August 2018 - THE COOL POOL by Astralpool Australia

Pool start-up guide in 10 steps

With summer just around the corner, the time has come to start preparing pools for the new season. AstralPool professionals recommend exercising caution and to start this process in spring. You will, therefore, be able to use your pool as soon as the bathing season starts. Initially, this procedure may seem costly, but the company’s professionals concur that if you have treated your pool over the winter, starting it up for the new season will be extremely straightforward.

Below, we will review the ten steps that you should follow so that your pool is ready for the summer.

1. Remove the cover, clean it thoroughly and leave it to dry in the open air. For safety, and to avoid the build-up of dirt and loss from evaporation, it is a good idea to continue using it until the summer.

2. Clean the pool’s filters using chemical products and check the state of the filter’s sand. If it is older than 3 years, change it.

3. Check that the skimmers, baskets, grating, overflow channel and other components built into the pool shell are in a good state of repair. Give them a high-pressure hose down.

4. To clean the surface of the pool shell, use non-aggressive cleaning materials, such as sponges or brushes. To avoid harsh scrubbing and potential damage to the walls, it is advisable to use scale removers.

5. Check that underwater light fittings such as spotlights and junction boxes are working.

6. To clean the pool floor, use a robotic pool cleaner. At this stage of the process, it is recommended that there be at least 40 cm of water in the pool.

7. Check the pool’s steps, springboards and diving boards. If they are in good condition, clean them and apply a polisher.

8. Refill the pool. To ensure that the water is in good condition, add a dose of dichloride granules or fast-acting chlorine tablets.

9. Remove germs, bacteria and contaminating waste using a shock treatment. This step may seem somewhat extreme, but it is the best way of preventing the appearance of algae and other organisms that cause bad odours and skin irritations.

10. Finally, test the water’s pH and check that it falls between 7.2 and 7.6, If it needs to be adjusted, add a pH reducer or enhancer.

By following these tips, you will be able to enjoy the wholesome benefits of swimming in crystal clear water when the summer comes.

How to Feng Shui Your Pool

Have you ever asked yourself why so many Chinese restaurants have fish tanks? The answer has nothing to do with any special interest in fish, it’s because of feng shui. According to this philosophy based on the idea of occupying spaces in a conscious and harmonious fashion, water symbolises good luck and contributes significantly to people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Many people take the recommendations of this discipline of a Taoist origin in mind when it comes to furnishing and decorating a home. What isn’t so common is to draw on them when designing the outdoor areas of a house. Water is one of the basic elements of feng shui (which literally translates as “wind-water”) and therefore a swimming pool can have a major impact on a home’s serenity.

According to feng shui, it’s best to choose a pool with no angles: round, oval or kidney-shaped. These shapes prevent the build-up of energy in the corners and stabilise the family’s financial situation. But if you already have a rectangular pool with angles pointing directly towards the house (or the relaxation areas of the garden) you can achieve the same benefits by placing plants in the corners.

In terms of dimensions, the most important thing is proportionality. Water is a very powerful element in feng shui, so a pool too big can noticeably affect the home’s energy balance. It is also recommendable to not put the pool very close to the house to prevent a feeling of ‘drowning’ amongst the inhabitants.

Plus, to ensure the pool is always full of positive energy, it’s a good idea to install good pumping systems or fountains that keep the water moving and replenishing continuously. If possible, water should flow towards the home to enable the pool to project healing properties on all the family.

Finally, to guarantee a well-balanced setting, it is highly recommendable for the five elements to be harmoniously integrated in the garden. This means that in addition to the water in the pool, you should include metal (ladders, maintenance material), wood (plants, outdoor furniture), earth(stones, pot plants, ceramic objects) and fire (lighting systems, candles).

A Spa Refuge: Hot Springs in Nha Trang, Vietnam

In southeast Vietnam, in the city of Nha Trang, the architecture team at a21 studio have just finished work on the facilities for a hot spring resort, which has a unique architectural touch. Located on a hillside, it stands out thanks to its unusual roof and the triangular layout of its indoor swimming pool. Its views of the river, near a bay considered by some to be one of the most beautiful in Southeast Asia, are spectacular. Just under 200m², the site has been converted into a refuge where visitors can rest and disconnect from the stresses of everyday life by enjoying massages and mud baths.

From afar, it looks very much like the country’s traditional houses with roofs made of plants, which is not surprising as it was built using local techniques. Cut off from the tourist area, the spa is closed off by a freestanding wooden structure. There are no exterior walls or facades. The roof of The Tent 2 rises up from the ground and protects the interior from the sun from the west. The central area is elevated to give fabulous views as far as the eye can see over the river and the city. The building’s shape means that guests benefit from natural ventilation.

Local wood and stone were used in the construction of this space, which is divided into two levels. The terrace, swimming pools and the showers can all be found on the ground floor. The central staircase leads to the upper floor, where a tearoom and the master bedroom with an en suite bathroom are located. Thanks to some coloured glass panels with frames made of reused wood, this is the only room that can be shut off from the Vietnamese climate outside. As an additional curiosity, there is a net just in front of this room that spreads across the lower floor so that when guests lie on it they have the sensation that they are floating on the surface of the swimming pool.

Design and Wellness: The Therme Vals Case

Peter Zumthor signed off on one of his most international projects in 1996: the Therme Vals spa complex. Two decades on, there isn’t an architect in the world who doesn’t long to relax in the evocative waters of this space and discover the secret to its architecture.

In the mid-1990s, the, el 7132 Hotel, in the Swiss town of Vals, decided to harness the water of the only thermal springs in Graubünden canton and offer its guests and customers an excellent combination of design, gastronomy and a rewarding sensory experience of cold and heat, light and shadow, using water as a resource.

Zumthor designed a relaxing space with exquisite taste, where you can experience water at 10ºC and 42ºC. A place where only one material accompanies the water: Valser quartzite. This natural stone is present throughout the area around the spa, on the roofs of the houses in Vals, in the fences around the plots of land, on the walls and also on a sturdy bridge that joins the two shores of the river that crosses the valley. Quartzite is a very beautiful and highly appreciated material and the spa – with more than 60,000 carefully crafted pieces used in this fantastic project – has showcased it to the rest of the world.

In any case, the spa is not the only jewel in this hotel. The kitchen has just received its second Michelin star. Based on a cuisine with strong Italian and Austrian influences, chef Sven Wassmer and his wife and sommelier Amanda Wassmer Bulgin have delighted the most discerning palates on the planet.

The hotel launched a new entrance hall designed by Thom Mayne in July 2016, representing a new contribution to the powerful strategy to boost its name as a high-end reference hotel. The revamp also involved the work of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who designed the three 90 sq m suites on the top floor of the complex. Tadao Ando played a further part in the hotel’s strategy. Three Pritzker prizes at the service of business and the hotel’s upstanding guests.

The Pool cover, the best weapon when it comes to pool safety and protection

There are few occasions that make us happier than seeing children running around our garden or patio and enjoying their time outdoors. If on top of that, you have a pool, the possibilities grow exponentially. But it should not be forgotten that in matters of safety in and around the pool, responsible use is essential to preventing accidents from happening.

With kids and people with attention deficit especially in mind, preventive measures can be taken that prevent hazardous situations in the home. One of these measures is to have a pool cover, which has the added advantages of being sustainable, keeping the water clean and maintaining the basin in a good state of repair.

Most automatic covers provide safety and peace of mind, as they can withstand up to 100 kg in weight in the middle. With this “guarantee”, any children – or even adults – who fall will suffer nothing more serious than just a few scratches. In families with small children, having a pool cover is the number one safety measure, which is why there are several types of automatic covers.

Automatic submerged covers

The submerged models have been specially designed for both newly built and already existing pools. Both the roller shaft and the cover are housed inside the pool, thus making them blend in perfectly with their surroundings.

Automatic above-ground covers

Automatic above-ground covers are a more straightforward solution, as they are easy to instal and startup. They are ideal for already existing pools as the roller shaft is fastened in place to the pool’s decking.

Solar covers

The models of automatic covers that run on solar power stand out for being extremely environmentally friendly: they reduce water loss due to evaporation and heat loss from the pool. And if that wasn’t enough, they keep the premature evaporation of chemicals used for treatment to a minimum.

Need help deciding which type of automatic pool cover best suits your needs? Jump on our locate a dealer online, to find your local AstralPool equipment retailer, builder or mobile service provider who can assist with your pool cover needs.

Month: August 2018