintain. Additionally, Genesis offers complete packages that include the swimming pool, spa, landscaping, patio, outdoor kitchens, waterfalls or water and fire features, and decks surrounding the pool or spa. When you’re going all out like this, it might be wise to choose a company that fulfill all the tasks involved in that project. This pool, which was built in 1999/2000, would go for about $110,000 today in the Austin area. If you live in an area where rock would need to be shipped, the price might skyrocket.
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        4. Laguna Pool. Founded by Robert Traugott in 1973, Laguna Pools has long been recognized as one of the premier pool design and construction companies in the greater Houston, Texas area. Their pools are custom-designed, which means you can choose from designs that range from classic Roman to natural freeform. This family-operated business also maintains an in-house landscaping, irrigation and design department and they partner with Trendmaker Homes, so you can build a home with a pool that compliments your house style from the get-go. If you want to design a pool like this, no matter where you live, expect to spend from $40,000 and up, depending upon the layout, number of waterfalls and other extra features.
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        5. Morrow Pool. Vicki Morrow takes her pool designs seriously, and this example – located in Paradise Valley, Arizona – shows acute attention to formal symmetry. Surrounded by a travertine deck, this pool sports fountains, palm trees and fire pits. It’s an ideal party pool, or one that will lull the love of your life into a trance with its spa features. This swimming pool also is the focal point from inside the adjoining home, where diners can view the fountains and fire through a front beveled-glass and iron door. Not all of Morrow’s designs are so formal, as you’ll see from the gallery on her site. She specializes in pool designs that take into consideration her clients’ wants, family needs and budgets. But, if you desire a pool like the one shown here, Morrow states the cost is about $140,000. This price does not include the travertine deck, and the cost of materials and construction may vary from region to region.
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        6. Florida Home. Golden Beach, Florida, is an exclusive community located in the northern-most part of Miami Beach, between South Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Golden Beach offers exclusive oceanfront, intracoastal and dry lot homes priced from $900,000 to over $16,000,000. The pool situated on this property is representative of the homes in his area – secluded and out of the way, yet close to large-city amenities. The town of Golden Beach enjoys all of the Miami-Dade County attractions, such as wide, sandy beaches, turquoise blue ocean, year-round sunshine and trendy hot spots. You can take advantage of full-service marinas, boat ramps, boat rentals, diving facilities, championship golf courses, tennis, horseback riding and more – or, you can stay home and relax in this spa pool. An in-ground pool such as this one, that includes a hot tub, can start at $60,000, depending upon the materials used for the pool.
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        7. Movie Pool. What if didn’t care for the pool in your home? Would you consider turning it into an indoor movie theater? The owners of a Wisconsin home decided to do just that. Flooring and carpeting were added to the concrete bottom of the 20-by-40-foot area, and draperies were hung over the room’s windows and metal walls to soften the space. The sloped floors in this pool provided perfect levels for for stadium-style seating, and the wiring for sound was hidden in the pool’s existing plumbing system. The AV system includes a 106-inch Draper screen suspended from the ceiling and a Marantz mounted projector. The projector was mounted to the ceiling, and the audio and video components were stowed inside an equipment rack at the back of the room. A redesign like this one can begin at $150,000, if you’re a serious bargain-hunter.
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        8. Sensuous Pool. This pool is one of many designed by a dedicated team of swimming pool, spa, water feature and landscape design professionals in Tucson and Phoenix Arizona. We included this site, as their pool concepts are some of the most creative we’ve seen for both above- and in-ground residential pools. Tucson Swimming Pool Builders design pools first with computer animated or hand-drawn 3-D renderings based upon the design of the pool, spa, or water feature, and then style the pool to your specific landscape. But, other designers can do architectural renderings as well, so use this idea when you decide you want to add a pool to your property. This pool would be $29,000 in the Tucson area, and about $2,000 less in the Phoenix area, with the difference attributed to the cost of subcontractors. That’s a though to consider in your area as well when it comes to pricing your pool.
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        9. Specialty Pool. The exotic informality in the design of this pool might appeal to homeowners who appreciate casual yet elegant relaxation. The sound of the waterfall can drown out nearby traffic or neighbor noises, and the landscaping can be altered to fit any style house or climate. This particular pool was designed and built by Specialty Pools and Spas, a company that builds custom-designed, professionally constructed gunite swimming pools, and that specializes in difficult pool site locations. The beauty of gunite is that it can be formed and shaped to fit the customer’s requests and requirements while blending with the existing surroundings and landscaping. Prices for this type of pool would depend upon whether or not a local pool developer could work with gunite (such as South Shore Gunite Pools in Pembroke, Massachusetts), and whether that material was available locally.
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        10. Palm Springs Pool. Homeowner Bob Greenbaum can swim in his pool and glance into his living room to the left. When he’s relaxing in his living room, he has the advantage of viewing his sleek and ultramodern pool to his right. When Greenbaum, an environmentally-conscious father of three and a dedicated athlete who swims 132 laps (almost two miles) every day, imagined this home, he visualized a dramatic modern estate in which the pool was central to the house. In fact, the house was built around the pool and it proudly reigns as one of the largest sustainable residences of record in the Coachella Valley, California area. The water seems to accentuate the use of natural fabrics, abundant use of recycled and prefabricated products, and custom finishes. Priceless.
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