Interior Drop In Steps for New or Existing pools

All these steps can be used for either new or existing pools and dropped in. The six inch radius or 90 degree corner step pictured above is available in steel as well as the molded vinyl.

All of them fit under vinyl liners to give you a unique custom look.
Call PENGUIN POOLS at 612-225-0007 for more information on these drop-in steps, or check out the website for ideas on custom steps made to your order.

CORNER STEP / BENCH COMBO  

12 FOOT STEP / BENCH COMBO  

10 FOOT STEP / BENCH COMBO 

10 FOOT STEP 

A Solution if your cleaner gets stuck on your main drain

Main Drain Clip-On has developed an innovative device that prevents the automatic pool cleaner from getting "stuck" on most main drains used in residential pools. One of the most effective pool tools available, this device is inexpensive and is easy to install without getting into the water.

Visit their online store to order this product.

Hayward Colorlogic LED lights

Your pool dealer offering you that big pump? Might not be such a good idea.

How many times have we pulled up to the drive up window and said supersize my order? I mean, after all, we are Americans and we do believe that bigger is better. Why settle for regular Fries when I can double its size for 10 cents more. Who cares if I get three times more fat and carbs. You don’t have to look any further than the auto industry to see examples of this either. Hummers, Suburban’s, Tahoe, Yukon, all bigger and better right?

Well that is until our values changed and we started caring more about fuel efficiency and saving the planet and how darn cute we look riding down the road in our Audi TT or VW, or Prius. You see we started to pay attention to fuel efficiency and realized that we could get to the same place on time and get there on 50 miles to the gallon. (Best case scenario) Saving us money, fuel and the planet all at the same time.

These same principles hold true with swimming pools and how we tend to think that supersizing our pump and filter system must be better right? Well. . .this isn’t exactly a TRUE statement. Let’s take a look and see what needs to be Supersized, What doesn’t, and Why.

New pool owners tend to think that the bigger pump... the better, the larger the filter, the better… Right? So. . .How can I have a clean pool and not spend $100 per month extra on my utility bill.

It turns out that there are three really important things that we need to think about when talking about what is the best circulation system.
1. Size the Plumbing Correctly to allow for Proper Circulation.

The first is properly sizing the plumbing that we use when our pool is being built. In this case bigger is better. I know I am already contradicting myself, but stay with me here. Staying with my Fast-food analogy, if you are drinking a coke – Which is easier and takes less effort to use? A nice big McDonalds straw or a little brown swizzle stick straw? Carry this over to your pool. . .Which do you think will allow water to flow easier with less restriction? Big Pipe. . .or Little Pipe? So in this case PIPE SIZE = bigger is better 2”, 2 1/2″, 3″ and so on. Bigger Pipe is optimum to allow maximum flow.

2. Pump Size – Not available in “Supersize” option (unless you want to pay beaucoup bucks!!) The second is the big one and still to this day is fought over by those unwilling to see the light… Pump size.

ALERT! In many sales presentations it is pushed on you, the homeowner, that“ the other guy is only putting a ¾ hpr pump but we are a 1 ½ hpr on therefore we are the better deal” Not True! In fact, guy number two may actually be running a less efficient system that will end up sucking money out of your pocket book for years to come.

Do a Little Research First! Nowadays, you need to ask the question: How many gallons per minute do I need? Instead of asking: How much horse power do I need? Did you know that in a lot of cases you can run a smaller pump for 24 hours a day for significantly cheaper than a larger pump for 8 hours a day?

“Wait a minute“,you say, “But I am only running it 8 hours a day…surely it is less money!?” Nope! it’s not, and it won’t keep your pool as clean and could cost you more than double what it should.
There are calculators, charts and guides available from several pump manufacturers that can help with choosing the right size pump and filter for your pool:
Pentair Pool
Jandy
Hayward

All REPUTABLE pool builders and service companies are seeing the wisdom of 2 speed pumps and variable speed pumps. These pumps allow you even more control over efficiency and will return your investment in most case within 4-6 months. Not to mention you can run cool water features with them without the added operational expense.

3. DON’T forget about the Speed Bumps!
And finally, let’s make note of all the other speed bumps that get thrown in the way of your swimming pool water’s flow: Heaters, Salt Systems, Chlorinators, excessive PVC 90′s, 45′s, connectors, elbows etc… Your swimming pool builder should take all of these additional options into consideration when they calculate your hydraulics system....and properly size the pipes, filter, and pump. All systems manufacturers have maximum gpm (gallons per minute) ratings available for each piece.

When all is said and done your swimming pool should run efficiently and for less money! To find out in more detail about these topics please visit the sites links above. And always, contact any one of us at Penguin Pools! We’re here to help you with any vinyl liner, fiberglass, composite, gunite, concrete swimming pool issues. 612-225-0007

Inground pool built into slope and decked

Top track manual safety covers

The PCS™ ManualTrak™ system is designed for small to mid-sized pools and features a low-profile track mounted to the deck on each side of the pool. The cover is retracted with a "hand crank" and extended over the pool by pulling a rope tether connected to a handle.

Designed to be affordable and offers many of the same safety features as its "big brothers" the PCS PowerTrak ™ (a semi-automatic pool cover system) or the Infinity 4000 ™, the most state of the art automatic pool cover system in the world.

The PCS™ ManualTrak™ manual pool cover utilizes many of the same components used in our Infinity 4000 fully automatic swimming pool cover, making it possible to upgrade.
The PCS™ ManualTrak™ is classified as a safety cover, but does not doesn't require the use of anchors, water bags, or tie down straps to hold it in place. Thanks to PCS' unique design, one person can usually cover or uncover a pool in just a couple of minutes.
The PCS™ ManualTrak™ system exceeds the A.S.T.M. Federal Safety Standards for pool covers.

How NOT to install a fiberglass pool

You know you've had a bad day when a crane is parked ON your garage. Video below is of the actual pool crashing in on the roof. As would be expected in this situation....language alert.....somebody used a couple bad words toward the end of the video. had it been me....I think the verbage would have been even stronger.

A home improvement project went terribly wrong when a crane fell on a home in Shoreview, Minnesota.
Crews were trying to install a pre-fab fiberglass pool in the homeowners backyard when the crane came crashing down onto the house, causing the truck to tip up into the air.No one was hurt.It happened around 2pm Friday.
At last check crews were still trying to get the crane off the house.

More video:

PENGUIN POOLS

How swimming pool heat pumps work

A Heat Pump uses electricity to operate but they also use the sun-warmed air which contributes to the efficiency of the unit. Heat Pump Pool Heaters do not generate heat. Nothing beats gas for the way it heats, but the operating cost is about 5 times as much......plus you can spend up to a thousand to get it hooked up. So even though the intial investment is a bit higher, you will pass the breakeven point in a couple years or less.

When looking to buy a heat pump pool heater you need to take these factors into consideration: size, efficiency, and cost.

Your existing pool pump circulates the water through the heater and warms the pool. The FAN circulates air through the outer EVAPORATOR AIR COIL that acts as a heat collector. The liquid refrigerant in the air coil absorbs the available heat in the ambient air transforming it into a gas. The refrigerant gas is then pumped into the COMPRESSOR. When this warmed gas is compressed, it intensifies or concentrates the heat like a magnifying glass in the sun. This intensely hot gas is then pumped into the HEAT EXCHANGER CONDENSER where the actual heat transfer takes place. As the pool water passes through the heat exchanger, the hot gas gives up its heat to the cooler pool water. The refrigerant returns to a liquid state and is pumped through the EXPANSION VALVE then into the evaporator air coil to start the process all over again.

Higher efficiency heat pump pool heaters usually use scroll compressors versus the reciprocal compressors of standard units.

Heat pump pool heaters work efficiently as long as the outside temperature remains above the 45ºF–50ºF range. The cooler the outside air they draw in, the more energy they use. However, since most people use outdoor swimming pools during warm and mild weather, this usually isn't an issue.

Heat pump pool heaters cost more than gas pool heaters, but they typically have much lower annual operating costs because of their higher efficiencies. With proper maintenance, heat pump pool heaters typically last longer than gas pool heaters. Therefore, you'll save more money in the long run.

With proper installation and maintenance, heat pump pool heaters can last 10 or more years.