"Residential and commercial pools differ significantly in size, usage patterns, and regulatory requirements. By retrofitting your pool with these modern technologies, you enhance its functionality and make day-to-day management easier and more cost-effective."
The contractor will typically review your property's layout, assess any site-specific challenges, and suggest potential designs that suit your space and lifestyle. best pool contractor Nashville,TN. Renovated pools also signal that the property is well-maintained, boosting buyer confidence. Consulting with a professional can help ensure you choose a system that meets your specific needs." "There are various pool types to consider, each offering unique features and benefits.
Educating all pool users on safe behavior-such as no running on wet surfaces and no diving in shallow areas-further reduces risks. Highlighting a valid pool warranty in your home listing demonstrates that the pool has been well-maintained and professionally cared for." best pool company Nashville TN. "Pool safety codes can vary significantly depending on the region, reflecting differences in climate, local regulations, and community priorities. Installation begins with choosing the right spa size and type-either built-in or freestanding-based on your available space and budget.
However, they may require more frequent liner replacements, adding to long-term costs. A properly cared-for cover prevents debris, dirt, and contaminants from entering the water, reducing the workload on your filtration system.
Adding native, drought-resistant plants around the pool helps manage runoff and prevents erosion. Obtain detailed written estimates that include materials, labor, and project timelines.
The concrete is then sprayed or poured into place, allowed to cure, and finished with a surface material like plaster or tile.
"Preventing leaks and damage in your pool requires routine inspections and timely repairs. In regions with freezing temperatures, winterizing the pool is essential. Permit fees, inspections, and landscaping adjustments might also increase expenses. "Smart pool technology simplifies maintenance and enhances the overall pool experience.
Algae growth can be controlled by maintaining proper sanitizer levels, brushing affected areas, and using an algaecide. When contacting potential contractors, pay attention to their communication and willingness to answer questions.
Their smooth, non-porous surface helps prevent algae buildup, which means fewer chemicals and less cleaning.
Using a thermal pool cover at night prevents heat from escaping, while also reducing evaporation. "Vinyl pools have become a popular option among homeowners due to their affordability, versatility, and smooth surface. Keeping the pump's motor and seals in good condition by inspecting them periodically and lubricating O-rings will help prevent costly repairs. To avoid surprises, it's important to budget for contingencies, get detailed estimates, and maintain open communication with your contractor throughout the project."
"Modern energy-saving pool equipment includes variable-speed pumps, high-efficiency heaters, LED lighting, and advanced automation systems.
Key parameters include pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and sanitizer levels.
Additionally, if you lack the time or knowledge to maintain your pool effectively, scheduling regular professional service can help keep your pool in top condition without added stress." Solar heating can extend your swimming season, ensuring that your pool remains warm and inviting for more months out of the year. With proper setup and ongoing maintenance, your above-ground pool will provide years of family fun." Additional features such as ADA-compliant ramps, ample deck space, and non-slip surfaces ensure accessibility and safety for all patrons.
"Working with a professional pool contractor not only ensures quality construction but also helps you stay on budget. Additionally, LED lights produce less heat, which can help maintain consistent water temperatures and reduce the strain on cooling systems.
The increased water volume also means higher long-term maintenance and energy costs. In hot climates, higher temperatures can lead to faster evaporation, unbalanced chemicals, and increased algae growth-requiring more frequent water testing and cleaning.
When planning your pool project, it's crucial to consider not only the initial price but also long-term maintenance, repairs, and potential upgrades, so you can budget accordingly and avoid unexpected surprises."
Pool suction-drain injury, also known as suction entrapment, occurs when the drain of a wading pool, swimming pool, hot tub, or fountain sucks in a swimmer's jewelry, torso, limbs, hair or buttocks. In some cases of buttocks entrapment, victims are disemboweled. In the United States, 147 incidents were documented between 1985 and 2002 of which 36 were fatal.[1] In 1982, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that five children were disemboweled by drains in wading pools and urged pools to install covers on drains.[2][3]
A standard 8 inches (20 cm) main drain can develop up to 350 pounds (160 kg) of force, which could hold a person underwater in tight grip until the suction is released. This can drown the entrapped person, despite the rescue efforts of multiple adults.[4]
One way to make drains safer is to install shut-off valves and dome-shape drains that are less likely to create a suction effect with the human body, as required in the United States by the 2007 Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. And as a result of that cases nowadays are extremely rare to nonexistent.[5]
| Name | Date | Incident |
|---|---|---|
| Carol Parker | 1957 | A 13-year-old in Prattville, Alabama was sucked feet-first to her hips into a drain of a municipal pool and remained stuck under nine feet of water despite two lifeguards' efforts. She was able to escape the drain when a pool bystander turned off the pump.[6] |
| Valerie Lakey | 1993 | In Cary, North Carolina, 5-year-old Valerie Lakey was disemboweled by a kiddie pool when her bottom became stuck to the drain. Neither turning off the pump nor the strength of four adults dislodged her. The drain cover manufacturer, Sta-Rite, claimed the cover was improperly installed. Lakey survived without most of her small and large intestine and received a $30.9 million settlement from Sta-Rite ($25 million), Wake County, Medfield Area Recreation Club, and others ($5.9 million combined). It was the largest personal injury verdict in North Carolina history and a landmark case of lawyer John Edwards, later a Senator and vice presidential nominee.[7] |
| Virginia Graeme Baker | June 2002 | The seven-year-old granddaughter of former US Secretary of State James Baker died of suction entrapment due to a faulty drain cover and died in her mother's arms at the bottom of a hot tub.[8] The United States Congress passed a pool safety act under her name in 2007.[5] |
| Abigail Taylor | 2007 | The six-year-old died in 2008 nine months after her injury despite subsequent surgeries. Scott and Katey Taylor, her parents, lobbied for the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which was passed the year of Abigail's injury.[9] |
| Salma Bashir | 2008 | During a holiday with her family, she was disemboweled while in the kids' swimming pool. As of the time of the report, she was fed by a TPN bag and was waiting for a multiple organ transplant.[10] After getting a small intestine transplant, her body rejected the organ and six months later it was removed, as was her large intestine and gall bladder. She died on January 1, 2024.[11] |
| Evan Pappas | 2018 | Survived an entrapment of 7 minutes 40 seconds in a lazy river in South Carolina in 2018.[12] |
 |
A hot tub is a large tub full of water used for hydrotherapy, relaxation or pleasure. Some have powerful jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are sometimes also known as "spas" or by the trade name Jacuzzi.[1] Hot tubs may be located outdoors or indoors.
In contrast to a typical bathtub, a hot tub is designed to be used by more than one person at a time, with many models accommodating four or more people. Unlike baths, soaps and shampoos are not used in wet-jetted hot tubs (although they can be used in air-jetted hot tubs). Home hot tubs are often closer in construction to standard bathtubs, while the construction of a public hot tub often has more in common with a swimming pool, of which it can be considered a type.
The earliest hot tubs were calderas in which hot stones were placed to heat the water.[citation needed] Therma in Ikaria has been a very popular place particularly for hydrotherapy ever since the 4th century B.C.[2] The remains of wrecked marble bathtubs along with a prehistoric aqueduct that have been unearthed from this area bear ample testimony of the place's popularity in the ancient times.[2]
In 737 A.D., Japan's first onsen opened near Izumo, Shimane, and centuries later, the first ryokan (inns) were built, offering food, accommodations, and soaking tubs called ofuro.
In ancient Rome, there were three types of baths: Baths at home (balnea), private baths (balnea privata), and public baths (balnea publica). The practice of bathing was so engrained that the Roman legions, during their long occupations in foreign lands, built their own baths at mineral and thermal springs in the newly conquered lands. Examples are found all over Europe.[3]
In the 1940s, hot tubs began to appear in the US, inspired by the Japanese ofuro. Hydrotherapy pumps were introduced by Jacuzzi. Fiberglass shell hot tubs appeared around 1970 and were soon superseded by cast acrylic shells.
The plumbing of the hot tub consists of:
Hot tubs are usually heated using an electric or natural gas heater, though there are also submersible wood fire hot tub heaters, as well as solar hot water systems. Hot tubs are also found at natural hot springs; in this case, the water may be dangerously hot and must be combined with cool water for a safe soaking temperature.
Effective insulation greatly improves the energy efficiency of a hot tub. There are several different styles of hot tub insulation: some manufacturers fill the entire cabinet with foam, while others insulate the underside of the shell, the inside of the cabinet, or both. Many manufacturers advertise the superiority of their approach to insulation, but few independent side-by-side comparisons are available. The hot tub pump and hot tub heater represent most of the power consumption in a hot tub and vary in use of power depending on their size.[4]
Energy efficiency of portable hot tubs has been studied by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PGEC),[5] leading to industry responses[6] and interest from both the California Energy Commission and Natural Resources Canada.[citation needed] California's portable electric hot tub listing[5] include R values of thermal insulation, and standby watts.[7][8]
In 2019 an update to the ANSI standard for energy efficiency was approved. For the first time, this new standard increases the minimum energy efficiency level for portable spas and inflatable spas.[9][10] Hot tub covers have been shown to reduce most of the evaporative losses from the pool when not in use. With this component of heat loss being 70%,[11] a cover with even a small R-value is able to achieve as much as a 75% reduction in heating costs when used as opposed to leaving the water surface exposed.[12]
There are several different types of spa covers. Some covers are better for insulation and therefore are lighter on internal parts and energy efficiency. Some examples of covers are insulated, aluminum, rolling, or a tonneau.[citation needed]
Since some hot tubs are not drained after each use it is necessary to treat the water to keep it attractive and safe. It must be neither too alkaline nor too acidic, and must be sanitised to stay free of harmful microorganisms. Partly due to their high water temperatures, hot tubs can pose particular health risks if not regularly maintained: outbreaks of Legionnaires' Disease have been traced to poorly sanitized hot tubs.[13] Typically chlorine or bromine are used as sanitizers, but salt water chlorination is starting to become more common.
Sanitation can also be aided by a non-chemical ozonator.
For aesthetic reasons, and for the sanitizer to work properly, water should be neither too alkaline nor too acidic (low pH). The hardness level of the water, measured as the amount of dissolved calcium, is also important. Insufficient hardness can lead to corrosion and water foaming. The ideal range of calcium hardness levels in a hot tub or spa water should be between 150 and 250 ppm (parts per million)[citation needed]
Sitting in water above normal body temperatures can cause drowsiness which may lead to unconsciousness and subsequently result in drowning. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that water temperatures never exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 °F). A temperature of 37 degrees Celsius (100 °F) is considered safe for a healthy adult. Soaking in water above 39 degrees Celsius (102 °F) can cause fetal damage during the first three months of pregnancy.[19]
It is also recommended to install residual-current devices for protection against electrocution. The greater danger associated with electrical shock in the water is that the person may be rendered immobile and unable to rescue themselves or to call for help and then drown.[20]
Hot tubs and spas are equipped with drains that can create powerful suction and between 1980 and 1996, the CPSC had reports of more than 700 deaths in spas and hot tubs, about one-third of which were drownings to children under age five. In the same period 18 incidents were reported to the CPSC involving body part entrapment. To reduce the risk of entrapment, US safety standards require that each spa have two drains for each pump, reducing the amount of suction.[21] From 1999 to 2007 there were 26 reports to the CPSC concerning circulation entrapments hot tubs and spas, including three deaths.[22]
In 2001[23] and in 2012[24] the CPSC issued recalls for spa heaters which overheated and caused fires.
The Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspection of plumbing systems associated with swimming pools, spas and hot tubs as a means of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare.[25]
Poorly sanitized hot tubs have been linked to a number of diseases, principally caused by facultative anaerobic bacteria. Such incidents include hot tub folliculitis and legionellosis.[26][27]
Media related to Whirlpool baths at Wikimedia Commons| Authority control databases: National |
|---|
They do an outstanding job installing beautiful pools and transforming backyards. Winston is exceptional, his communication is top-notch, and he ensures every detail is perfect. Highly recommend!
Winston Farzan has done excellent work for me several times. He's been able to tackle many different jobs at once. I save jobs for him knowing that I can depend on his expertise!
Awesome. I watched a small backyard turn into a backyard oasis. The other options for a smaller pool were either fiberglass or refurbished containers. This is an actual concrete pool with automation. Looks great and I love it!
Professional installers ensure that the pool is properly leveled, securely installed, and complies with local codes. They also handle permits and can provide warranties for peace of mind.
Nashville pool builders typically handle the entire pool construction process, including design, excavation, installation, and finishing touches like decking and landscaping. They also offer maintenance and repair services.
Fiberglass pools are a great choice in Nashville due to their quick installation, durability, and low maintenance needs. They are well-suited for local climates and offer long-lasting enjoyment.
The price depends on the size, shape, and features, but fiberglass pools in Nashville generally start around $35,000 and can go up depending on customization and installation complexity.
Costs vary based on pool size, material, and added features like lighting or waterfalls. Site preparation, local permits, and labor expenses also impact the final price.
The timeline depends on the pool type. Fiberglass pools can be installed in as little as a few weeks, while concrete pools may take several months. A reliable contractor will provide a clear schedule.
