Water Shapes

Is your Watershape Consulting firm out of touch?

2012-01-27T22:49:00.000-08:00

Paolo Benedetti, the principal of the Watershape Consulting, Design and Construction firm of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa, discusses why consultants need to be current practitioners of the trades they advise on.

Out of Touch
It's simple really... How can you respect the recommendations of any consultant if they have not actually practiced their craft in say five years, ten years, or even fifteen to twenty years?
The longer they haven't been active in the trades, the more that they become out of touch with the constant changing technologies and methodologies of the various sub-trades and standards.

Boilerplate Plans and Concepts
While a project design or set of construction documents may be thick and contain a lot of pages, do not begin to think for one moment that they are accurate, concise or even relevant. Most consulting firms deliver pages and pages of "boilerplate" specifications and notes. Many of these notations are self-contradicting or are not applicable to your specific project.

Instead of providing "project specific" notations, specifications and standards, these generic pages are delivered with every set of plans. They are not based upon your project's specific materials, details and requirements.

Because of the generic nature of these notations, there are no actual criteria, standards or guidelines for the contractor to follow when it is time for them to actually build your project. For instance, these notes may allow a number of means of providing waterproofing. But, they do not outline a specific program or course of action. Instead, they direct the contractor to "contact the consultant/engineer for approval of any admixtures or waterproofing methods." Guess why? Because they get to bill the client for these additional recommendations and requests for information (RFI).

Are your plans going to be developed & drawn by an "associate" who has never met you, visited your site, or built a pool?
Are the plans going to be a series of "cut and paste" schematics and details?
Is the principal of the firm actually going to proofread the plans? And cross check details?
Are the plans going to include an electrical loading & demand chart?
Are your plans going to include a listing of the various apparatus, manufacturers, model numbers and quantities?

The principals of most Watershape Consulting firms spend their time selling their firms services. Once the job is sold, a minor associate is assigned your project. Most of these associates have never built a pool. They are draftsmen who's job it is, is to churn out plans. Many do not even understand how a pump functions or a heater works, the principals behind ozone oxidation, or the applicable building, health, fire or electrical codes. They do not know the R.O.I. on the equipment and components, the durability of various materials or if you even care?

Is this how you want the plans and specifications for your project developed?

Material Take-Offs
Rarely is there a materials list, which outlines the components and equipment required for the project. Plumbing diagrams rarely contain identifiers as to a specific component. For instance, all shut-off valves labeled with a <3>, may merely refer the reader to a listing of valves. The <3> does not refer to a specific brand, model or size of valve. A pump labeled < P1> usually does not refer to a specific line item in a spreadsheet or equipment chart.

Incompatibilities
The generic notations of these firms are not reviewed, updated or modified on a regular basis. This oftentimes results in equipment or materials being specified in the notations that may have been discontinued, are incompatible or may contradict other details elsewhere in the plans.

Because of the generic nature of the notes, most consultants/engineers start with a disclaimer "It is the responsibility of the contractor to read and understand the pages contained herein. All errors shall be immediately be brought to the attention of the consultant/engineer. The consultant/engineer shall not be responsible for unapproved changed to the specifications contained herein."

What that means, is that the plans are very generic. The project specific details will be contradicted by the notations. It will be the contractors responsibility to proof read the plans for the consultant/engineer, and bring these errors to their attention. Doesn't that seem backwards?

Shouldn't the notes be specific for your project? Shouldn't the notations that are not applicable to your project should be stricken or at least crossed out?

These extraneous notes have been known to cause conflict between the contractors building a project and the building officials - because information in the plans contradict themselves.

K.I.S.S.
Keep It Simple Stupid!

Let's face it - most consultants are trying to impress you with their complex plans and lots of information. But if a lot of the data in a set of construction plans is irrelevant, why confuse the contractor and building officials?

Plans need to be easy to read & follow, concise and project specific. The non-relevant information needs to be removed.

Various components need to be identified by a "line item number" that corresponds to a materials chart. The chart summarizes the item specifics (size, make, model number), electrical/gas demand and the quantity required. Not only does this make identification easy, it makes ordering materials error free.

Each valve should be identified by a unique identifier that corresponds to a chart that states it's purpose (e.g. surge tank modulation valve, main drain isolation valve, etc.), size, style, manufacturer and model number.

It is impractical to merely direct the reader to a paragraph that lists numerous sizes & model numbers. Lest the reader forget to note a diameter of the incoming plumbing line, they must refer back to the original diagram/page. Take-offs, ordering and installation errors abound as a result.

Schematics
Though conceptual plumbing schematics ease in the understanding of the system's operation, they do not assist in the bidding, installation or construction of the project.

Plumbing lines, high voltage and low voltage electrical conduits need to be outlined on the project site plan. The various lines and conduits need to be identified by a unique character. Electrical conduits need to be identified by their size, type, purpose, number and size of the conductors. The locations of underground pull boxes, junction boxes and panel boards need to be clearly identified.

Equipment room schematics need to include both high and low voltage electrical schematics, as well as room receptacles and lighting circuits. A chart indicating the various conductor identifiers (id number), size (AWG), purpose (apparatus fed), and breaker sizes (amps) needs to be provided.

Plumbing schematics for equipment room gas lines, sump pumps, condensation drains, floor drains, faucet(s), eyewash stations and shut-offs need to be provided. Mechanical schematics need to outline exhaust gas ventilation as well as ensure there is adequate make-up air (fresh air). Code specific emergency apparatus for generating ozone within confined spaces (e.g. an equipment room) must be identified and placed.

Costly Detail Development
Because many consultants no longer actually build anything, some for decades, they oftentimes develop design details that specify methodologies, materials or costs far exceeding what is necessary.

For example, a consultant may develop a knife edge slot detail that specifies a costly custom manufactured stainless steel reinforcement of the knife edge and stainless steel support brackets for the coping stones. Because they are not "in the trenches," they are not aware of alternative methods of building the same details without the need for ANY custom stainless steel fabrication, brackets or masonry reinforcement.

Similarly, a consultant may attempt to design a debris collection system for an enclosed surge tank. Costly machining of one-of-a-kind stainless steel components may cost their client three to four thousand dollars (plus the consultants mark-up). Again, because they are not "in the field," they are not aware that a similar system can be field fabricated with off the shelf components for less than a thousand dollars!

A consultant may be specifying antiquated waterproofing materials (e.g. clay or cementitious based), wherein a modern elastomeric membrane may be more durable, economical and efficient. A specified tile thinset may not be performing to the liking of installation crews or contractors (e.g. it sags on vertical surfaces). Bu,t because they are not "on the front lines," they may never know of this product's flaw.

Many Watershape Consultants and Design Engineers have caused the needless expenditure of thousands of dollars of their clients wealth on materials and labor, that had simple and economical alternatives. Alternatives that were as or more durable, easier to install and less expensive.

Though other consultants may possess "book smarts" (engineering degrees) or experience from decades past, there is absolutely no substitution for the continuing experience gathered from being in the field, experimenting with new advancements in construction and materials technology, and innovating through trial and error.

Field experience allows the instantaneous response to under-performing equipment, substandard materials or the development of economical solutions to construction issues.

A consultant with on-going hands-on construction and project management experience, can save you months of construction time and tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your project.

Which would you rather have... a pencil pushing desk jockey or a hands-on, on-site, in-the-field, technological innovator?

Paolo Benedetti - Watershapes Consultant, Innovator, Designer, Builder
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com

Caribbean Resort Knife Vanishing Edge Pools

2011-11-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

Caribbean swimming pool designer Paolo Benedetti releases images of a glass tile mosaic resort project in the British Virgin Islands - Virgin Gorda.

2010 - Beach front construction on driven concrete piles.

Completed project - knife edges, 2 beach entries, and a vanishing edge.

Glass tile mosaic waterfall between the second and third tier pools.

Glass tile mosaic grotto and waterfall.

Close up of the glass tile grotto and waterfall.

Project Credits:
Location: British Virgin Islands - Virgin Gorda
Architects: Roger Downing & Partner Co. Ltd.
Developer/Contractor: Victor International
Swimming Pools: Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Technology

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com

Glass Tile Mosaic Infinity Edge Pool Design

2011-11-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Famous Vanishing Edge Pool Designer Paolo Benedetti, releases images of another stellar project.

Project Credits:
Architecture: Swat/Meirs
Construction: Silver Creek Development
Vanishing Edge Pool: Paolo Benedetti
Glass Tile: Sicis - Custom Blend

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com

Glass Tile Mosaic Infinity Edge Pools

2011-11-07T19:13:00.000-08:00

Famous vanishing edge pool designer Paolo Benedetti discusses glass tile mosaic pools.

It all about the glass!
Since a glass tile mosaic pools can consume a thousand plus square feet of material, everyone & his uncle are promoting their glass tile as suitable for swimming pools. They'll sell more tile for one pool, than they'll sell for showers and back splashes in an entire year.

But be forewarned, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

The cheap glass mosaics that you find at your local warehouse store are not suitable for outdoor applications, let alone swimming pools. Even worse, are the thousands of cheap Asian imports that are flooding the market.

Tile distributors and vendors in the United States, seeing the opportunity to make some money, have entered into private labeling agreements with these inferior Asian manufacturers. Some reputable furnishing companies have also put their names on some of these inferior tiles.

Almost no one from these United States companies has even bothered to travel to Asia to visit or inspect the manufacturing facilities. They have absolutely no idea how the tiles are made, the ingredients, whether the correct manufacturing procedures are being followed and the if there are even any quality control measures.

Limited Liability
In California for instance, a retailer is not liable if a product they sell is later found to be defective. That liability falls on the manufacturer.... do you see where this is going? The importer and retailer are free and clear!

You're going to have to sue the manufacturer in Asia to recover your losses when the tiles begin to fracture, crack, spall or disintegrate.

While you can sue the entities in the United States, they will claim that they have no control over the manufacturing process - hey, maybe that's why they don't want to go inspect the manufacturing facilities??? You think??

Poor Installation Practices
To top off the inferior tile, these Asian manufacturers are including installation instructions that do not meet international standard for glass tile installation (e.g. ISO, ANSI, TCNA, CTCA).

I was recently provided a set of instructions by a contractor in California, who insisted that the instructions included with the Chinese glass tile that he was selling were adequate. The Chinese instructions did not specify a leveling bed or waterproof membrane, nor did they even provide a list of tested and approved setting manufacturers. Their instructions said to mix "readily available white cement & sand" into a slurry paste to seal the concrete shell. A second coat of the same slurry was to be used to adhere the tiles to the pool shell. Finally, they stated that "any commercially available grout" could be used to grout the tiles.

Worse yet, the contractor ACTUALLY BELIEVED that this was adequate. And the homeowners and property owners he sold directly to bought into his horse & pony show.

If the going rate for the installation alone of glass tile is $55-$100 per square foot, then how can he provide and install glass tile for $20 per square foot?

Cheap inferior materials and inferior installation practices!!! Just follow the contractor's trail of unhappy customers and license revocations in other states!

I'd love to drive a Ferrari and only pay the price of a Yugo - but seriously, it isn't going to happen! Don't let your greed get the better of you!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com

Vanishing edge, infinity edge, negative edge, knife edge swimming pool

2011-11-07T16:41:00.000-08:00

From international swimming pool designer Paolo Benedetti, comes another beautiful vanishing edge/negative edge/infinity edge/knife edge pool.

A picture is worth a thousand words:

Design & Construction Consulting by Paolo Benedetti
Built by Paradise Pools

Paolo Benedetti
Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com

Independent Inspections & Testing Laboratories

2011-10-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

European swimming pool designer, consultant and builder, Paolo Benedetti discusses value of special inspectors, quality assurance and material testing laboratories.

Standards & Specifications
Every project must have some minimum level of standards and specifications. Usually the minimums are established by the building codes, building department or the inspecting government agency. These may include soils reports, structural engineering, civil engineering & grading or erosion control plans.

The property owners may chose to have even more detailed plans prepared that illustrate construction details, hydraulic and plumbing system design, vessel and landscape lighting, high and low voltage electrical schematics, equipment specifications, finish materials, and the standards and specifications by which all of this is to be installed.

In the absence of detailed specifications, the owners are apt to receive the bare minimum in quality that the contractor or his sub-trades can get by with. But oftentimes, these bare minimums do not comply the published industry standards and acceptable trade practices.

The adopted building codes in every region may not specify or dictate the installation standards for every detail of a project. However, there are a myriad of other accepted standards that step in to fill the voids. These may be published industry standards, acceptable trade practices or even codes that are referenced (and thereby included) in a regions approved building codes.

Building Inspectors
Government building inspectors are generalists by their very nature. They must know a little about a lot of various construction codes & standards. Their primary purpose is to ensure the safety of the construction. An individual inspector may excel in a particular field, due to prior experiences.

In some large regions, the government building inspectors are specialists. An inspector may only inspect one aspect of construction projects, whether it be foundations, plumbing, electrical, framing & structural, etc.

Rarely are they concerned about workmanship. Provided that a detail is not unsafe or installed in violation of a code or statute, they will not concern themselves with the methodology, materials or the final "fit and finish."

Who should do the quality control inspections?
So how does a property owner ensure that they receive what they are paying for, that the installations are done correctly and the materials are not substandard?

The first step is to ensure that the project is completely specified prior to the bidding process. This ensures that the contractors and sub-trades are notified of the level of workmanship, installation practices, assembly materials and the quality standards that are expected of them.

The second step is to hire individuals to enforce compliance with the project specifications. Rarely can this can be performed by the developer, general contractor or swimming pool contractor, as most do not have the requisite continuing education, training or intimate knowledge of the myriad of applicable trade standards. Therefore, the owner must employ specialists to inspect the various stages of construction.

Some of these inspections are performed by members of the original project design team. A soils engineer should inspect the completed excavation to ensure that the exposed conditions are no worse than those predicted by their exploratory drilling. The structural engineer should inspect the installed reinforcing steel, to ensure that it has been installed as per their engineering plans. A project architect may chose to perform the inspections on the portions of the project that they designed.

Deputy/Special Inspectors
Many building departments have come to realize that their inspectors cannot possibly remain on site during the gunite, shotcrete or concrete placement. Nor do they possess the testing facilities to sample and test the materials to ensure their compliance with the specifications outlined in the structural engineering. Therefore, many building departments require Deputy or Special Inspectors perform these services. These inspectors are sworn or licensed by a government agency to inspect, observe, sample, report and issue "correction notices."

Their services are usually retained to double check & inspect the reinforcing steel - ensure that it is of the correct size & strength, placed in the correct patterns & spacing, blocked correctly and that the proper clearances were established. They may even take a sample of the steel to a laboratory for testing.

Deputy Inspectors are also utilized to observe the placement of the concrete. They are the "eyes and ears" of the building department. They ensure that incompetent materials such as trimmings, rebound & blow-back are not merely shoveled into the structure. They ensure that a blow pipe is constantly utilized to expel loose material. They will ensure that poured in place concrete is placed correctly & consolidated.

They will also obtain random samples of the concrete throughout the day, to ensure that the concrete is of the mix design and strength. These samples are later cured and tested to ensure that the concrete develops the proper compressive strengths.

Their use in swimming pool construction is usually limited to inspecting the reinforcing steel and observing the concrete placement. However, there are deputy inspectors available to inspect all aspects of any type of construction project.

Independent Inspectors/Consultants/Owner's Agent
Since building inspectors and deputy inspectors are not concerned with the installation practices employed, property owners must have another avenue to ensure that other aspects of a project are being installed correctly.

Independent inspectors or consultants who specialize in swimming pool construction can be hired to perform periodic inspections as construction progresses. Their intimate knowledge of the various standards that govern the sub-trades, will ensure that a project is installed to the acceptable trade standards and practices.

For instance, a building inspector merely checks the plumbing manifold to ensure that it is under pressure. But an independent inspector will inspect the plumbing to ensure that it is of the correct size and diameter, that it is routed and connected correctly, and that provisions for the prevention of back flow & back siphoning are in place.

These consultants can review the installation practices with the sub-contractors, to ensure that they are aware of the standards to which they will be held. Though they may not be a part of the building codes, these various trade standards have become the acceptable methods of performing various trades. In a civil court, these are the standards to which a tradesman will be expected to perform.

On some large projects, the property owner will employ an "Owner's Agent." This person is usually a person with a construction management or engineering background. Their sole purpose it to inspect and approve the construction workmanship of the general contractor, swimming pool contractor, and sub-contractors. Sometimes they have the authority to act on the owner's behalf in making design or project modification decisions and to authorize change orders.

Pay me now... or Pay me a lot more later!
Litigating construction defects means the expense of an attorney, lost work time, cost of experts and testing labs to analyze deficiencies, the inconvenience of repairing the errors, additional expenses to modify a design, living with the deficiencies during the litigation, mental and physical stress, and sometimes the necessity to completely demolish a project and start construction anew. Remedial repairs often entail re-engineering or re-designing portions of a project, resulting in design concessions, further delays & expenses. The finished project "will never be quite like it should have been."

It is always more economical to employ your own inspectors during a project, than it is to litigate and repair construction defects after a project is completed.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist

"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com

Indoor Pools

2011-10-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

Rocky Mountains, Aspen, Vail, Lake Tahoe, Idaho & Utah swimming pool designer, consultant & builder Paolo Benedetti addresses important items to consider when designing or building an indoor swimming pool.

Moisture
Moisture in the air (humidity) is the biggest obstacle to overcome when designing or building an indoor pool. Failing to address the evacuation of the humidity can have devastating structural, safety and health repercussions.

Dehumidification
Dehumidifiers are expensive, to both install and to operate. They are the ONLY proven means to remove the moisture from the air. Since there are a lot of variables that go into specifying and sizing the correct unit, an expert in this field should be employed. Most of the dehumidifier manufacturers have mechanical engineers on staff who can assist your local mechanical contractor in selecting the proper unit, ducting, and make-up air.

Do not think that you can "brain storm" your way out of buying one of these expensive units. Swimming pool & mechanical contractors have been wrestling with this issue longer than you've been alive. Your hair-brained boot-strap cheapskate methods and ideas of an opening ceiling, sliding walls, lots of windows, air temperature matching the pool temperature, etc. have all been attempted by someone before you. AND THEY FAILED!

An automatic pool cover is the only PARTIALLY "saving grace." An automatic pool cover will reduce the humidity in the room. NOTICE THAT I SAID REDUCE AND NOT ELIMINATE! The installation of an automatic pool cover will only allow for the downsizing of the dehumidifier.

I'm not going to waste time validating why these other "economic solutions" are not sufficient or don't work. You'll have to take decades of experience as the gospel truth. You are not going to come up with any new ideas that haven't already been tried. We've already "been there - done that."

Too much humidity - BAD DOG!! MUY MALO!!
Humidity is formed in the air from the evaporation and splashing that occurs indoors. Mother nature always seeks a balance - think of it as karma, ying-yang, etc.

Humidity in the air can lead to the growth of black mold in the walls of the structure, light fixtures, window & wall coverings, drywall or other surfaces. Breathing the spores of black mold has been linked to respiratory infections, pneumonia and even deaths.

Humidity in the air can also foster bacteria growth. These bacteria once inhaled can also result in respiratory infections. A common ailment is "lifeguard lung," frequently seen amongst indoor lifeguards.

Humidity in the air can also lead to corrosion of structural members of the building. Because we're talking about a vapor (think "gas"), it can permeate & enter walls, ceilings & floors. Corrosive structural elements (steel brackets, i-beams, fasteners, etc.) are all subject to corroding that's occurring inside the walls were you cannot see the damage!

Humidity can also corrode the wiring in the walls, receptacles, switches, light fixtures, or anything else metal within the building. I needn't tell you the dangers of corroded electrical wiring & fixtures. ZAP-OUCH! RUN-FIRE!

Condensation
Humidity in the air can also lead to condensation inside of the walls, on glass windows, tile surfaces, painted walls and skylights. These water droplets form when the surface temperature is below the dew point in the room. It is practically impossible to heat the glass, painted walls, floors, steel I-beams in the walls, tiled walls, etc. in order to keep them warmer than the air within the room.

In regions of the country where the winters are harsh, you are guaranteed to have condensation UNLESS the air is dehumidified! If the moisture content in the indoor air is low, less water vapor will condensate upon these cooler surfaces.

Condensation will also "pool together" and form run-off. This dripping water can lead to it's own series of destructive forces on your structure. Think about standing inside of your bedroom and misting the room with a garden hose. Do this every day, 24/7. Do you think that you'd start to experience negative effects to the room, walls, floors & it's furnishings?

If you are dead set on having an indoor swimming pool or spa, then you absolutely MUST install and operate a properly sized dehumidifier. A unit that activates automatically is the wisest choice!

Don't think that you're wiser than everyone who came before you. There is no cheap way out.

There are only TWO CHOICES HERE - an outdoor pool or a dehumidifier!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com

There's NO such thing as WATERPROOF CONCRETE - or is there?

2011-08-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

Internationally renown Los Angeles swimming pool designer & builder Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, lecturer, educator, published author and industry expert, discusses the truths behind claims of "waterproof concrete."

Lately there has been a lot of misinformation provided about "watertight" or "waterproof" concrete. This misinformation is the result of people confusing the two terms PERMEABILITY and WATERPROOF.

Let's first outline some basic scientific facts (per the American Concrete Institute - ACI):
1. CONCRETE IS PERMEABLE (ACI),

THEREFORE,

2. CONCRETE CANNOT BE WATERPROOF
(without taking additional measures such as special admixes or surface coatings - ACI).

3. THE DENSITY OF THE PLACED CONCRETE AND (the original) WATER CONTENT OF THE MIX DESIGN - ONLY AFFECT IT'S PERMEABILITY.

False Claims? or Just Confused?
To claim that a dense concrete vessel is watertight or waterproof is a scientifically false statement. It may in fact have a low permeability (the ability of the water to pass through the concrete), but it will still have some measurable level of permeability. You may be able to fill it, and it might not appear to lose any water, but it is still permeable - and therefore losing some water. The mere fact that water can pass into the concrete, illustrates that it cannot be WATERTIGHT or WATERPROOF. It is physically impossible (without the assistance of admixes), regardless how dense the concrete is.

The higher the level of hydrostatic pressures upon the surface of the concrete, the greater the distance the water will permeate the concrete. Given concrete of the same density (PSI,MPA) and therefore the same level of permeability, here is an example of how permeability can affect "water tightness" of a concrete structure:
a. Under water at the upper elevations of a large concrete dam, there is barely any hydrostatic pressure upon the surface of the concrete. The water will penetrate and saturate the concrete only to a certain depth.
b. At the base of the dam, where there exists extreme levels of hydrostatic pressure, the water will penetrate a greater distance into the concrete wall. This occurs even when the concrete has the same density as the upper elevations.

In the case of the Hoover dam, water is actually seeping through the concrete walls at the lower elevations! This is because ALL concrete is permeable. The hydrostatic pressure is actually driving the water through the permeable matrix of the concrete.

Increase the Density
Increasing the density of the concrete can only reduce the permeability of the concrete, but it cannot eliminate it. Microscopically, there are a multitude of passages through the concrete. There are small cracks around the aggregates. There are small fissures in the concrete from the shrinking that occurs during it's curing stage. There are voids where the water in the original mix once was.

Methods to increase the density of concrete, and thereby reduce it's permeability are achieved by:
1. reducing the water in the original mix (utilize super-plasticizers)
2. increasing the "fines" in the original mix (silica fume particles are 100 times finer than cement particles)
3. practicing approved curing methods
4. proper placement and compaction of the wet concrete
5. employing specialty "waterproof" (densifying) admixes

Silica Fume
Because of their small size in relation to cement particles, the silica fume particles can fill in tiny voids that occur between the cement & aggregate particles. The silica fume particles will react with the free lime that is released during cement hydration. The end products are calcium silicate hydrates (CSH). These CSH particles replace the weaker lime that is normally found in concrete. In field use of silica fume as a component of a mix design will reduce permeability by 20 times, over a mix design without silica fume.

"Waterproof" Admixes
The use of "waterproof" admixes (e.g. Xypex, Kryton, etc.) merely make the concrete so dense, that it becomes for all intensive purposes, impermeable. The shell is technically waterproof, because the concrete is impermeable. The presence of water with these admixes, actually promote additional crystalline growth - sealing the permeable microscopic voids, a term called "hydroscopic self-healing." Mind you, this is occurring on a microscopic level, so these crystalline structures will not heal structural or shrinkage cracks. However, poorly placed, improperly cured, or too much water in the concrete will defeat any benefits of these admixes.

Untreated 1. CONCRETE (UNTREATED) A control sample of concrete was sheared through at 50 mm below the top surface. The sheared face shows some of the by-products of cement hydration with which Xypex reacts. Precipitated calcium hydroxide together with cubic and rhombic particles are visible. (courtesy of www.Xypex.com)

Initiation 2. XYPEX CRYSTALLIZATION (INITIATION) Taken at 50 mm within a Xypex-treated concrete sample, this photograph shows the initiation of the Xypex crystalline reaction after Xypex Concentrate was applied to the surface. (courtesy of www.Xypex.com)

Mature 3. XYPEX CRYSTALLIZATION (MATURE) This photo was taken 26 days after the application of Xypex Concentrate at a depth of 50 mm into the concrete sample. A dense, fully developed crystalline structure has formed within the capillary tracts of the concrete to completely block the flow of water. (courtesy of www.Xypex.com)

Permeability Testing
The problem with the widely utilized Rapid Chloride Permeability Test, is that it does not measure the depth of the chloride penetration or how rapidly the chloride ions reached a specific depth. An accurate measurement of permeability must be able to measure BOTH the depth and rate of penetration.

Alternate tests that provide these measurements do not take into account any atmospheric or environmental conditions that may increase the penetration (hydrostatic pressure), as these tests were created by highway departments to measure the quality of in-place concrete. The surface of a concrete slab, overpass, or guard railing has virtually ZERO hydrostatic pressure upon it.... only the thickness of the rainfall!

Because ALL concrete is permeable to some degree, we should all be striving to achieve maximum density in our placed concretes. This lessens the permeability and the chances of reinforcement corrosion - but, it does not eliminate the risk.

Waterproofing / Watertight
The ONLY means to create a WATERPROOF or WATERTIGHT vessel, is to eliminate permeability - which by concrete's nature is scientifically impossible. If you are willing to forgo additional waterproofing measures, then you are also accepting an unknown level of permeability into your concrete structures. The level of permeability may be minuscule, but it is an UNKNOWN that I am not willing to accept.

To actually claim that a vessel is WATERPROOF or WATERTIGHT, without the additional use of waterproof barriers is false. The concrete is still permeable, maybe it is less permeable than vessels built by others, but it is not water proof or watertight! The only means to achieve a waterproof or watertight vessel is to 100% eliminate the permeability.

The only way to stop the permeability, is to keep the water away from the concrete. This is where waterproofing measures come into play. Curing sprays do not make a vessel waterproof - they only help reduce the permeability, so do not buy into the "waterproof" sales pitch.

Because waterproofing cannot be applied to the reverse of a concrete vessel shot against earth, it is imperative that proper placement, compaction, mix design and curing procedures be followed. The addition of waterproofing admixes will reduce the permeability of the concrete from the reverse side, protecting the reinforcing steel and thereby increasing the structure's lifespan.

Be sure that you use the correct terms:

INCREASED DENSITY REDUCES PERMEABILITY AND INCREASES DURABILITY (but it is not waterproof).

WATERPROOF MEANS THAT WATER CANNOT / DOES NOT ENTER (i.e. PERMEATE) THE CONCRETE.

(Scanning electron microscope images & descriptions used with permissions and courtesy of www.Xypex.com)

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com

Bidding Ethics - The big question from Pebble Beach, Napa, San Francisco, Marin Pool Designer & Builder Paolo Benedetti

2011-06-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Bidding and Ethics - Just where do you draw the line???

"Bidding"
Bidding against other contractors for an opportunity to construct a project is all well and good, if the project's specifications are well defined. This works great for government & public works jobs, because they have a clearly defined set of standards.

Because most pool contractors do not build to the "highest standards of workmanship and detail" the property owner is left to sort through the myriad of differing quotes.

Cost vs Quality
Low cost and quality are opposing forces. You get what you pay for! Enough said.

Comparing Proposals
Circulating a simple "plan layout" of a pool project without specifications or details is asking for trouble. Many contractors do not possess the "skill set" (experience or education) to identify potential problems with a project at this stage.
Bidders are told "bid it like it was presented" "It's a design-build, so go ahead and specify what you'll do differently."
Great, now they want their job specified for free, too!
If all of the pool builders could all see the forest from the trees....

Hidden Costs with "Design-Build"
"Design-Build"
What this really means to a potential bidder is:
"Bid the project based on the minimal information that was provided. Get the contract with a low bid and minimal everything. Once items begin to be defined, point out what was included and then hit them with the change orders."

So, you offered the project to one of the lower bidders. Once they obtained the soils report, they come to you with a change order. The pool requires special engineering. "Cha-ching."

The engineering says that it has to be built stronger and with special foundations, that were not provided for in their "basic contract." "Cha-ching."

They determine that the surge tank on the vanishing edge pool was designed too small. "Cha-ching."

The plumbing exceedes the minimum sized plumbing and quantity that their "basic contract" allowed. "Cha-ching."

The raised walls that will hold back water will require waterproofing inside and out. "Cha-ching."

Your final selection of finish materials will require additional labor and special installation methods. "Cha-ching."

The walls were build too high to allow for the thick stone that you chose. The walls will have to be chipped down (never mind that they will now be too close to the reinforcing steel). "Cha-ching."

Extra pumps and filters will be required for the vanishing edge, spa jets and water features. "Cha-ching."

The general Contractor on your job isn't really concerned about the cost over-runs. He's making additional margin on every change order. He knew this going into the project.... But you thought that a pools a pool. Right??

So, now you're stuck with an under-qualified pool contractor, because you've already signed their contract - back when the pool was under specified.

Now that the specifications are becoming more clearly defined, they are entitled by law to be paid for these changes. You are stuck with the responsibility of these additional costs. "Cha-ching."

Gee... the lowest bidder wasn't so cheap after all.

Having a well defined and specified set of plans, prior to bidding will save you thousands of dollars in the long run. And suddenly, all of the bids become almost equal.

You should stop and think.... does your "design - build process," really force bidders to bid low, keep their observations of deficiency issues with your plans to themselves, until they have you signed on the dotted line???

Maybe you should ask yourself some difficult questions:

Why are some bids so much higher than the rest?
What do they see that the others do not?
What are they going to do that the others won't?

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com

Famous Swimming Pool Designer Paolo Benedetti to speak at 2011 Asia Pool & Spa Exhibition - Design Details and Glass Tile Mosiac Installations

2011-06-01T15:44:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 1, 2011

Morgan Hill, CA

Internationally renown aquatic designer and builder Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa, Morgan Hill, CA, has been selected as a guest speaker by the Pool & Spa Exhibition Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, September 20-23, 2011.

This is the largest show in Asia dedicated to the Pool & Spa Industry. His presence at the show will be crucial in presenting the ability of American aquatic designers to this important emerging market.

As the founder of Aquatic Technology, and a Platinum Member of the Genesis 3 Design Group (Murfreesboro, TN), Paolo Benedetti has been instrumental in elevating swimming pools and watershapes as an art form. An accomplished author, he has written countless articles on aquatic design and quality construction. As an educator, he has taught international audiences the finer points of swimming pool and watershape construction.

Paolo Benedetti or his projects have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, New York Times, USA Today, HGTV, and the following magazines: Robb Report, Lux (Spain), the Affluent Pages, Millionaire, Luxury Pools, Water Shapes, Gentry, Pool & Spa Age, Luxury Homes, Options, Lexus (Lexus automobile owners magazine), Seasons (the Four Seasons Hotels Magazine), Luxury Real Estate, Aqua, and the Franklin Report.

He will presenting 2 seminars during the show:
1. Construction Details - Concealing the "Uglies", Ways to hide things you
need, but don't want to see.
2. Selecting & Installing Glass Tile - What you need to know before & during
the installation.

For additional information regarding the Exhibition, please visit their website at:

http://www.poolspaasia.com/

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com

INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL SPA FOUNTAIN WATER FEATURE DESIGN PLANNING ENGINEERING FIRM FOR ARCHITECTS DEVELOPERS RESORTS HOTELS CONTRACTORS OWNERS

2011-05-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

Paolo Benedetti is the principal and founder of the Internationally acclaimed design and build firm, Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa. The firm specializes in the design, construction, planning and consulting of swimming pool, spa, fountains and water features for Architects, Landscape Architects, property owners, developers, contractors, hotels and resorts.

What we do
Paolo Benedetti is the lead designer of the firm. He consults with prospective clients wherein he performs an extensive interview to ascertain their goals, changing lifestyle, how they entertain, how the facility will be utilized, and the construction budgets.

As part of a larger project design team, Paolo functions as a sounding board for other design professionals. He can advise and recommend efficient methods of overcoming problematic operational or design issues, while maintaining the intent and character of the design. Rough ideas and sketches can be transformed into complete construction drawings and construction budgets.

After defining the projects parameters, he creates sketches of proposed elements of the project and of potential configurations of their arrangement. A follow-up meeting with the client allows him to explain how all of these elements function together in the various layouts.

The client is again consulted with and agrees to the various elements to be incorporated into the project and their spatial relationship to each other. Paolo will then create the project plan view and begin to develop individual details of the key elements.

Parallel to the development of the primary elements, the designs of the support systems are developed, engineered and the line schematics created.

Support Systems
The support system designs include many crucial mechanical & electrical systems. Critical systems are designed and calculated to perform at optimum levels of efficiency, minimize installation costs, maximize ROI, reduce operating costs and lower reoccurring maintenance expenses. Their proper design will also ensure that future site needs can be met without extensive demolition or expense.

Electrical
Both low and high voltage distribution circuits are configured and designed to minimize trenching and to provide maximum system flexibility. Complete electrical schematics detail where each conduit and circuit initiates and terminates, and it's purpose.

Low voltage systems are laid out to provide for the integration and control of all of the low voltage needs of the entire outdoor environment: irrigation, lighting, data systems, automation and control systems, outdoor sound, remote controls, security and access controls.

High voltage schematics detail the various circuits required, their purpose and wiring requirements. These circuits control the water feature circulation, heating, lighting, spa jets, filtration, outdoor kitchens, yard circuits, automatic pool covers, high voltage lighting, gate openers, and other apparatus as required by the project.

Hydraulics & Plumbing
The proper design & specification of the plumbing systems is critical to the proper operation of any vessel that moves water. The dynamics of fluid mechanics (hydraulics) can create havoc on an improperly designed system. The flow rates (measured in gallons per minute) and the line velocities (measured in feet per second) are critical in ensuring that the system is energy efficient and safe for bathers. Complete engineering of the system hydraulics also ensures that the system flow rates and velocities are below the maximums allowed by the codes and standards.

Therefore, the entire hydraulic system is laid out and the hydraulics of the system are engineered to determine the total dynamic head (restriction of the entire system to the movement of the water) based upon the required flow and turnover rates. Only after determining the specifications of the hydraulic system are the pumps selected.

Support Equipment
After determining the plumbing requirements of the facility, the support equipment is carefully chosen. The client's goals (as determined at the initial interview meeting) are the determining factors in selecting the equipment. If the client has expressed that need to maximize the ROI and reduce reoccurring maintenance expenses, then higher quality commercial grade equipment will be recommended. If the client was looking to minimize their initial capital outlay (e.g. they planned on immediately selling the property upon completion), then residential (but completely adequate & functional) grade equipment may be recommended. In either case, the client will be given their options, and the trade-offs discussed.

Oftentimes, the area available for the support equipment had been grossly underestimated. Equipment selection and configuration can partially address this situation. However, inventive solutions are often the only means to fit the required equipment into the allotted space. Underground vaults, stacked equipment or elevated filters & heaters allow for the optimum utilization of space.

All of the support equipment is laid out in scale drawings. If stacking or racking is required, then sectional views are also created to illustrate the layout. This assists the installer in visualizing the configuration in it's final form.

Finish Materials
Oftentimes clients have chosen finish materials well in advance of the completion of the design. Sometimes these materials have been chosen by other design professionals, as part of an overall project synergy. Our purpose in this situation is to merely ensure that the materials are suitable for the desired purpose and lifespan. This is only because we will be held liable if we do not advise the client that a material is not suitable for their project (e.g. not frost proof, will dissolve when exposed to pool water, not stain resistant, slippery, prone to decay, etc.). Once the client has been advised of the risks, then they can "move forward" and assume the related liability.

Conversely, some clients rely on Paolo's vast knowledge of materials and installation practices. Paolo sources unique materials from around the globe, one's he's seen in his international travels, site visits to quarries, attendance at materials trade shows, or past experiences.

Complete installation methodologies and practices can be specified for a project if the client so desires. Tile, stone, masonry and concrete installation specifications can all be defined. Paolo's constant and continuing pursuit of construction related education, will ensure the client that their project will be designed in compliance with the latest industry trade practices, published standards, and building codes. The client will not have to worry of their subcontractors are in compliance with the latest methodologies, technology, standards or code.

Structural Engineering
Complete structural engineering is then completed for the project. The engineer will review the various details of the project and will define the support structures to allow construction.

The structural engineer will require a complete geological report (soils report) in order to define the strength of the structures and elements. The soils report also advises the structural engineer of any unusual site conditions that may affect the long-term performance of the structure. Issues such as ground movement, ascending or descending slopes, unstable, expansive or rocky soils, ground water, or unusual surcharges will be outlined in the geological survey.

From concept to completion, or anywhere in between, Paolo Benedetti can assist you in turning your dreams into reality.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com

Hollywood Hills Hillside Vanishing Edge Swimming Pool Designer & Builder Paolo Benedetti weighs in on why you need to get a swimming pool designer

2011-05-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

Why you need to get an aquatic consultant / swimming pool designer involved early.

Design...
People who create designs for a living understand the importance of a well thought out plan. But many lay people simply cannot grasp the value in spending money for someone to consult on a swimming pool, spa, or water feature.

Value...
The real value is in the savings... Savings, you ask? How can spending thousands of dollars on a swimming pool designer possibly save me money?

Someone with experience can suggest innovative means to overcome obstacles or issues during the conceptual phase - long before they become on-site issues and delay the construction project. They can identify potential problems before they become one. They can offer creative solutions to conceal visual clutter. Their intimate knowledge of water and the way it acts on various surfaces, how it flow, how it breaks, scatters or casts can save the client from living with a constant mess.

Time...
Getting a consultant involved in your project as early as possible, will allow them to weigh in on important issues long before things are "set in stone." Lines of sight, vantage points, colors and reflections, materials and their suitability, and the "all important budgets," can be discussed early on in the project.

A designer can assist in visually integrating the water vessels into the project, landscaping, and help ensure that project timelines will be preserved. This will save the client money, by preventing from having to go back and rework portions of the project that had already been decided.

Architect or Landscape Architect??
Why can't my Architect or Landscape Architect perform this service? A few reasons, actually... education and experience.

While most Architects possess the college education, few if any possess the the combined specialized education about water through history, the physics of water and color, the importance of system hydraulics, the characteristics of water in motion, the construction of vessels, waterproofing, and modern construction technology, and the basics of designing complex water effects.

Decades of experience in analyzing the failed projects of others and actually designing and building complex hillside swimming pools, water effects, vanishing edge, knife edge, and zero edge pools can save the client money. The experienced designer can share the experience of the R&D from past projects that pushed the envelope of watershape design. R&D you ask? Yes - R&D! ("Rework and Demolition!").

Tricks that worked on past projects, solutions to prior issues, or proven techniques used to create an effect can save the client money, by not having to reinvent the wheel. There are people out there who already know that wheels are round, and can get your wheels rolling faster!

Knowledge & Experience
There are a lot of firms touting themselves as pool designers. Some are technicians. Some are artists. Some are engineers. Some are problem solvers. Some rely on computer programs. Some are merely builders. Some are copycats. Very few can do all of the above.

Knowledge and experience do come together... There are only few highly qualified aquatic designers in the world...
Individuals who can do it all (I won't say "know it all" because I am not arrogant enough to say that any of us know it all. After all, I learn something new every day. Sometimes, I even learn a lot of things in one day!).

But of those that possess the skills to perform at an exemplary level in all aspects of aquatic design - I can count them on one hand. And, yes, I consider each and every one of them a friend.

A well thought out plan can only be created, if the people doing the thinking actually possess the knowledge to think the relevant thoughts...

Now is the time to hire an aquatic consultant, before you start the plans for your dream project!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist "Creating water as art."™ Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa© www.aquatictechnology.com

How I got started in the swimming pool industry...

2011-02-28T17:24:00.000-08:00

Internationally recognized swimming pool designer, Paolo Benedetti discusses how he got started designing & building the world's most exotic swimming pools.

A few years ago Paolo was asked to comment as to how he got started in the swimming pool industry.

So, How did you get started in the swimming pool industry?

I made a career move almost 20 years ago. Having had a contractor's license in another trade, possessing the desire to manage my own business, and wanting to utilize my business degree, I purchased an existing pool service company that catered to the affluent estates in the Silicon Valley and on the San Francisco Peninsula.

I quickly realized that managing a "pool janitorial" firm was not my cup of tea. Though I ran a very professional company, the clients did not hold the employees in great regards ("the pool guy" they'd all hear). I also realized that most of the pools that we serviced, were improperly plumbed and constructed using "marginally acceptable" practices. This was primarily because most consumers had been taught to "get 3 bids & to shop price." But consumers don't realize that construction, is not a consumer commodity like a TV or washer/dryer.

Those of us in construction know that there are different levels of workmanship... I realized that there was no one who was actually designing or building top tier vessels. So, I quickly evolved the firm into a remodeling & construction firm, selling off the service division. After realizing that remodeling meant that I had to inherit other builders' inferior structures, I began to focus exclusively on new construction. We still perform remodeling projects, but they must be extensive in nature.

I was confounded as to how a property owner of financial means ended up with such a lousy pool. I came to realized that most developers, general contractors, architects & landscape architects were in the "3 bids" mode... and that breaking that "compete on price" mindset was going to be impossible. I kept hearing "all pools are the same." This only reinforced my theory that they did not possess the knowledge to make a truly informed decision. Someone needed to provide them with the skills to correctly specify the design & construction details of an exotic swimming pool, so that they would not continue to rely upon the "low bidder" to "design-build" from a conceptual sketch (the proverbial "blind leading the blind").

So, I began designing and specifying my own projects. I began consulting with a select group of architects, landscape architects, and designers who relished someone with an education, who was articulate and possessed a knowledge of hydraulics, proper construction practices, architecture, art and world history. Most of those that I routinely work with now, will just set aside an area for the pool or water features. I am then just turned loose with the client. They know full well that what I propose will work with the site, the architecture, and the client's position in life.

I now focus primarily on design & consulting. I build out and manage a select few projects, wherein the clients appreciate a "no holds barred" approach to construction... a "we're doing it right, or we're not doing it" attitude.

Who are the primary influences upon your design style?

The primary influences of my design style have been a direct result of my personal fondness of contemporary architecture. While I can deliver older traditional styles, I usually infuse them with "clean details" (by removing the visual clutter and support apparatus routinely visible in so many projects). I frequently draw on my international travels and studies of art and architecture, to innovate ideas or features that I have seen. I now make it a point of venturing afield while on business trips to Europe, the Middle East, or Asia. I always add on a few days to explore the various museums, ancient sites, history & architecture, at least twice a year. I have also been influenced by the architecture of Legorreta, Barragan, Lautner, and Botta.

What does your pool look like and can you show us a picture?

My personal pool was heavily influenced by the works of Legorreta. It is rectilinear, has massive intersecting planes (walls) with water falling from them. The materials & colors are surprising, yet work wonderfully with the various structures on the site. I'm sorry, though it has been completed for years, I have chosen to keep it as an "unpublished work."

How did you become involved with the Genesis 3 Design Group?

I was "doing my own thing" in Northern California, as one of my friends said so eloquently, "a Don Quixote jousting at windmills." He had attended the very first Genesis 3 Design School. After that school, he said, "my company cannot build to those standards, but they are right up your alley!" I was glad to hear that there were some other like minded individuals, who enjoyed pushing the envelope of their creativity. Folks who relished being the "first" at developing some aspect of a project. I took one of the following Genesis 3 Level I Design Schools & it's all been down hill from there!

All kidding aside, I was relieving to find a group that promoted quality before price, design above computer programs & templates, and uniqueness above volume.

From those humble beginnings as a service company owner, I now perform international design & builds, perform consulting services and forensic case studies, and provide expert witness assistance to property owners. And, now I get to select the clients that I work for.... Over the years, I have actually told some "heavy hitters" that I wasn't interested in working for them. Primarily because they wanted to play me like a "yellow page cookie cutter pool builder" and not the passionate design professional that I am.

They didn't possess the passion to "create water as art" and therefore were not worthy of my efforts... or possessing that "part of me" that I leave behind on their property.

Today, I also consult for other swimming pool contractors who possess the salesmanship skills, but who lack the education, experience, knowledge or creativity to execute these complex projects and effectively resolve design issues.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa ©
www.aquatictechnology.com

Why most FAUX rockwork look like FAKE ROCKS!

2011-01-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

International pool designer Paolo Benedetti, discusses why FAUX rock work looks FAKE and CONTRIVED....

SETTING

Personally, I do not do a lot of rock work, either natural or faux. WHY? Because most clients who want a grotto, volcano, rock formation or waterfall on their property do not have the correct setting. "Setting" you ask? Yes, most pools and homes are built on flat lots.

To make a rock formation appear natural, it must look like it belongs. Have you ever seen a 20 foot high pile of boulders in the middle of a meadow with water bubbling out of the top of it? RARE!! And if there is water bubbling out of some rocks, more than likely the rocks will be small and almost unnoticeable.

It all comes down to the SETTING! Call me a purist, a perfectionist, or an arrogant bastard.... I refuse to put my name or efforts onto something that looks so contrived.

To make matters worse, most poolside waterfalls are so out of scale with the yard that they either look like a wheelbarrow load of rocks left on the edge of the pool by the landscape firm, or an enormous dump truck load of boulders piled to the sky without any rhyme or reason.

The few rock feature pools that I have designed or built, were on lots that sloped up and away from the house. This allowed me to incorporate the rock work into the hillside. It also allows me to create what appears to be the natural source for any waterfalls or flowing water. By creating a stream that begins above the pool's rock formation, the waterfall at the pool appears to be a natural rock out cropping.

QUALITY MATERIALS

Quality work starts with quality materials. To achieve the most realistic looking rock waterfalls, one must work with realistic materials. The MOST realistic that you will ever find are REAL rocks & boulders... PERIOD! If a client's budget allows, I always will specify real rocks and boulders.

Quality faux rocks are cast from real rocks. Rocks that are "carved on site" look like just that - carved concrete. It is impossible to create the natural cleft, cleavage, and striations that occur in nature in the short time the artisan has before the material begins to harden.

Prepackaged "kit" waterfalls, will end up looking like just that... a KIT! In order to make one of these believable, you will need to do a lot of work around the outside of it. And do not think that your minimally build pool can support the additional tens or hundreds of tons weight on the edge without cracking. These ARE NOT something that you can just "add to your pool" (REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE ADS OR SALESMEN SAY - don't do it!). Talk to a structural engineer.... the pool needs to be designed for it. Most backyard pools are not of sufficient structural strength to support any additional surcharges (this is why they apparently crack for no reason - they are as thin as the pool builder could get away with).

A combination of real and faux rocks can help most mid-level projects meet their budgetary constraints. Natural boulders are placed up close to the entertainment areas and where people are the most likely to climb on them. Faux boulders and rock formations can be placed in the background, up high, and in inaccessible areas.

PLACEMENT

Just because quality materials are being used, does not guarantee that the project will achieve stardom. Most projects look contrived because the person in charge of placing the boulders and faux rock panels does not have an understanding of geology and rock formations.

This is not rock-et science. In fact a Jr. High school aged kid could do it. What it takes is the time to stop and observe rock formations in nature. We are trying to mimic mother nature.... so follow her lead.

Most of the boulders that you see in nature (other than those that have rolled down onto the edge of the highway) are buried! What you usually observe is the top 1/4-1/3 of the boulder. But because people are paying by the ton for these HUGE boulders for their yard, no one ever wants to bury most of them.

The simple solution... SPLIT THEM! Duh. Then you actually have doubled the quantity of boulders you have to work with, and saved yourself a lot of labor digging a hole to place it in. It doesn't matter what the split side ends up looking like, does it?? After all this is the side that you're going to put down onto the ground (or maybe buried shallowly).

Piles of rocks in nature usually only occur beneath a larger rock formation... after all, they had to fall from somewhere! So placing a pile of boulders in a yard will almost always appear fake and unnatural. To achieve a natural appearance, requires that either a larger formation is placed uphill from the "rock pile," or a cliff face is created. Either of these techniques can work. The cliff face technique appears more natural when retaining walls are required to shore up steep inclines.

FOOLING THE MIND'S EYE

A true rock artist will be in tune with the natural formation, the angles of the fissures, and the natural "breaks" of the stone. They will incorporate small details that will draw the viewers brain into believing that everything that they see is real.

These details include small pebbles, gravel, and sand set into crevices fissures. Tree roots growing out through the face of cliffs. Plants growing on ledges and plateaus. These elements add to the believability of the rock formation. Even water weeping out of the cliff face, adds an "element of truth."

I'm not going to address the need for structural engineering, supervision of the rock structure construction by the structural engineer, water proofing (which is an ongoing process from the foundation, back fill, curing, sealing, and in the manufacturing of the actual faux rock panels). If your "rock guy" doesn't understand the need for these (or rationalizes them away), then he's a schlock & a charlatan!

When completed, the faux rock work will be very close in appearance to the real boulders that are incorporated into the project. They should last a lifetime without cracking or crumbling.

Be prepared to re-color or re-texture the faux boulders, as over time the finishes will fade due to the exposure to the UV, pool chemicals, and water.

As my rock artists loves to say...

ROCK ON!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com

Pool Finish & the Color of the Water

2010-12-29T09:06:00.000-08:00

Internationally recognized infinity edge swimming pool designer Paolo Benedetti discusses the color of the pool finish and other the variables that affect the perceived color of the pool.

BLUE
Most people who are having a swimming pool designed, almost always say "I want the pool finish to be blue, so that the water looks blue." And they hold to this hard and fast, though it couldn't be further from the truth.

VARIABLES
There are actually many variables that affect the perceived color of a swimming pool, fountain or spa. Merely placing a blue finish onto the pool walls does not guarantee that the pool will appear blue.

Physics - something we cannot control
Physics is not something that we can just turn off, cover up, or demolish & haul away - it is here to stay & it is always ON.

Let's face it, water is clear - at least clean water is! And because it is clear, it does not assume the color of it's surroundings like a chameleon. But, water does do some interesting things to light.

It bends light, so that anything that is being viewed through the water, is not exactly where is appears... this is called refraction. Place a stick into some water... you'll observe that the stick appears to bend at the surface of the water.

Because light travels slower in water, objects under water will appear about 1/3 larger than they actually are. So now things will look bigger and not be exactly where they really are.

Light will also scatter as it passes through water. The deeper light travels through the water, the more of an affect the water has upon scattering the light. This is why objects lying on the bottom of a 20 foot deep pool seem to have lost their contrast.

Light is also absorbed as it passes through water, and it is lost rather quickly. In 2 holes of equal depth - one empty and one filled with water. The one with the water will be darker at the bottom. Scuba divers know this well.

Additionally, the various colors of the light spectrum are absorbed by the water at different rates. Some colors are just not as intense & are absorbed rather quickly, while others penetrate deeper into the water. This is is what has the greatest effect upon the colors that we think that we see underwater ("perceived color").

Red is the weakest of the color spectrum and it is filter out at rather shallow depths. Orange is lost next, followed by yellow, green, and then blue. A deep clean body of water will therefore appear blue when viewed from the proper distance & angle. The ocean or a lake can appear different shades of blue, green or brown due to suspended matter in the water that absorbs or reflects the various colors of the spectrum.

So how do we predict what color a viewer will perceive? We use basic color theory...

Color Theory

Shallow water does not have much effect upon filtering out the red & orange light spectrums. This explains why a pool appears to be bluer in the deep end.... the red light is being filtered out and the blue light is continuing to the floor of the pool.

So, this blue light will reflect back at the viewer along with the color of the pool finish. So a brown or tan finish (yellow spectrum)in the pool, when combined with the blue light will make the deep end appear green (yellow + blue = green). By contrast if the pool had a red finish, the pool would appear red in the shallow end, but in the deep end it would appear violet (red + blue = violet).

The Sky

If the sky is bright blue, that color will be transmitted to the pool. By contrast, if the sky is cloudy, orange, etc, those same colors will be transmitted into the water. So a pool at sunset on the ocean will appear much different than a pool in the snow covered mountains or a cloudy day.

View Angle

Looking down onto a pool from a high rise hotel is the best example of "view angle." The viewer is able to take in the entire scene, deep and shallow end together, and not be affected by glare upon the water.

The closer the viewer is to the surface of the water, the more apt they are to be affected by reflected light (oftentimes called "glare" if it is sunny outside). This surface refection and the refraction of the light exiting the pool, does not allow the viewer to see the true effects of this phenomenom of the combination of colors.

Proximity to the Pool

If the viewer is close to the pool's edge, the perceived colors will be different than if they were observing the pool from overhead. Additionally, our eyes automatically focus and try to "see the bottom" of the pool, so we cannot effectively absorb the colors that are presented. As we begin to distance ourselves from the pool, our eyes focus less on the details and more on the scene. This is the point where we begin to observe the blending of light and materials.

Environment

Objects in the immediate vicinity of the swimming pool also contribute color to the water. Tall buildings, trees, shrubs, retaining walls and decking all contribute their own color to the scene & water. Items that are reflected upon the surface of the pool also change the perceived color.

Experience

If it is important to you to achieve a certain color, then it is best to hire someone who has had some training in color theory and who possesses the knowledge to manipulate the project to achieve your goals.

Because there are so many contributing factors - many that are variable & in a constant state of flux, this is really more of an art than a science.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com

Beverly Hills swimming pool designer Paolo Benedetti discusses the importance of using white thinset

2010-10-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

Paolo Benedetti, an internationally renown Beverly Hills swimming pool designer, builder of infinity, vanishing, and disappearing edge pools discusses the importance of creating installation mock-ups and of using the correct materials when setting tile & stone.

Backing Color
Since most glass tiles are somewhat translucent, it is imperative that the surface behind the tiles be white. This means that waterproofing systems, thinsets, mortar beds, basically anything in contact with the reverse of the tiles.

Membranes
Most membranes are colors other than white. Most are of colors that owners do not want to see: blue, red, black, green. Since tiles can vary slightly in their thickness, it is important that there be a layer of something white on top of the membrane. This can be as simple as placing a skim coat of a white thinset on the membrane before installing the actual setting bed of thinset.

Installers usually tap the surface of the tiles to ensure complete embediment into the setting bed. The thicker tiles will embed deeper than the thinner tiles. This will displace more thinset than the thinner tiles... resulting in a thinner layer of thinset below the thicker tiles. A colored membrane may show through this thinner layer a little more than the thicker layer below the thinner tiles.

Thinset - Gray or White??
I just explained why white behind lighter colored glass tile is so important. So the answer should be obvious... WHITE THINSET under light colored tiles, GRAY under dark colored tiles.

Glass tiles come in all formats, opaque, translucent, clear, integral color, and colored back coatings or any combination of the above. Light colored tiles will provide a true color rendition when white thinset is used.

When setting clear tiles, you should always create some mock-up sample boards. I know there is an additional expense and related time delays, but a few days spent here will save you a lot of agony in the future (and the expense of tearing out tile & starting over). You might not be satisfied with the color rendition when a gray background is used.

Grouts
Grouts will also change the color of the tile. Since the grout is worked in between the tiles, it will impart a hue within the glass. A dark grout will darken the color of the tiles, while a lighter will brighten it.

However, using a white grout with dark colored tiles will make the surface look like a giant crossword puzzle. So it is best to select a grout color that is close in color to the tiles. This is most important for clear or opaque tiles, that will "read" the color of the grout.

Be sure to soak the grouted sample board underwater for a period of time prior to making your selection. After being underwater for sometime, the grout will absorb water. This saturation will darken the color of the grout. grout underwater will be darker, while the grout above water will be lighter. So - be sure to wait for the grout to absorb some water before making your choice in grout color!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com

Glass Tile Fracture & Failure - Glass Tile Mosaics, Cement and Alkali Silica Reaction

2010-08-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

Paolo (Paul) Benedetti founder of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa, an internationally recognized aquatic and water feature designer and builder discusses the failure of glass mosaic tiles... simply due to the installer's failure to read and follow the installation directions. His vanishing edge, infinity edge, knife edge, and perimeter overflow pools grace some of the most sophisticated estates in the world.

Read the Instructions BEFORE you have problems...

Failing to precisely follow the installation instructions for glass mosaic tiles can result in a catastrophic failure of the tiles or specialty coatings. Most men have an aversion to reading instructions or taking advice. Let's face it, it's a guy thing... whether it be a road map (before we get lost) or the assembly instructions for that new kid's bicycle on Christmas morning (before we curse and swear Santa and the Elves for not bringing it fully assembled!).

The Manufacturer's include Directions for a reason...

I recently reviewed an installation where the glass tiles seemed to be disintegrating right before the owner's eyes. The grout in some areas of the installation was intact & beautiful. In other areas of the installation (and coincidentally around the failing tiles), the grout appeared to be forming a white gel like coating on the surface. I immediately knew what was happening, but now had to determine WHY. Perfectly good tile was being destroyed by a shoddy installation.

The tiles in the above pictures were not subject to saturation from the fountain, and therefore the ASR had not formed (yet). Click on the image to see a larger view.

In the above image, you can clearly see the white gelatinous material forming between the tiles... almost like a white slime. Click on the image to see a larger view.

Alkali Silica Reactivity (ASR)

Alkali Silica Reactivity (ASR) is nothing new. The phenomenon has been around for centuries. It is based in science & chemistry. To explain it in simple terms, when high alkali cements are exposed to silica (a basic element in glass), the cement will turn gelatinous.

This gelatinous material expands as it forms, causing the cement to crack. Certain colors of glass can actually accelerate this reaction. The finer the particles of glass within the cement, the more severe the reaction. This is a real concern where ground glass is added to cement as an aggregate (recycling) or for decorative reasons (sparkles in the glass).

The ancient Romans used to add pozzolans (volcanic ash) to their cements to help prevent this from occurring. I doubt that they knew why it worked, but it did. Today, there are chemicals & other additives that can be incorporated into the cement to prevent this from occurring. Lithium, metakaolin (produced from kaolin clay), and fly ash are all used in different applications to control and prevent ASR.

Where the wheels fell off...

The tile in this case was from a quality source... Sicis. I have used Sicis in the past & continue to use their materials. I have found them to be first rate, and I do not intend to insinuate that the product is inferior in any way. The problem here, is that the installer created a chemical reaction that could be created with ANY brand of glass tile.

As with any material, you have to follow the installation directions. The installation instructions from the material manufacturer ALWAYS takes president over any other published standard or guidelines. After all, the manufacturer knows best, as to what works with their products.

After talking to the property owner & their installer, I quickly realized that the installer had relied upon what I have previously referred to as a set of the "daddy-dids" standards. He installed the tile the way his "daddy dids it," "the way I always have." However, had he bothered to read the instructions from the tile manufacturer, he would have clearly seen a large warning in the instructions. He had added calcium to the leveling bed, in order to accelerate the hardening, and therefore allow him to set the tile quicker (after all time is money, right??).

The instructions clearly state to avoid using high alkali cements & products where the tiles will be exposed to high levels of humidity (moisture). In a fountain or swimming pool, do you think that the humidity level is high??? Like maybe 100% !!!??? His addition of calcium to the mortar and failure to install a waterproof membrane accelerated the demise of this project.

Click on the above document to open a larger version for review. Under the left column "Laying & Sealing" heading, the second paragraph clearly states "adhesives containing alkaline-earthy hydrates (e.g.,. calcium carbonate) should not be used..."

Hiring quality installers

This is another example of the old adage... "You get what you pay for." Just because someone is a tile installer, does not mean that he is a glass tile installer. Glass tile installations take a special set of skills & knowledge. The installers that I know & use, have been installing glass tiles for decades. They have a intimate knowledge of the various standards that they must adhere to (TCNA, ANSI 108.5, etc.).

The best installers know what questions to ask, create mock-ups for testing & for the client to approve, and most importantly - they read the directions from the tile manufacturer. They use the recommended setting materials, and even read the directions of those products.

Documentation is also important in glass tile installations. Keeping track of when certain areas were floated, set, & grouted ensures that the proper curing times were adhered to.

Tracking & recording the production lots of the various setting materials used, also allows for "reverse engineering" and a linear accountability in the even of any issues of this sort. And of course, tons of pictures. Digital images are free, so there is no excuse to not take thousands of them!

The only means to correct this failing installation, is to strip the entire job and start over. Where's the money savings now??

In this close up image, not only is the ASR gelatinous growth visible, but the additional calcium (lime) is bleeding out of the grout joints. Click on the image to see a larger view.

Hire quality designers, craftsmen and specifiers and you'll actually save yourself a lot of heart aches and money in the long run!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com

The very first infinity edge, vanishing edge, perimeter overflow, and knife edge pools

2010-07-16T09:08:00.000-07:00

Internationally renown aquatic designer and builder, Paolo Benedetti, discusses the history of infinity and vanishing edge swimming pools, throughout the ages.

There have been a lot of charlatans in the pool industry who have claimed to have created the "very first" vanishing edge pool (aka: disappearing edge, infinity edge, zero edge). However, those that claim to have designed or built the very first of such effects are either ignorant or possess "an inflated value of self worth" (fat egos and are blatant liars)!

THE VERY FIRST INFINITY EDGE

By simply looking at the horizon when at the beach, one can view the oldest of all of the disappearing water on horizon effects. Standing above a waterfall, one can again see the simple effects of "water on the horizon." The largest series of cascading "vanishing edge pools" ever created, was also created by Mother Nature at Pamukkale, Turkey.

Click on the image to see a larger/close-up view.

These effects were created by GOD... no mortal can lay claim to creating these effects. Period.

THROUGH HISTORY

Throughout history, builders have borrowed on their observations of these naturally occurring water on horizon effects. They have incorporated these effects in the fountains or pools that they built. One of the earliest forms of zero edge fountains were overflowing pots or bowl fountains. By providing them with a constant supply water, the bowls merely overflow their rims. This kept them clean and clear while creating the effect.

This effect was used as far back as the Romans. Water from rivers & streams was diverted for use in the fountains, homes, and agriculture, then allowed to flow back into the river.

One of the lesser known fountains of Versailles, the Stag fountain, has an inverted vanishing edge. By inverted, I mean that the water flows over a weir (edge) towards the viewer. This fountain dates back to the 17th Century.

Click on the image to see a larger/close-up view.

CURRENT HISTORY
As I have discussed in an earlier posting (http://watershapes.blogspot.com/2009/06/knife-edge-perimeter-overflow-pools.html), Los Angeles architect John Lautner (1911-1994) was the modern pioneer of the vanishing edge pool. He incorporated variations of vanishing edge pools in many of his projects.

Completed in 1963, Silvertop, in Silver Lake, CA was Lautner's first true vanishing edge pools. Construction started in 1957, so he must have conceived of the idea at least 4-5 years prior (1952?). This was way before any of the geniuses in the swimming pool industry had ever heard of the term "vanishing edge pool."

Click on the image to see a larger/close-up view.

One of his lesser known projects, the Aranjo House, is situated in the hills above the Acapulco, Mexico harbor.

Click on an image to see a larger/close-up view.

Though this was not a vanishing edge in the pure sense of the term, it illustrates that water as an architectural element was being utilized to create a water on the horizon effect.

Another of John Lautner's famous edge pools is the Sheats-Goldstein house. This pool was not originally a knife edge perimeter overflow pool. It was retrofitted with a stainless steel slot gutter by the current owner, James Goldstein.

Click on an image to see a larger/close-up view.

The only true innovation of recent history was the invention of the deck level perimeter overflow. It is a variation of a competition swimming pool gutter design. Instead of being placed into the interior of the pool, the gutter is placed upon the top of the deck.

While setting a trend, the effect is unrefined and it's approach amateurish at best. It is oftentimes utilized on commercial pools, as it is easy to install and maintain. However it is unsightly.

Though someone falsely may claim to have designed or built the very first vanishing edge swimming pool, a simple look back through history clearly reveals their deceit.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com

Aquatic Technology & Paolo Benedetti receive World Class Architect's Praise

2010-06-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

A World-Class Pritzker Prize winning Architect that I had the privilege of working with a few years ago posted the following comments about my involvement on the project:

"I have worked with Paolo Benedetti on a large multi-million dollar project. He was ALWAYS looking out for the client's best interest. When he observed trades (outside of his area of control) performing substandard work, he would bring it to my attention (as the Project Architect). He would have always done his "homework," so he was not "speaking out of school."

I found that this made it easy to make corrections & to "educate" the trades people performing the work. In a few cases, we even changed our installation specifications.

As a member of a large estate "build out" and design team, he made some very creative suggestions for other areas of the projects. Ideas that I am surely would have never been presented, let alone thought of. He quickly became a integral & valued member of the design team.

If you are shopping for contractors by soliciting bids, then he is not the designer/contractor for you. He brings much more value & knowledge to a project, than what can be reduced to dollars & cents.

If he ever showed the interest in being an "Owner's Representative" for an estate build-out project, he'd be on my short list. He is a true artist, with a detailed eye, knowledgeable on multiple trade's practices, and a stickler for doing things the right way (which is not always the easiest way!).

Because he is a General Contractor and a Swimming Pool Contractor, we used his firm to install an indoor "spa room" and water features, and to consult with indoor waterproofing practices. He also build the outdoor living spaces, pools, spas, fountains, fireplaces & outdoor kitchen areas.

My firm had already designed the entire estate (buildings, grounds, & swimming pools), when Paolo was brought into the project by the client. Paolo was tactful when making suggestions about changes to the design. Though I was reluctant at first, he made a number of observations (about the site & client's lifestyle) that warranted a TOTAL REDESIGN of the pool area.

We prepared our own concepts, had he fallen flat on his face. But much to my surprise, his concept presentation fit perfectly with the architecture of the buildings. AND, he stayed true to the theme of the estate/project. I endorsed his concepts and let him play out his plan.

In the end, it was a WIN-WIN for the client. I learned a lot about swimming pools, their proper design and construction.

I also came to the realization that there is truth to the saying, "you get what you (are willing to) pay for." I never knew that there were artisans in the swimming pool industry that cares so much about what they do. He really took pride in everything that he touched.

The client could not stop singing his praises. And, I will definitely utilize his services when my firm is called upon to design another outdoor living area and/or swimming pools."

So what are you waiting for... call me @ (408) 776-8220 and schedule your initial consultation.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com

Glass tile mosaics - tessellated stress cracks fissures microstresses

2010-06-15T21:24:00.000-07:00

Recycled glass: Bad for glass tile, but good for the environment (and manufacturer's profits)!

Tessellated stresses and microstresses (cracking & stress fissures) within glass tile mosaics that contain recycled glass as a portion of it's formulation, are problems that many tile mosaic manufacturers simply do not understand. Most are not even willing to subject their tiles to any thermal shock performance testing. They bury their heads into the sand.. hoping that the problem will go away. It won't... (and I won't!).

If the manufacturer's never test their tiles for thermal expansion stress cracking, then they can continue to "play dumb." This allows them to "blame" the installation, because they know that it will be difficult & costly for an installer or property owner prove that there are materials or manufacturing issues. However, the underlying problem actual lies in their manufacturing process & the improper mixing of dissimilar materials.

With so many companies jumping on the environmentally "green" bandwagon, many are manufacturing products that are not durable. They simply do not understand material science and physics.

It will only take an Act of Congress, Consumer Product Safety Commission, a State Attorney General or a Class-Action Lawsuit to enforce minimum quality & performance standards upon these manufacturers.

Lack of Quality Control & Education

Almost all of the manufacturers fail to understand the importance of a homogeneous mix of virgin materials with the recycled materials. The recycled materials must be mixed thoroughly with themselves and with any additives or raw materials that are added.

If there are portions of the batch that are not homogeneous, there will exist a differential blend of material throughout the finished product. The laws of Physics dictate that different materials have different rates of thermal expansion.

Because these different materials expand at ever-so-slightly different rates, and because glass is not elastic, this stress will cause stress cracking or fissures.

Inconsistent Temperatures

Adding to the problem, is another law of physics. Thermal expansion occurs within matter at a rate in proportion to the temperature. In an installed application there exist temperature gradients throughout glass tile. The surface is heated or cooled at a rate that is faster than the back of the material.

Remember: the back of the material is usually mounted against a cool concrete structure. When the surface of the glass is exposed to the sunlight or swimming pool, it heats up at a faster rate than the back of the tile.

This "temperature gradient" can cause cracking within the tiles. Coupled with the use of recycled materials, and you have the formulation for failure.

Material Size and Thickness

We've established that there can be a temperature gradient within a singular tile. Physics also dictates that thicker tiles will have greater degrees of temperature gradient than thinner tiles, from top to bottom.

Stresses will be less likely to occur in smaller format tiles (1x1's) than in larger format tiles (3x3's, 4x4's, 6x6's +). Irregular sizes (rectangles, triangles, circles, etc.) can also create unusual stresses within the glass tile. This is not to say that they will not occur in small tiles - they do. Given that a small tile may crack, it is almost guaranteed that larger formats of the same tile will crack.

This occurs because the edges remain cooler than the center, creating gradient temperatures across a larger surface area. On a smaller tile, the gradient is less as the core is closer to the edges.

Thicker tiles also contribute to the gradient temperature issue, as thicker tiles cause "shading" of neighboring tiles, allowing the sides & edges to remain cooler than the core or surfaces.

Add coatings to the glass, and you have further altered the possible temperature gradients, by absorbing or reflecting heat in an irregular fashion.

Unknown Raw Materials

Just because a manufacturer receives all of their "raw recycled glass" from one source, does not automatically mean that it is all the same. If a manufacturer uses only recycled soda bottles from one brand of soda - there is no way on God's Green Earth that they can be 1000% certain that all of the bottles are EXACTLY the same.

The soda bottle manufacturer may change formulations ever so slightly from batch to batch, manufacturing temperatures may vary slightly, or even their raw minerals or suppliers may vary slightly.

Since most manufacturer's rely on the "say so" of their supplier to verify that all of the bottles are the same, there is another source of doubt as to the "quality" of the recycled glass. Because the recycled glass is already ground up (aka: "cullet"), there is no means to test the glass to verify the veracity of their claims. It could have soda bottles, old windows, automobile glass (argh!!!), beer bottles, food jars, or contain labeling contaminates such as cobalt (like is found on Corona bottles).

If there is the slightest piece of heat-resistant glass like Pyrex or borosilicate glass present in the cullet, it will alter the viscosity of the fluid in the furnace when it is remelted.

Add to the variance equation, the fact that there may be multiple suppliers of soda bottles to the bottler - each with their own formulation & raw material suppliers, and you have sufficient material variances to wreak havoc with the performance of glass mosaic tiles.

The recycled glass association's standards allow variances in the cullet mix, proof again that there are contaminates and variables in the "raw recycled glass." Here are their acceptable standards:

"PROCESSED (FURNACE READY) FLINT CONTAINER GLASS CULLET SPECIFICATIONS

Composition: Soda-lime-silica container glass.
Container Glass Cullet Colors Segregation: Flint Cullet
Flint 95-100%
Amber 0-5%
Green 0-1%
Other Colors 0-.5%
Total NON-Flint Cullet = <5%>Size: Various sizes from whole glass containers to -100 Mesh.
However, the ideal material size is 3/8" to 3/4" with a 10% minimum
of fine particles. Material size is based upon buyer and
seller's agreement.
Contaminant Listings:
Outthrow Materials: Organic Matter, allowable percentage
based upon buyer and seller's agreement.
Prohibitive Materials:
Ferrous Metals
Nonferrous Metals
Ceramics (such as cups, saucers, dinnerware, pottery, etc.)
Other Glass (for example, plate window glass, heat-resistant
glass—such as Pyrex—and lead-based glass—such as
crystal ware, television tubes, vision ware, etc.)
Other Materials (such as bricks, rocks, etc.)"

Unpredictable Results

Most of the models for predicting the performance characteristics of glass formulation rely on multiple regression analysis or by additivity equations. But the primary principle for utilizing these mathematical predictions, is that you know the formulation of ALL of the raw materials - totally impossible when using recycled glass!

As with any quality control procedure, these equations are the same: garbage in, garbage out. Since they cannot possibly ascertain the chemical composition of 100% of the recycled glass cullet, they are forced to either "guesstimate" or use a random sample of the cullet (and assume that it is all the same!). This is where the variability begins... right on the loading dock!

Why so Random?

Because the materials are not thoroughly mixed, it reasons that there are areas of the sheet of glass, wherein there exists higher concentrations of heterogeneous material. Because the mixing may be more thorough in one batch than the next, concentrations throughout the glass may vary, and tiles may be mixed with other batches of the same color, the resultant cracking in tiles will appear to be totally random.

It may not occur in every color or size of the same tiles. It may appear in adjacent tiles or they may appear in isolated tiles. But there is often a major commonality... the cracking is not linear. Tesselated stresses may transfer into an adjacent tile.

However, if the cracks are directly in line with each other and through a minimum of 3 tiles, then thermal stresses are probably not the cause. Linear cracking through multiple (3+) tiles is probably the result of substrate flexing or movement. This is not to say that tesselated stresses can not coincidentally align across 3 tiles. But there is a statistical probability of this occurring in 2 adjacent tiles, so 3+ has become the rule of thumb.

If the cracks are not through the entire tile, then there is a high probability that it is not installation related. This is "clearly visible" on clear tiles - if they look like fissures within an ice cube, then they are probably thermal stress cracks.

Remember, the larger the format of tile, the lower the tolerance for substrate movement & the greater the chance of thermal stress cracking. The problem is compounding itself!! Example: A lot of grout joints in 1x1 mosaic tiles across an area are a lot more forgiving than rigid 12x12 tiles!

Getting it Mixed Right

There are a few approved methods to ensure that recycled glass is utilized correctly. However, it requires that the glass formulation is mixed thoroughly.

One method is to actually mix the molten glass with a mixer, something that is difficulty, costly & dangerous. Most manufacturers utilize linear kilns - a conveyor belt within a long furnace. This makes mixing molten glass in this method impossible.

The second method, involves multiple stages & involves grinding the glass multiple times. First the recycled glass is ground as small as possible (cullet). The finer it is ground, the more thoroughly the blend can be mixed. Virgin materials are mixed into the mixer along with the ground recycled glass. This mix is then fired into glass utilizing a linear kiln.

Unfortunately, this is where most manufacturer's end their processing. They form their tiles and ship them out the door.

To ensure that the various glass formulations are thoroughly blended, there are two more stages of processing required.

To ensure a thorough homogeneous blend, the glass that is made during the first stage above, is process again. It is broken up & ground up as fine as possible. This fine pulverized glass is again thoroughly mixed. Now it can be fired and made into consumer ready glass mosaic tiles.

Ensuring that there is a homogeneous mix entails additional processing and a double firing of the glass, which is costly. The production time, energy and labor costs more than double! Therefore, most manufacturers who utilize recycled glass merely skip this step.

Some manufacturer's add chemical that they claim solve the issue of homogeneous blending. However, it is statically impossible to prove that the end result will be a homogeneous and isotropic blend. And since there is a very high probability that the cullet is contaminated, there is no means to chemically treat for all possible variations - Who's fooling who???

Principals Founded in Physics & Material Sciences

These are not my hypothesis or mere suppositions... something that I made up.

These are facts based upon over 100 hundreds of years of the investigation of physics & material sciences. In fact, the phenomenon of glass stress cracking from non-homogeneous blending was discussed in scientific papers as far back as the 1890's! Many organizations have investigated this phenomenon:

National Institute of Standards and Technology
Corning Glass Works
M.I.T.
The American Ceramic Society
SciGlass
International Symposium on Glass Problems
and countless foreign entities.

The Lack of Standards & Differential Expansion

The development of tessellated stresses in glass tiles that utilize recycled material will continue to occur, until manufacturers are held to some standard for thermal shock performance.

If they subject their tiles to the CTIOA (Ceramic Tile Institute of America) thermal shock testing (who's tests are designed for ceramic tiles - which do not apply to the performance testing of glass tiles), they only have to submit a mere 5 tiles for testing.
This is not a representative sample of the tile's performance. Again - simple statistical analysis...

Nor is allowing the testing of ONE size of each product line, representative of the entire products line's performance. Glass of different colors contain different chemicals and formulations, and glass tiles of different sizes perform differently. Given their choice, the manufacturer's will submit clear glass 1X1 tiles, who tests will then be proffered as representative of an entire product line.

Manufacturer's are not required to re-certify or submit subsequent production lots for verification of continued compliance and quality control. As the recycled glass (raw materials) change from day to day, so will the final product's performance - yet they will still be relying upon those initial test results.

The CTIOA testing also tests the tiles in their "loose" unmounted state. Now who buys tiles to throw them loose into a pool? They should be tested in their mounted condition, with approved setting materials. Yes, multiple variables & various manufacturers. At least they'd have testing data for compatible setting materials.

Currently there are no performance standards for glass tiles.

It truly is the...

"Wild Wild West!"

"Buyer Beware!!!"

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com

Pitfalls of Owner Supplied Materials

2010-06-15T21:08:00.000-07:00

Many owners believe that they are saving money by supplying materials to a design or construction firm, and then only paying for the installation labor and materials. However, this is a very myopic and narrow view of the entire "what can go wrong" scenario.

Material Warranty
First of all let's get something straight right now... there ISN'T ONE! Nada, bumpkiss, zero, ziltch, squat...

Since the installer was was not the specifier, they are not responsible for any of the myriad of failures that occur with materials. When there are material failures, the homeowner is not going to say, "golly gee, the deal on that cheap material wasn't such a great deal afterall." I have consulted in many of these situations, and the homeowner response is very predictable. IT ALWAYS IS "they must have done something wrong during the installation to cause this..."

Because the homeowner is not an expert in construction materials or the particular application where they are to be used, they do not know the particular questions to ask when sourcing materials. Just because the vendor says "it's fine for that use," does not mean that it is! Just because you saw the same (or a similar looking material) used for a particular purpose, does not mean that it is! Just because you saw a material that looks just like it (used this way), does not mean that it is (the same material)!

Sourcing materials is a science in and of itself. Below is a short list of things to consider (and not even close to being inclusive of all of my selection criteria):
Freeze/Thaw Climate
Material composition (chemical make-up)
Reactivity of the material with the environment (snow, rain, swimming pool chemicals, wind, sun, heat)
Material Offcast (will the material bleed minerals or decay when subject to the environmental influences - above)
Hardness (is the material hard enough & durable enough for the purpose)
Porosity & Stain Resistance (will it resist staining from common materials)
Heat Retention (important in the dessert/tropical areas)
Slip Resistance (polished materials are not always the slipperiest!)
Available Finishes
Component Sizes & Thicknesses
Workability (how hard is it to fabricate & install)
Installation Specifications (does the supplier provide them?)
Who's going to create the mock-ups?

So, do you really still want to source your own materials to save some money on the specifier/installer mark-up?

Installation Warranty
The only warranty provided for the installation of any owner's supplied materials, is that they won't come loose or fall off (unless the material falls apart). PERIOD.

So, do you really still want to source your own materials to save some money on the specifier/installer mark-up?

Repairing Material Failures
Guess what - any cost associated with any of these repairs is the homeowners responsibility also! Most homeowners are so embarrassed that they were "penny wise & pound foolish," they will argue to the death about reimbursing the installer for these related repairs. Most installers will require payment in advance for these type of repairs (to the maximum allowable legal limits).

No one wants to perform any repairs to someone else's substandard materials, to get shafted for the payment after making corrections - and it happens all the time. It's one of the oldest homeowners scams in the book...

This is the largest cause of litigation in the area of construction warranties and workmanship. So put it all in writing- any repair or modifications to ANY owner supplied materials will be performed on a predefined "time and materials" basis - and don't forget the contractor is entitled to include profit in these rates too [because they're there - they're not working somewhere else making a profit (it's called "opportunity cost")]. Pay the contractor at the end of EVERY day, for the repair work that they performed.... it limits everyone's exposure!

So, do you really still want to source your own materials to save some money on the specifier/installer mark-up?

Installation Specifications
Does the vendor of the materials provide DETAILED installation instructions and specifications for any setting/finish materials? If they do not provide such details, then who is going to research & specify the methods and materials to be used? If those methods fail, then who is going to be responsible? Will the manufacturer or vendor approve the use of the material for the intended purpose (e.g. submerged underwater, subject to the high temperature steam in a steam bath, exposed to temperature variables or direct sunlight, etc.)?

There are standards for establishing the proper substrate (backing surface) and rigidity for the installation of almost every type of stone or tile imaginable. There are specifications that cover masonry walls, wooden floors, concrete floors, building facades, sheetrock walls, counter tops, and so on.

What about crack control, uncoupling, and waterproofing membranes? What about movement joints & their placement?

So, do you really still want to source your own materials to save some money on the specifier/installer mark-up?

Installation & Setting Materials
Not all setting materials and methods are the same. In the days of old, masons & tile setters used to "site mix" various home brews of setting materials. A little of this, a little of that, etc....

With the high cost of labor & finish materials, there is just too much liability involved to install things that way. If the concrete cracks or the walls settles, what will prevent those cracks from migrating through the finish veneer?

Yet the available "homeowners grade" setting materials at most warehouse home improvement stores are not the best available. They might be from the same vendor or manufacturer the pros use, but almost every manufacturers reserves a few higher end product lines exclusively for the professional's use. This is usually due to the idiosyncrasies of these products and the additional skills required to install them: reading instructions, working quickly & effectively, installing them properly, and using them for the correct application.

The density of a material is very important when selecting an attachment method on a vertical or overhead area. A slab of granite or veneered wall of stone falling onto someone will ruin their day.

Are expensive specialized stone epoxies or mechanical clip systems to be utilized? Who shall perform the sheer testing or provide the standards?

Does the manufacturer of the setting materials offer a warranty on their products? Some offer a warranty if you stay with a "single source" vendor throughout the project. This is a great idea, as it also ensures product compatibility - that the setting material from one vendor does not degrade a component from another. Add to the confusion multiple vendors pointing their "blame fingers" at each other if there are any issues.

So, do you really still want to source your own materials to save some money on the specifier/installer mark-up?

If the designer or contractor specifies and provides ALL of the finish materials, setting materials, and labor - then guess what?

They assume the responsibility for any failures with the material and or the installation (unless there are manufacturing defects - like those that occur in the manufacturing of glass mosaic tiles that contain recycled materials).

So, do you really still want to source your own materials to save some money on the specifier/installer mark-up?

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist"Creating water as art."™Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa©www.aquatictechnology.com

Cracked Glass Tile Mosaics - The Flaws Within!

2010-01-30T14:11:00.000-08:00

Internationally renown designer, consultant, contractor & expert witness Paolo (Paul) Benedetti offers his opinion as to why many manufacturer's product lines of glass tile mosaics crack. Paolo precisely follows the Tile Counsel of North America (TCNA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) installation guidelines & recommendations. Yet, he has had projects where the glass tile mosaics cracked randomly, throughout the installed field in no pattern, & for no apparent reason. He has inspected the work of others, when they also experienced unexplained random cracking & fissures. He has almost 20 years of experience creating spectacular glass tile mosaic knife edge perimeter overflow pools, spas, waterfalls, and water features, infinity edge pools, vanishing edge pools, disappearing edge pools, negative edge pools, no coping pools, zero edge pools, no edge pools, and edgeless pools.

The Flaw's Lies Within... the Naked Truth!

Internal stresses within glass tiles, lie invisible to the naked eye. A tile that looks perfect & unblemished to the unassisted eye, may actually contain inherent stresses that may later manifest themselves as cracks, fissures, or degradation. I have seen these manifest themselves in the manufacturer's very own sample boards and even in unmounted and uninstalled tiles!

For years, the manufacturers have blamed the installers. Why? Because it is very easy to find where the installers deviated even the slightest from the installation instructions. Once there is a crack in that armor, they'll drive a truck through. The suspicion instantly shifts from the possibility of faulty tile, immediately to incorrect installation practices & materials.

Glass tile manufacturers deny that their glass tiles possess any internal stresses. Of course, who in the world would expect them to say, "Golly jeepers, you got us. We really sell an inferior product that possesses inherent invisible internal flaws that will manifest themselves after the tiles are installed." The quote you'll hear is, "they were inspected before they left the factory," or "they weren't cracked when they left the factory."

But, were they really truly inspected? Of course not! Actually, most of the glass tile manufacturers do not even bother to inspect for internal flaws!

Why? Because they are too ignorant (and do not want to know the truth) or they have too much money at stake. Imagine the lost profit, good will, consumer faith, and liability for all of their past inferior production, if they admitted that their products were inherently defective?! Or they are attempting to "compartmentalize" each case of failure, in an attempt to prevent the consumers, government, or attorneys from collectively getting smart & sharing information, and thereby realizing that they're not the only ones who are experiencing this problem (as the manufacturer's will lead you to believe).

If the glass tile manufacturers can keep we as the end users, constantly seeking absolute perfection in our installation procedures, then they will surely take that stance! There are just too many small variables present between different jobsites, applications, & installations to achieve continuity in the installations. The results are that this material seems to be so fragile & delicate - which it is not!
The technical service staff or production managers at most of these firms have not even been provided with the information, training, nor the apparatus to perform the simplest of these inspections. They are simply not aware that the product that they selling is actually flawed!

Like cancer, it's what you cannot see that will hurt you!

So like cancer, in order to detect it early, you need to get "regular screenings." How does this apply to glass tile?

Simple - buy yourself a POLARISCOPE! A what-scope? It sounds expensive!! Well, in actuality they are not - ranging from $250-$1500. The attached images were taken with a hand held digital camera and a $500 polariscope. Many of the manufacturer's do not know what a polariscope is, let alone even own a polariscope. So how do they perform inspections for internal flaws? Simply stated... they don't!

Scary, isn't it?! Once the tiles crack in the field, they get to blame YOU or your installation practices. As their taillights fade in the distance you'll hear, "the tiles did not leave the factory cracked!"

How does a polariscope work? A polariscope is a simple light box, with 2 polarizing filters. The tile to be inspected is laid upon the light table, and the viewer looks through the 2 polarizing filters. These filters polarize & align the planes of light. One of the filters is rotated (or the sample is rotated) to highlight any stresses. As the light passes through the transparent material (in this case glass tiles), the light becomes retarded by any inherent flaws. The more retarded the light, the more stress in the material and the brighter the highlighting. The stress appears as a white "hot spot" within the image.

Some manufactured glass tiles have small surface blemishes (wrinkles, scratches, or chips) that the manufacturer's claim is a part of their "character & uniqueness," when these in fact can impart stresses onto/into the glass tiles. An example of this is when a glaziers scribe (rolling carbide glass cutter) is ran across the surface of a glass tile. Once scribed, that "scratch" actually imparts "stress" into the glass tile... stresses that the glazier actually relies upon in order to crack a sheet of glass in a straight line. The bottom line, is that surface flaws can (but not always) cause stresses within the tiles. Some tiles are manufactured with wrinkles and textures that do not impart any stresses - the buyers & end users need to be informed! The only way to know for sure, is to use a polariscope.

Wait a minute, how can this simple test be so informative? Is it valid? Well the US Food & Drug Administration uses this very device & technique to inspect glass drink and food containers. This link also explains in greater scientific detail how the polariscope works:
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/Inspections/InspectionGuides/ucm071623.htm

So from now on, when the manufacturer's information says that it is, "the users responsibility to inspect the tiles & verify that the tiles are suitable for the intended purpose," you have a simple apparatus to perform such inspection quickly & inexpensively. By the way, such a warranty disclaimer clause is illegal in California, outlawed in the CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTIONS 1792-1795.8.

I am not promoting any particular brands of tiles here. I know from firsthand experience that the following manufacturers perform routine random sample testing & observations of their glass tiles. I also have not experienced or observed any major failure issues with any of the following brands (listed in no particular order)*:

http://lightstreamsglasstile.com
http://www.sicis.it
http://www.bisazza.com/usa/
http://www.kolorines.com/
http://www.interstyle.ca/

*Just because a particular brand of glass tile is not listed above, does not not mean that they are not performing these inspections or are having internal stress issues (no, that doesn't mean they've missing their morning cup of coffee). It just means that I do not have any personal knowledge or experience to speak firsthand as to the quality of their products or production process. I am not opposed to accepting a fully paid facilities inspection tour or to accepting material samples to "field test," from any manufacturer's that are not listed. Regardless, I will continue to independently report my field observations & firsthand experiences!

Lest I remind you, that these observations apply to glass tiles - not porcelain or ceramic!

Maybe these flaws are so small, that they are merely slipping through the manufacturing process...?? Hardly... for example, my 10 year old son sorted & picked out the attached tiles (which I photographed) and attached as examples. The small white specs throughout the images are speckles of dust on the lightbox surface.

In the following images internal stresses (seen as white hot spots, streaks & clouding) are clearly visible within the tiles :
The swirling star that is observed in the following image, is what an acceptable tile looks like. The bubbles within the glass tile, do not inherently create stress or weaknesses. You can clearly see that there are no observable stresses surrounding the bubbles.

NOW YOU CAN "SEE..."

...that the flaws may actually lie within, and not with the end user or installer!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Glass Tile Mosaics - Unexplained Cracking, Fissures, Spalling, or Failures

2010-01-29T17:44:00.000-08:00

Internationally renown pool designer Paolo (Paul) Benedetti presents an end users view into the failure of glass tiles (cracked, fissures, spalling). He has created spectacular glass tile mosaic knife edge perimeter overflow pools, infinity edge pools, vanishing edge pools, disappearing edge pools, negative edge pools, no coping pools, zero edge pools, no edge pools, and edgeless pools.

An Insiders Look
Over the past few years I have examined, studied, discussed or consulted on approximately 100 glass tiles failures. The installations ran the gamut from interior decorative walls & bathrooms, simple glass tile waterlines in pools, elaborate outdoor pools lined entirely with glass tile mosaics, to glass tile manufacture's own factory assembled & provided sample boards!

Following Directions
Let's face it, it's a guy thing... don't ask for directions when you're lost, and by all means don't read the instructions before you've started the assembly/installation!

A number of the installations (most) were installed by people who didn't even bother to read the manufacturer's installation instructions. These projects were destined for failure even before they "hitched a horse to their cart." Combine shoddy workmanship with defective glass tile mosaics, and you have a guaranteed lawsuit - the only ones who wins are the attorneys!

However, some of the installations were performed by individuals as anally retentive as me. They should not have had ANY issues... but they did anyway. These are the projects that I'm focusing on. People who did everything by the book, and still the projects experienced glass tile mosaic failures. These are the people who did nothing wrong. They used the proper setting materials, waited the correct amount of time for the various layers to cure, installed expansion joints in the right places, and documented exactly what they did.

Limiting your Liability with DETAILED Instructions
In order for a General Contractor, Tile Contractor, or Swimming Pool Contractor to minimize their liability they need to be sure that they have specific instructions from the tile manufacturer. You'll notice that I did not say eliminate the liability, as there is absolutely no way to prevent someone from "point the fingers" - and that's exactly the manufacturer's tactic! "It didn't leave our factory that way!" But read on... it probably did (they were just too stupid to know any better, or too deceitful to care!).

You want to find instructions that specify their approved setting materials, and outlining for neophytes the correct curing/waiting times between the installation stages. This is what you want from a set of instructions... details. If the instructions say "any commercially available thinset" (or worse yet "thinset"), or "sanded grout" (do they really mean plain unadulterated grout, with polymer fortifiers, or sanded & epoxy fortified?), be sure to get written clarification! I guarantee you that a they will deny that they ever spoke to you - if all you do call on the telephone. Oceanside Glass tile probably has one of the most detailed set of instructions that I have ever seen. They specify everything!

DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT
Did I mention that you should DOCUMENT everything? It is not difficult to note the lot numbers of the waterproofing, thinset, grouts & expansion joint filler when the delivery quantities are verified on the job site. It doesn't have to be anything formal, just a notation of the tracking numbers on the packing slip.

During the installation, the documentation of the curing times can be as simple as a digital camera that date stamps the images as they are taken. After an area is prepared, it can be marked with a marker as to the date finished & the date ready to start again. Then take a picture. When work resumes in this area (on or after the date written with the marker) take another picture. As work progresses to the finish layers, you can use a "china" or grease marker to label the tiles with this information. It'll clean off easily during the detailing stage.

Digital pictures are wonderful, as they can be enlarged, emails, & distributed easily. Be sure to encode the images, so that they cannot be manipulated with post-imaging software (Adobe Photoshop) before they are ever distributed. This same software allows the images to be documented in a manner which will reveal if someone in the future manipulates them. remember - a picture is worth a thousand words.

Failures
Out of the failures that I've seen, there is a resounding commonality.... the use of recycled glass. Granted anytime we can use recycled materials, it is great for the environment. But for some reason, in the manufacturing of glass tiles, it's use seems to be a problem. I have yet to see a problem with blanket failures from any manufacturer who uses ONLY virgin materials in their production process: Lightstreams, Cicis, Colorines, Bisazza, Interstyle. Over the years, I have personally used products from each and every one of these manufacturers, and have yet to experience any issues. I have many of them in my own home... and inspect them frequently!

Why all of the failures?
First of all, a large number of manufacturers have taken their manufacturing facilities off-shore. China has found itself one of the largest manufacturers of glass mosaic tiles. Do you really think that they perform any quality control on the "recycled" glass that goes into their tiles? If they had a single source of their recycled raw materials, they might have an argument. However, this is not the case, green glass is green glass, clear glass is clear glass... glass is glass. Grind up all of these different glasses, that have definitely have different chemical formulations. And Houston, we have a problem.

Name brand manufacturers and boutique designers, saw all of the potential profits in glass tile mosaics, and not wanting to miss a buck, placed their names on this crap. There are no quality control inspections... just delivery schedules and profit margins. Do they even understand the material science side of glass production? I seriously doubt it...

There are a few manufacturers that use a single source of recycled glass, and therefore claim that all of their recycled glass is the same & therefore (it must be) compatible. Let's say for instance, they rely on the use of ONLY clear soda beverage bottles from one brand of soda. We are all keenly aware that beverage companies do not have a single source for their glass bottles. In fact, shipping costs of containers both empty & full quickly eat into profits. Therefore bottling plants are situated around the globe, usually utilizing glass container vendors that are close by, minimizing overall distribution costs - "make it, where it is drank." Eventually, all of these bottles get a soda label applied and they get filled with soda. Does that make the glass containers from these various vendors the same in their chemical composition? Does someone somehow think that the contents of the bottles in some way will make these bottle harmonious? Corona bottles for instance, used to have the element cobalt in the paint on the labels. Any cullet (ground up recycled glass) that contained any hint of Corona bottles was routinely refused by companies or processors that uses glass cullet (source: Container Recycling Alliance).

Some of the manufacturers claim that they have "special chemicals" that they add to make everything homogeneous. But they have a problem - the person who controls the source of their raw materials is the one verifying that the raw recycled glass is "all the same." But how can they tell by just looking at it? Unless they actually take in, clean, sort, & grind all of their own recycled glass containers there is absolutely no way to know 100% that the cullet is all the same!

Many name-brand tile companies here in the United States, actually have their tiles manufactured in China (by someone else). Most of them do not even own their own manufacturing facilities. Instead, they rely on these Chinese companies to make their tiles for them. They have virtually no control over the raw materials or the manufacturing process. It is merely accepted if it is delivered on time & it cosmetically looks correct. You can find these glass tile mosaics in almost every Home improvement store. In tiny print somewhere on the box it says "Made in China." They conveniently left off the rest of the disclaimer, "...by people who don't give a rats ass about you & only want your yankee dollars."

Lack of Quality Control
Most manufacturers do not perform any type of quality control, other than maybe a visual inspection with the naked eye as it passes down an assembly line. Some might have automated systems that check for consistency in size & thickness. They may even go to the extreme of using a computer to check the color of the finished glass tiles against a production standard.

But few if any are using a polariscope, to perform a visual inspection of a random sampling of the finished products. Some of the manufacturer's that I've talked to didn't even know what a polariscope was! How the hell can they even perform this crucial inspection step, if they don't even own one?

Polariscope
What the hell is a polariscope you say? Well, it is actually a relatively simple and very inexpensive device. The polariscope is an important tool for determining strain & stress patterns that develop during the manufacturing process. It allows an inspector to immediately determine if strain or stress is present in almost any transparent material.

How it works...
The polarizing filters align the light into planes of polarized light. When the polarized light passes through that area of stress, the light becomes retarded. The amount of retardation observed is directly proportional to the amount of stress in a given area. A polariscope is merely a device that transmits light through the translucent material (from behind). The inspector looks through 2 polarizing filters, while slowly turning one of them 360º to change the alignment of the planes of light. Any inherent stresses within the material will clearly highlight themselves. How obvious are these stresses within the material? Take a look for yourself - you be the judge:
Images courtesy of: yours truly

(Click on an image to enlarge it - again to shrink it).

The tile to the right has obvious stresses horizontally across the top as indicated by the white line. The clouding on in the bottom of the tile also indicates an area of stress.

The image to the right shows a large internal stress down the center of the tile. This will most definitely manifest itself as a fissure or crack. once the tile is exposed to any environmental thermal expansion.

This small 1" x 1" tile to the right shows a large area of inherent stress all across the top edge. To the unassisted eye under plain lighting conditions this looked like a perfectly good tile. The job that this batch of glass tile mosaics were installed in, had an installed failure rate of 25-30%.
Guess what percentage of unistalled tiles from this batch exhibited indications of internal stress? Good for you, you're so smart - about 30%! Coincidence? Hardly! Now since this was never installed, how can the manufacturer blame the installation?

The tile to the right is what a "good" piece of glass mosaic tile should look like under a polariscope.
The star actually "rotates" as the singular polarized filter is rotated. The small bubbles within the tile are acceptable, and should not affect it's performance.

So, how much do these complex testing apparatus cost? A measly $250-$1,500. At those prices there is absolutely no excuse for these multi-million dollar companies to not own at least one!

Tile showrooms, tile buyers, distributors, tile contractors, swimming pool contractors & designers, and "expert witnesses" should all own one... The industry needs to start rejecting these faulty defective materials, before these unscrupulous manufacturers get the opportunity to push the blame onto the "poor installer" one more time!

Come to think of it, I have never been asked by a glass tile factory to "send us a sample of some unmounted tiles, so we can test them." It has ALWAYS BEEN: "Something must have been done wrong in the installation..." WELL, THOSE DAYS ARE OVER! There is a smarter consumer emerging from the woods... and they are well armed (with a Polariscope)!

Imagine, receiving a shipment of glass mosaic tiles, soaking them in water to remove them from their facing paper, then inspecting a few square feet for these flaws. Then calling them up to come get their recycled crap off of your lawn (from the couch on the front porch, they're blocking your view of the pink flamingos).

The manufacturers will quickly change their ways, as the word got out that they are knowingly (or ignorantly) selling defective glass tiles. These defective tiles simply are not suitable for the purpose that they were advertised for!

We need the Consumer Product Safety Commission to get involved - maybe the Congress can do some good afterall!

Have you experienced a glass tile mosaic failure?
Go and buy yourself a polariscope - because the proof is IN the ~~pudding~~ glass!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist, Designer, Consultant, Expert Witness
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Knife Edge Perimeter Overflow Pools - The Ultimate Perimeter Overflow Design

2010-01-17T09:22:00.000-08:00

Internationally renown pool designer Paolo (Paul) Benedetti presents a new twist on the knife edge perimeter overflow pool - a 360 degree deck level vanishing edge! It might also be called a: no coping pool, zero edge pool, no edge pool, or edgeless pool. It is also known as the "Lautner Edge," named after the famous Los Angeles Architect, John Lautner, who conceived of the detail. However, my firm has refined the detail into a masonry knife edge!

These are not to be confused with horizon pools, gutter pools, waveless pools, grated overflow pools, perimeter overflow pools, slot overflow pools, flooded deck pools, slot edge pools, wet edge pools, vanishing edge, negative edge, infinity edge, disappearing edge pools,wetted edge, no edge, flooded coping pools, or wet deck pools, though they all provide essentially the same appearance... that the pool is overflowing.

The "knife edge" technique used on a perimeter overflow pool is the most complex of any of the edge techniques available. What makes this detail so unique, is that there is virtually no flooded coping or edge material... in essence, it is a "knife's edge." The water falls into a slot right at the top inside edge of the coping or decking material.

A Brilliant Mind

Los Angeles Architect John Lautner was one of the early pioneers of this technique. It first appeared on the Goldstein-Sheats residence in Beverly Hills. Though the detail was rudimentary, it is the inspiration for the watershapers of today.
The original detail utilized a
stainless steel gutter affixed to the concrete shell. The interior finish of the pool is bonded to the stainless steel.
(click on the image to enlarge it in a new window)

The inner wall of the stainless steel gutter mustn't flex or the pool's aggregate finish will delaminate. This necessitated the use of reinforcing ribs between the outer walls of the slot, which are visible from above. This detail also made the inside wall of the pool (at the slot) visibly thicker than that we use today.

One of the later watershapers to reintroduce the use of the Lautner Edge, was Brian VanBower of Miami, Florida. His knife edge detail also relies on the custom fabrication of a stainless steel gutter. Though my firm had previously used knife edges as a lesser detail on larger projects, we had always built them out of concrete & masonry. I have found that anytime you have to custom fabricate anything (especially stainless steel) it gets expensive FAST!

Refining the detail

The variations of the Lautner Edge that I have utilized have been both visible and hidden. I have utilized a raised exposed rim in order to create shallow layers of water or splash areas. I have utilized the "true" (though refined) Lautner Edge, in it's original concept - with the collection gutter hidden from view.

This design of mine from a few years ago, is an example of the utilization of both techniques on the same project. The elevated shallow area is created around the umbrella, by merely elevating the edge detail & allowing the water to spill over the top into a deck level slot.

(click on the image to enlarge it in a new window)

I later utilized a deck level version of this detail near some "floating steps" in the deep end of the pool. The use of various edge details on one pool, gives the viewer the illusion that the pool is "out of level." This use of forced perspective, tricks the eye into thinking that the pool is out of level. This is accomplished through the use of a regular tiled waterline and the use of a slot edge at the opposite end. A change in deck elevations allows for the mixed edge details, and facilitates the transition.
While this mixed use of edge details can be confusing, I added to the complexity of this project by adding 2 additional edge treatments... a standard vanishing edge (infinity edge) and a perimeter overflow spa.

(click on the image to enlarge it in a new window)

The spa has the illusion of spilling into the vanishing edge catch basin. But this is a definite no-no. For those who do not understand basic hydraulics - you need to go ask someone why!? A novice mistake for people who "talk the talk," but can't even "crawl the walk."

Evolution of an Idea

I saw some of the other international designers starting to design & build entire pools utilizing a custom fabricated stainless steel Lautner Edge. I saw this as an unnecessary waste of time, energy, and money. Problems arose when the dissimilar materials need to be "wed.' The interface between stainless steel & the concrete pool structure needed to be waterproof and absolutely solid. This oftentimes resulted in "overbuilding" of the stainless supports or gutter, in order to compensate for the unknowns.

I'd rather utilize what I know to has worked in the past, whenever possible. Why waste your energy and the added liability associated with inventing & building your own wheel?? Though we have been able to prove that we can bond glass & ceramic tile, granite and even plaster to stainless steel - why risk the chance when it can easily be avoided simply through the use of compatible materials?

I was called upon to design a pool for a local pool builder. Seems that he was under contract to build a conventional pool, when the landscape architect sold the property owner on the idea of a knife edge pool. He turned to me to resolve the design issues and to incorporate a concealed retractable pool cover into the floor of the spa (as unobtrusively as possible).

The finished product is gorgeous. It works with the site, as if the scene would be incomplete without it. This is what design is all about... it has to look as though it belongs!
(click on the image to enlarge it in a new window)

This is design perfection that John Lautner would be proud of!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Anyone can call themselves a "pool designer..."

2009-10-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

A vanishing edge, perimeter overflow, infinity edge, knife edge, wet deck, disappearing edge pool or spa, is not appropriate for every situation. Just because a view over looks the water, a canyon, or other natural feature, does not automatically dictate that the design requires a special water in transit effect pool.

Though the swimming pool industry is fraught with so-called "pool designers, " very few possess the ability to actually design. When you view an image of a swimming pool, how often are the residence & surrounding environment shown in the image?

I offer the argument that if (and when) the buildings are shown in the images, you will quickly "feel" something is amiss. The total scene just does not "look right." Most people can never identify exactly what is wrong with the scene - but there is a sense of uneasiness.

Anything can be built anywhere.... but a talented designer is the one who can make everything work together, to appear as though they "just belong." Just because someone has a degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or another design field does not make them "a designer." There are a lot of folks in those fields who do not possess any creativity. College cannot bestow upon someone a sense of color, spatial relationships, or creative talents. Yet because they went to college & studied in a particular field, they call themselves a "designer."

There are millions of people who design products, buildings & landscapes... yet, only a handful of those individuals are true masters of their craft, who possess an innate ability to design. A sense of design that they were "born with." The same is true in the swimming pool industry... though there are many who sell, draw or build swimming pools - there are very few who possess the natural ability to actually design.

It is a talent that one is really born with... though it can be learned. But you can easily distinguish to whom this talent comes naturally from the rest who have a rigidness to their designs & ideas. Most of the later, merely rehash or combine the work of others into something they call their own.

Anyone can use tracing templates or computer software to create a layout for a yard or site. But those methods are limited by the collection of templates or the software code. Neither considers all of the facets that go into designing a project:

A. Many designs do not take into consideration how long the client will be in the property, and how their lifestyles may change or evolve during that period. This could be a topic unto itself....

B. Though a client may want a particular feature (e.g. rock waterfall), it may not be right for the site. A true designer will be able to talk the clients out of such a monstrosity, and will offer alternatives that "work."

How often have you seen a huge pile of rocks stacked on the side of the pool? Have you ever seen such piles occurring in nature in the middle of a field or flat area? Of course not... that's why it looks so unusual & out of place, it is because waterfalls do not occur on flat terrain! In nature, when water does appear on flat terrain, it is usually merely a spring or muddy watering hole.

C. Architecture of the site. How often have you seen a Polynesian theme yard on a Contemporary style residence? Or an amorphic free-form pool on a modern rectilinear house? Or a contemporary pool in the yard of a New England/Cape Cod clapboard house? Does the pool need to be situated to afford or block certain views? Is privacy from the uphill neighbor an issue? Are their prevailing winds or sunlight that need to be filtered? The list is endless...

D. "Just because you can" does not make it right. Just because you can place a fire feature on the pool, does not make it right. Just because you can place a waterfall on the pool, does not make it right. Just because you can install a vanishing edge on the pool, does not make it right. Everything has to work...

It is not about what is right for the builder's wallet, or always what the client initially wants... many times they are not even aware of their options. It is what works for the site, given the client's parameters. There is always a creative solution to a property owner's bad taste. Someone who is confident in their design abilities will be strong enough to offer creative solutions & ideas counter these ideas.

In order to design something, they must also possess an intimate knowledge as to how to build it. If they do not possess that knowledge, then they must be able to "park their ego" and be able to hire someone who can consult with them to "pull it together." In other words, "to conceive it, you must know how to build it right."

The person who possesses an innate design sense is the person who establishes new trends, has innovative solutions to issues, conceals utilitarian components of the project, and forges trails in territories where "no man has gone before."

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Phosphates, Algae Blooms & Stain Control Products

2009-09-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

The pool service industry, pool owners, and consumers are being fooled and ripped off... AND BIG TIME!!

Are you aware that the most popular stain preventative products in the swimming pool industry are phosphonic acid based formulations? Are you aware that in the presence of chlorine and sunlight they decompose into orthophosphates?

So, here's where the term "sucker" came from...

You add stain preventative products one week (see examples below).... and during the week it decomposes into orthophosphates.
The next week the orthophosphate levels are off the chart, the pool is covered with algae, so you add a phosphate remover.

To muddy the water even more & to confuse consumers further, some of these very chemical manufacturer's have started packaging & selling formulations of orthophosphate removers combined with their phosphate based stain preventatives!

That's about as intelligent as adding chlorine on one side of the pool, then adding sodium thiosulfate on the other side of the pool!

HEY Service Industry - it's time to raise your voice and let these manufacturer's know that you are not a sucker, and that you're tired of being played for a fool!

You are actually the cause of the high levels of phosphates and the algae blooms!

What products contain phosphates?
Jack's Magic Products (even the ones with phosphate removers!)
Bio-Guard Scale Inhibitor
Blue Wave Super Rust Scale Remover (Suncoast Chemicals, FL & other private labels)
Omni Scale Control
... and many others!

Read the ingredients on the products you are using & recommending. If they are not listed, then go to the manufacturer's website & download their MSDS sheets! The are required by law to provide them.

Look for the word (or parts thereof): "phosphate." It might be hidden in a string of long scientific words - but if it is, set the bottle down & buy something else (e.g. phosphono-, polyphosphate, diphosphonic, etc.).

Some have concentrations below the reportable concentrations (2%), so the ingredients may not be listed or they may list them as "proprietary." BUT be sure to read the entire MSDS, and you'll see somewhere that their products decompose into phosphates (e.g. OMNI, Suncoast) - there's your clue!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Ionization - is really Heavy Metal Poisoning of the swimming pool water!

2009-07-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

Pool Ionizers, Chemical free pool, chemical free spa, Ecosmarte, Ecosmart, Nature 2, Frog, Pool Rx,

40-50 years ago, swimming pools were plumbed with copper plumbing. The chemicals eventually decayed the plumbing, as did the velocity of the water. This put traces of copper into the water. The copper would eventually cause a blue staining of the plaster. It also reacted with the blond hair of some bathers, to cause that "green hair" effect - that is oftentimes blamed on the chlorine (remember: yellow + blue = green)!

The only positive benefit from the copper in the water, was a virtually algae free pool. Why, do you ask?? The copper (and actually all heavy metals) is an algaecide. It interrupts the plants ability to photosynthesize, thereby killing it.

As pools were eventually plumbed with plastic pipe, pool chemical companies started to manufacture liquid algaecides that contained heavy metals (primarily copper, nickle, and silver). Also in the solution, was a sequestering agent, sometimes also called a chelating agent. The purpose of this additive, was to keep the metals in solution in the presence of variations of high & low pH. Without these additives, in the presence of pH extremes, these metals would precipitate out of solution, staining the pool plaster. These metals do not evaporate out of the pool, and therefore become concentrated in the pool water. Another disadvantage of liquid algaecides, is that these additives eventually wear out.

Because of concerns over the environment, plaster staining, and green hair, these heavy metal algaecides lost favor - though they are still available.

When the industry shifted away from adding metallic algaecides to the water, along comes a different delivery system.... Ionizers (active & passive) which are nothing more than a twist - high-tech dispensers of the outdated & environmentally unsound metallic algaecides.

So along comes some P.T. Barnum types with a "NEW & IMPROVED" whizz-bang device that offers a "CHEMICAL FREE POOL!" In reality it was nothing more than a different method of delivering the same heavy metals into the pool - an erosion feeder. Instead of pouring the liquid algaecide into the pool, they micro-dose it over a longer period of time - with the same results! These are merely a small tank or module plumbed in the piping at the equipment pad. There is a replaceable cartridge within the tank, that emits heavy metals into the water when the pump is on.

They even came up with a fancy new names for these units, "mineralizers," "natural minerals," and "ionizers." And yes, they do put "natural ions" of heavy metals into the water. But cow manure & algae are "natural" too, and people don't want them in their swimming pool either! These cartridge units are collectively known as "passive ionizers." Some tried to hide the fact that they contained heavy metals, and marketed themselves as "natural mineral cartridges." What ever they call themselves, they all put metals into the water. These type of devices are marketed under such trademarked names as: Frog, Nature2, Smart Pure, DuoClear, Pool Rx, Elite Minerals... (the trademarked names belong to their respective owners).

These were marketed to pool owners as a "safe & chemical free way to keep the pool crystal clear with minimal chemicals" (notice that it said minimal - not NO chemicals!). To the pool industry, it was marketed as a re-occurring profit center. Why? Because the pool owner would have to come back to you for replacement cartridges every 3 months!

So, along comes the Ringling Brothers who join the P.T. Barnum Circus & say, "I can offer you all the benefits of the mineral cartridges, without the constant need to replace the expensive modules." and what pray tell, kind of snake oil do they have in their jar??? It is an "active ionizer," wherein electricity is used to cause the erosion of heavy metal plates within a cylinder plumbed into the piping - emitting heavy metal particles into the water.

Again, they are advertising their products as being "chemical free." This may work on the algae present in the pool, but they do nothing to provide a residual sanitizer that will kill the biological hazards or oxidize the bather waste in the pool. Some systems utilize what they call "active oxygen" or what smart people call ozone to kill the bio-hazards & oxidize the waste. However, once the pumps shut off there is NO RESIDUAL SANITIZER/OXIDIZER present in the water! These are marketed under the trademarked names of: EcoSmarte, Eco-Smart, Thompson Tec, Ionizer, Floatron, P-50... (the trademarked names belong to their respective owners).

I do not know how any of these modern systems can purport to provide any residual sanitizer to oxidize bather waste (urea), decompose hydrocarbons (suntan lotions, oils, shampoos, soaps, make-up, cream rinse, etc.), or how they kill viruses or pathogens (that are not plants).

Since the pool water will contain "heavy metals," the pool water absolutely cannot be discharged into ANY street, gutter, storm drain, or waterway (creek, stream, lake, etc.), as it will kill the ecosystem there. Many municipalities will not even let this water containing heavy metals be introduced into their SANITARY SEWER systems. It is just too difficult for them to remove these heavy metals at the sewer treatment facility, before discharging the waste water into the environment. And unlike chlorine, these heavy metals cannot be neutralized.

With all of the old issues of metallic staining & current issues of electrolysis occurring in swimming pools, personally I steer clear of these units or ANYTHING that introduced more metals or electricity into the water. Why in the world would I want to add more metals to the water? They do not evaporate & only build up, creating a concentrated soup of goup.

Over the years, environmentalist and the spread of mis-information about chlorine, have given chlorine a bad rap...

The facts are plain & simple: it is not the chlorine that causes bather discomfort. It is almost always from other water chemistry issues, and almost always due to the lack of proper chemical maintenance, testing, and incorrect dosing of chemicals.

Among the most common complaints: itchy skin (too little chlorine), burning eyes (bad pH or too little chlorine - ammonia compounds), green hair (excess copper), are all attributed to other factors... but ignorant people immediately point their finger at the chlorine - because they "smell" what to them must be chlorine (but are actually chloramines).

These same people sense the strong "chlorine" smell around a commercial or an indoor pool- and immediately assume that there is too much chlorine in the pool.... when what they are smelling is actually resulting from the LACK OF CHLORINE! What they are smelling are the chloramines (ammonia compounds that are formed when chlorine combines with bather waste) off gassing.

This is why you "smell chlorine" on your skin after swimming - but in reality, you are actually smelling your perspiration that has combined with the pool's chlorine that formed chloramines (ammonia compounds) on your skin!

The only real "new"technology is ozone (though it has been around for 30+ years). Done properly with sufficient contact time before re-entering the pool or spa - it has awesome effects on the water quality. Ozone works synergistically with the chlorine, taking over the business of oxidizing bather waste. Since ozone is a thousands times better oxidizer than halogens (such as chlorine, bromine, hydrogen peroxide), it takes over those responsibilities, allowing the halogens to work as sanitizers. The ozone will also kill biological pathogens & viruses, which ionizers will not.

I have personally been toying with ozone for over 18 years. I have 2 separate systems on my personal pool, plumbed into the filtration & vanishing edge systems. I have tweaked my own contact chambers & ozone destruct units to provide additional contact time & to be more effective.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH USING LIQUID CHLORINE. To be politically correct & environmentally sensitive, we call it "bleach." Chlorine has been used as a pool sanitizer for over 100+ years. It is used to treat drinking water in almost every city in the world. It is used in almost every commercial swimming pool in the world to maintain clear, safe, and sanitary water.

People who do not understand how chlorine reacts with contaminants, heavy metals, and other chemicals, continue to spread myths about what chlorine does & does not do. For example, it does not turn hair green, but copper does! You cannot smell it around a pool, even at 3-5X the normal dosages, but you can smell chloramines (which are a result of too little chlorine). At the correct levels (1-3 ppm) it does not burn the eyes, but incorrect pH or chloramines will! When water containing chlorine must be dumped into a storm drain or sanitary sewer, the chlorine can be neutralized!

People who claim that they are "allergic" to chlorine, in almost every case are really experiencing reactions to the chloramines - which can cause itching & rashes. Someone experiencing "allergic reactions to chlorine" (actually the ammonia compounds/chloramines), could additionally be experiencing an allergic reaction(s) to any of the countless biological contaminants that accumulate in a pool (or worse yet, a spa) when the chlorine levels drop too low:

Molluscipox virus.
Mycobacterium spp.
Verrucas.
Staphylococius aureus.
Cryptosporidium.
Leptospira interrogans.
Trichophyton spp.
E. Coli
Pseudonomas
Human pathogens: blood, saliva, feces, urine, perspiration, mucus
Epidmerophyton.
Acanthamoeba spp.
Human papilloma virus.
Legionella pneumophila

In asthmatics the inhalation of chloramines can aggravate asthmatic symptoms. But because chlormaines "smell like chlorine," patients report that the chlorine caused the asthmatic attack.

Additionally, alternative treatment manufacturer's and environmentalists point to the fact that chlorine is a carcinogen. Yes it is, but if the studies are investigated, one will note that the prolonged exposure, dosage quantities, and chemical concentrations of chlorine are way beyond what any normal human being will ever ingest over many lifetimes. Again, it is the "chicken little syndrome" - "the sky is falling, the sky is falling..." Did you know that ingesting too much water, too quickly, can kill you??? Does that mean that we should outlaw the drinking of water??? Of course not, but in moderation, the exposure is more than acceptable.

Depending on the scope of the project & chlorine needs, we use barrels to store liquid bleach that is delivered. Where large quantities are needed, say for example on Olympic sized swimming pools, we'll install an on-site electrolytic production. The electrolytic production also creates sodium hydroxide, which is collected for use in buffering the pH.

On site production doesn't always generate enough sodium hydroxide, so pH buffering is augmented with either C02 gas (it forms carbonic acid when injected to the pool water) or a 4:1 muriatic acid solution (4 parts water:1 part acid). At this ratio, the "boiling point" (vapor point) of the acid is reduced, so that you do not get fumes. As an added precaution, the chlorine & acid barrel bung openings are kept sealed & barrels are vented to the outdoors with a 1/4" vent tube.

For water chemistry management and to provide an automatic & instantaneous responses to the demands for additional (or fewer) chemicals (due to 30 kids in the pool, a 100ºF+ heat spell, or a cool weather front), my preference is an automatic ORP/pH controller (CAT Controllers & Acutrol are my 2 brands of preference). It monitors the water, responding to the additional demands placed upon the pool by the environment or bathers, by controlling 2 fixed rate peristaltic pumps (Stenner is my brand of preference)- delivering chlorine & the 4:1 acid solution. Coupled with an over sized 24/7 ozone system, you have as close to a trouble free chemical system as is humanly possible.

Chlorine has been the subject of a lot of false information, much of it spread by these P.T. Barnum's, so they can sell their snake oils. But once their products are actually dissected, they are found to be nothing more than high-tech delivery system of an old, dis-proven, and environmentally hazardous methods of delivering heavy metals into the water & environment.

Ecosmarte, Ecosmart, Nature 2, Frog, Pool Rx, Stenner, CAT, Acutrol, are all trademarked names & are owned by their respective owners. Theirs names are used here merely for reference.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Managing your water chemistry... maintaining an even keel.

2009-06-24T22:23:00.000-07:00

Maintaining the water chemistry in your vanishing edge pool, infinity edge pool, negative edge pool, perimeter overflow pool, flooded deck pool, or perimeter overflow pool, is all about consistent & even monitoring, automated chemical control, and dispensing of chemicals.

ALKALINITY

There are a number of factors that contribute to the "balance of the water." The most important are the pH and the alkalinity. The alkalinity is the ability of the water to buffer the pH (or buffer chemicals that may effect the pH). The alkalinity is like an auto-pilot or cruise-control for the pH.

If the alkalinity is out of the acceptable range, then any small factor will cause a wild swing in the pH. This is called "pH bounce." Because of this, the alkalinity is the first thing that should be brought into line when balancing the water.

An ideal range for the alkalinity is 100-120 ppm (though 80 - 140 ppm is acceptable).

pH 7.4-7.6

The pH of the water, determines if it is acidic or basic. Either extreme can have disastrous effects on the pool finish, equipment, or plumbing. When the pH is out of range, bathers may complain of eye discomfort or other ailments.

An acidic pH will cause the water to become aggressive. It will etch the plaster and cement finishes around the pool. Worse yet, it will dissolve the metallic components of the pool. The most expensive metallic component is the copper heat exchanger within the pool heater.

The ideal range for the pH is 7.4 - 7.6 (though 7.2 - 7.8 is acceptable).

Sanitizer

After the alkalinity & pH are brought into range, the next adjustment is the sanitizer. Chlorine is the most common and least expensive of the available sanitizers. The acceptable range is 1.5 - 3 ppm, though 4 - 5 ppm is absolutely fine. A commercial spa should be maintained at much higher levels - 5 - 6 ppm.

A residential pool should be maintained at 3.0 ppm. The higher levels ( 4 - 5 ppm) should be established, prior to a large party or heat spell. Try not to allow the levels to drop below 3 ppm, as this will prevent the need to shock or take other corrective action after the party.

Total Dissolved Solids

Like it says, total dissolved solids (TDS), is the sum of all of the "junk" in the water. It includes dissolved minerals, salts, etc. We refer to this as the "junk in the trunk." When the TDS exceeds approximately 1500 - 1800 ppm above the initial starting point, then it is time to "dump some water." If the make-up water is "soft water," the dilution process will occur much faster (though the salt in the water will add some to the TDS).

Calcium Levels

Calcium is required to prevent the water from becoming aggressive. If there is not a sufficient amount in the water, it will seek an equilibrium and literally draw calcium from the plaster, tile grout, or other cementitious material.

A minimum of 200 ppm is required to prevent aggressive water. However, should the calcium level rise to 400 ppm or above, you can get scaling. Any drastic change in pH (like when adding liquid chlorine), and you can precipitate the calcium out of solution. It will attach to the plaster & cause a rough bumpy surface.

If the water begins to draw the calcium out of the plaster, the plaster surface will begin to feel like sandpaper.

Tile Scaling & Haze Build-up

A build-up of a white film or haze on the tile has nothing to do with the service company not scrubbing the tile... it is merely from the evaporation of water in the pool. As the water evaporates, calcium is left on the tile. Over time, it begins to cause what appears to be a haze.

It is actually calcium, like what is left on your drinking glasses in the dishwasher. To remove it is an additional cost, just like having your car detailed & waxed. Most pool service companies can remove the hazy build-up with specialty chemicals (high strength acids). These acids work by dissolve calcium, but they are "stupid" chemicals because they do not know the difference between the bad calcium (on the surface of the tile) and the good calcium (in the grout between the tiles). The use of these acids more than likely will damage the tile's grout.

An alternative is to hire a firm that utilizes "bead blasting." It is like sandblasting, but fine glass beads are used instead of aggressive sand. Various sizes of glass beads are available, down to very fine like talcum powder.

To prevent (or greatly reduce) the build-up of scale on the tile, a water softener on the fill line can remove all of the calcium from the water. You will have to monitor the calcium levels to maintain the 200 ppm minimum that is required.

But, it is much easier to add calcium, than to remove it. Though a water softener can cost $1000, living with the unsightly build up & the cost of removing it will quickly cost more than that (ROI).

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Perimeter Overflow Pool, Flooded Deck Pool, Slot Overflow Pool... or who forgot to turn off the fill line?

2009-06-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

Whether you call them waveless pools, overflow pools, perimeter overflow pools, slot overflow pools, knife edge pools, flooded deck pools, slot edge or wet edge pools, zero edge, wetted edge, no edge, or flooded coping pools, or wet deck pools, they all provide essentially the same appearance... that someone forgot to turn off the fill line. They are not to be confused with vanishing edge, negative edge, infinity edge, or disappearing edge pools, though the basic hydraulic principals are the same.

While these pools appear simple, they are actually quite complex. It is what you can't see that makes them complex. To make their design even more difficult, their hydraulic systems are a hybrid of pressurized returns and gravity drain lines.

Adding further to their complexity, they must have remote holding tanks, called surge tanks. The size of these tanks must be carefully calculated to provide enough water to raise the pool (to flood level) and continue the flooding process until that water returns to the surge tank. This quantity of water must be held in storage, plus a quantity necessary to prevent the tank from being pumped dry (a common mistake).

The capacity of the gravity drain lines must be carefully calculated, so that the amount of water held in reserve can be calculated. The time it takes for the water to begin to return to the holding tank is another critical calculation. The pitch (slope) of the gravity drain lines also determines the velocity that the water travels. Too slow, and the water cannot scour the debris in the lines. Too steep, and the entry point of these lines within the tank, drops significantly below grade. The further away from the pool the tank is located, the larger (or deeper underground) the tank must be placed - as the descending slope of the drain line gets lower & lower the further from the pool it travels. These gravity drain lines also cannot be calculated at their maximum capacity, as they must maintain some "freeboard." That is air in the top of the pipe. This prevents the formation of suction & a really annoying sucking sound!

The tank must have additional storage capacity to allow for displacement from the pool. Displacement comes primarily from wind and from bathers. Now there's a novel idea - people actually swimming in the pool! I cannot tell you how many of these tanks I have seen that were undersized. Every time someone went swimming, a few hundred to a thousand gallons of water was forced out of the tank's overflow line, only to have to be replaced when the fill line turned on.

On the opposite side, the lack of understanding of the hydraulic complexities of these pools, oftentimes results in the surge tank being WAY over sized. While there is nothing wrong with an over sized tank, it is a waste of money, labor, materials, and energy to build them over sized. Having to filter & chemically treat a few thousand gallons of extra water adds up over time.

The lack of proper planning, oftentimes leads to the neglect of maintenance of these tanks. This is where all of the large debris from the pool settles. If the builder designed the tank improperly, this debris is never drawn into the suction line, and therefore the pump strainer basket or filter.
These tanks should be outfitted with main drains, inlets to direct the flow towards these drains, auto-fill lines to also assist in the debris management, ladder rungs for personnel access, vacuum ports for cleaning, personnel access hatch over the ladder rungs, lighting (when fiber optic or low voltage is used on the project), and most importantly, a strainer. The strainer sifts out the large debris before it is deposited onto the floor. I have my own design for a SS basket placed in the path of the incoming line. A smaller lid is placed over this strainer basket to facilitate inspection and servicing of the basket.

By failing to make servicing these tanks easy, the service personnel will simply fail or neglect to service these tanks. At least 2X each year, they need to be drained, rinsed out, and vacuumed with a shop vacuum. An alternate approach, is to drain them to within 12" of the floor, and if one was installed, utilize the internal vacuum port in the floor with a pool vacuum to collect the debris into the pool filter system. This is best performed immediately before the filters are serviced 2X annually (cartridge or DE).

This brings us to filter selection... DE filters are not the wisest choice. They are simply too difficult to recharge after they are back washed or serviced, without the installation of a slurry line or tank.

The detail that is used on the edge of the pool where it meets the water, is one of personal preference. The current rage and most difficult to execute, is the knife edge. I will discuss this technique in detail in another blog.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Fountain Forced Perspective Optical Illusion Catherine de Medici Fountain

2009-06-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

Vanishing edge pools, negative edge pools, infinity edge pools, perimeter overflow pools, hillside pools, slot overflow pools, knife edge pools, flooded deck pools, wet deck pools, spa, and fountain expert witness Paolo (Paul) Benedetti, discusses one of his favorite fountains - La Fontaine de Médicis (Fountain of Medicis) in the Jardines de Luxembourg, Paris, France (in Paris' Luxembourg Quarters) and design innovation.

Marie di Medici was married to Henry IV, the King of France. Homesick for her native Florence, she nagged her husband until he built her a palatial mansion & grounds. The results were a palace and gardens that would remind her of the childhood palace, where she grew up as a young monarch in Florence. I hope that it cured her homesickness!

On a recent trip to Paris, I stumbled upon a fountain in the Jardines de Luxembourg. The gardens surround the Palais de Luxembourg, which have been converted into a public park. The palace building now houses the French Senate.

The baroque fountain was built in 1625, and was designed by engineer Florentin Thomas Francine. It is comprised of three niches with a pediment ordained with the coats of arms of France and the Médici family. In the 1860's the fountain was relocated & retrofitted. Alphonse de Gisors restored the coat of arms and created a 50 meter water lane, lining the lane with trees. The centerpiece sculpture from the original fountain was placed at the end of the lane.

However, the most unique feature of this fountain is never discussed in any of the descriptions or narratives about it's design... the appearance that it is out of level! Even in the mid-1800's designers were pushing the extremes of design!

It is apparent by looking at the fountain, that the water alley in front of it, pitches towards the back, being out of level almost 3 of feet over it's length! We all know that water always seeks it's own level, so the fountain must be out of whack! (Click on the image to enlarge it & get a better view of the illusion)

I spent the better part of an hour in the rain, measuring the urns, pedestals, railings while trying to determine exactly what they did to executed this optical illusion. I knew that they had altered the scene, but I wanted to understand EXACTLY how they pulled it off. It wasn't until a few months later that it dawned on me... they altered the horizon to trick the viewers' peripheral vision, thereby fooling the mind's eye.

The adjustment of our perceived reality in this manner, is called "forced perspective." This fountain, is by far the best public example that I have ever witnessed.

There are a dozen world class aquatic designers plying my trade in the world today. But, I can guarantee you that there only 2 or 3 of them (I am one of them) who have an understanding of the subtle techniques to "fool the minds eye." To me, being able to force the mind into believing something that is not reality, is the ultimate sense of design - the ultimate understanding of your art, physics, the environment & human body. A designer who is able to execute these techniques with swimming pools, spas, fountains & water shapes is at the pinnacle of the watershape design industry.

I have developed a number of design elements, that I occasionally incorporate into projects, when the client or project warrants such illusions.

I have played with the refraction of light through water, creating illusions that curved surfaces flatten out, or that flat surfaces curve. This is an excellent illusion to use when creating bowls of water. The outside edges can appear to be flat, which our mind tells us should not be able to hold water, yet it does. It is because the viewer's eye sees the refracted image of the underwater structure as being flat.

It took many mock-ups and a series of trial and error experiments, to find the right combination of angles, finishes, proportions and depths to create this illusion. Yet it is satisfying to see a person's reaction the first time they witness the execution of this detail.

Another illusion that I employ is the blending of color. A true watershape designer understands that water filters out certain spectrums of light. Using the science of physics and color theory (the blending of primary & secondary colors), that are always constant, a designer can alter the perceived colors. Colors in the shallow end of the vessel appear to be one color, while in the deeper water (where the greater amount of water filters out more of the affected spectrums of light) the colors appear different. This is because the human eye blends the remaining colors of the light spectrum (that are not filtered out) that are reflected back at the viewer along with the color of the bottom of the vessel. The brain perceives these blended colors as the "true" color of the bottom, when in fact that is not true. This is why there appears to be a gradient shading of the colors as the water gets deeper.

Using artificially colored lighting in & around the pool can also alter the perceived colors. Again the ability to predict the outcome, through the use of color theory, is what puts the leading artists in the watershape industry at the top of their game.

Understanding and using these principals allows a designer to deliver a body of water that exhibits deep hues of a desired shade of color. My clients who want a green pool, never receive a pool with a green finish. I use physics, color theory & the blending of colors to create the shades and hues that I desire, based upon the depth of the pool. I can even create an intensified gradient that is natural and predictable.

Another illusion that I use is water's ability to transmit light. I have been able to light thin sheets of water spilling over a weir, and give the illusion that the water is lit by a horizontal ribbon of light - though there is no light source visible.

I have been able to create absolutely perfect columns of water rising 6-8 feet out of the floor of a fountain... a virtual vertical laminar. I have been able to eliminate the water falling back on itself, disrupting the laminar effect. Impossible you say? You can't turn off gravity! You're correct, but we're talking about illusions here... it has the illusion of being a vertical laminar (virtual laminar). At night the effect it astounding, as I have lit these columns of water from underneath - they appear to be 4-6" diameter vertical columns of water 6-8 feet high. Viewed from a distance of 20 feet, it is absolutely amazing.

I have suspended spilling vessels in mid-air, giving them the illusion that they are levitating with no attached pipes or wires, but they are still able to spill water. Our brain says "I see it, but don't believe it." The response is always, "how did they do that?" Being able to identify things that one observes in their daily life & travels, modifying & innovating them for use as a watershape is an innate ability, again not an ability that many individuals in the watershape industry possess.

The ability to observe the world around you, dissect the illusions and forced perceptions that you experience, and incorporate them in new and innovate ways is the mark of a watershape designer who is at the top of the mountain. One who can constantly deliver something new, surprising, and creative - and not a simple rehash of something that has already been done.

This is the designer - an artist, inventor, & innovator - that you deserve on your next project.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Failure of Glass Mosaic Tile - Cracks, Fractures, Fissures & Spalling

2009-06-09T21:25:00.000-07:00

Paolo Benedetti - Designer & internationally renown expert consultant for hillside pools, vanishing edge pools, infinity edge pools, negative edge pools, disappearing edge pools, slot overflow pools, perimeter overflow pools, knife edge pools, wet edge pools and spas, and founder of Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, discusses recent glass tile mosaic failures, namely fracturing & fissures, and all contained some recycled glass!

Though glass mosaic tiles have been around for centuries, their use in swimming pools & construction projects has exploded exponentially in the last decade. Many new players have joined the ranks of glass tile manufacturers. However, as the use of the material has grown, so have the problems.

Do not get me wrong, glass mosaic tile swimming pools, spas, and fountains are the top of the line! They are the pinnacle of pool finishes, and installed correctly should last for decades. I have glass mosaic tiles in my own backyard! And they are performing wonderfully, I might add!

The primary issue is the lack of a minimum industry performance standard for glass tile. The most important factor missing is a standard for their performance against thermal shock. Adding to the problem, is the current trend to be "green." This has led a number of manufacturers, both domestic & foreign, to utilize recycled glass for a portion of their production. Many Asian factories have no concern for the quality of the raw materials - glass is glass! The images shown here are from various projects from around the country - and all involve manufacturers who use some recycled glass in their tiles.

The use of recycled glass in the making of mosaic tiles, especially those that may be subject to any temperature differentials, will result in internal fractures/fissures within the tiles. While this will not lead to the glass tiles crumbling or decaying, it will cause unsightly fissures within the tiles - like those found within an ice cube. If these "cracked" tiles are subject to any subsequent impact or external stresses, they may crack or come loose - resulting in sharp pieces of glass tile on the floor. In a swimming pool, spa, steam bath, or shower application, this will definitely result in lacerations.

Over the past 5-10 years, a number of manufacturers that utilize recycled components have been experiencing performance issues with their materials. In most instances, they have been able to keep these cases isolated. In every instance that I am aware of, the property owner & installer have been led to believe that they are alone in their troubles. (click on the image for an enlarged image and a closer look) The "factory experts" have always blamed the installer for a faulty installation, leaving the installer to defend themselves against the homeowner. They will cite the use of "unapproved setting materials," failure to exactly follow their installation instructions, or the failure to follow proper curing procedures as the leading causes.

However, when the T's are crossed & the I's dotted, and a project is installed to the EXACT letter of the directions & standards, and there is still a material failure - where do the manufacturer's lay their blame? Again, they blame the installer & the installation.

They will grasp at straws, throwing out every excuse they have ever used - even going so far as to blame the concrete structure. This may have worked on a pool that was sliding down a hillside, but for a project that was supervised by the manufacturer of the setting materials, a site visit from the tile manufacturer, inspections by the structural engineer, inspections & observations by the geotechnical engineering firm, independent laboratory testing of the materials, deputy inspectors inspecting the reinforcing steel & monitoring the shotcrete placement, psi testing of the in-place shotcrete, complete documentation & tracking of all materials & batch numbers, and documented compliance with all TCNA & ANSI standards - they simply look like the fools that they are. And they begin to paint this segment of their industry with a big brush of cow dung.

However, with the advent of the internet, the "victims" of these manufacturers are bound to come together to compare notes. It is starting to happen. Here are some of the findings...

In every instance the cracks are totally random - they go opposite directions and are not in adjacent tiles. As can be seen in the image to the right, the cracking is totally random. (click on the image for an enlarged image and a closer look) The grout is intact and the cracking does not extend through to the setting material, so apparently the thinset is not the cause. These were the tile where we were able to duplicate similar cracks in loose unset tiles, so the setting materials & grout cannot be the cause.

When the manufacturers blame the installation, they will almost always try to hang their hat on something, even the smallest detail. Maybe in the end they will "be a nice guy and provide replacement tile." Whoopdie doo! It is the installation where the money is!

They may blame "unapproved" thinsets & grouts. Almost every commercially available thinset that is approved for submerged applications, meets the appropriate ANSI standards. Some manufacturers claim that some thinsets grab to tightly, preventing the glass from expanding & contracting. However, they are playing on the installer's naivety regarding material science. A 1" square mosaic tile expands to infinitesimally, it is almost unmeasurable. To blame a thinset for this internal cracking is ludicrous. For this to actually occur as they claim, there has to already be an inherent stress present in the tile.

These same manufacturers also blame epoxy grouts, as being too rigid and inflexible, thereby preventing the glass mosaic tiles from expanding. Again this argument is laughable... Here's an experiment your child can do: take a pair of pliers & attempt to crush a equivalent size of tile & epoxy grout. The child will not be able to crush the glass tile, while the grout will explode as it is pulverized. It will be apparent to even a 5 year old, that the glass is much stronger than the epoxy grout. Additionally the expansion of the tile, being sooo microscopically small could not develop such pressures - but if there was a pre-existing stress within the tile...

Some have blamed the use of additional admixes (latex fortifiers), when the thinset manufacturer does not advise to. While this will effect the performance of the thinset & grouts, it will not cause them to become so hard or inflexible, as to crack the tile. Again, they are pretending to be "experts" in the field of material science, and because they are from "the factory" - the property owner believes them. Most "factory experts" are merely businessmen or trades persons who, like myself learned through the "school of hard knocks." I've yet to meet one that possessed a formal degree in material or molecular science [I have a chemical engineer/MBA/JD, a polymer research chemist (this is material sciences up the wazoo), and 2 orthopedic surgeons (biological science) in my immediate family].

To reinforce this point - these same manufacturer's tiles can be made to crack by merely exposing them to the thermal changes in a typical backyard spa. Left loose in a plastic tray (and therefore not subject to any external forces from thinset or grouts) and subject to the normal temperature changes from 60-104º F - these tiles will begin to display the same internal stress cracks that are found in an installed application. So guys, how can it be the thinset, when the tiles crack while loose?

Another case I looked at involved tumbled glass tiles that were installed in a steam shower. The edges of the tiles were spalling. And this was only occurring on the side of the shower opposite the shower & steam heads. As you can see from the image to the right, the edges of the tiles are "chipped." (click on the image for an enlarged image and a closer look) First, the chipping was blamed on rough handling during installation - but I dismissed that notion. Look at the edges of the tiles... if they were "mishandled" the chips would have been filled in (even slightly) during grouting. These are recent, fresh & shiny chips that show no sign of grout in them - proof that they occurred after installation. And it could not be from any impacts - they are from the floor to 6' high! To further reinforce this failure, we were able to recover shards of glass from the floor of the shower using duct tape... guess what we found? ...small chips of glass, exactly the size of what was coming off of the installed tile on the wall. Coincidence? Hardly!! One of the unique characteristics of glass is that it radiates heat quickly. So, glass tile installed on a wall in a room heated to 80˚F, may be 65-70˚F. When an "instant hot" 120-130˚F shower (such as those with recirculating hot water) or a 160˚F steam shower blasts the surface of the tiles with a severe temperature shock - something has to give! And that something is the glass tile - lots of little sharp pieces of it. Then Mr. or Mrs. Zillionaire steps barefooted into a glass shard torture chamber - YOU are going to be the 2nd person that they are going to call (you know that their attorney is going to be the number one!). The cool underlying surface of the glass is still at 65-70˚, while the surface is 130-160˚F! The glass simply cannot change temperature quickly enough throughout it's thickness, so something has to give. Yet, these tiles are marketed for use in showers! But there are no thermal shock standards for this material... these are cases where the government needs to establish standards to protect the consumers. Like the exploding Ford Pinto - bad designs & products need to be made safe! Broken glass is inherently dangerous around showers, bathrooms, swimming pools & spas, and pool decks.

In fact, these same tile can be made to crack & fissure, by merely laying the sheets of tiles out in the sun... now, how can an installer cause that????

Still, these manufacturers blame the installation procedures. Okay, for just a minute, let's assume that it is the installation. Then, why do I possess multiple factory assembled sample boards, that exhibit the same internal stress cracking that the installed product is exhibiting in the field? These are 1 foot square sheets of tile thinset to a 3/4" thick piece of plywood & grouted with a polymer fortified thinset - all assembled by the manufacturer in their factory controlled conditions. And guess what? They still cracked!

I know of a project in Southern California where the tiles had been installed, and were in the "thinset curing stage," when random tiles started to crack. And guess what? The factory blamed a faulty structure.... (click on the image for an enlarged image and a closer look) But the commercial hotel developer, general contractor, swimming pool contractor, structural engineer, soils engineer, and materials testing laboratory hit back right between the eyes. And the factory took back the balance of almost 30,000 square feet of unmounted tile. Hmmm, do you think that the factory destroyed the returned tile...??? This is probably the very tile that you're going to receive in your next shipment! And then you're going to be blamed for your faulty installation!

Where am I going with this...

There needs to be a standard established for the manufacturing of glass mosaic tiles. Currently there is an ANSI Standards committee formulating these standards. But guess who is sitting on these committees? You guessed it - representatives from these very same manufacturers! Do you think that there is going to be any substantial thermal shock standard established that is going to protect the public from cracking glass tiles? Very doubtful. The fox is in charge of the hen house.

If they are not willing to subject themselves to this higher standard, then they need to disclose to the public, what extremes a particular product can safely handle. Maybe they need to establish a tiered rating system with temperature extremes based upon maximum rates of rise X a time variable. A consumer friendly A-B-C system would be ideal, with A tiles being the most shock resistant (on par with Pyrex) and C being the poorest quality. Every tile sold in the US (even imported tiles) would have to meet these standards. To maintain their thermal shock rating, a manufacturer would be required to submit samples for regular & periodic quality control checks by an independent testing laboratory (UL), to verify that the standards are still being met.

This brings us to the science behind the problems of utilizing recycled glass as a component of the raw materials. Mixing raw & recycled materials, results in a blend of materials (down to the microscopic level) with differential expansion indexes. Glass tile is very dense. The slightest thermal changes results will result in minuscule amounts of expansion. However, if this expansion is occurring at different rates within the matrix of the material (as what occurs with blended recycled materials), a stress crack may result.

Additionally, the manufacturing processes employed by a manufacturer may lend itself to "stressing" the tiles. Most manufacturers utilize a "press" much like a cookie cutter to cut the tiles out of sheets of molten glass. This process seems to render the fewest problems. These tiles are recognizable by their smooth edges, uniform size & thickness. The edges will often be tapered, being wider at the top of the tile. They may also exhibit slight marks on the edges from the press (these are not visible once the tile is set & grouted).

The second procedure is the actual cutting of the individual tiles from a hardened irregular shaped sheet of glass. The cutting procedure actually causes micro-fractures & stresses within the edges of the glass. Removing these stresses requires that the tiles receive an additional firing. These tiles are recognizable by an edge that is perfectly straight & vertical, without any marks from a press. If the tiles were re-fired, the edges will not be sharp like freshly cut glass, but very slightly rounded.

The third process is a hybrid of the press & cutting process, where the press stamps out the shape, but does not sheer the glass into individual tiles. The sheet is later "cracked" along the depressions in the sheet left by the press - resulting in a distinctive irregular edge. This "cracking" process also imparts micro-stresses into the tile. These tiles are readily recognizable by their irregular shape and oftentimes sharp edges. If the tiles were subject to re-firing to relieve the internal stresses, these sharp edges will have softened.

The final major process is the actual pouring of molten glass into molds. These tiles vary in thickness, even within an individual tile. A series of nozzles squirt molten glass in what looks like ice cube trays. The bottom of the mold forms the top of the tile. Some manufacturers follow this with a press, to stamp in a texture or stand offs into the back of the tiles. However, if the mold was not sufficiently filled, or the glass too cool, the glass will have not flowed level within the mold. They tend to be thicker than all of the prior methods, and therefore even more susceptible to exhibiting internal fissures.

An added issue is the cost of energy. It costs a lot of money to run a glass kiln & foundry. Many manufacturers do not follow proper annealing procedures - that is the slow controlled cooling of glass. The glass is transported through a temperature controlled linear kiln (called a Lehr), where the temperature zones within the kiln slowly decrease. Failure to properly anneal glass will result in the glass cracking or shattering when subject to the slightest temperature or mechanical shock - HEY DOES THAT SOUND FAMILIAR? There is no way by looking at glass tile with the naked eye, to see these inherent stresses. There is also no way to verify that the manufacturer is not "speeding up the annealing process" to save themselves some money. Remember, it's all about the Benjamin's!

So far the manufacturers that utilize virgin raw materials, and forgo the use of recycled glass in their products, have been spared the agony of their products cracking. My personal brands of preference include: www.lightstreamsglasstile.com/, www.bisazza.com/usa/, www.sicis.com, www.interstyle.ca.

While I am not fond of their color renditions and the silica speckles in their tiles, another brand that I have had success with is "Colorines Mosaicios" manufactured in Mexico. They are available exclusively through DalTile, as they were purchased by DalTile a few years ago.

To summarize the characteristics of glass mosaic tiles that tend to exhibit internal stress cracks:

Manufactured using recycled materials - they key commonality.
Manufactured in Asia (most Asian manufactured tiles are crap)
Improper annealing (how can you possibly know?)
Method of manufacture
Size & thickness (thinner & smaller mosaics seem to perform better)

Just because a glass mosaic tile is from a well know company, bears a prominent designer's name, is from a large company, or the product is in every tile showroom you walk into, does not mean that it is a quality glass mosaic. A lot of these glass tiles will perform wonderfully as a kitchen backsplash, but will fail miserably when subject to any climate changes or thermal shock.

Rules to live by:
1. By all means, follow the manufacturers installation instructions to the letter! Do not bootleg anything! Only follow the TCNA standards & recommendations.
2. Only use setting materials recommended by the manufacturer - if they do not specify brands & specific products, make the inquiry in writing! Keep all of your receipts. When you take delivery of the setting materials, note the lot numbers on the receipt.
3. Take lots of pictures. Digital pictures are free! be sure to track the dates specific areas were floated, set, and grouted. Be sure to follow the proper cure times before moving on to the next phase. Documentation is the key! It does not hurt to keep a color coding system, outlining areas with colored tape, so that they are readily identifiable in the photographs.
4. If it is an extremely large project (high risk & high gain), be sure to involve the manufacturers during the planning & installation process. Invite site visits & document the dates & progress on those visits. Follow up with a thank you letter & document any recommendations & comments.
5. Additionally, do not be afraid to send samples of the products to an independent testing lab for analysis and thermal shock testing. A few thousand dollars spent in advanced will save hundreds of thousands of dollars later.
6. Be an informed consumer.
7. Read the manufacturer's warranty before making your purchase.
8. Consider having the manufacturer post a bond or purchase an insurance policy to guarantee the product performance - if the project size warrants it.
9. Read the manufacturers warranty - some are so lame that they provide a warranty until you open the box or install the product! Read this joke from http://www.hakatai.com/Warranty-W9C34.aspx :

"HAKATAI ENTERPRISES, INC., LIMITED WARRANTY

Limited Warranty Terms and Conditions

All products ("Products") sold by Hakatai, Enterprises, Inc., hereafter referred to as the "Company," are subject to this Limited Warranty.

Limited Warranty

The Company warrants that its Products, if properly stored and transported, will be free from defects in materials and workmanship from the date of sale until the date the product is installed ("Warranty Period"). THE PURCHASER SHALL EXAMINE ALL PRODUCTS FULLY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. If a Company Product is found to be defective during the purchaser’s examination, and the purchaser submits the written service request required herein, the Company will, at its option, replace the Product with a Product that is at least functionally equivalent or refund the purchase price..."

"...Warranty Limitations and Exclusions

THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDS UPON INSTALLATION OF THE PRODUCT, AND THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES ON THE PRODUCT AFTER INSTALLATION...."

WOW, they offer a complete warranty until I install it! And I have to declare any defects prior to installing it.... hmmm, that has "confidence in our product" written all over it doesn't it?! It should say "Warranty Scam"!

I doubt my clients will just let me stack the boxes in their backyard & collect my money. If they are not willing to stand behind their product - then this should set off alarms in your head... Warning! Warning Will Robinson! Warning! Aliens approaching! Run for safety (with your $ in your pocket!). They provide a taillight warranty, when the headlights are still in your eyes! TURN and RUN!

Remember, the manufacturer may have a strong warranty backing their product, but no one can force them to pay out, except you and your lawyer!

They will do everything they can to point the blame at YOU!

NOTE: In the accompanying images, some of the tiles appear to have white cracks across the surface. These are actually casting marks or imperfections that collected grout in them & became highlighted. Look inside the tiles for radial cracks. Click on any image to view a super-sized version.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

A Technicolor Dreamcoat

2009-06-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

Paolo Benedetti, founder of Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa - Vanishing Infinity Negative Disappearing Perimeter Knife Edge Swimming Pools Spa Expert

Another client quote from the same Southern California consumer "ranking" website (there were only 2):

He entitled it:

"Paolo is the worlds best aquatic designer - insightful, creative, & detailed!"

"The worlds' best - hands down! I have Ex-Presidents as personal friends & now proudly include Paolo among them! I'll fly him anywhere - at any cost, for my next project! We're so glad that we went with our gut instinct and hired Paolo. He operated on a "cost+" basis, and at first we thought that additional travel & hotel expenses, per Diem fees, & material sourcing trips, in addition to the cost+ were crazy. But, we got the best end of the deal & we get to enjoy his artwork everyday!

Though it was against his financial interest, he negotiated the best prices on materials, even importing materials from far flung corners of the world. He saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars on the overall project. I can not express the level of satisfaction, follow through, and design sense he brought to our project.

I can not imagine our pools without him (he has done 3 properties for us)... they'd be an architects boring monochromatic hallucination... instead we got a technicolor dream coat!

We've since brought him in & included him on the design team of a casino, an office building, and a house in the Islands that we are building. We have given him a lot of responsibility and freedom to "do his thing." The hardest part is staying out of his way... when he gets going, he's like the Tasmanian devil on a triple espresso!

So creative, visionary, opinionated, yet likable, and yes expensive - but, I'm proud to include him among my friends. How many clients of my stature, welcome a designer/contractor into their inner family of friends? He is as comfortable on a ranch hunting as in a black tie - at opening night of the Met! A true renaissance man, world traveled, speaks multiple languages, college educated, karate 3rd degree black belt... and a gifted designer/contractor!

I'm also privileged to have one of his early creations... though his visions & creations are hidden away in backyards across the country, THEY WILL BE DISCOVERED AND REVERED LIKE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S or PICASSO'S WORK! His work is beyond description.... and he was always looking out for our best interest!

PROS: Absolutely flawless - a perfect canary yellow diamond!
CONS: Expensive, Qualifies his Clients, a Waiting List - but worth the wait!"

I could have summed that up in three words: "honest, gifted & intense."

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Blowing my own horn!

2009-06-08T22:04:00.000-07:00

Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa - Expert in Vanishing Infinity Negative Disappearing Perimeter Knife Edge Swimming Pools Spa Construction

Every once & a while... we get to blow our own horn!

I recently ran across the following client comment on a Southern California consumer "rating" website:

"For those clients where money is not an object, and who has no problem parting with it, Paolo Benedetti is a true artist. We commissioned a design (for a fee of course), which turned out awesome! He met with us over a period of a few weeks, presenting various options and concepts. He listened to our needs and concerns, and even made a great many observations himself. He really cared about us and our project, ensuring that we do not outgrow its functionality.

We decided to have him build & manage our project, as we had grown very comfortable with him. Though he is located in Northern California, he was here when needed.

We were not in a hurry to be swimming in a few months. And after watching the level of craftsmanship that went into EVERY level of construction, there is no way they could have built our project in any less time. They even mapped out the days for the proper curing of the cements & mortars, to ensure that everything is done by the book.

Our finished project is flawless. A one of a kind creation that seamlessly integrates water into the architecture of our house and landscaping.

We later found out that he was ranked as one of the top 3 builders in the LA area, though he is in San Jose, CA (The Franklin Report). Now we know why he is in such demand. His projects have even appeared in the NY Times, US Today, and on many TV programs.

PROS: Absolute highest construction standards & practices!
CONS: Expensive, but what quality artwork isn't?"

Speaks for itself, now doesn't it?

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

It's cracking because it's only 3.5" thick!

2009-06-04T21:55:00.000-07:00

Paolo Benedetti founder of Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Vanishing Edge Pool, Infinity Edge Pool, Perimeter Overflow Pool, Slot Overflow pool, Knife Edge Pool, & Disappearing Edge Pool expert

I recently was involved in a construction defect case, where among the many flaws was a substandard pool deck. The flagstone veneer was coming loose all over the place & the grout was cracking.

When I dug back a part of the lawn at the edge of the patio - the truth revealed itself...

The concrete slab under the stone work was only 3.5" thick! To make matters worse, the concrete contractor used 4-5" of crushed dolomite rock for a sub-base. Dolomite rock is very soft crystalline rock that has virtually no load bearing value. And, placing such thin layer of such a fine sub-base allowed the underlying expansive soils to transfer their energy directly into the masonry above.

To add insult to injury, there was a geo-technical investigation (soils report) available to the concrete contractor. But he didn't bother asking if one was available. Now that it has been thrown back into his face, he wish he had asked for it! The soils report made recommendations as to how much of the expansive top soils needed to be removed, what was to be imported, and how the sub-base was to be installed. As it turned out there was supposed to be "24" of compacted 3/4" drain rock" placed under the slab. The report specified "a minimum 6" thick slab with #4 rebar on 12" centers, topped with #10 wire mesh, tied to the surface of the placed reinforcing steel. Reinforcing steel to be supported on the sub-base with 3" concrete blocks or plastic chairs."

In his infinite wisdom, the concrete contractor used #10 wire mesh as his reinforcing steel. And because it is so flimsy and cannot be supported on dobbies (concrete blocks), they left it laying on the sub-base. Lots of good it does there! He stated that as they poured the concrete, he "hooked the wire & lifted it into the center of the slab." I made him a gentleman's wager, that the wire was consistently in the bottom 1/4 of the slab, and would be found mostly on the bottom. He did not realize that once the workers begin to tamp & finish the concrete, the wire settles back down to the bottom. At best, a cross section of the wire in the slab looks like a "wave" throughout the slab.

Then he violated the building codes that specify the clearances from the reinforcing steel to earth and reinforcing steel to the surface of the concrete. The minimum clearance from earth to the BOTTOM SIDE of the reinforcing steel when the concrete is cast against earth is 3 inches! The minimum clearance of the TOP SIDE of the reinforcing steel to the surface of the concrete is 2 inches! So, had he used #4 sized (1/2" diameter) reinforcing steel, the slab would have had to be 6" thick! Since the #4 bars would be laid out in a checkerboard fashion, they cross over each other. This means that the steel is in some places 1" thick (1/2" + 1/2" = 1" thickness of steel at the intersections). 3" of concrete below the steel + 1" steel thickness + 2" of concrete above the steel = a 6" thick slab.

So, any concrete contractor who forms concrete that is to be poured against the earth (that includes the sub-base material) with 2x4 limber is in violation of the building codes (IBC, UBC, or CBC). And any client that contracts for a 4" thick slab is being cheated, as a 2x4 is actually only 3.5" high not 4"!

The stone veneer was mortared directly on top of the concrete slab. As the slab cracked, the cracks migrated through the stonework. The grout cracked & came loose, as did the stones.

Decks of this type of construction need to be built to protect the stonework from failure. The concrete slab should have had thickened edges and turn down footings around the perimeter. There should have been a "crack control" or "cleavage" membrane installed on top of the concrete slab. This membrane prevents cracks in the concrete from migrating through to the stone work - manifesting themselves on the surface.

If ground water or poor site drainage was present, a vapor barrier should have been placed beneath the concrete slab. The crack control membrane could have also been upgraded to a waterproof membrane, adding a layer of protection against efflorescence on the surface of the stone (from water beneath).

The final mistake, which actually caused the ground to start moving in the first place - was that the concrete contractor did not install any surface drainage. Instead, he talked the homeowner into sloping the decks back to the planters & allow the water to run off into the landscaping - saving the homeowner money on a drainage system. Not a good idea, when expansive soils are present. The water migrated back under the concrete slab through the finely crushed dolomite, where it soaked into the soils. Being expansive, the soils swelled, causing movement & cracking of the concrete slab, and cracking & separation of the stone veneer.

The turn-down footing at the edge of a concrete slab, is designed to strengthen the edges of a slab, prevent "slab curl" as it cures, and prevent water from migrating beneath the slab. Surface drainage should always be installed to direct water off of the decks. If the water is being directed to the side of the deck, then a trench drain or french drain needs to be installed to redirect the water away from the sub-base.

Since he failed to inquire or follow the soils report recommendations and relied on his inferior construction practices (e.g. wire mesh, hooking the wire mesh, 3.5" forms), he will bear ALL OF the expenses of jack-hammering & hauling away the current decks, excavating the site 30+ inches, installing a drainage system, importing the proper base rock, properly re-pouring the concrete decks, and reinstalling the stone veneer.

Again, having (and using) the recommendations in a soils report would have saved this contractor a lot of time & money. Had he followed the recommendations and still experienced these same failures, he would not have been liable for their correction.

Do it right, or don't do it!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Swimming pool designer builder Paolo Benedetti discusses U-Tunes, Underwater swimming pool speakers Santa Barbara, Montecito, Santa Ynez

2009-05-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

Internationally acclaimed swimming pool designer and builder Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa discusses U- Tunes! Under water swimming pool speakers & sound.

Ancient Technology

Socially there has been a marked increase in the desire to have one's personal music collection available anywhere one might be. While underwater music has always been available, the quality of the speakers had left something to be desired.

Early speaker designs were mechanical, and though these ancient designs are still available, they are prone to constant failure. They oftentimes also require the use of a proprietary niche (a speaker manufacturer supplied plastic or metal pocket that is cast into the pool wall to house the speaker fixture). This requirement trapped the owner into keeping these deficient design speakers, so when they fail nothing else will fit into the niche.

Additionally, the physical design of the speakers are hideous. They are bulbous and protrude from the pool wall, drawing attention to themselves. Add to that, the fact that they are only available in white or blue, not harmonious with every designer finish. Absolutely no thought went into the aesthetics of the speaker itself.

But, they are inexpensive, so these are what most designers and pool builder specify or install. Remember what my grandpa used to say (translated from Italian)? "Cheap isn't good and good isn't cheap" Basically, You get what you pay for! With underwater speakers, this could not be any truer!

Those antiquated designs contained metallic components that require electrical bonding, magnets that rust, parts that promoted galvanic corrosion, are not of a sealed design (the plastic bulb housing eventually cracks and leaks), or do not have the ability to handle the high wattage input from modern music systems (they are usually limited to 35 - 200 watts @ 8 ohms).

And the biggest complaint... their sound fidelity is rotten! Rule of thumb: "If they sound like crap out of the water, they will sound like a truck load of crap underwater!"

U-Tunes

With the decades of advancements in electronic technology, so has the technology of underwater speakers, as I call them "U-Tunes!"

Gone are the days of expensive and potentially corrosive stainless steel niches. Metallic components have been removed. The advent of piezo speaker technology has eliminated the need for moving parts.

The best underwater speakers utilize any readily available standard sized swimming pool light niche, making swapping out to another brand at a later date feasible. I personally specify the full sized American Products PVC light niche, as it reduces the potential for leaks where a threaded conduit would thread into a stainless steel niche. The niche is still required to be bonded to the pool's bonding grid, as it contains a bonding straps & a stainless steel mounting rim (the speaker retention screws tie into this stainless steel ring). And, if anyone ever removes the speaker & desires to place a light in it's place, it is already properly prepared for the conversion.

The modern speakers sit flat in the niche, protruding only 1/2-1" from the wall. Most are black in color, but a few manufacturer's offer custom epoxy painting to match the pool finish color.

The sound fidelity? It is remarkable. High quality speakers can handle upwards of 400 watts @ 8 ohms! Be sure that your speaker is protected by an isolation transformer! It'll keep the speaker from being over powered. Some manufacturers will even build custom configured systems.

How many speakers?

Most residential swimming pools will only require one speaker. Because water molecules are touching each other, sound travels better underwater than in the ambient air. Also, all of the background noise in the backyard is muffled when you are underwater. Most pools up to 800 square feet can get away with a single speaker.

Preference

Everyone always asks... so here is my personal preference: OCEANEARS SP-8 SONIC BULB SPEAKER (http://www.oceanears.com/2002spk2page.html). Yes, they are expensive, but you get what you pay for.

The customer service alone is worth the extra money. I have had customers blow out a Oceanears speaker & they sent a replacement transformer at no cost. When the customer blew it out a second time, they sent a more powerful replacement transformer at no charge! Even when they determined that the client was over powering the speaker, they took care of business! My kind of folks!

I have never used or specified anything except Oceanears Speakers. I even have one in my personal pool (and I paid full price for it too!). I have a dozen of them in use dating back 10+ years.

The only problem that we've ever had what that one client who over amp'd the transformer. That client has been told do it again & be prepared to open your wallet, WIDE!

U-Tunes - excellent for parties, daily exercise, or recreational swimming.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

"Water in Transit" Edge Details... Choices, choices...

2009-05-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti

Infinity edge pool, vanishing edge pool, knife edge pool, perimeter overflow pool, wet edge, zero edge, flooded deck pool, slot overflow pool, elevated perimeter overflow pool, disappearing edge pool... what ever you call them, they all have something in common - water flows over the top of at least one wall of the pool.

Imagine a bowl of water overflowing it's rim, or if the top is not exactly level - the water overflows in the lower area. This brings us to the various types of edge details available.

The "hottest" detail and most difficult to construct is a perimeter overflow detail called a "knife edge." The knife edge perimeter overflow pool has the water raised right up to the level of the coping. But instead of any water flowing over the coping, the water drops into a diagonal slot that meets the top inside edge of the coping. The water is right at the top edge of the coping, but then it falls into the slot that is under the coping. This is the most complex design, due to the difficulty in constructing the gutter & "knife edge." The edge must be dead-on level. Additionally, because the coping covers the entire gutter, there is no opportunity to go back & rework or waterproof the gutter, without breaking out coping stones.

The second most popular edge detail, goes by many names: "wet deck," "flooded deck," & "slot overflow." As it's name implies, the water flows over the top of a portion of the coping stones, before dropping into a gutter or slot. Amateurish designers & builders rely on garish plastic or metal grating atop an open gutter. This is a very industrial and archaic method of building this style of pool. These plastic grate gutter systems are still very popular in Europe & some developing countries, due to their ease of installation.

A more refined appearance for a perimeter overflow pool, can be achieved by overlapping the coping & decking stones over the gutter, leaving no more than a 1/2" gap - thus the "slot overflow" name. A gap wider than 1/2" is in violation of the ADA. It just asking for a toe/high heel to get stuck or torn off. This method also requires that the portion of stone that is to be underwater be durable, submersible, and installed absolutely level.

One of the most striking designs is one of my personal favorites, the elevated perimeter overflow pool. As the name implies, the walls of the pool are elevated above the grade & the water flows over the top of the wall. The raised portion can vary from a few inches in height to as high as 18". Any higher than 18" and the pool becomes difficult to enter. It also poses a safety issue for those standing on top of the wall, if it is any higher than 18".

Though I will never publish it, my personal pool is of this elevated overflow style. The face of the 18" elevated walls are clad with polished absolute black granite. The top surface (that spans the thickness of the wall), was treated to provide slip resistance. The surface of the granite was "flamed," resulting in a natural sanded type of texture. The interior is lined with a custom blend of black, gray, and deep purple mosaic glass tiles from Bisazza Mosaico, Vicenza, Italy.

The most familiar and common edge detail is the "vanishing edge," "infinity edge," or "disappearing edge" pool. These pools usually have one side of the pool lowered to meet the operating elevation of the water. The water spills over this wall(s) and into either a catch basin, or a gutter. Where a gutter is used, the water is transported to a remote holding tank, from where the edge effects pump draws it's water.

Adding to the complexity of all of these choices, is the myriad of combinations of the various effects. The most complex pool that my firm has ever designed & constructed (though not the most expensive), combined a staggered vanishing edge, knife edge, perimeter overflow, and collection gutters. Executed flawlessly, the final results are absolutely breathtaking. To review an in depth article about this project, visit the following link:

http://www.aquatictechnology.com/articles/t_cubed.htm

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Salt Water Pools - Chemical Free, Hardly!

2009-05-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

Salt Chlorine Generator, Salt Water Pool, Salt Free Pool, wet edge, zero edge, Chemical Free Pool - whatever lie they perpetrate, the consumers are being scammed!

A few years ago, I stopped installing salt water pools and salt chlorine generators. Salt water in the pools were the direct cause of damage to the masonry and equipment. The lost credibility issue, the financial exposure for the warranty repairs, & call-backs from these negative effects were the primary reasons. Additionally, the manufacturer's of these salt chlorine units & the swimming pool industry in general, have misrepresented the facts about these vessels & salt-chlorine generation. The manufacturer's do not even provide disclaimers that these issues exist.

News flash - there is chlorine in your pool! First and foremost, these pool have salt in them for only ONE PURPOSE - that is to generate chlorine! A salt water pool is not a "chlorine free pool," as the swimming pool industry and the manufacturer's promote them. It is just that no one is required to pour it in the pool, from external sources. The only person who benefits is your pool service technician. They save money because they do not have to supply chlorine any longer. Now he can sell you salt instead - and it has to be a special type of finely ground salt, as regular water softener salt will not work (it contains anti-caking agents)!

Salt-chlorine generators CREATE CHLORINE, when the salt water passed through some electrolytic plates (cathode & anode) which separate the salt (sodium chloride) into sodium & chlorine... so see there is chlorine in the pool (you just do not see anyone pouring it in).

Though some people say that the water has a "silkier feel," I argue that this is subjective. A properly sanitized pool also feels smooth.

There are just too many negatives to using salt in a swimming pool. Even at low levels, salt dissolves masonry. Simple analogy: ever see the sidewalks in the Northeast where they throw salt on the cement to dissolve the winter ice? The concrete is rough & the aggregate is exposed - eaten away by the ravages of the salt. In a swimming pool the same is occurring to the plaster, concrete, stonework & grout.

I know of a pool builder on the SF Peninsula who had to replace an entire pool deck that was set using Durango stone. It seems that the soft marble from Mexico is not very resistant to the aggressive effects of the salt. It literally ate the deck in a period of months!

Another issue is the electroplating of metallic components within the pool. By placing salt into a pool, you are in effect creating a weak battery. The water is now the electrolyte, similar to that in a car battery. Due to the very nature of a pool, electrical energy from the grounding system of the property flows to the pool's structural steel. This causes the steel & all of the metal components to become energized by a weak electrical current (an electrode).

Guess what? If there is the slightest trace of metals in the water, you are in for some interesting phenomenons. And what water does not have SOME traces of metals in it (iron, copper, manganese, etc)?

The metals in the water become electrically attracted to the metal components... it is called electroplating. The metal parts start turning weird colors, iron starts collecting on the SS light rings, and the steel pattern becomes highlighted on the surface of the plaster.

If the pool does not have a sufficient quantity of metals naturally occurring in the water to supply the demands of this phenomenon, physics will begin to dissolve the softest metals present in contact with the water. This can be copper pipes (if it is a pre-circa 1960's pool), the copper heat exchanger in the heater, the copper solar panels, motor shaft seals, temperature sensors, anything metal in contact with the water.

If there is a copper heat exchanger in the pool heater, the softer metal (copper) will sacrifice itself in an effort to maintain the proper balance in the water. The heater literally gets eaten alive from the inside! This has absolutely nothing to do with poor water chemistry! It is all merely due to the presence of salt, water & electricity. Ocean moored boat owners have experienced this very phenomenon for decades. Brass & SS props literally dissolve in the ocean, as the small currents from their electrical systems mildly energize their props.

Some swimming pool contractors think that if they provide a sacrificial anode, like in the typical tank water heater or connected to a boat, they have solved the problem. Wrong! They have merely provided a softer metal to sacrifice itself first. Usually made of magnesium or zinc, these metals will cause dark gray, black or blue deposits on the pool walls or other metal components.

Another myth is that there is no need to add ANY chemicals to the pool. But, this could not be further from the truth! The chlorine generated by the equipment is referred to as "unstabilized chlorine." This means that it is easily degraded by the UV from the sun. Surprise... MOST POOLS ARE OUTDOORS!!! Without the addition of a UV stabilizer (AKA: cyanuric acid), what the salt chlorine generator makes is gone very quickly. SEE, there is just another chemical that they forgot to tell you about! It's not that cyanuric acid is bad... in fact it is a component in most powdered forms of chlorine, it is just that they tout their salt water pools as a "healthy chemical free pool."

Additionally, the production of chlorine from salt through the electrolytic process produces chlorine with a pH of around 13! There is a slight amount of sodium hydroxide (lye) created in the process, with a pH of around 2. But, there is not a sufficient quantity to buffer the high pH of the chlorine. Any pool service company will tell you that these pools frequently have high pH's each week. In order to control the high pH they must add significant quantities of muriatic acid (sometimes a whole gallon each week!).

The biggest drawback of these systems, is that they generate the chlorine at an even & consistent rate. They do not vary their output based upon the demands in the pool. The fact that these systems do not monitor or test the water chemistry, results in spikes & drops in the dosage of chlorine. Set too low you have too little chlorine & you get algae & biological contaminants. Have a birthday party with 30 kids & forgot to turn it up, and the pool turns brown & people get sick. Turned it up after the birthday party to eliminate the brown water, but forgot to turn it back down? Guess what? - you just bleached your wife's new Prada bikini when she uses the spa!

Sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, muriatic acid, cyanuric acid...
and you thought that you were swimming in a chemical free & hassle free pool!? With all of that stuff in there, it should feel thick & chunky!

The solution.... save the money you would have spent on the salt chlorine generator & install an ORP/pH controller ($2,500 + (2) peristaltic pumps @ $350 each). These systems monitor the water while the pumps are running. They sense changes in the water chemistry, and micro-dose the water with liquid chlorine and a diluted solution of muriatic acid (for pH control). Hot 100ºF day with 30 kids over? The controller senses the drop below the settings & starts dosing the chemicals to maintain a balanced pool. Experience an unusually cool overcast period? Not to worry, the controller does not feed when there is no demand.

An alternative to storing the muriatic acid solution, is to install a CO2 system. A cylinder of CO2 gas (similar to a welding cylinder) is secured to a wall or wooden post. An electronic solenoid valve attached to the cylinder, opens as needed to inject CO2 into the plumbing at the equipment pad. The CO2 turns into carbonic acid, thereby buffering the pH. This is a simple solution which is inexpensive safe method - except for the periodic requirement of exchanging cylinders. If you do not chose to drive to the local gas supplier or carbonic beverage distributor, there are some commercial gas cylinder exchange services which will provide cylinders on an exchange basis.

Used in conjunction with an ozone generator, these settings can be set at a minimum level. The ozone takes over the responsibilities of oxidizing the bather waste, leaving the chlorine to sanitize the pool. This is called a "synergistic relationship," as they exist for each other's benefit, providing an exponentially larger contribution to safe & clear water, than if used alone.

The water is maintained crystal clear, free of contaminates that burn the eyes. FYI: it is bather waste (sweat, urine, make-up, deodorants, sunscreens, etc.) combined with chlorine, that creates ammonia compounds that burn the eyes! It is not "too much chlorine" as everyone has been led to believe for years! The smell of chlorine on your skin when you get out of the pool, is actually these very ammonia compounds that have formed on your skin from your perspiration & sunscreens! Again, it is not from there being too much chlorine in the pool!

Commercial pools are required to maintain a minimum of 2 ppm of chlorine. I have personally swam in pools with levels as high as 6 ppm. While it will bleach swim suits faster (not noticeable in one swim), it is totally safe!

It is the LACK of chlorine and improperly balanced pH that causes burning eyes and the smell of chlorine around the pool (off gassing of these ammonia compounds). This is why the problem is so prevalent at low end commercial pools (motels, hotels, apartment & condo complexes). They usually have just a chlorine feed pump that is set at one feed rate - one that is easily overwhelmed on a hot day with 500 people - just like a salt chlorine generator would be!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Are they REALLY saving you money? Warning, hacks abound!

2009-05-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti

Though I design high-end custom luxury swimming pools & spas, we are also a design-build firm. Subscribing to the absolute highest imaginable standards, I can only build a few creations each year. When a design client says, "We just want your plans, because we're going to put this out to bid. We know that we can get it built for a lot less." I know that this is not the client for me. The lowest cost and receiving a quality built project are diametrically opposed.

They are telling me that they are merely focused on the price... not the quality. I have had many of my designs eventually built by the "low bidder." The clients are so proud of themselves because they were able to obtain the project for 1/2 the price of what I would have charged. I often hear (initially), "we just cannot justify spending twice the money for the same thing."

But the purpose of my complete plan set, is to provide potential bidders with a set of plans & standards that they will be expected to build to - these are called specifications.

The "same thing" assumption is where they go wrong. First the low bidder decides that the structural engineering that has already been defined (the engineering that everyone else bid off of), is "over engineered." They disregard the original structural engineering & proceed to purchase some generic mail order plans. Mistake #1!

Next, they decide that the plumbing is "too big!" There is a cut-rate builder on the S.F. peninsula who went so far as to tell one of my design clients, "Paolo always is about over kill. Who ever heard of a 4" suction pipe on a spa jet pump?" He proceeded to downsize the pipe to a 2.5" pipe, almost tripling the line velocity! Can you say "suck an elephant through a garden hose!" The resulting noise at the pump from cavitation, was enough to wake the dead! But what the hell, the pool builder can't hear it from his house!

The site was beautiful & clean immediately after the shotcrete was applied. The design clients say, "Just look at the yard, it is so clean. See, they really care about my property." This could not be further from the truth... the property should have had yards and yards of concrete trimmings & rebound piled up - WASTE from the shotcrete (gunite) process. Where did it all go, you ask? They shoveled it into the beach entry, and into the floor of the pool, and into the spa benches, and into anywhere else they could. Why? Because they not only save themselves the hassle and expense of having to haul away 5-10 yards of hardened concrete in a few days, they also save themselves even more money in not having to place structurally sound & virgin material into the pool shell. And, hell, who wants to have to shovel all of that crap out of the pool? But, the finished pool "looks the same..." - maybe, on the surface all is well, but there is cancer inside!

This same hack, deleted some unique design details as "unneeded" (read that as: too complicated, time consuming, and beyond my capabilities). But remember, all of the competitors bids were based upon these details being included. He is remarkable at degrading a project to fit his low-ball bids & construction methods. Next he changed the shape of the beach entry, effectively making it shorter. By doing this, the results were an increase in the slope of the beach entry. The results were in excess of the industry standard of a 7-1 slope. After shotcrete the client saw that the beach was "still too big" for their tastes. So, they call the builder, who sent out a laborer to saw cut off the amount the client desired. No concern for the structural steel that was removed, no concern for the integrity of the bondbeam bars - just get in there & bust it out.

The plans specified an underwater anti-drowning sonar system. The system was custom designed by the manufacturer, SonarGuard, based upon the original shape & depths of the pool. The original plans were sent to SonarGuard, who ran computer models to validate proper detection & coverage in the pool. SonarGuard specifies the placement & depth of each underwater sensor. Deviations from the plans in the pool's shape or depth, or installing the sensor conduits in the incorrect location, results in a system that does not perform to it's designed potential. This same builder, decided that he could put the conduits where he pleased, installing them at the wrong depth, incorrect angles, and even omitting sensors. This system, when properly installed is supposed to prevent drowning of the homeowner's toddler children. Yet, the builder chose to totally disregard the specifications for this "life safety" system. Again, the design clients thought they received a comparable bid... but, it's not quite the same thing so far, is it?

Special stainless steel rebar was specified for use in securing some large boulders to the beach entry & in fabricating a poured in place concrete bench. Of course this was not done, and in a short period of time, the rebar will begin to corrode & rust through the concrete & bleed out from under the boulders. But it "looks like the same thing..." - not quite!

The glass mosaic tiles were installed without any regard to the specified installation practices, which called for a waterproof membrane, waterproofed leveling bed, special thinsets, fortified grouts and expansion joints. Instead, the tile was installed without regard to any cure times, membranes, or expansion joints. But the clients say "it looks the same..." - until it begins to fall off!

On another project, a $1,000,000+ pool had developed cracks in the shell prior to completion. This builder's solution was to inject epoxy into the cracks, so that the pool could be tiled. The wheels were falling off even before the pool was completed! Shouldn't someone say, "Whoa, something is wrong here. The pool is cracking - we need to find out WHY before anyone proceeds!" Instead, he is out to save you money ...just a little wood putty here, duct tape there, a little chewing gum over there, and some bailing wire, and she's good to go! Please - don't do me any favors! But in the end it still looks the same... - Yeah, right!

How does someone get away with this you ask? Well oftentimes these very same pool builders often work for general contractors (GC) & developers who build "spec homes" or custom homes. Since the GC is always about staying within budget & saving a buck (thus making more for themselves), these low-ball pool builders "have a home." The quality of the swimming pool rarely matches that of the home. The pool builder justifies their practices with comments like, "I do this all the time," this is standard in our industry," "you didn't pay for that," "it's okay, I've done this before."

People actually buy into this line, and the myth is perpetuated. These are the same hacks also do repair work for commercial properties - you know, apartment complexes!!! Have you EVER seen a beautiful apartment complex pool?? Do it fast & do it cheap! Look out Tim Allen there's competition!

Over the life of the the property, the client will end up paying for a lot of unwarranted repairs to correct rusting reinforcing steel, failing masonry, structural cracking, burned out pumps & motors, reset faulty tile work, listen to loud pumps and pay for excessive energy costs (noise & extra energy consumption are due to small pipes with big pumps). They'll never be able to remove the rebound & trimmings, correct structural deficiencies, or replace the undersized pipes that run under & through the concrete pool shell.

If only it had been done correctly in the beginning! That few thousand dollars that they saved by deleting the deputy (special) inspectors & laboratory testing during construction, seems like it might have been worth it now, doesn't it?! There is a reason that these hacks do not want special inspectors around their jobsites! This is why I specify them and relish their presence. They keep everyone honest and guarantee the client that things are being done according to the specifications (remember those?!).

CalTrans (CA State Dept of transportation) would never accept a bridge that was cracking before completion, let alone epoxy inject the cracks! You couldn't accept a cracked foundation on your house, nor would you let someone just fill the cracks with epoxy! You wouldn't let an electrician put undersized wiring in your home, lest you have a fire. Your wouldn't let the plumber install undersized sewer lines, so that you can experience sewage back-ups. But property owners allow the low bidder pool builders to "justify their own modifications to the defined plans." It's like placing the fox in charge of the hen house!

But, like the design clients said when they insisted on putting the project out to bid...

All pools are the same, and mine looks just like your plans - WRONG AGAIN!

My Italian Grandpa always used to say, "Buon non è poco costoso ed a buon mercato non è buono" (translated from Italian: "Good isn't cheap, and cheap isn't good.").

Grandpa, I could not have said it any better!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

What sets projects apart...

2009-05-05T15:28:00.000-07:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti

Whether you are building a basic free form swimming pool or one of the cutting edge technologically advanced infinity edge pools, vanishing edge pools, wet edge, zero edge, perimeter overflow pools, knife edge pools, slot over flow pools, disappearing edge pools, or waveless pools... there is one thing that sets them apart...

...the construction details, planning, and supervision.

The soils on a given site will dictate the structural engineering and strength of the structure that will be required to build your vessel.

There is only ONE correct way to plumb and hydraulically design a swimming pool.... and leaving it to the plumbing sub-contractor to decide the pipe diameters, placement on the site, and methodologies is absolutely WRONG. The salesman should not specify the pipe sizes at your kitchen table... Every fitting, foot of pipe, piece of equipment, valve and turn causes friction... know as "head loss." Without determining the flow rate, turnover rate, and calculating the head loss in the system, no one can specify the proper pump size. Pump HP & sizing is the VERY LAST thing that is determined, after all of the other components are determined. Yet, everyday across America, swimming pools are being sold by untrained & uneducated pool salesmen by specifying the pumps first then pipe sized are selected arbitrarily.

The gunite or shotcrete application process is not a neat and tidy affair. Yet almost every jobsite that I have ever observed immediately after the concrete placement, is as clean as an operating room. Where did the trimmings, rebound, and waste material go??? It was allowed to drop into the floor, it was shoveled into the coves, it was thrown into the benches & steps, or it was tossed into the ramp area & plumbing trenches. Why, you ask? Because it saves the contractor from having to haul it away AND he saved on material costs by using it in YOUR POOL!

The equipment pad layout is critical for serviceability and maintenance. Pump baskets will need to be emptied, motors will need to be replaced, & filters will need to be cleaned & serviced. Yet, the equipment pads are often installed in as compact a space as possible, with no regard for the need to EVER work on them again!

Are the pool light junction boxes, where the hard wiring from the equipment pad is connected to the cord from the underwater lamp, placed in unobtrusive locations? Or are they placed directly behind the light 20 feet away from the pool... the shortest path for the electrician to trench & run conduit? Or are they placed where they can be hidden by shrubbery, hardscape, or other landscape features?

Are the bright metallic stainless steel lens rings on the pool lights, left as gleaming reminders of of a 1950's era Route 66 fleabag motel? Or did the builder / designer have them colored to match the finish materials inside the pool, so that they fall into the background?

Were the cheap plastic lids that came with the skimmers used to cover the skimmer wells? Are these ugly discs visually marring and detracting from the overall scene? Or did the builder create custom stone lids or form lids out of concrete to match the surrounding decking materials?

Was the spaside remote control simply siliconed to the waterline tile, or affixed to the top of the coping - where it is degraded by the intense UV radiation of the sun, where little fingers are attracted to the buttons, and where the glowing LED indicating lights are left to shine at night, a distraction from the pleasant scene? Or did the builder create a custom niche to recess the remote controls, covering them with a stone lid or cap - thus concealing them from sight?

Were the skimmers on the pool placed down wind (from the prevailing wind) to maximize their skimming effectiveness? Or was their placement dictated by the plumbing subcontractor on the side of the pool closest to the equipment pad (where they would use less pipe & dig fewer trenches)?

Was the pool provided with an overflow line & an auto-fill device? Or is the homeowner expected to go outside during a storm to drain water? Is the homeowner expected to turn on the fill line to maintain the water level during heat spells? Or was the builder smart enough to install an auto-fill device so that the pumps are guaranteed never to run dry due to a low water level condition?

Were multiple pool lights placed so that they shine AWAY from the primary vantage point? Were they orientated to reduce shadowing and to create an even consistent source of light? Or was one monstrous light placed in the deep end of the pool to light the pool like a cheap motel?

Was the tile & coping set in a few days? Or were the surfaces floated, allowed to cure, crack control membranes or waterproofing barriers installed? Were all of the joints between the coping stones filled with mortar, or were allowances made for expansion & contraction?

Were plastic "pimples" placed all over the interior of the pool (main drain covers, wall returns, floor cleaners, etc.)? Or were special color match fittings used? Were custom drain covers that accept plaster, pebble or tile finishes used to complete the look - blending these components into the background?

Were you limited to the few precast concrete copings, safety grip bricks, or stones carried at the local masonry yard? Or did the designer expose you to the myriad of available materials from around the world? Was the durability & lifespan (and therefor payback/ROI) of the various materials discussed? Was the maintenance of the materials & surfaces discussed? Were these all figured into the overall "cost" of ownership?

Were the drains in the pool deck left as 3" round plastic drain grates or plastic linear trench drains - the ones every concrete contractor buys at Home Depot & Lowe's? Or were the drains detailed with stone covers or concrete trays, so that they become invisible against the expanse of the deck?

Are you left to drag heavy weighted bases around the patio, every spring & fall, and whenever you want to move a table or umbrella? Or did the designer plan for the installation of umbrella sleeves in the deck, so that you can simply slide the pole into the deck? Are these holes concealed with pieces of stone or concrete when they are not in use, to prevent the breakage of an errant high-heel?

Were conduits installed for the installation of landscape lighting and outdoor speakers? After all, they had trenches ran all over the place... why wouldn't they??

Were gas lines supplied for the future fireplace, fire feature or outdoor barbecue? Were electrical conduits, water, and gray water drainage installed for the outdoor kitchen?? The yard was all ripped up & trenched, so why didn't they???

Were sleeves installed into the deck for volleyball & basketball games? Or are you forced to use the cheap looking plastic K-Mart sit on the deck apparatus?

Is the air for the spa jets stubbed up next to or nearby the spa - subjecting the users to a vortex sucking sound? Or was the airline terminated at the equipment pad & equipped with a quite fan driven air blower - for that initial burst to clear water from the airline? Left to draw air from the outdoors area, cold environments find the spa water is chilled by the freezing jets air. But taken to the equipment room, the air is warmer than the outside air, keeping the spa toasty warm. Are the returns in the spa situated low, so that the heat can rise? Or are they placed next to the jets, resulting in a cold foot well?

In the spa, were the benches placed to provide the owners with the seating that offers them the views & vantage points that they desired? Are the benches set to elevations that fit the clients ergonomics? Are the bench elevations set to establish the water level where the clients want it on their body? Is the spaside remote placed to the correct side of a right or left handed person?

Was a well installed by the spa for use as a ice-chest? To store cold sodas, chilled wine, beer or champagne? Was the coping on the spas, set back from the clients head, affording a relaxing head rest, instead of the coping hitting them in the back of the head?

Was the waterline tile installed to minimize cuts? Are the cuts concealed in the corners? Or are they in the expanse of the field? Did the builder plan for the use of whole tiles? Are the edges of unglazed tiles exposed? Or did the builder create curved corners to eliminate sharp angles & exposed edges or maybe they utilized SBN & DBN tiles?

Was the plaster installed in a few hours, or was it applied & left to set on it's own? A few hours means that an accellerant was used, which can cause durability problems in the future. Are the corners under the tile finished cleanly? Are the inside corners trowel evenly? Are there areas of exposed aggregate and roughness? Are there visible footprints and spike marks?

Were the skimmers lowered in a pool with a pool cover, so that the operating level of the water is BELOW the cover dam? Or were they set at the standard elevation for a pool without a pool cover, so that hundreds of gallons of water are lost every time someone swims in the pool?

Was a dedicated overflow line installed in the sidewall of the pool? Or is the excess rainwater expected to flow into the pool cover box to drain - corroding & prematurely aging the pool cover mechanism, gears, ropes & motor? Is the pool cover vault covered with a cheap plastic or sheet metal lid - preventing pedestrian traffic from using that end of the pool? Or were stainless steel trays installed & covered with materials to match the pool deck?

Was a dedicated vacuum line installed into the vanishing edge catch basin to facilitate cleaning? How about a vacuum port inside the detached spa? If the pool has multiple skimmers, is there a vacuum port in the pool to speed the servicing of the pool? All of these, while inexpensive upfront, will cost a property owner with higher maintenance fees. A service company figures their services based upon time spent.... time saved is money saved!

Was a booster pump driven & pressurized pool cleaner line installed? Even if the client does not desire a robotic pool cleaner - such an attachment in the wall of the pool will allow service personnel to quickly remove bulk debris (leaves, etc.) through the use of a Leafmaster. But to operate effectively, it requires pressures that a standard garden hose simply cannot deliver!

These details simply cannot be delivered by a firm who builds pools from behind a desk. A parade of subcontractors in your backyard is not what you hired.... Even casual supervision will result in workmanship issues and disagreements with your contractor.

Like I've said before - it's all in the details!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

A One of a kind!

2009-04-28T12:50:00.001-07:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti

Creating a high-end custom luxury swimming pool or aquatic environment that is "one of a kind" project for a client, is a relatively easy feat for an "aquatic architect." Since each client & site are unique, once a design has been tailored to fit each element, the results will be a true "one of a kind."

A client purchased a unique property in Montecieto, CA. The property was designed in the 1920's by the founder of the "Santa Barbara" architectural style, George Washington Smith. Though Smith had no formal architectural training and only designed for a decade, he generated 80+ designs, of which 59 were built. Smith designed for the rich and famous of the time, Dr. Fagan (married to Charles Crocker's daughter), Charles Crocker, Van Wyck Maverick family of Texas, Jackling (Copper Baron) & George Steedman (industrialist).

The property was on 20+ acres in the hills of Montecito, with commanding views of Santa Barbara & the Pacific Ocean. All of the buildings had heavy distressed timber open-beamed ceilings, large over-hanging rooflines, tile and stone floors, thick stucco walls, wooden windows recessed into the walls, heavy plank wood doors with cast iron hardware, and wide open floorplans that opened onto the central courtyard.

Though the client wanted to completely renovate the estate, everything had to look as it would have in the "period." This quickly became the genre... "it is period?" Whether in it's manufacturing methods, appearance or materials, everything bit of materials had to be "period."

We were however allowed to utilize modern construction techniques, but the results had to look old. So we set out to locate handmade glazed spanish tiles - each one was slightly different from the next, hand forged bronze plumbing fixtures, hidden electrical plugs, cast iron drain grates... in essence a material sourcing nightmare. Yes, there were a lot of hours dedicated to just locating acceptable materials. The internet helps, but it still is very time consuming.

This brings us to a point where I should discuss profit margins & mark-up. On projects where we are expected to deliver detailed, unique, or custom materials, gross margins of 35-40% are not unheard of. These margins cover the overhead and time in locating & sourcing special materials for a project. Also, there has to be some profit left over for the designer/contractor, in order for them to stay in business! Though the total dollars paid by a client for "mark-up" can be enormous, there is a tremendous amount of effort & hours spent "behind the scenes," for which we have to be reimbursed.

The samples, mock-ups and materials viginettes for the client to approve, also bear costs. There are costs involved to acquire, assemble, transport, display, and dispose of the samples. Sometimes, tile samples for instance, may require a 4' X 8' mock-up panel in order for the cleint to envision the whole theme.

The net results for the clients, are a project that works with their California-Spanish architecture. One that looks original to the site, that no one can distinguish from a true "period" element.

A true one-of-a-kind!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

The Structural Engineer rules!

2009-04-27T13:10:00.001-07:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti

Since a high-end luxury custom infinity edge swimming pool (structure) in built into the ground, it is logical and required by the building codes to obtain a geotechnical report (soils report). A soils report is always done when structures are built upon the soil (e.g.: a building foundation). So why would you be so foolish as to build a structure entirely within the soil without a soils report?

HELLOOOOO..... The pool structure is even more dependent on the soil conditions, than one built on the soil!

The structural engineer will utilize the characteristics of the soils, as defined by the soils engineer, to design the structure. I proffer that the soils engineers actually overstep their bounds, when they venture into the realm of structural engineering, by even daring to specify minimum design criteria. Instead, the soils engineer should focus on the site's soil conditions & characteristics, and how they may influence the proposed structure.

The soils engineer should define the characteristics of the soils [e.g.: load bearing capacity, surcharges, expansive indexes, liquifaction potential, vertical sheer planes, earth quake fissures, poor coefficient of friction, insufficient load bearing capabilities, consolidation issues, weak sheer strengths, slope instability, expansiveness issues, saturation indexes, lithostatic pressures, seismic stability, tensiometer pressures, or potential for ground water subsidence (sink hole)]. If special construction methods must be employed to overcome any of these issues, then recommendations should be made. Care should be exercised to actually avoid specifying a size or extent of the remediation required.

By avoiding any actual specifications, the claim that the structural engineer "over designed" the engineering, will be avoided. Since the soils engineer is never (almost never) a structural engineer and rarely has performed any load or surcharge calculations, they are "speaking out of school" when they venture to define any specifications.

For instance, if caissons will be required in order to support a structure, the soils engineer can define the foundation design as "in order to overcome the expansive soil conditions & to obtain the required set-back clearances, drilled caissons or deepened foundation design(s) may be employed." This type of verbiage avoids the potential "over-designed" conflict between a neophyte soils engineer, ignorant general contractor, or arrogant architect (I'm not saying that all are... I'm a GC too!). The soils engineer has no business specifying "a minimum of 10' deep X 12" diameter drilled caissons with (4) #4 rebars 10' O.C.," when they have not performed any calculations and are not qualified to do so!

It is the structural engineer who is responsible for specifying the type of structure, defining the foundation type & design, and quantifying the elements of the structural design... all based upon the soil conditions that are outlined in the geo-technical report.

When the structural engineer later specifies "40' deep X 24" drilled caissons with (8) #8 gr-60 bars, #4 gr-40 spiral ties 12" O.C., 12' O.C. ....." there is always a collective gasp from the peanut gallery. However, those same individuals who claim "this is way over-designed" have not performed any load calculations, or calculated surcharges from adjacent slopes, soil conditions, or seismic events. They are merely "shooting from the hip" and "shooting off their mouths."

...maybe because they are only used to being around sloppy & shoddy work, built with less??

Are they really looking out for the owner's best interest??

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

It is all in the details...

2009-04-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti

A client once described my job as an "aquatic artist," where I get to create art with fluids (water) & solids (stones, tiles, concrete, & steel). But I must add, that it is in the details that separate a mobile home from custom home, a Maybach from a Prius, and a cookie cutter pool from a commissioned design. An off the shelf item @ WalMart will never compare to an item that is custom designed around & for the owner.

Personalized details, whether it is a hand measured, cut & tailored suit, a custom home, hand crafted & fit Italian leather shoes, or an architectural pool, take forethought, planning, lots of supervision, and time.... and don't forget money!

The forethought means that the designer knows from experience, training, and sometimes their natural intuition, what to ask of the client. Being able to interview a client & get them to reveal personal details about themselves, is the hardest part of gathering the information. Some clients don't want to reveal personal details and others simply do not understand the importance of "getting inside their heads." The best client, is the one who will reveal the truthful answer to any question posed.

Why would I ask if they skinny dip? or if their family medical history includes diseases that may create mobility issues in future years? or if they are planning on getting married? or having children?

I have had multi-billionaire clients look at me in disbelief, because I had audacity to ask such questions. Though they were prepared for these type of questions (or so their assistants told me they were), these questions are important!

If their pool experience is often sans swimsuits, then I have to be concerned with the lines of sight from the neighbors, paparazzi, even low flying aircraft. I may situate the spa closer to the master bedroom, to reduce the "exposure" across the yard. I may include overhanging elements to block cameras in helicopters. For privacy and security concerned clients, I may even camouflage elements of the design, so that they are not readily recognizable to satellites (Who's concerned with satellites?? Have you ever played with Google Earth, and viewed a virtual 3-D image of a location?).

If they have genetic issues that may cause mobility issues or the future need for aquatic therapy, then I have to consider access issues - and I may propose a ramp/beach entry or shorter steps, and will definitely rough in anchor points for future handrails. Is the project to be a swinging bachelor pad or a love nest?? Does it have to be made compatible for children?

These questions are necessary, as it allows the project to be designed with the clients planned future lifestyle changes in mind. It allows the project to seamlessly evolve with the changing lifestyle - and done properly it should eliminate the future need to remodel the project because it is dated or they "outgrew it's usefulness."

After being armed with the necessary information, the design can be created around the client. I cannot plan for the future, the client's lifestyle changes, the peeping paparazzi, or even avoid the clients least favorite color, if I am not armed with the that information. The designer needs to get to know the client... and this may mean a couple of meetings, meals, or a glass of wine (or 2 or 3 glasses of wine!).

Planning.... preparing for the future. The designer can specify the infrastructure to support the future changes that the client anticipates. It is easier to install the utilities for future site development while the property is being excavated. It is much less expensive to install the anchors for future handrails & handicapped lifts, speaker conduits, lighting circuits, and control systems while the yards is "opened up." It is "pennywise & pound foolish" to try to install any of these elements after the concrete & stonework has been completed.

It order to coordinate & ensure a flawless execution of the details, there must be a lot of supervision during the "build-out" of the project. This is so that the designer can communicate with the craftsmen & installers, exactly what they were envisioning. They have to be able to get it out of their head, into the installers head, and then into creation! It is impossible to include every tiny minutia into a set of plans. Some details need to be expressed & specified during the installation - some others, the client needs to see as they are being installed. An example is the adjacent tile rosetta pattern around spa jets... it might be a insignificant detail that the client would otherwise pass on, if it is discussed while the project was being planned. But when the project is being installed, when they can actually see the difference, the client can weigh the importance of the detail. The client can actually see the difference between individually miter cut tiles, and the lazier, faster & easier way of just fanning them out, thereby creating wider spaced pie-shaped grout joints.

Like a fine wine... good things take time to age. A quality job cannot be rushed - PERIOD! For example, there is no way to speed the curing of concrete, grout, thinsets, or other cementitious materials. Through proper scheduling, these mandatory periods can be happening while other activities occur. Additionally, fine craftsmanship simply cannot be done on a production line. Fine details are elevated to an artform!

Money... what more needs to be said? Fine details, close supervision, and increased production time all contribute to higher expenses & overhead. But, the finished product is a true work of art, one that will exceed the owners highest expectations! And like art, it is a personal expression of the owner - something that only the owners can place a value on. These are priceless works of art - ones' that can only be replaced at tremendous cost.

It's all in the details... and after all, don't you deserve the best that life has to offer?

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Vanishing Edge Pools

2009-04-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti
Aquatic Designer, Aquatic Architect, Swimming Pool Designer

Vanishing edge pool, infinity edge pool, negative edge pool, knife edge pool, perimeter overflow pool, slot overflow pool, disappearing edge pool, flooded edge pool... what ever you want to call them, a vanishing edge pool is a pool wherein one (or more) sides of the pool are slightly lower than the operating water level. The most generic term for these edge effect pools is "a water in-transit pool."

While strikingly beautiful, they are actually quite hydraulically & structurally complex. Because they are oftentimes built on a mountaintop or the edge of a cliff, they require a geo-technical investigation and appropriate structural engineering.

The hydraulic design of these types of pools is very complex. In fact, these pools require 2 separate filtration systems. The primary system is utilized to filter, heat, and sanitize the main pool - just like a regular swimming pool. The second system, draws water from the surge tank and returns it to the upper pool. A significant quantity of water may be required to raise the level of the pool, to create the "spill over" effect. The catch basin may be attached to the main pool or it may be remote holding tank. These 2 systems are in addition to the pumps & piping required for the spa jets, water feature(s), pool cleaner, and solar panels.

The volume of the plumbing needs to be calculated on some styles of these pools, as some rely on gravity drain lines to return water to the holding tank - lines that must be filled each time the system starts. The surge tanks need to be adequately sized to accommodate bathers' displacement, wind displacement, and storage of the "water in-transit" necessary to raise the main pool to the appropriate level to create the edge effects.

The with proper pipe sizing, the primary filtration pump can be as small as 3/4 HP. Depending on the system requirements, the secondary edge pump may need to be as large a 3 to 10 HP. This is usually due to the quantity of water required to both raise the water level in the main pool and overcome the surface tension of the weir materials.

Many pool builders & designers in a effort to "save the client money" (and make more money for themselves), eliminate the secondary filtration system. They may either delete the entire secondary system or just it's filter tanks.

By eliminating the filter tanks, they cause this system to blow the debris that collects in the catch basin back into the main pool. Since the edge is a giant weir, a majority of the debris in the main pool ends up in the catch basin.

Imagine what will happen every time the edge pump comes on.... a cloud of dirt and fine debris will be blown into the main pool, clouding the water. Just what a client desires when showing off their pool to guests or hosting a party! I know of a pool builder who routinely deletes the edge filtration system from projects that we design. I know, because I get the call once the project has been completed - complaining that I created a "faulty design." After viewing the finished project, it becomes readily apparent what the cause is... Yet this builder continues to build in this manner. I am sure he will only change his ways after a client's lawsuit.

If the secondary system is eliminated entirely, then the main pool filtration system will be forced to draw it's water from the catch basin. This forces the pool builder to install a pump that is significantly larger than what would normally be required... remember that the primary filter pump can be a mere 3/4 HP vs 3-10 HP for the edge system.

Though there was an initial savings of about $5,000 by eliminating the edge system, the electricity costs over the life of the project will grossly exceed any savings. This is stepping over dollars to collect pennies!

An electronic automatic fill device is another requirement. Many pool builders & designers rely on inexpensive mechanical toilet float style auto-fills. While they are functional, they are the wrong choice for a water in-transit pool. But, hey they can save $200! If there was no wind and no one ever swam in the pool (and therefore were no waves), these mechanical auto-fills would work okay. The problem is, these pools are dynamic. Wind causes waves, swimmers displace water & create surges, and some plumbing lines for the edge system may need to fill when the system activates. These variables cause the mechanical auto-fill to surge, turning on & off with the wave action. The repetitive hissing sounds from the auto-fill is annoying enough. Add the rythmic water hammer on the plumbing system within the residence, and you have enough to cause most homeowners to immediately voice their complaints.

An electronic auto-fill has a built-in delay, thereby ignoring minor bather surges, waves, or fluctuations in the water level. This eliminates the annoying hissing & resultant water hammering in the plumbing. It also has a fail-safe timer, that prevents it from becoming stuck in the "on" mode for ever.

Another requirement, is the need for a mechanical vacuum breaker (in addition to check valves) on EVERY plumbing line that returns to the upper pool from the surge tank. When a check valve fails (and they WILL fail - not if they will fail, but when!), the vacuum breaker will prevent the back siphoning of the upper vessel into the catch basin. On a hillside, dumping 30,000-50,000 gallons of water down the slope will be catastrophic for the foundation of the pool, the hillside or the living room of the downhill neighbors! Imagine all of that water and mud sliding into the neighbors backyard, followed shortly by the swimming pool?!

Because these style of swimming pools are frequently built on the top of mountains or on the edge of cliffs, their structural engineering oftentimes requires drilled caissons or other complex foundation design. This complex structural engineering requires specialized training, construction practices, and independent testing lab inspections & material samplings/testings. The complexity of these concrete structures is similar to that of building a bridge overpass - beyond the licensing, training & expertise of most swimming pool contractors.

While these projects can be quite lucrative for a swimming pool contractor, the failure of such a vessel will result in major lawsuits. Many swimming pool contractors have attempted to build such complex pools, thinking that they are easy, only to make every possible mistake. If they are not an expert in such vessels and their intricacies & nuances, do you really want to be their learning curve??

Even if they have built "a few" of these type of vessels, due to the significant quantity of possible mistakes, do you want them making "just one" on your project? While the rewards of a properly executed project are astounding, the opposite results are disastrous!

I recently heard of a California horticultural contractor who attempted to copy a detail from one of our projects (Yes, another landscape contractor who ventured into pool design & construction - a realm they really do not understand). They attempted to place the spa along the vanishing edge, and have it appear that the spa was spilling over the horizon just like the pool. The problem, is that they did not understand the hydraulics & mechanical systems of creating such an effect.

Remember, that when the main pool filtration system is on, it draws water from the main pool skimmers & returns filtered/treated water to both the pool & spa? Because the spa also spills over the backside & into the catch basin, the water level in the main pool drops & the level in the catch basin rises.... eventually to the point where water spills out of the catch basin & down the hillside. Though they were able to "patch" a fix through creative programming of the automatic valving - it is a matter of time before an automatic valve fails to turn, or a switch is accidentally left in the wrong position ...and the downhill neighbors get 50,000 gallons of free water! Greed won, brains lost!

This is just another example of how good intentions go bad.... biting off more that one can chew. Because someone has a mastery of an art, the execution of their craft appears easy to an outsider... because they know what they are doing! But by trying to execute a project for which they do not have an understanding or the expertise, is a time bomb waiting to explode. There is absolutely no acceptable excuse for these types of mistakes, especially when there are design consultants (like myself), classes (like the Genesis 3 courses), and reference literature available.

Just because a site is sloping lot, overlooks a body of water, canyon, or precipice, does not automatically qualify a project for a vanishing edge pool. I have actually talked clients out of a vanishing edge pool, when the lines of sight were not correct or when soils reports indicated that a majority of their budget would be required for foundations instead. Sometimes, a vanishing edge pool just "isn't right" for the site. A pool does not have to be a vanishing edge to be perfect for a view or hillside lot.

Lastly, property owners should not expect the cost of a vanishing edge pool to be comparable to a similar sized pool on a flat lot. There is a lot of additional finish work that needs to be completed. There is the secondary edge filtration system and complex structural engineering & foundations. The entire weir wall is a "free standing" wall, that requires additional steel, special form work, and unique talents of the shotcrete crew. There are the additional finish materials & labor for the catch basin & the backside of the weir wall (remember it is usually the length of the pool & 4-6 feet high!). Often times the outside of the catch basin also needs to finished. There is the added cost of constructing an equipment pad on a hillside (it should be placed at or below the level of the catch basin, which oftentimes requires footings, retaining walls, and access steps.). There is the matter of where to drain the overflow/rain water, without eroding the hillside.

In an effort to bring these expensive pools into the realm of mainstream affordability, some fiberglass & vinyl liner pool builders have attempted to build such vessels. I proffer that they are almost always lacking the proper geo-technical reports, structural engineering, and lack the proper details to prevent eventual catastrophic failure. These are usually package pools that are meant for flat parcels, being modified (by Tim Allen types) to wedge into a particular budget. The ones that I have reviewed always had a seam that was "bootleg" sealed or an under water joint that was critical in remaining waterproof. Again - if you cannot afford to do it right, DON'T DO IT! We'd all love to drive a Bentley or Maybach, but are resolved to drive a Ford or Chevy, because that's what we can afford. Just because a client wants a vanishing edge pool and cannot afford one done properly, does not mean that a builder should whore himself to create a modified vanishing edge pool from a kit!

How in the hell do they fasten a vinyl liner pool to the hillside? It is impossible to structurally tie the vinyl to a foundation, or to contain a leak. They are just too fragile and susceptible to rips/tears to be placed in such a location.

It's all about knowing what you are doing, knowing how to execute it, and knowing when to hire assistance when you don't!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

What's best for you? Devotion, loyalty, & uniqueness!

2009-04-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti

As an aquatic designer, first & foremost, my job is to educate the client. To inform them of their options, glass tile mosaic swimming pools or stone lined, sloped spa bench seats & backs or square, what final touches will make the finished project "theirs." But I must always keep in mind, "What is really best for the client?" More times than not, designs reflect the personality & biases of the designer. For example, we can all identify buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Gehry, Antonio Gaudi, or Le Corbusier.

Many designers deliver projects with the same "feeling." Almost every architect, artist, fashion designer, etc. - people in every type of design field - end up in what I call a "design rut." It is human nature, to do what one is comfortable with. It is easy to "repeat" elements and features that one has already "figured out." After a while, this style actually comes to define the designer, further reinforcing this "design rut."

While the individual designers may disagree, I argue that if a someone can look at a building, clothing line, landscape design, swimming pool, etc. and name the designer, then that designer has found their way into the dreaded "design rut."

Being able to deliver a design, based upon the client's lifestyle & needs, the architectural style of the site, the period of the buildings, and the natural surroundings, requires a broad education. It is easy to specialize in a particular design style.... but a real "renaissance designer" can create an appropriate design regardless of the project influences.

If clients wanted the "same old thing," then they'd commission the construction of the duplicate of an existing design. But clients desire something uniquely theirs, not a rehash of something that's been done before.

Sometimes there are financial interests that motivate a designer or architect. An example: there is a S.F. Bay Area landscape designer who always designs in a french country theme. Little known to the clients, the fountains and architectural elements that he specifies in his plans, are from a firm owned by his wife. The designers wife travels to France, buying architectural artifacts for her business, only to be specified by his landscape design firm. Ethical?? NO WAY! But, until a client calls him on it, it will continue.... This is his motivation to only refer contractors, who "buy into his self-promoting supply-line program." This also places limits on the design styles that this individual can deliver. He is destined to forever create & deliver one design style... a single faceted diamond that will never shine!

Another motivation for a design, is that the designer receives a financial incentive from the vendors of components that they specify. Some incentives are in the form of discounts for personal use materials, invoice discounts or credits, or year-end volume rebates. Most of these are legal marketing programs available to everyone in the industry. A form of legal "kick-back." Wouldn't you rather hire a specifier who chose the best products, materials and equipment for your project based upon what is the best for you, and not so they can earn that free trip to Cancun?

What a clients really needs is a designer who is devoted to creating what is in their absolute best interest. Sometimes this is even in direct conflict with the client's desires. Other times it is in direct conflict with other design fields in the client's employ (architects, general contractors, interior designers, landscape architects, etc.).

A premier designer is the one who can first admit that they have personal biases and are aware of them. Secondly, the premier designer will keep these biases in mind, and allow themselves to rise above their desires and biases.

Only after rising to this point of consciousness, can the premier designer deliver what is in the best interest of the client, their lifestyle and the site. Versatility, is the sign of a true design genius! A unique multi-faceted fancy colored diamond that will sparkle forever!

...and not a rehash of the same old thing!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

My Journeys

2009-03-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

Paolo Benedetti - Internationally renown Aquatic Artist, Aquatic Architect, & Aquatic Designer
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa

Maps of My Journeys and links to the Trip Journals
Just click on a map, to review my journal of that trip.

Without learning about the past, we are destined to repeat it!

Plus, why reinvent the wheel? (Because it's easier to innovate!)

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Checks & Balances

2009-02-14T10:50:00.000-08:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti

Geotechnical reports (soils reports) are required for the proper engineering of all swimming pools, spas, water features, and fountains, not just complex infinity edge, vanishing edge, slot overflow, knife edge, or perimeter overflow pools.

Since I have been in this industry, I have advocated the use of separate geo-technical and structural engineering firms. There is a great value and benefit for the consumer when using separate firms... the separation of "church & state." Simply stated, there becomes a series of checks & balances and peer reviews.

While there are a great many quality firms that provide all of these service under one roof, there is always the fear of inter-office politics wreaking havoc on a project. Since the "check & balance" peer review occurs behind the scenes, the validity and thoroughness cannot be guaranteed. This format does offer some advantages, such as less scheduling delays during the planning & design phases.

However, there is one major drawback... in the event of a catastrophic event or structural failure, a "one-stop shop" will "rally the troops & encircle the wagons" to protect their interests. They will be able to shield themselves from liability by destroying memos & inter-office communications. These documents and dialogues transfer openly between the Designer, Structural Engineer, and Soils Engineer, when separate geo-technical & structural engineering firms are employed.

The geo-technical engineer will initial make minimum recommendations for a foundation design, based upon the sites soil conditions. These recommendations are based upon a few small 4-6" diameter holes drilled randomly in the area of the proposed construction. The resulting report will make generalized conclusions based upon these random samplings, and therefore the report cannot possibly forecast every subterranean condition on the site.

The recommendations which are included in the geo-technical report, are forwarded to the Structural Engineering firm. They will rely more upon the soils analysis (coefficient of friction, load bearing values, expansiveness index, etc.), than the Soils Engineer's minimum structural recommendations.

The reason that the Structural Engineer does not rely much on the Soils Engineer's foundation recommendations, is because the load of the structure, seismic stability, computer modeling & stress analysis, and related calculus had not been performed. Most Soils Engineers do not possess the related education to even come close to making valid recommendations.

For instance if the structure is to be supported on friction caissons (aka: piers) , the Structural Engineer will be the one to calculate the surface area of the caisson. These piers rely upon the skin friction of the surface of the caisson against the earth, to resist movement. The surface area must be adequate to provide enough friction to overcome the loads placed upon them. Oftentimes, the minimum diameter specified by a Soils Engineer, is not of sufficient diameter to create the amount of surface area required to create the proper amount of friction. The "coefficient of friction" of the soil is multiplied by the surface area of the caisson, & the size of the caisson is increased, until the resultant value exceeds what is required. Soils with a high coefficient of friction require smaller caissons, while a low coefficient of friction requires larger & deeper caissons. This is why the Structural Engineer's specifications for the diameter & depth of a caisson design seems "like over-kill," when compared to the Soils Engineer's minimum recommendations.

After the Structural Engineering has been completed, the Geo-Technical Firm is sent a copy of the plans for review. They are looking to ensure that the design exceeds their minimum recommendations, drainage issues are addressed, and that the T's are crossed & the I's dotted. It is an informal type of "peer review." They then issue a letter, stating that they have reviewed the engineering plans and find them to be in compliance with their recommendations. This letter always accompanies the engineering plans, structural calculations, and designers layout & detail plans.

We have lost some projects over the years (good riddance), where the Soils Engineer has reported back to the property owners, "this engineering is over kill. You are going to spend a lot more money than you need to, on something that you will never see." The property owners then rely on ignorant statements like that, to "re-engineer" (dumb-down & degrade) the structural engineering. After all, what does the "pool guy" know?!

The problem is, that Soils Engineer did not fathom the weight of a filled concrete structure or the seismic loads (earthquake, landslide, subterranean water migration, avalanches, tidal surges, etc.) or stresses upon the structure. To make comments like that, when they have not performed computer generate 3-D modeling & stress analysis, mathematical calculations, or even possess a degree in structural engineering, is totally unprofessional, irresponsible & unconscionable.

For a contractor who may have the pleasure of bidding on one of our design projects, such comments should be the clients first cue to "turn & run" & "show the guy the door (with a boot in the backside for good measure)."

During construction, the first inspection will be by the Soils Engineer. When the initial site grading [dirt removal for the future build-up of the pool decks (base rock, concrete, & stone veneer), excavated pool, retaining wall footings & foundations] has been completed, the open holes will be inspected. This is to ensure that the soil conditions are not any worse than the small sample borings. Any changes in the design or structural engineering usually occur at this point, and can result in delays, while the engineering is modified & submitted to the regulating governmental agencies for approval.

Once the project has progressed to the point where the structural reinforcing steel is in place, the Structural Engineer will usually inspect the steel placement. They will look at the grade of steel; diameter of the bars; the steel's placement, spacing, and over-laps; and the clearances to the soil, plumbing, and other objects. This can be a physical on-site inspection if the Engineers are local, if they are remote & the client is willing to pay their travel expenses, or can be done through digital photography & emails.

More frequently, projects are being "virtually-reviewed." Not only does it save everyone time & money, but it provides the Engineer with a record of what occurred. If the Engineer wants to see something from a different angle or close-up, that can be requested. It is important that close-ups of the steel bars, showing the indicating marks for the grade & diameter, also be provided. A "scale" should always be provided in the images for reference - a yard stick, tape measure, or surveyors staff are perfect.

This system of checks & balances ensure that there is an on-going series of peer reviews during the project, until "everything is set in concrete." These inspections occur independently of Deputy (Special) Inspectors & Building Inspections.

The benefit:

The property owner is guaranteed that the contractor is maintaining the project's integrity. Do it right or don't do it!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

What were you thinking?

2009-02-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti

Landscape contractors are not qualified to build swimming pools, let alone complex hillside caisson & grade beam vanishing edge or infinity edge pools.

In the State of California, Landscape Contractors (LC) can now act as an "outdoor general contractor." They can act as the primary contractor with a property owner. when contracting for the construction of a swimming pool, provided that they sub-contract the construction of the swimming pool to a licensed swimming pool contractor. They cannot solely build swimming pools, as any swimming pool contract must be a part of a larger project, for which they are contracting.

After they manage enough project, wherein a swimming pool is a component, they are magically qualified (in the liberal eyes of the great State of California) to take the contractors licensing exam. Though it is merely designed to tests an applicants "entry level" ability, many tout the license as their qualification to build any type of complex swimming pool structure (e.g. hillside pools with drilled caisson or bench stepped foundations).

Case Study:

A landscape contractor (LC) is doing the landscaping, irrigation and lighting on historic California estate, a one-of-a-kind $100,000,000 1920's era property! During one of the many meetings, he hears a comment that the owner desires to rebuild the 1920's era swimming pool. Though they are not licensed to build pools, the LC knows that he can act as the GC for the pool. He sees dollar signs flash across the sky, and offers to the owners "we can do the pool." Hence, the farce begins.

The owner's representative, does his due diligence and discovers that the LC is legally entitled (but not necessarily qualified) to build the swimming pool. The LC locates a locally licensed swimming pool contractor, who agrees to be a "consultant". The LC wants to maintain control of the entire project, and wants the swimming pool contractor to "consult as needed."

The LC locates a local civil engineer to perform the structural engineering. Granted, the structural engineer has never designed a swimming pool before, but hey how hard can a swimming pool be right? Little is he aware, but there are many specialties within his field of engineering, one being swimming pools.

He proceeds to engineer the swimming pool without the assistance of a geo-technical report or investigation. The LC and engineer fail to perform any research regarding the pitfalls of building a swimming pool in close proximity to the ocean. They also neglect to refer to specific California Building Codes (other than those that apply to swimming pools) that apply to structures in high tidal basins, subject to flooding, or near bodies of salt water. They also fail to do any research as to the detrimental effects upon steel, concrete or electrical systems in such close proximity to natural bodies of water.

The project starts off on the wrong foot, when the property owner insists that the project be placed in the exact location as the prior pool. The prior pool failed for reasons, that the LC & engineer failed to even investigate. The project was designed to be an exact replacement of the prior pool, with the addition of a spa, and a new equipment room. They were all designed to mirror the existing structures in appearance. They let the domineering owner dictate what was to occur, without educating them as to the inherent pitfalls. And they failed to offer suggestions to make this project a success.

They started construction by removing the existing swimming pool - but made a critical mistake - they failed to analyze it as it was torn apart. Next, they they drilled into the rock, creating what the engineer called "piers to tie the structure to the bedrock." Epoxy coated reinforcing steel was also cemented into the rock. A concrete box, reinforced with epoxy coated steel was formed & poured to contain the new swimming pool. At this point in construction, a winter storm hits the California Coast.

As it turns out, the existing pool has constantly been subject to severe storms - a few each year. Though on a calm day, the placid Pacific Ocean is 150 feet away, and below some house sized boulders. However, during the few severe winter storms that occur each year, the pool is literally hammered by wind blown waves and tidal surges. The waves actually crash against the cliffs that are behind the pool. Had they merely asked a few questions & looked at some historical images, they would have recognized this.

As they cleared away the storm damage to their form work, removed 2-3' diameter boulders, seaweed and dead fish, they realized that this structure may be subject to future storms. But they failed to take any action.

The project progressed quickly, as the LC's irrigation crews plumbed the pool, utilizing whatever piping was available on their trucks. On any single run, the suction & return lines dangerously vary in size. They are "cosmetically" brought into the equipment room so as to appear marginally adequate. The auto-fill standpipe has so many changes in elevation, that it has a permanent airlock. It simply cannot register changes in the pool or spa water levels.

Another winter storm hits, as the project is nearing completion the following winter. This storm tears out the pool equipment from INSIDE the reinforced concrete building, and carries it out to sea. The cartridge filters and heaters were last seen bobbing out in the Pacific Ocean! Inches of sand, fish, aquatic life and seaweed are cleaned from the shell, AGAIN!

When the masons arrive to install the marble veneer inside the pool, they observe over 50 feet of cracking in the floor area of the shell. When they inquire as to why the pool is already cracking, they are met with a shrug of the shoulders. No investigation is initiated, to determine WHY the shell is cracking BEFORE the pool is even completed.

The LC made a few telephone calls and retains a firm in Mountain View that will inject epoxy into the cracks, sealing them. This firm does not advise the LC that the epoxy is only a filler. They also do not advise that it does nothing to reinforce or stabilize the failing structure... like placing a sunscreen on skin cancer.

The masons begin their work, as the new pool equipment is installed. Shorty after the pool is filled with water, the estate manager observes that the lights in the pool are going on & off, going from bright to dim - though they are turned off! There is some inductive electricity in the pool, causing the filaments to glow. A few weeks later, the pool service technician reports that he feels "tingling" on his aluminum pole as he vacuums the pool.

I am called in to evaluate the project. We determine that the epoxy coated steel and other mistakes, has resulted in a poor bonding grid. The concrete used in the project is cracking & failing. The plumbing on the spa & pool suctions is reduced to such a small diameter & with so many elbows, that the line velocities are exceeding dangerous levels.

It is determined that the spa is loosing water, though a leak detection firm cannot locate any leaks. While examining the progression of construction, I discover that a step was later added to the floor of the spa. But there was a suction grate in that area, prior to the installation of the new step. That warranted further inspection. I discovered that the LC, "extended" the suction line, by placing a curved piece of 3" diameter corrugated drainage pipe into the step, to help extend it to the face of the new step.

Not only is this against every pool construction standard in existence, they failed to seal the original wall where this pipe originated. Water was just seeping through the porous gunite & new step, into the soil below.

Though I have never personally met the owner(s) I know that they are not of significant physical stature (not tall). When I was in the empty spa, I realized that it was almost 6 feet deep! There was absolutely no thought placed into the ergonomic design of this spa. On a project of this magnitude, the spa should have been fitted to the owners physical attributes, jets placed where they wanted them, and "their" custom seats placed to afford them the view that they wanted while in the spa. The air line for the spa venturi's was actually terminated in the rocks behind the spa, so that the owners are subject to the constant sucking sound of a small "shop vacuum" while trying to enjoy the spa.

The marble chosen for the interior of the pool was a significantly soft material and allowed for water to weep through it (marble is not recommended for constantly submerged applications, it decays & is not waterproof - Marble Institute of America).

Major storms still hit this structure, and it has to be drained with a sump pump and shoveled of debris. No provisions were made to vacate this waste water directly to the nearby ocean (a dump line). Nor was there a vacuum port installed for routine maintenance of the pool or spa.

The equipment room is subject to flooding and corrosion of the equipment, boilers, and electrical components. An appendix to the CBC (Calif. Building Code) specifies the methods that must be taken, when structures are built in such close proximity to the ocean & may be subject to flooding. Suffice it to say, the surcharging (impact) from the waves & storms was not considered when this project was engineered. Sealed submarine doors, extended waterproof venting and waterproof electrical systems were omitted (overlooked).

As it turns out, while this pool appeared simple on the surface, it was in fact a very complex project. It required a creative mind and strong personality ...One that could present options and alternatives, to the owners determination to rebuild the structures in the same location. There were creative options, and granted they would have been more expensive, they would have satisfied both the owners desire for an "authentic period reproduction" of the original structures and the need for totally sealed waterproof and submersible buildings.

Everyone involved in this project was involved in litigation. It will literally cost over a couple of million dollars to remove & replace this pool and the related structures. It cost the LC everything he owned - because he thought that "swimming pools are easy to build."

Now, I am sure that he's thinking otherwise.....

and the property owners are wishing they had hired the best design & build firm on the planet!

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
www.aquatictechnology.com

It's an issue of liability...

2009-02-06T16:05:00.000-08:00

Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
Paolo Benedetti

Unqualified landscape contractors building infinity edge pools... hmmmm? How did this come about???

The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) has a very powerful lobby in Sacramento. The Landscape Contractors (LC) figured that since they were already in the backyard doing all of the other disruptive work, why not also do the pool? After all, it would allow them to better schedule the project and make a buck at the same time.

So they lobbied hard & had the law modified to allow them to "sub-contract for the building of the pool." This was provided that they sub-contracted out the work to a licensed swimming pool builder. This is all & good... the volume swimming pool builders are still in the loop. But the homeowners pay a higher price, because the LC is now marking up the swimming pool contractors work.

But after managing enough projects with swimming pools as a component of the project... guess what? Suddenly, the LC is now magically qualified to obtain a license to actually build the pools. Granted, I know what you're saying... "but they passed the State Licensing Exam, so they must be qualified."

Over the years, I have sat on numerous committees that have assembled various versions of the swimming pool contractors licensing exam. It is a "basic" exam, designed to test an applicants entry level skills.

This test does not qualify someone to perform engineering recommendations, hydraulic calculations & line sizing, material specifications, design details, or construct complex engineered structures & foundations.

I proffer that there are few contractors in the swimming pool industry who are qualified to build a code compliant pool that meets the various published construction standards. The balance are barely qualified to "tie their shoes." The construction industry as a whole (not just the specialty trades) has been plagued by those who are always looking to do things "cheaper."

Many in the construction trades never even went to college. Few have attended any free trade specific training courses, like those available from trade shows or manufacturers. Even fewer have paid to attended advanced educational courses, like those I teach @ Genesis 3 programs. Unlike some other states, California does not have a "continuing education" requirement, in order to maintain ones contractor's license... it's no wonder the industry is still building things like they did in the 1930's! There is no incentive to maintain one's basic level of education or to improve oneself, let alone stay up to date on the modern technologies.

They can offer a less expensive project because they use generic mail-order structural plans, smaller diameter reinforcing steel, space the steel further apart, lesser grades of steel, thinner concrete walls, weaker psi concrete, utilize waste materials in their structures (rebound & trimmings), install sub-standard smaller pipes, "wet set" their tile & masonry, add calcium to their plaster... these are just the most prevalent ways that they "cheat."

Projects that have already been designed & engineered, utilizing geo-technical reports as the basis for the structural engineering (specified project), should be treated as a project that is set in stone. The earth is, what it is... there is no changing that.

But when a client decides to a put a specified project "out to bid," they oftentimes receive a number of bids that are fairly close to each other. There are always a few that are way above & a few way below. The client should really focus at the ones that are way above, and find out, "Why!?" (remember that old saying, "you get what you pay for?")

What is that firm offering, that these other firms are overlooking? What do they offer that the others are not? Where is the "added value" in spending the extra money?

But, it is human nature to instead look at the lowest proposal. Or just plain old cheapness... (remember that old saying "you get what you pay for" and "you get what you deserve?"). But the client does not ask, "how can you build this project for so little?" Is there a Ponzi scheme going on? Is the builder on the verge of insolvency & is merely looking for some quick cash? What are they leaving out? What shortcuts am I being "provided?"

Oftentimes the lowest bidder, can at least "get the ear" of the property owner.... and one of the first things out of their mouth always is,

"This project is way over engineered. Let me get MY engineer to "value engineer" (there's the misuse of that phrase again!) your project. I am sure that he can bring the cost down." Translated, he just said, "There is no way to build this project for what you are willing to pay me. So I have this guy, who can dumb down & degrade the project, to a level that I can understand and build for the little money you want to spend."

Maybe the low bidder just turns around and orders some boiler plate "mail-order" structural plan from a catalog, to replace the original site-specific structural plans. These generic plans are not site specific, usually do not exceed the site's soil conditions or surcharges, and the geo-technical report is almost never reviewed by the structural engineer (from the mail order engineering company).

If a "new engineer" is actually employed, the new engineer assumes A LOT of liability. The liability in knowing that someone without any vested interest in the project (original engineer & designers), designed it to a certain standard. And that occurred after a lot of discussion & input from the owners, designer, soils engineer & others.

The new engineer just knows that he has to "get the price down." So they start to reduce the safety margins that are built into all structural design calculations. This results in smaller diameter steel, lesser grades of steel, thinner concrete walls & floors... an overall weaker structure.

If built as designed, it might function okay. Except, that after construction starts, the contractors' shoddy building practices and ignorance of proper construction practices, exert their influence onto the project, and the project quickly becomes "sub-standard" (because those safety margins were taken away during the "value engineering" phase to "save you money").

Then along comes Mother Nature, who exerts some forces upon this marginally engineered, and sub-standard built structure. A seismic event, ground heave, soil expansion, ground subsidence, hurricane, avalanche, high surf, etc... and "pop, pow, whiz, bang... Golly geepers Batman! it is cracking, tilting, moving, settling, leaking, rusting...." Worse yet, someone gets entrapped on a drain that has excess line velocity...

The low-ball bidder comes back & says "I did everything that the structural plans showed... the plans must have been faulty." Well, maybe not, but marginal at best! Add to that marginality, poor construction practices & you have the recipe for disaster.

Now this is where I come (back) in....
to start a forensic evaluation of the garbage that was built. The original engineering is consulted along with the geo-technical investigation. The differences in the structural designs is evaluated. If failures have occurred in the areas of any changes, that L-word pops up again (liability). If material samples fail to meet the minimum design standards, then the L-word pops up again. If special inspections were not performed or deputy inspectors were not hired, then the L-word pops up again.

It will always cost more to repair a failing structure, than to build it correctly in the first place. Though the client usually will prevail in litigation, there is the additional cost of litigation, attorney fees, expert witnesses & consultants (ME), material testing labs & engineers. Add to that the time away from work & life and the added stresses.

And let's not forget the cost to access the project & repair that damage. After all, your yard has long been completed by now, right? Somehow the old structure has to be removed & rebuilt... remember how messy it was the first time??? But now the yard's completed, and they are going to tear up a lot of good work in the process...

There are a lot of people plying pools... landscape contractors, swimming pool companies, & water shape design/build firms (like www.AquaticTechnology.com). However, most are always telling the clients how they can save them money...

like a cheap set of imported tires - just what I want to trust my money & family's life to! No thanks - don't do me any favors!

As that old TV commercial used to say, "you can pay me (more) now, or you can pay me (a lot more) later!"

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com