Pool Envy LLC

05/04/2025

Ever taken the time to look at pool plaster under a microscope? In this example, I took a rather low-resolution view of a plaster sample (Pebble finish) and ran a negative of it too.

The last photo, is a high resolution image of teeth-tubules.

I'll ask you to read with objectivity. In comparing pool plaster to a tooth surface, I want to illustrate why we want to avoid muriatic acid (low pH) contacting the plaster surface. In a high level sense we want to protect the equivalent of the "tubule" being opened up.

Think for a moment about eating something cold, a tooth ache, a commercial for sensitive teeth paste. - The purpose of that tooth paste is to keep those tubules capped off and plugged so sensation cannot traverse through them.

Now, over to pool plaster - We don't want muriatic acid on the surface of the plaster, because we don't want to open up the pathways through the plaster that would allow it to be sensitive) often called the capillaries of the plaster.

Muriatic acid takes the top layers and burns them off - and this is why it's so darn tempting (Florida folks listen up) for your pool guys to say "acid wash special, clean pool, pretty pool." Acid is too strong, and absolutely 100% will burn through it. Over and over and cumulatively the plaster will be totally destroyed.

Since I am one to talk about too many topics at a time, let's throw in a fluoride reference and compare this to products such as MicroGlass (and feel free to jump in if you like.) I'm going to say it because that's a cool thing to talk about today. Plaster Logic see if you like this analogy.

The idea behind dental fluoride is to "provide resistance to acid at a lower pH than the natural structure would breakdown at." Normal teeth have a pH of 7.0 and they start to demineralize at about a pH of 5.5 when you have fluorapatite crystals that don't begin to dissolve until a much lower pH of 4.5.

Products that are awesome like MicroGlass which will convert weak calcium hydroxide into Calcium Silicate Hydrate and fill crazing cracks. The point about fluoride vs. MicroGlassglass -- we are taking a compound to convert a calcium based solid into a stronger version of itself (this isn't a debate about fluoride being healthy.) simply to juxtapose (compare the two concepts side by side) and I think this way helps to get people to think. Let me know below if you "get it."

So if you use muriatic acid, you are opening up the channels in the plaster #1 and then, if you don't protect the surface, (proper water balance OR use a sealant) you create an environment that allows breakdown. It also increases the chances of staining. Once the surface is "opened up" you can count on metal stains to sit in that opened up space. As there will be high and low spots.

Eventually, do this enough times - you destroy the surface. End of the story.

Now you are "in the know" - How did we do at telling the tale? Watershape University

04/30/2025

Lack of maintence can lead to massive problems. In my city for example.. $75,000 in repairs needed to water slides. The engineering report shows problems that I will give a professional opinion on: Nobody looked… until they had to.

https://fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay-looking-at-repairs-in-hopes-of-avoiding-closing-slides-at-joannes-aquatic-center

The water slides at Joannes Aquatic Center are in need of some TLC, in the form of repairs to the three slides' steel and wood structure.

04/29/2025

NFPA-54 - "Who the HE******** cares." (What?) Yea, that's what a lot of those online guys who are like "it's heater." FOR F**** sake. Did we swear enough yet? Good.
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Previous pool heater was brand X and had specific venting requirements. The new heater required a different set of venting requirements. - This goes back to why we do consultations BEFORE taking on new clients.
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The existing setup had one 90 fitting, a 45, and another 45; which was a NO NO.
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The solution? Move the heater over a few feet so that only one fitting was required to get it up the stack. Also note, the improper vent piping.
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TDLR: "If the original person had a license, and pulled a permit..... " That's all.

04/27/2025

Every time you open your auto-cover for a fun and enjoyable swim, "squeeeeek" right? - Covers DO have bearing points that need regular maintenance and lubrication.

04/27/2025

Auto-covers that get used for winter covers in Wisconsin show wear! It is important to replace bearings at BOTH ends. Otherwise, if you go through the trouble of replacing a rope, it may break days later because the bearing broke. True story! This customer called us after their installer replaced the cover, and the rope broke weeks later. Don't let that happen to you.

04/27/2025

Does your liner look like this? Then, yes. 100% your liner is leaking. This happens due to low-pH, and obsessive use of chlorine. - A test kit is the most awesome tool you can have if you DIY things. Water balance matters despite what Joe down the street says who has been in the pool industry 50+ years. Now that you know, do better.

04/27/2025

Happy National Pool Opening Day. I'm taking a selfie here to talk about swimming pools. This photo is actually from a family vacation awhile back, but we have to shuffle it up once and awhile for the lurkers!
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We wanted thank our clients because we don't get to do that often enough. This was the busiest 1st quarter on record in Wisconsin in over 6 years. We demolished swimming pools, moved nearly half a million pounds of stone, and a whole lot of concrete and several life-safety issue concerns with existing pools. Who says winter in Wisconsin isn't busy season!
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Now, it's time to work on opening pools! Tray and I pulled a few covers last week, some of you are swimming already! Others are coming shortly. Mostly due to the really bad weather headed our way on Monday. Better to have the winter cover on, than deal with debris.
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We are ramping up on pool plastering this season and our truck is ready to go: DOT inspection passed for another year!
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A special thank you to my staff members too. You have all done great from Wisconsin to Texas, Florida, and beyond. As we continue to be part of a team effort, great things continue to flow into our focus.
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As we continue to effectuate change within the pool industry, our continued efforts were spent with Watershape University in the fall of 2024 (we'll call it this year, because Sept-Sept is fair) and more to come for 2025. -- We are thrilled to be a part of an educating organization that forges the ideals behind truth, transparency, while evolving and not giving way to undue influence. -- For those watching, this is not a shameless plug, we have followed these folks, and they continue to do what drive our difficult to navigate industry forward.
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The pool industry is frequently incentivized by money. In my 24 years of work previously within litigation consulting, that phrase resounds with me. There is a great deal of information out there designed to sell a product without selling a product. A lot of websites, blogs, articles, and everyone with a microphone who wants to be heard. The loudest and most boisterous voice does not always win.
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Swimming pool work is an industry requiring care, caution, and diligence. The engineering, the permits, the licenses, insurance. These are the items many are quick to overlook in an effort to "just keep rolling in business" but, not having these pivotal items is also the best way to end up failing.
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As we continue to emerge, we appreciate leading our area and calling to question when pools are not safe. If there is one thing that we can do correctly to help save lives, it's not skip over seemingly trivial items, and focus on details instead. We appreciate those who aren't into that too, it's not for everyone, except OUR customers and clients.
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Thank you all for enjoying the journey with us. There are many inspiring things for us to share along the way, knowledge to provide, and ideas to share. We'll continue to remain objective, and provide a basis to all the opinions that we render.

04/27/2025

Before and After : Skimmer Replacement - If you can see the difference, you know!

04/26/2025

Happy National Pool Opening Day. Here is your reminder to clean, or replace your cartridge filter.

04/24/2025

Do you have a freaking pain in the rear swimming pool that you want to obliterate in your yard and just want a quote? We don't provide quotes, but we will credit the cost of your onsite consultation for the demo process towards removal.
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Many pool require permits to remove, HVAC, electrical and other aspects get involved. Not to mention huge crews and massive equipment. It's not a cheap "let's get a quote" job. It's a demolition project that has to be done correctly.
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Most pools can take many dump trucks of material to fill in and massive equipment to move. Depending on the location the costs only skyrocket.
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Let's save your pool, but if you ultimately say "F***** it" We can help. No problem. Your neighbors will stare, but you can invite them over to the camp fire on your new patio when finished!

04/24/2025

One of those things for safety. This pool heater we ended up replacing a gas line on. You'll see that the gas line itself is in pretty rough shape. Then, we saw the venting was in bad shape too. Then we found out there was ZERO make up air also. We ended up fixing the pool heater (Thanks Peter and Aaron) and adding a few holes to the wall with vented louvers. This allows for appropriate quantities of fresh air.

04/23/2025

The way you "put your pool to sleep" for winter will dictate how you open up the pool in spring. All the water chemistry for this pool was "spot on" except for a 8.0 pH but that was easily lowered with 6 ounces of acid. Swim time. - The point, pool opening doesn't take "weeks" to get great water. If it does, something else is wrong. 24 hours from cover off to swim time.
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