Pacific Pools

Latham Pool Builder Academy-Camp Penuel

2011-10-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

Pacific Pools has once again participated in the Latham Pool Builder Academy. The pool builder academy was organized to give pool builders from around the country an opportunity to receive hands on experience and instruction as they participate in the entire process of building a vinyl liner pool.

When Latham International first introduced the pool builder academy, it was held in the yard of a homeowner that had purchased a pool and agreed to have the academy at their home. Several years ago, Latham decided that the pool builder academy provided the perfect opportunity for them and other companies to give back to the community. Now, each pool builder academy is held at the location of a charitable organization that would really benefit from having a pool. The entire pool kit, automatic cover and circulation and filtration equipment are donated for the cause.

This most recent pool builder academy was held Sept 25-29th in at Camp Penuel in Ironton Missouri. Camp Penuel is a Christen camp that provides over 1500 inter-city kids each summer the opportunity to spend a fun filled week at camp.

While at camp, these kids experience the beauty of the outdoors as they participate in water sports on Lake Killarney, going on nature hikes, singing songs around the camp fire, playing team sports, and reading. Camp Penuel gives these youth an uplifting environment, away from the city streets that they came from, where they can learn more about themselves.

Now, thanks to the pool builder academy, the youth that come to Camp Penuel will also enjoy swimming in a new swimming pool.

We are proud to give back to the community and will continue to do so semi-annually for every Pool Builders Academy we host.

Albion Liner Tech Talk

2011-10-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

An interesting article regarding liner fading.

In the many thousands of liners we process each year at WW Adcock the vast majority give many happy years of service.

Failures or problems are in low single digit %. However as you can imagine even 1% of 1000 liners is 10 liners, 2% 20 liners etc., so we are probably subjected to more issues than the average builder/service company.

Today I was conducting a measure class for Adcock personal and here is a photo.
The damage you see here is something we encounter 3 or 4 times a year.

It is 4 years old. This is why this liner is damaged:

This pool has two skimmers, both located at the deep end. The main drain and the skimmers are plumbed together so the pump suction pulls through them all.

The homeowner loads up the skimmers with 3" chlorine tabs. They only run the pump for a few hours per day because of the cost of electricity.

The chlorine tabs then dissolve without the pump running. The heavy chlorine solution then sinks down the skimmer pipe and out through the main drain grate. You can see how bleached the liner is right at the edge of the grate. There is also some PH wrinkling that is hard to see. This is because high concentrations of chlorine has a very low PH and will cause the liner to absorb water and expand, hence PH wrinkles.

So for the cost of running a pump. A typical 1 hp pump uses 746 watts per hour. Average electricity rates are 10 cents a kilowatt hour. So this pump running 24 hours.... uses just shy of 18 kw hours x 10 cents = $1.80

The pump would cost $324 to run 24 hours a day for 6 months. If you only ran it for 8 hours a day you would save $216. The ruined liner cost approx $3500 to replace and lasted 4 years. In four years they saved $864. Net cost of saving electricity was $2636 for a new liner.

I really felt bad for the lady homeowner because she was very nice. My recommendation to her was;

Run the pump more or put in a two speed pump and run it on low half the time or plumb in a chlorinator. Without these precautions the replacement liner would also suffer the same fate.

Actually when building pools, is it a much better idea to have separate main drain and skimmer lines to stop this problem and also down the road it helps to isolate plumbing leaks.

If you have any head scratching liner failure questions we would be glad to give you an honest assessment and if we use your problem for our Tech Talk we shall give you a liner for half price.

PS There is still the possibility that the chlorine has also damaged the lines below the skimmer, especially if it was plumbed with flex pipe which will fail with high chlorine concentrations. In which case I would have to re-do the math above!

Nigel Leach
Director of Package Pool Sales
WW Adcock
Philadelphia PA

We thank Nigel for this helpful information.

We have a winner!

2011-08-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Regina W. from Snellville, GA the lucky Grand Prize winner of our $10,000 Pool Makeover Sweepstakes.

Thousands of entries were submitted by homeowners nationwide for a chance to get a cool new look for their pool, and Regina was chosen.

Thank you to all who participated!

Pool Game - Dolphins Race or Relay

2011-08-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

If there are just two players, this game is a race. With four or more players divide into teams and make it a relay.

Each team has a beach ball that the players must move from one end of the pool to the other by pushing the ball with their noses and forehead. If they touch the ball with their hands or any other part of their body they must go back to where that took place and start again.

When the player reaches the end of the pool the next player will do the same until one team is the winner.

Good swimmers can play by swimming in the deep end of the pool or the length of the pool. For a game with non swimmers, play in the shallow end.

ICC-ES Certified

2011-08-10T05:44:00.000-07:00

ICC Certification – Building permits just got easier!

We are the only packaged swimming pool manufacturer to receive ICC-ES Certification of its products. What is ICC-ES? It’s the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), whose purpose is to ensure that building products meet code requirements.

Inspectors’ #1 Choice for Approving Building Codes Are ICC-ES-Certified Products*

Building inspectors and engineers look to the ICC-ES evaluation reports for evidence that the products and systems are code-compliant. Builders can receive a standardized branded swimming pool blueprint coded with an ICC-ES report # — stamped and signed by a licensed engineer!

*Final permit approval is up to the discretion of each individual municipality’s code official

Pool Game - Sharks and Minnows

2011-08-05T12:21:00.001-07:00

The game starts out with one person selected as the shark and the rest as the minnows.

Designate one end of the pool as the minnows’ starting point and the other end as the minnows’ goal.

The shark starts in the water at the minnows’ goal, the minnows at their starting point. The minnows must be touching their starting point. The shark then shouts: "Sharks and Minnows, one two three, fishies, fishies swim to me!" after which the minnows may begin to swim to their goal.

The minnows do not need to leave right when the shark calls them over. Minnows can leave their starting point anytime after the shark calls them over. A minnow may return to their starting point at any time during play and be safe from being tagged while touching their starting end.

If the shark manages to tag a minnow, the minnow is out of play and becomes a shark in the next round. After all the minnows have either reached their goal wall or been tagged, the shark(s) swim to the opposite side of the pool from the minnows and the cycle starts again.

The game is played until all of the minnows have been tagged, then the last person tagged becomes the shark who starts the next round.

Here are some optional additions to these rules:

Instead of tagging, sharks must hold some part of the minnow's body for three whole seconds before they become a shark
No underwater tag: sharks can only tag minnows when some part of the minnow is above water
Minnows can call "Early bird!" and start swimming to their goal before the shark has called them across. This can be prevented by the shark calling "No early birds!" at the start of the round.

Pool Game - Marco Polo

2011-07-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

Marco Polo is a form of tag played in a swimming pool. It is a simple game that can be played with two or more players.

To play, One player is chosen as "It". That person closes his or her eyes, or is blindfolded, and counts to a certain number (usually 10 or 20). While the “it” person counts, the other players scatter around in the pool.

After counting to the pre-determined number, the “it” player tries to tag the other players, using only the sound of their voices to find them. The player who is "It" shouts out "Marco" and the other players must respond by shouting "Polo", which "It" uses to try to acoustically locate them.

When the “it” player tags another, that player becomes the “it” person and the game starts over again.

During the game, if "It" thinks that someone has climbed out of the pool, he or she can shout "fish out of water", and if anyone is out of the water they become "It". If someone sits on the side of the pool with their legs in the water, "It" can call out "mermaid on the rocks", or "fish out of water" and that player becomes "It".

Pool Game - Colors

2011-07-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

A player is picked to be "it". The player who is "it" then swims to one side of the pool and turns their back to the other swimmers who are lined up in the water on the opposite side of the pool as "it".

Players choose a color and keep it to themselves (To make it easier you can limit the color choices, like to the colors of the rainbow). "It" begins to call out colors one at a time. If a player's color is picked then the player tries to make it to the other side of the pool as quietly as they can.

If "it" hears a player swimming then "it" turns around and tries to tag the player before they swim back to the side of the pool where they started.

If "it" turns around and the players still have a hand on the side of the pool then "it" returns to the side of the pool where they started and starts calling out colors again.

If "it" catches a swimmer then the swimmer becomes the new "it".

Pacific Pools receives a Best of Class Award for 2011

2011-06-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Pacific Pools receives a Swimming Pool Innovations Best of Class Award for 2011 from Poolandspa.com. The award program recognizes outstanding and superior products, innovation and/or customer service in the pool & spa industry.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The Awards for this year were based on a combination of factors including product inspections and phone interviews, as well as very detailed consumer input through the use of a third-party consumer survey company. Over 50,000 consumers were polled throughout 2008 to the present. The 2011 Best Of Class Award Program focused on quality, not necessarily quantity.

Personal Financing

2011-06-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

In case you haven’t already heard, Pacific Pools has teamed up with Lending Club to finally offer personal financing for that Pacific pool of your dreams!

Lending Club is an online financial community that brings together creditworthy borrowers and savvy investors so that both can benefit financially. We replace the high cost and complexity of bank lending with a faster, smarter way to borrow and invest.

The Lending Club experience is truly liberating. You can join in minutes. If you're borrowing, you can apply for a loan and get an instant rate quote. Everything is done online, so the whole process is fast, confidential, private, and secure.

With fixed rates starting as low as 6.78% APR*, no hidden fees, and a maximum of $35,000 allowance this is the perfect time to invest in a Pacific pool.

Apply for personal financing with Pacific Pools and Lending Club by visiting the application page HERE.

* Rate based on A1 Loan Grade, subject to credit approval. All loans made by WebBank, a Utah-chartered Industrial Bank. Annual percentage rates can range from 6.78% (A1) to 27.46% (G5). Your actual rate depends upon credit score, loan amount, loan term, and credit usage & history.

Eight Manufacturers Recall Pool and In-Ground Spa Drain Covers Due to Incorrect Ratings

2011-05-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Pool owners/operators and consumers who have one of the recalled pool or spa drain covers should immediately contact the manufacturer to receive a replacement or retrofit, depending on their make and model. Except for kiddie pools, wading pools and in-ground spas, retrofit or replacement of installed covers are not required in pools with multiple drain systems or gravity drainage systems or for covers installed before December 19, 2008.

The recalled drain covers were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover, which could pose a possible entrapment hazard to swimmers and bathers.

No Incidents/Injuries have been reported.

Manufacturers: A&A Manufacturing, of Phoenix, Ariz.; AquaStar Pool Products Inc., of San Diego, Calif.; Color Match Pool Fittings, of Surprise, Ariz.; Custom Molded Products, of Tyrone, Ga.; Hayward Pool Products, of Elizabeth, N.J.; Pentair Water Pool and Spa, of Sanford, N.C.; Rising Dragon USA, of E. Sweetwater, Tenn.; and Waterway Plastics, of Oxnard, Calif.

The recall involves various pool and spa drain covers that can be identified by the manufacturers’ name and model information listed below. Visit each firm’s website for photos of recalled drain cover models.

Company	Their website	Dates Sold	Remedy
A&A	www.aamfg.com	Dec. 2008-Apr. 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
AquaStar	www.aquastarpoolproducts.com	Dec. 2008-Apr.2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Color Match	www.poolfittings.com	Dec. 2008 – Apr. 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Custom Molded Products	www.c-m-p.com	Dec. 2008-Apr. 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Hayward Pool Products	www.hayward-pool.com	Dec. 2008 – Apr. 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Pentair Water Pool & Spa	www.pentairpool.com	June 2009 – Apr. 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Rising Dragon	www.risingdragonplastics.com	Dec. 2008 – Apr. 2011	Replacement or Retrofit
Waterway	www.waterwayplastics.com	Dec. 2008 – Apr. 2011	Replacement or Retrofit

Consumers with drain covers from Waterway Plastics should contact the firm toll-free at (866) 719-6044 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, or visit the manufacturer’s web site at http://www.waterwayplastics.com/.

For additional information, consumers should contact the Drain Cover Recall Hotline toll-free at (866) 478-3521 any time, or visit the Drain Cover Recall website at www.apsp.org/draincoverrecall.

Introducing the NEW Slate Gray/Black Granite

2011-05-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

Slate Gray/Black Granite

Introducing classic elegance for swimming pools with the new Slate Gray/Black Granite liner now available.

This striking and dramatic new pattern will give your pool an exquisite trend-setting style.

Our new Slate Gray/Black Granite liner is a great liner choice for both new construction and replacement liners.

Visit our website to find a dealer near you.

Personal Financing from Lending Club for your Pacific Pool!

2011-05-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

We are so pleased to announce that Pacific Pools has partnered with Lending Club to offer personal loans for up to $35,000 with rates starting at 6.78%* APR.

Why borrow from Lending Club?
Lending Club reduces that cost of bank lending, which offers direct savings to you, the consumer! Its fast and easy, just apply online and in minutes, an instant quote is available! Feel safe knowing your personal information is always protected.

Get started, go to our website at http://www.pacificpools.com/pools/!

Currently all states are covered except for: Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Tennessee.

* Rate based on A1 Loan Grade, subject to credit approval. All loans made by WebBank, a Utah-chartered Industrial Bank. Annual percentage rates for all loans range from 6.78% (A1) to 27.46% (G5). Your actual rate depends upon credit score, loan amount, loan term, and credit usage & history.

Latham Pool Builder Academy Wings of Steel

2011-04-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

The Pool Builder Academy began with measuring and marking the location for the pool. We then watched as the excavator did a fantastic job on excavating for the pool. When the hole was ready, the pool walls were positioned in the hole, bolted together, squared and leveled. The pool was completely plumbed and the concrete collar was poured around the base of the pool walls to end off the day.

Day two began with us dividing the attendees into smaller groups. While working with our group, we installed our polymer housing, one piece rounded vinyl liner encapsulation with 2 ft radius corners and our flush deck lid. While we were installing our components, another group worked on applying a sand/concrete mix to the bottom of the pool. We all worked very quickly on this day as we were working on beating the rain that had been threatening all morning. We all worked together to drop the liner in place then watched as water trucks filled the pool.

We started day three at the hotel going over product presentations. We had the first hour to discuss the benefits of automatic covers, and why they should buy a Coverstar automatic cover. Latham then did a presentation on their products. They also gave instruction on how to measure for a new liner. We then went to the job site to see the progress of the pouring of the concrete deck.

The morning of day 4 was spent installing our system. We worked with the attendees and completed the full cover system installation. All of the attendees were impressed when they saw the cover operate. Some of the attendees had some prior experience working on some of our competitors systems, and after seeing our system, recognized that it is a high quality product.

Pool Builders Academy April 10, 2011

2011-04-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

This month, Latham International and affiliates gave flight to a family’s dream.

From April 10 – 14, 2011 Latham International, the largest manufacturer of inground residential swimming pool components, with their continued commitment to giving back, donated their seventh inground swimming pool to a very deserving family.

“We started working with local dealers around the country that we sell our products to – to identify charitable causes that can use water therapy,” said Peter Moran, Technical Services Manager of North America. Peter runs two pool builds each year, dubbed “pool schools”.

The Beck family of Sicklerville, NJ is anxiously waiting for summer to begin so they can enjoy their brand new inground swimming pool, built very recently by members of Latham International’s Pool Builders Academy. This family was chosen based on the compassion and drive they have to help each other overcome difficulties and achieve dreams.

Having raised two children of their own, parents Chuck and Dorothy Beck, have adopted ten beautiful children: Emily, Dakota, James, Marlyn, Serena, Joshua, Isaiah, Gianna, Jesse and Shamar — ten children who look forward to enjoying splashing, swimming, water therapy and spending time with one another in their very own pool.

“Several of our children, like Gianna (age 9) and Jesse (age 12), they have spina bifida and cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries. And just the therapy of it, the water therapy of it would be really good,” said grateful mom Dorothy Beck. “I can’t wait to swim in it,” said Joshua Beck, age 7.

The children range from 20-months-old to 20-years-old and are from different places — like 9-year-old Gianna who is originally from Haiti. She has severe cerebral palsy, but is very sweet and is completely dependent. Three children (Jesse, 12; Isaiah, 12; and Raymond, 19) all love to play sled hockey. Jesse has a rare form of spina bifida. Isaiah was born with many heart defects and has orthopedic issues, is deaf in one ear and has major learning disabilities. Raymond has been a paraplegic since he was 10-months old. Adopted at 5-years old, he has been playing sled hockey for the last 10 years, which has allowed him to travel the country and the world.

We at Latham are proud to have donated the entire pool kit, which includes the wall panels, braces, steps and liner. We’re equally proud of the companies who supported our efforts and donated their time and or materials. This combined effort included, construction equipment, stone for backfill, permits, landscaping and crew time donated by the host builder, "The Pool Store," and Toni Williamson. For the past three builds, Pentair has also helped out with these academies, conducting a seminar on hydraulics and assisting with the proper set up of the Pentair hydraulic system. Coverstar, a division under the Latham International umbrella, donated the automatic cover for the pool and were responsible for a seminar on the assembly and installation. Superior Pool Products (SPP) located in Blackwood, NJ donated all the white goods, stainless steel handrails, plumbing fittings and pipe, safety rope and more.

“They (Latham) said we wanted to find a local family so they said sure, you guys can do that, so then we were introduced to Dorothy and Chuck Beck,” said The Pool Store’s Toni Williamson.

For the builders, the days were filled with hands-on courses designed to teach contractors the technical skills needed to build residential vinyl liner in-ground pools — and for a good cause. The course topics included code awareness, pool layout and excavation, panel and step assembly, automatic cover installation, plumbing/hydraulics/filtration assembly, concrete bond beam and bottom installation, receptor options and liner installation, deck pour/float and safety – all from APSP certified builders. Participants earned 32 hours of APSP technical credit for completing the course, but more importantly – the priceless memory of helping out a well-deserving family!

“All of us at Coverstar, LLC are excited to participate in this event. It has been a fantastic experience and my fifth build,” said Kevin Losee, Project Manager for Coverstar, LLC.

We are proud to give back to the community and will continue to do so semi-annually for every Pool Builders Academy we host.

Other recent builds include: Grace Harbor in Cropwell, AL (a Christian-based recovery facility/home being used to house women in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, as well as women who’ve paid their debt to society), the Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center in Johnson City, TN; the Lighthouse Ranch for Boys in Loranger, LA and the Tupelo Children's Mansion in Tupelo, MS, which offers temporary and longer-term care to children in need of a safe and loving environment.

Headquartered in Latham, N.Y., Latham International is the largest manufacturer of inground swimming pool components in North America with 15 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. It was founded in 1956 by Merrill Laven, father of our current President and CEO, Mark Laven.

Pool Makeover Sweepstakes!!

2011-03-03T11:06:00.000-08:00

You could be the Grand Prize winner and receive a $10,000 Pool Makeover! Enter to win before April 30, 2011, and be eligiable to win a NEW liner from Pacific Pools, along with a Safety Cover, and a Wedding Cake Step System.

Our 2011 liner collection have a wide variety of patterns so you can create the perfect style for you backyard retreat! You can even see what the pool liner with look like underwater before purchasing! The Wedding Cake Steps allow easy, in-and-out access for both young and old. The Safety Cover helpes prevent accidental

intruation by children, pets and unwanted critters!

Don't wait! There is no purchase necessary to enter, so do it NOW!

No Purchase Necessary. A Purchase will not improve your chances of Winning.Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States (except Colorado) and the District of Columbia age 21 or older at time of entry and to whom this offer is addressed and who own a home with a pool installed at time of entry. Entries must be received between 12:01 AM, (ET) on 3/1/11 and 11:59 PM (ET) on 4/30/11. Void in Alaska, Colorao, Hawaii and where prohibited by law. Click here for Official Rules.

No Wrinkles, No Problem!

2011-02-24T13:22:00.000-08:00

Ask your dealer questions
about how to keep your liner wrinkle free!

It's natural to have wrinkled fingers and toes after a fun day in the sun in your Pacific Pool, but what isn’t natural is the wrinkling of your pool liner. Wrinkles that develop in swimming pool liners after installation are caused by the vinyl absorbing water and thereby changing dimensions. Testing has shown that high levels of chlorine or bromine will initiate excessive water absorption into the vinyl liner and lead to wrinkles. Low pH and cyanuric acid stabilizer are also factors in wrinkle formation because the activity level of the chlorine is affected by pH and stabilizer level.

Proper installation is key
to a wrinkle free pool!

Our experience has shown that the use of trichloroisocyanuric acid sanitizer (Trichlor) and low pH levels can cause wrinkling of your vinyl liner. Alkaline sanitizers (Hydochlorite) and non-chlorine sanitizer systems have been found to be safer to use with vinyl liners. Although this situation is not one to be had, it can happen from time to time, its important to follow these guidelines! For more pool liner maintenance suggestions and guidelines, read more here!

Pool Builders Academy April 10, 2011

2011-02-18T09:42:00.000-08:00

Latham International, owner of Pacific Pools, is pleased to announce, that they are holding an APSP accredited Pool Builders Academy April 10-14, 2011 in Sewell, New Jersey.

This pool build is for the “Wings of Steel” residents, which is a family that adopts disabled minority children of all ages, and raises them to be successful citizens in life. Currently the family has 10 beautiful children. Here, contractors will learn technical skills that are required to build a residential vinyl liner in-ground pool all while working for a good cause!

Updates to follow!

Water you waiting for?

2011-02-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

Its no secret that investing in your backyard with a pool is just that, an investment. Keeping your investment protected is important! Something you may not think about, is the content and condition of the water that fills your pool.The water condition affects various aspects of your Pacific Pool, including keeping the liner in good condition, eye and skin irritation, cloudy water, and much more.

The PH levels of your pool is measured on a scale of 0-14, 7 being a neutral number. The PH measurement, measures the acidity in your water. Its important to keep this balance so that the additional chemicals added to the pool will work correctly. Other items to keep in mind as well is calcium hardness, alkalinity, chemical residue, algae, and much more.

Now, don't worry, if any of these issues should arise there are plenty of ways for a quick fix so that the pool liner continues to stay durable, and beautiful for your backyard! Head over to our Pacific Pools page to find out the full details!!

Pacific Pools means Safety!

2011-02-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

Designing your backyard is fun, and exciting! There are so many options to choose from, from the pool liner, all the different accessories, and steps. You cant forget about the safety of your pool and Pacific Pools has features for this as well.

Our Safety Covers are designed to protect the investment you just made and the ones you made it for…your family. Once installed, the Pacific Pools Safety Cover will help prevent accidental intrusions by children, pets and unwanted critters and debris. Your Showcase Builder can help you every step of the way, from cover design and material choices to a quality installation. And a Pacific Safety Cover is backed by a 5-year full, 15-year prorated transferrable warranty.

There are many features included in this Safety Cover including, interlocked, double overlapped seams to provide strength, coping anti-rub strips that won’t mark up your pool edge, double decker webbing edges that can’t unravel, heavy-duty double coil, low-profile springs, custom non-corrosive hardware and brass anchors.

Its an easy decision when it comes to protecting your family and your investment!

Bring the Mountains to your backyard!

2011-02-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

Mountain Lake

Mountain Pond

Mountain Lake

Pacific Pools offers two pool shapes that feature a mountain inspiration. The Mountain Lake comes in two sizes, 18’x26’ or 21’x40’ and the Mountain Pond, featuring one size of 21’x40’. Both pools offer a unique shape with incorporates a circular motion, while keeping straight edges as well.

Mountain Pond

This pool can be used in any sized backyard and could be dressed up for a resort look, or dressed down for family fun in the sun! These two pool shapes along with every other shape at Pacific Pools can be altered for any backyard, creating that custom shape!

Beauty is built with Pacific Pools!

2011-02-08T11:47:00.000-08:00

Backyards are built based on inspiration! This backyard was built featuring a Pacific Pools kidney design. A kidney pool design is a classic, clean and simple design that compliments even the smallest space to work in. The pool was accompanied by Performance Thermoplastic Steps; these steps won’t crack, rip, delaminate, degrade, splinter, corrode, puncture or become spongy and are slip-resistant with a tread surface. Other features of this backyard is the natural rock waterfall, the romantic luscious greens, white picket fencing, and custom decking that lays around the pool.

Pacific Pools has the ability to change your backyard from drab to fab! It’s not only easy to dream of your personal getaway; it’s easy to build it, with Pacific Pools! Head over to our website now to start!!

A Pacific Pools story for you!

2011-01-31T10:11:00.000-08:00

Watch as a Pacific Pools story unfolds right infront of your eyes! This quick video is shares a great story of how one family chooses the right pool for them! Making their comparison against gunite (concrete), fiberglass and a steel pool, it was an easy decision to go with a durable Pacific Pools liner. Watch here, or follow this link for the video, http://clicky.me/44zc!

For more informational Pacific Pools Videos, visit our YouTube site, http://clicky.me/44za .

Exclusive Vinyl Liner Patterns from Pacific Pools!

2011-01-28T08:35:00.000-08:00

GeoMetric Crystal

Melia

Don’t think that having a vinyl liner pool limits your design possibilities! With Pacific Pools, you have the over 50 vinyl liner options, coming in all colors, styles and designs! In this blog, we are features Pacifics Exclusive Vinyl Liner Patterns!

With six options through this line, we have Pacific Tide, GeoMetric (SuperMax) , Isabella, Melia, Blue Monte Rio, and Monte Rio Brownstone. All six liners are made of the most durable vinyl, and covered by the most comprehensive warranty in the business. And as if that’s not enough, Pacific liners are virtually maintenance free. They’re treated with a special fungicide to inhibit bacterial growth. They’re also manufactured with a super-smooth surface, never rough or textured, making it easy on your feet and even easier to clean.

Pacific Tide

Blue Monte Rio

Isabella

If you look closely you will see that one of these options, the GeoMetric Crystal offers further durability. The SuperMax stamp of approval means that SuperMax liners are designed to address the harsh weather cycles of freezing and thawing in the North and strong ultra-violet rays in the South that can adversely affect a pool’s surface. We take the additional thickness of the material and put it where it will provide MAXimum toughness so you can enjoy MAXimum carefree enjoyment!

Monte Rio
Brownstone

Each liner comes with a 5-years full, 15-year prorated, transferable warranty, your Pacific Pools branded liner will add worry-free style to your pool for years to come. Please see www.yourpoolwarranty.com for details. Browse the wide range of styles available, then contact your Showcase Builder.

Get all the facts!

2011-01-24T07:43:00.000-08:00

Sure, thinking about owning a pool is a nice thought, but it shouldn’t be the only thing to consider. After you make the decision to purchase a pool, then come a flood of questions. What kind of pool will you choose? Who will build it, where would you put it? What other options do I have in the design process?

A Roman End pool design, complete with a raised
garden, streams, custom seating and steps!

Overwhelmed already? Don’t be! The planning process is made easy with Pacific Pools! Pacific Pools offers a Graphex built pool, with wall panels that are molded from a high strength resin. With 22 designs to choose from, and even the option to customize, each step in this decision process becomes easy and fun!

After you have your pool design chosen, you can then choose which liner you would like. Now you can focus on any other options you would want to include. This could be anything from the type of steps you’d like to have, the type of coping, a safety cover or possibly a spa!

Don’t shy away from this multistep process; planning is as much fun as watching your backyard come to life! With plenty of questions along the way, we are here to guide you to the backyard of your dreams!

A Custom pool by Pacific Pools!

Design Your Own Pool!

2011-01-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

With our new revamped website, you can now design your own Pacific Pool with our Virtual Pool Builder!

With so many shapes and options, it's easier than ever to design a swimming pool that reflects your style and fits your life.

In just five simple steps, you can design a pool to share with your friends. You start with the backyard. Once you've picked a yard that is closest to your own, then you simply click "NEXT" to choose your pool, then your pool liner, your decking, and your accessories! It's fun!

Why not give it a try? Head to http://clicky.me/3iIb and start designing your Pacific Pool today!

Kidney Design

2011-01-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

Kidney Design

Get inspired and find the pool shape that’s the perfect fit for your backyard and your lifestyle!

With hundreds of shapes available and the ability to create your own custom shapes, you’re sure to find a pool that fits your family’s needs, tastes and interests.

This Kidney shape is the perfect compliment to this gorgeous backyard natural setting. The flagstone deck, raised garden area, and ample outdoor living space would beckon anyone to take a refreshing dip.

Your Pacific Pool will reflect the natural beauty of your home, lifestyle and taste. It’s a true extension of your personality whether you entertain friends or associates, throw parties or just have family get togethers. Isn’t this what a swimming pool is all about?

This is what Pacific Pools is all about. Let us take you on a journey that is sure to lead you to the nearest Showcase Builder and your private backyard oasis.

Designer Liners

2011-01-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

Often imitated, but never duplicated

Pacific was the first to introduce 3-D liner patterns in 1994 and continues to be the design leader today. Patterns that look so realistic you have to touch them to see if they’re hand made tiles from Spain or the finest mosaic tiles from Italy. Think about it, when your pool is completed, one of the only remaining component left to the eye is the liner. That’s why we don’t just settle on offering you the same old ho hum patterns that everyone else has. We offer true uniqueness..

Pacific offers you 6 exclusive patterns that are only available through your Showcase Builder. So, you can take comfort in knowing that your style and taste won’t be compromised. Browse our exclusive patterns for your distinction.

Our liners are strong and durable, made from the finest virgin vinyl available and treated with a special fungicide to inhibit bacteria growth and protect your family’s health. Virtually maintenance-free, the smooth surface of a vinyl liner is far easier to clean than other pool surfaces. Designer liners from Pacific Pools look and feel great, too.

Pacific Pools on YouTube!

2011-01-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

Need visuals? Pacific Pools has teamed up with YouTube to bring you raw footage of our product! Visit our YouTube page, http://clicky.me/3hew, where you can view our various videos. Each video contains customers testimonials on their experience with Pacific Pools. There are also videos on the manufacturing process of a Pacific Pool, as well as the process of installing a Pacific Pool! Check out a teaser video below!

Paradise Night and Day!

2011-01-05T12:07:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what kind of backyard paradise you could build? Curious to see a day and night difference? This Pacific Pools Custom Shape Pool design gives perfect representation that paradise in daylight, can be paradise in the moonlight!

The personal paradise created here comes complete with a natural rock bed to the right, a beautiful vanishing edge, deckjects and custom lighting! The added spill over spa gives the finishing touch, making this backyard by Pacific Pools unforgettable!

Options for design are endless with a Pacific Pool!

2011-01-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

Rectangle Pool Design

Pacific Pools has 22 different designs, offering endless possibilities for any backyard. It’s easy to create your dream backyard with the various pool designs that Pacific Pools has to offer, ranging anywhere from a classic Rectangle, to Kidney, or something unique, like the Mirage pool design.

Custom Shape Pool Design

Because of the unique pool building options, any pool can be manipulated to the customer’s needs. This creates our custom shape pool designs! Each backyard is unique to the area and the customer’s preferences, Pacific Pools allows for the customer to use this to their advantage! Your dream backyard is just a click away to find a Pacific Pools dealer in your area!

Building a Pacific Pool

2010-12-29T12:09:00.000-08:00

Building a Pacific Pools comes with ease, and peace of mind. The pool walls are made of high strength resin, much like the material used to strengthen sports equipment, automobiles, and aircrafts! Using this resin in combination with innovative design is the recipe for flawless design.

The wall panels and braces of the pool are all constructed of an all-resin structural polymer, which means it will never rust, oxidize or degrade! These walls are designed in a unique honeycomb pattern that carries an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio, providing not only strength, but creating integrity.

Each pool is supported with a Pacific Pac-X Brace, which is located every three to four feet around the entire pool. Strategically placed into the concrete bond beam and decking, this matches the support of the pool wall with the decking. Additional to this process, the Mate-Lock and Panel Lok systems provide positive alignment of wall panels, and add strength to the installation process, as well as the overall lifetime of the pool.

The Pacific Pac-X Brace can also be combined with sonotube, an additional column of support behind the brace itself. Additionally, the I-Brace can be added for ultimate strength, it is a polymer form design to be filled entirely with concrete. This concrete vertical mass negates the challenge of ground movement and backfill compartmentalization.

Needless to say, Pacific Pools provides a pool that provides strength, and durability, as well as integrity.

Tommy Johnson ~ 2010 CBP of the Year!

2010-12-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) has chosen Tommy Johnson as the 2010 CBP of the Year. The award is the APSP Builders Council's lifetime achievement award, presented to a Certified Building Professional (CBP) and APSP member whose accomplishments have made a significant contribution to the profession.

Johnson and his wife Penny own Johnson Pools & Spas, a Pacific Pools dealer in Huntsville and Madison, Ala. Through Johnson Pools, our 2010 CBP of the Year built the world's first vanishing edge vinyl liner pool and built vanishing edge pools in fiberglass, gunite and structural concrete design. Today, Johnson Pools & Spas is noted by other members of the APSP Builders Council as a leader in the industry: using the best standards, most updated building methods and technology and the highest quality products to bring superior value to customers.

A founding member of the APSP Builders Council and the current chair of the APSP Builder Education Program, Johnson is passionately devoted to promoting and improving pool industry training. Johnson is a prime example of leadership in education. He is a member of the inaugural CBP class and continues to maintain his designation while advancing and reviewing material for the APSP CBP Manual. He continues to pave the way for CBP testing in new venues and has in recent years has contributed to the designation of over 80 new APSP Certified Building Professionals.

"The builders I coach say that becoming certified by APSP is one of the best things they have ever done," Johnson says.

Consistently since 1980, Johnson Pools & Spas has received local, regional and international awards and recognition for Johnson's innovative designs and commitment to community and industry service. In addition to his work with the Builders Council and CBP program, Johnson also served on the APSP national board of directors and acts as house property manager for the Huntsville-Madison County Civitan Club of America, an organization that provides independent housing and services for people with mental handicaps. Click here to read the entire article at APSP.

Source: Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. http://www.apsp.org/Public/Home/index.cfm

Blue Hawaiian Acquisition

2010-10-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

Viking Pools, LLC, a division of Latham International, announced today that it has acquired Blue Hawaiian Pools, a leading manufacturer of fiberglass swimming pools.

Roger Erdelac, owner of Blue Hawaiian Pools, said: "I am pleased to be able to ensure that our loyal customers will have ongoing access to the Blue Hawaiian product line. By selling the business to the leader in the industry, I am confident that our customers will benefit from Viking's size, strength, and experience. This industry has been very good to me, but I am planning to retire, and was seeking the right partner to allow me to accomplish my goals."

Blue Hawaiian operates manufacturing plants in Largo, FL and Rocky Mount, NC. Tom Straub, Viking's VP Sales & Marketing said: "Blue Hawaiian is a well regarded competitor, with many quality builders throughout the southeastern and midwestern portions of the U.S. We look forward to offering these customers great service, and industry leading marketing programs. This is a win-win for Blue Hawaiian builders and Viking."

Latham International produces several highly respected brands including: Pacific Pools, Ft. Wayne Pools, Kafko Pools, and Coverstar Autocovers. Mark Laven, Latham's President & CEO, said that he was "very pleased to add Blue Hawaiian to the Company's family of brands. We have made several acquisitions over the course of this past decade, and we’re pleased that Roger turned to us seeking an exit for his business. We restructured our balance sheet last year, and now are once again strong enough to be in a position to get these deals done readily."

Latham International operates 15 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. In January 2010 it became a portfolio company of Littlejohn & Co., a Greenwich, CT based private equity firm.

2010 International Awards of Excellence

2010-07-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

The annual Awards of Excellence (AOE) recognizes the most beautiful and creative installation of pools, hot tubs and water features across the United States and around the world.

The entry submission site for the 40th International Awards of Excellence competition is now open!

The competition is open only to APSP-member builders, designers, service and retail firms. To enter, visit the entry site https://tbccom.com/APSP/National/, where you will also find award categories, helpful photography hints, judging criteria and entry rules and regulations. Best of luck with your submissions!

Who Can Enter the Competition?

All entrants in the International Awards of Excellence competition must be current.

The competition is open to pool/spa or hot tub builders/installers, designers, retailers or service companies that receive payment for the installation being submitted. A manufacturer or distributor may submit entries on behalf of APSP member builders/installers, designers, etc., but the recognition will go to the firm that received payment for the installation. Duplicate plaques may be purchased at a later date listing the manufacturer or distributor, and the installer of the installation.

The deadline is Sunday, Aug 15, 2010.

Pool Dig = Prehistoric Fossils!

2010-07-07T09:19:00.001-07:00

The Leyden home in Brighton, TN was the cause of much excitement recently when prehistoric fossils were unearthed during the installation of their new Pacific Graphex pool from Aloha Pools and Spas out of Memphis, TN, one of our very own Showcase builders.

Subcontractor Dave Mason of Affordable Pool Contractors unearthed the jawbone while digging 8 feet down to install the drain line for the new pool. Unaware at the time that the crack he heard when digging was actually the shovel hitting a little piece of tooth! The dig came to a halt and Mrs. Leyden phoned her husband Jim to give him the exciting news!

Roy Young, conservator at Memphis Pink Palace Museum was brought on the scene and later was able to extract a tooth still attached to the fossil. Experts think they are the bones of a prehistoric mammal, possibly a trilophodon, a member of the mastodon family, extinct predecessors of elephants.

One expert is estimating the fossils to be anywhere from 30,000 years old to 2 million years old. If the 2-foot-long wishbone shaped jawbone is indeed from a trilophodon, that would mark the first time fossils of this type were found in Tennessee and may possibly lead to more research in the area.

The Leyden family has enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame and planning to donate the fossils, possibly to the Memphis Pink Palace Museum. In the meantime they're looking forward to enjoying their new Pacific pool!

We Give Back

2010-06-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

What is Pool Builders Academy? It is a hands-on technical course where attendees will learn the proper way to install a residential, polymer-wall or steel-wall inground vinyl liner pool.

Lighthouse Ranch Build!

Upon completion of the program, attendees receive 32 hours of APSP technical credit and a complimentary Signature Series inground liner (up to 16 x 32).

Who should attend? Anyone entering into the pool construction business should attend a build, as well as seasoned builders who have hired new employees, or anyone who would like a refresher course. Participants at the Pool Builders Academy are able to enhance their skills and learn pool construction techniques in a hands-on environment.

Peter Moran, Technical Services Manager of North America, takes on this huge undertaking and runs two of these each year. We donate the pool kits. The white goods, pump and filtration equipment are all donated by industry partners. Coverstar LLC donates the automatic cover. Construction equipment and crew time are donated by local builders.

Crumley House Pool!

Acknowledging our social responsibility and our commitment to give back - our builds are for nonprofit organizations. Recent builds include a wheelchair-accessible, heated ingorund swimming pool at Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center in Johnson City, TN. The Crumley House specializes in the rehabilitation of brain injury survivors.

Other nonprofit recipients include the Lighthouse Ranch for Boys in Loranger, LA. Lighthouse Ranch is a home for at-risk young men who struggle with substance abuse and behavioral issues. The site houses a school, living facility and several counselors and care workers.

Tupelo Children's Mansion!

The Tupelo Children's Mansion is another nonprofit organization that is happily enjoying their new 18 X 36 inground swimming pool! The Tupelo Children's Mansion is a facility that offers temporary and longer-term care to children in need of a safe and loving environment. The home also houses troubled teenage girls at the Haven of Hope home, hosts an on-campus school, and provides social workers and counselors for the children.

The next Pool Builders Academy is planned for October in Pell City, Alabama with the build of a polymer pool. If you would like to be a member of this class and learn about code awareness, pool layout, excavation, panel, brace and step assembly, plumbing, liners, deck options, and safety--all from APSP certified builders, please click on the email link with your contact info. It’s a great feeling to give back!

Pool & Spa News Reader's Choice 2010 Top 50 Products

2010-06-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to report that one of our exclusive Showcase liner patterns was chosen as one of Pool & Spa News Reader's Choice 2010 Top 50 Products!

Pool & Spa News took note of industry interest in items that printed in their annual New Product Supplement. Those generating the most buzz were included in the May 14th issue! We're very proud to boast that the new Isabella liner pattern from Pacific Pools was chosen as one of the Reader's Choice 2010 Top 50!

From the pages of Pool & Spa News:
Lovely Leaves

The new Isabella liner pattern from Pacific Pools is part of its Pacifc brand. The sublte, classically designed 9-inch tile features a dark blue leaf with white highlights on a light-gray field, backed with a blue base film. The overall effect looks as if the pattern is embossed on a blue granite wall, giving the pool water an elegant hue.

Take a look at this extremely popular vinyl liner pattern and see what the fuss is all about!

Pacific Pools - Who We Are

2010-06-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the official launch of the Pacific Pools blog! This is where I would like to introduce you to Pacific Pools. Let me start by telling you who we are and how we got started.

Pacific Pools was founded in 1956 by Merrill Laven, father of our current President and CEO, Mark Laven. Merrill originally sold home improvement products and vinyl-lined, wood-wall pools under the name Pacific Pools.

Initially, growth was through the expansion of the retail pool business and Pacific Pools became one of the largest pool builders in the country with locations in Syracuse, NY, Hartford, CT, Providence, RI, Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA.

The 1960’s was a time of change and it was no different for Pacific Pools. Frustrated that manufacturers weren’t responsive to what consumers wanted, Pacific Pools got into the manufacturing side of the business to develop new products to best meet the needs of consumers.

Pacific Pools opened our first steel pool manufacturing plant in 1965, and one year later, the first steel walk-in steps system in a vinyl-liner pool was offered. This gave consumers the option of adding steps in addition to ladders. Pacific Pools ended the decade by offering the first vinyl liner with a tile motif at the waterline. Prior to this, pool liners were only available in white or blue and consumers asked for more choices.

Pacific Pools can proudly boast a number of “firsts” based on customer focus, with our continuous development of new products and the enhancement of existing products!

In 1972 Pacific Pools opened its own liner manufacturing plant. Initially, all liners were sourced from a supplier in California. A facility in the east cut delivery times, shipping costs and made liners more readily available and gave us the option to offer consumers more of what they wanted. In 1973, the first polymer pool component - the K-brace was rolled out. This brace was the first totally non-corrosive component available. In 1975, the all-resin inground pool made its debut, again non-corrosive. In 1976 Pacific Pools followed up with the first structural polymer pool that incorporates the wall, coping and liner track into modular pool panels. Still not satisfied to sit back and watch, the first one-piece thermoplastic step in the industry was unveiled in 1979! Unlike steel steps, it doesn’t need to be bolted together and assured a wrinkle free step area.

All of these innovative, pioneering products led to the emergence of Pacific Pools as one of he leading manufacturers in the industry.

The 1980’s were highlighted by ownership changes. In 1982 brothers Mark and Robert Laven and three other partners acquired the company from their father and expanded the company into custom molding. Then, in 1987 they bought out their partners. The 1980’s ended with the Cookson Group acquiring the company and Pacific Industries became the principal business of Cookson’s Recreational Products Division.

The 1990’s brought more changes. Pacific Pools expanded from manufacturing to include distribution. Shortly after, the TES Support System (Total Encapsulated Support) was added to the product line. This pioneering patented system encapsulates tread supports in pool steps for optimum tread support and strength. Pacific Pools followed up with the 3D liner patterns that offer realistic tile images for liners. This revolutionized the vinyl liner segment of the pool industry. Prior to the introduction of 3D liner patterns, all liner patterns were 1 dimensional and visually flat.
Mark Laven left the company in the early 1990’s, but in 2001, he reacquired the company along with two private equity investors, Summer Street Capital and HSBC Capital Canada.

This new decade continued the tradition of new product offerings and growth. In 2004 we introduced the Wedding Cake Step, the first one-piece molded inside step. The Wedding Cake Step was designed for the vinyl over application on new construction, but it was also perfect for renovation because it can be dropped into an existing pool.

TruTile (Perimeter Tile System) was added to the product line a year later. It is the first system that attaches to the pool wall allowing real ceramic tile to be applied at the waterline of a vinyl liner pool, combining the beauty of tile with the low maintenance of a vinyl liner. In addition, we developed a water-tight patented bead system on the TruTile extrusion that allows the vinyl liner to be hung underwater. This system eliminates waterline discoloration and extends the life of the liner.

The decade closed with the introduction of the Personal Hydrotherapy seat, allowing consumers to interchange massaging JetPak configurations to fit their own personal style!

Under President and CEO Mark Laven’s guidance and through acquisitions, Pacific Pools has continued to expand and grow. Pacific Pools, under the Latham International umbrella, has become the largest manufacturer of inground packaged pool components in North America! Continually striving to “outdo” ourselves and remain customer focused and dedicated to delivering exceptional products, and by developing innovations in materials, technology, design, customer service and marketing, Pacific Pools has had a significant impact on the evolution of the pool industry!

Our products are sold and installed by pool builders who are members of our “Showcase” network of dealers. All of our pools are backed by an outstanding warranty program. (Click here to visit our warranty site). Our corporate headquarters remain in Latham, NY where it all started!

Come back often to visit with us and learn what other surprises we have in store for you! Remember, Nothing’s As Cool As A Pool!

My name is Denise Mickalonis and I have been with Pacific Pools since July 2003. I am the Marketing Communications Specialist and I will be sharing information with you. I welcome your comments and questions.