Walmart Launches Water Testing for Swimming Pools

Walmart corporation has launched an initiative to provide in-store testing of pool water.

Select Walmart stores in North America have set up water test kiosks to enable customers to bring in a water sample and have it analyzed for prescriptive water maintenance. The system is meant to mimic the water testing offered by pool and spa retailers, offering customers computerized guidance on what chemicals to buy and add in order to achieve balanced water.

Information thus far has been anecdotal — reports from industry professionals who encountered the water testing stations firsthand in Pennsylvania, Indiana and California. Walmart has not released information on the number of stores nationwide that have installed the test kiosks.

Water testing has long been a major component of the dealer’s advantage over Internet and big box retailers, part of the package of expertise that separates the professional pool store from the mass merchant. By offering water testing along with low-priced chemicals, Walmart is trying to cut into the still-substantial chemical trade that runs through pool and spa retail companies.

There are enormous differences, however, between the Walmart kiosk and the typical pool and spa store water test counter.

Walmart’s water testing kiosks feature a set of instructions a customer must read, understand and accurately follow —independently of trained help, as these kiosks are unmanned.

A typical pool and spa retailer offers a much more customer-friendly system, where a water maintenance professional tests the water and supplies expert advice on chemical application.

How to become a Millionaire

New Swimming Pool Vinyl Liner's for 2014

Penguin Pools offers three new dynamic liner patterns in 2014 to provide homeowners with even more options to decorate their poolscape. Choose from the natural hues of Bonneville, the playful Dolphin mosaic, or the intricate style of the new Sanmray pattern. All liners come standard with the exclusive Ultra-Seam process, which makes floor seams stronger and virtually invisible.

Check out the entire array of vinyl liner selections here.

Cocktail Swimming Pool Design

Cocktail Pools are often described as small, often detailed pools, built on tight lots. However, the term has certainly expanded into a wonderful description of the most popular and fastest growing segment of swimming pool designs at Penguin Pools
 The Cocktail design. 

The Cocktail design, much like its namesake, represents a mix of top shelf materials and ideas served in an attractive, compact arrangement. 

In recent years we have found our clients have developed a taste for decorative detail. This style inclination has been cultivated through their experiences at theme parks, travel destinations, restaurants and also through their media. They come to us with magazine clippings, travel photos, and web ideas all detailing their desire to have a backyard entertainment oasis for family and friends. These exciting and creative ideas include bonfire rings, cascading waterfalls, outdoor pergolas, beach entries, outdoor grill areas, sunning patios, plunge pools, grottos, water slides, practice greens, and ruin walls. 

We have found that size is less important. The trends lean toward moderately sized pools with more sizzle. No longer is the 800-square-foot pool the norm. In fact, it has become the exception. We still build large 20 x 40 pools for clients each year, but more often than not, it’s a 500- to 600-square-foot moderately sized pool with plush amenities.

Just a few years ago, the pool represented the largest portion of a project’s budget. Now, the pool itself is often a much smaller portion of the project total, and the details around the swimming pool may be of equal importance to the homeowner. In these situations, the swimming pool represents one facet of the backyard entertainment area. 

“Cocktail design” is a truly apt description of what is happening. We've even designed a few with the bar inside the pool. It’s a blending of ingredients that captivate all the senses: eye-pleasing environments, rich water sounds, warm toasty fires, fragrant blooming flowers and the alluring scent of steaks on the BBQ. In most cases, each element needs to be appropriately sized to meet a manageable budget — thus, the cocktail design. As designers at Penguin Pools, we have become students of this style, learning its nuances and searching for materials and products that expand the pallet of options we can offer the customer. 

It is important to offer and be well-versed in the gradations of any option you offer. For example, grill areas can range from a simple grill in a wheel cart with fold down sides to a grill built into a stone-faced enclosure complete with warming drawers, refrigerator, ice maker, burner trays, and a sink. Clients can select from that range based on their desires and budget.

We’ve found that being knowledgeable and skilled in delivering a variety of options enables our clients to incorporate something of each idea into an affordable mix, and ultimately achieve a project more precisely targeted to their original desire. 

Send us your ideas and lets see what we can come up with for you!

The Glass Bottom Pool

While the use of acrylic panels in swimming pools has increased in popularity in recent years, this is the first example we’ve seen of windows mounted in the bottom of a residential pool.

This highly unusual rooftop vessel was built by Vision Pools, in Downingtown Pennsylvania. The builder, and owner of this pool decided that he and his wife would enjoy watching their two young children swim from the comfort of their living room, looking up through the ceiling.




 The construction involved a concrete roof supported by a system of I-beams with the six 3-foot- square windows.
The pool features an all-tile finish and stone cladding that matches the home’s architecture. Naturally, the windows not only provide a bottom-up view of the pool, they also function as skylights.



Ask us for quote on your custom designed pool!

How to prevent stains in your swimming pool vinyl liner

Protected by special additives and coatings, vinyl pool liners are can withstand the extremes of sunshine, heat, cold and constant exposure to chemically treated water. But even the highest quality vinyl liner is subject to staining and bleaching.

Follow these simple, preventative steps to help ensure a stain-free liner.

One chemical at a time

Pre-dissolve sanitizers in a bucket of pool water and add the solution by pouring it through a sieve to catch any undissolved chemicals.

Any one chemical added to pool water should be allowed to circulate throughout the pool before adding a second chemical. The reason for this is that certain combinations of pool chemicals at high concentrations can cause bleaching.

The addition of a single chemical can damage a pool liner if it is not allowed to circulate sufficiently. Chemicals, such as chlorine, can settle in the deep end of the pool and bleach the liner if they are not allowed to circulate for several hours before a pool is closed for the season.

Spot bleaching of vinyl liners can also occur if undissolved particles of calcium hypochlorite or other slow-dissolving sanitizers are allowed to settle on the bottom of the pool. Using large, single doses of hydrochloric (muriatic) acid to adjust pH or total alkalinity levels can also damage vinyl liners. Because it is not sufficiently blended with pool water, the acid can chemically attack the liner’s printed pattern.

Source of the slime

A winter cover that tightly seals around the pool perimeter should be used to prevent the accumulation of organic debris such as leaves and insects during the winter months.

Organic debris staining can become a big problem, often presenting itself as a grayish mark. This happens most often after the pool is closed for the winter when debris might be allowed to accumulate over several months. But even when the pool is open, organic debris should not be allowed to sit on the vinyl, especially in the corners, because this could lead to staining.

In addition, under the proper conditions, fungi can grow on debris, producing a pink stain on the vinyl. Pink-colored blotches on vinyl pool liners are caused by a pigment excreted by bacterial microorganisms such as streptoverticillium reticulum. These microbes are metabolic products of various fungi and bacteria that can be affected by light, temperature, oxygen and pH.

Because the dye is highly soluble in vinyl, it easily migrates throughout the entire thickness of the liner. Dye on the surface of the liner can be bleached by chlorine — but new dye will simply migrate to the liner surface to replace it, making it seem as if the chlorine is having no effect on the stain.

Pink staining microorganisms can also develop on the underside of a vinyl liner. This growth may not take place directly on the liner itself, but on some other material touching the liner, such as soil or backing materials such as Styrofoam, felt or tape. Even though an antimicrobial agent is used in the vinyl formulation, the dye can migrate from unprotected components and cause staining in areas beyond the point of infestation.

If you must replace the liner

Remove all contaminated materials and disinfect the entire pool shell with a liquid chlorine spray or other suitable disinfectant.

Areas with a high water table, where the liner is always in contact with water full of microorganisms, can also cause pink or grayish stains on the underside of the liner. Using disinfectants at these sites may be ineffective, as they will be quickly washed away. One possible solution is to use a barrier — such as a layer of plastic sheet, or a layer of polyethylene between the pool shell and the liner or a barrier coating applied directly to the pool shell. The only known issue with this approach is the vinyl liner often will slide on the smooth surface of the polyethylene barrier, creating the potential for wrinkles.

When salt assaults

Many salt chlorinators leave stains in swimming pools regardless of their material.

When adding salt, make sure that the pump is running and that the salt is completely dissolved before turning it off. Test the water for pH and metals regularly.

If you need to use a stain-removal product, be sure to avoid phosphorus-based stain-fighters. These will cause a phosphate scale to grow in the chlorine generator.

Some of the best metal removers in the market are just simple filtering aids or sequestering agents.

For Valentines Day. The Jayne Mansfield Pink Palace Swimming Pool

In November 1957, shortly before her marriage to Mickey Hargitay, Mansfield bought a 40-room Mediterranean-style mansion formerly owned by Rudy Vallée at 10100 Sunset Boulevard in Holmby Hills , Los Angeles.

Mansfield had the house painted pink, with cupids surrounded by pink fluorescent lights, pink furs in the bathrooms, a pink heart-shaped bathtub, and a fountain spurting pink champagne, and then dubbed it the "Pink Palace".  

 Hargitay, a plumber and carpenter before getting into bodybuilding, built a pink heart-shaped swimming pool. Mansfield decorated the Pink Palace by writing to furniture and building suppliers requesting free samples. 

 The Pink Palace was sold and its subsequent owners have included Ringo Starr, Cass Elliot and Engelbert Humperdinck. In 2002, Humperdinck sold it to developers, and the house was demolished in November of that year.

Step inside the Pink Palace..... the epitome of kitsch!


We actually have a heart shaped pool of our own we can build you if you haven't bought that perfect Valentines Day present yet. Check here for pricing.

If you want to make the impression... but need to 

go the economy route, we can help you there too.

7 steps to opening your pool for the summer

Take The Cover Off
The very first thing you need to do is remove the cover from your pool. If you have a safety cover, you will need an installation rod and hex key to remove the springs from the anchors and screw them down flush to the concrete.

If you have a standard tarp cover with water bags, just remove the water bags and empty them to store for the winter.

Make sure you drain the water off the cover and remove any large debris before taking off the cover. It will make your job a lot easier and it will prevent that stuff from getting into your pool water.

Next, take the cover from one end of the pool and continually fold in half until it’s easy to remove the cover from the pool.

Remove The Winter Plugs
Walk around your pool and find all the return lines. Remove the winter plugs from the return lines and step jets.

Remove the ice compensator from the skimmer buckets. Depending on how you closed it, there should be a plastic bottle, sponge, or “gizmo” in your skimmer that prevents the ice from cracking it. Replace the baskets.

At this time, make sure your pool is filled mid-way up the skimmer opening before starting your filter system.

Get Your Filter System Ready
Before you start your filter system, make sure all of the drain plugs are properly installed. Your filter system should have one main drain plug and your pump may have two.

Replace the pressure gauge on your filter as well as any other parts that belong.

Check the o-ring on your pump lid to make sure it’s in good condition. Bend it between your fingers to check for cracks. If everything looks ok, just apply a Teflon-based o-ring lubricant before screwing the pump lid back on.

Once everything is in place, start your filter system.

Note: Your pump may have to be primed if no water is coming through. Turn off the pump and remove the lid. Fill the pump housing with water. You can use a hose or a giant bucket of pool water to do this. Replace the lid and your pump should prime itself.

Test and Shock
Once your pool is up and running, take a water sample to your nearest pool dealer to get a professional water analysis done. Make sure you pH and alkalinity are properly balanced.

At this point, it’s a good idea to add the proper sanitizer to your water (i.e. chorine). Also, shocking your pool right away is a good idea too.

Cleaning Up
Make sure you clean your winter cover before storing it away for the season. Check your local pool supply dealer for winter cover cleaner.

Also, vacuum your pool using a manual vacuum at first to get all the heavy debris out (if there is any). After that, you can continue to use your automatic pool cleaner.

Opening up your pool is easy and takes no time at all. Ask a friend or neighbor to help and drink plenty of water, or beverage of choice, while working in the heat.

Happy Swimming!

Alternative uses for your swimming pool in winter

Pool inlet configuration can make a big difference in energy savings. Infusion Pool Products

Infusion Pool Products, NEW, venturi swimming pool return line inlet fittings drastically enhance circulation and Deep Heat by drawing warmer surface water through strategically placed louvers thrusting it to the floor of the pool!Save time, money and energy by simply replacing your standard eyeball swimming pool return line fittings today! V-Fittings’ 60 degree venturi deep heats by drawing warmer surface water through strategically placed louvers thrusting it to the floor of the pool creating a cleaner, easier to service swimming pool. V-Fittings have no moving parts and simply attach, by hand, to 1.5 inch threaded wall return line inlets worldwide. Go Green while saving money and improving water quality for the life of the pool!

Pentair Swimming Pool Deck Jets with Led Lights

Deck Jet water effects can be cast into concrete decks and gunite pool walls, mounted in the sidewall of aboveground and vinyl-lined pools, or blended into surrounding landscapes.
MagicStream^® Deck Jet II create a graceful arc of water that enters the pool with a gentle splash. The stream seems to appear magically from the pool deck since the jet installs flush and out of sight.

This headband could stop kids from drowning

The iSwimband is a device that uses phone notifications to warn parents if their child is having trouble in the water.

Parents often find themselves stuck in a bind between letting their children have fun by themselves and making sure they’re not in trouble. Technology such RFID has been used before on farms — the Where Abouts system for example lets kids explore and notifies farmers if one has strayed too far. Now theiSwimband is a device that warns parents if their child is underneath the water for too long.

The headband is made of lightweight rubber and can be fitted securely around the head of all children, from small toddlers to teenagers. When synced through Bluetooth with parent’s mobile devices, the companion app delivers notifications that let them know the status of their kids when playing in the pool. Users can set their own alert limits — if a toddler or non-swimmer gets too close to the water, or if a swimming child becomes submerged for longer than they should. The founder of Aquatic Safety Concepts, which developed the product, is a father whose child’s 9-year-old classmate tragically died at a busy pool because nobody noticed that he’d disappeared under the water for five whole minutes. The iSwimband could help kids in trouble get a much quicker response from adults and potentially save young lives. The video below explains more about the concept:

 The iSwimband is expected to be available around May 2014.

Public safety warning for Speedo Swimsuits

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:

Pool in a Pool cover with buddy seat, fountains, and G-force turbo slide

Sport pool pictures Pierson-Cambridge

Vermiculite Floors

A typical vermiculite floor bottem before liner is put in.

Advantages of Penguin Pool Vermiculite pool base:

Please be aware of the serious short-comings of using packed sand as a base in vinyl lined swimming pool construction, This special vermiculite concrete offers several very important advantages:


They are much easier to apply to steep side walls, and will not wash away with changes in the water table.
They form a monolithic cast, are permanent, and will always remain in place.

They form a porous concrete. When water tables and hydrostatic pressures increase, water can pass directly through the concrete without causing any damage to the pool walls or bottom. When water reaches the liner, it spreads laterally, and passes back out safely into the ground.

They become insulating concrete which insulates your pool water from the cold temperatures of the soil beneath it.

With sand it's easy to have footprints all over your base. Footprints and indentations are rare with vermiculite. This enhances both the beauty and longevity of your pool

There is some cushioning or resiliency when a swimmer's body accidentally strikes a vermiculite floor.....an important safety feature for both you and your family.