Swimming Pool Glass Tile Expert Cracking Wine Country

Another game of "blame the installer."

The bottom of the totem pole

The poor tile installer is always at the end of the pecking order.  And the recycled glass tile mosaic manufacturers know that these people have the fewest resources to defend their case.

Business Ethics?

As long as a recycled glass tile mosaic manufacturer continues to produce products that cannot withstand temperature gradients (thermal shock), their glass tiles will continue to crack.

Once the tiles are installed, they can blame an improper installation.  

But what if the same tiles are left unmounted in a tupperware pan in the swimming pool?  What if those same tiles crack, though they are unmounted?  Can't blame the installer.... hmmm.

Cracked Glass Tiles

Show me any 2 year old installation of glass tile mosaics made with recycled content, and I'll be able to locate cracked tiles.  

Click on the image to view the cracking in these 4x4 glass tile mosaics.  They are from the same recycled glass tile manufacturer as the small 1x1 tiles in the image below.

Yet, there are countless installations of glass tile mosaics that contain nothing but virgin materials, that are in a pristine condition.  Hmmm...

Buying recycled might be savy, but buying Virgin is smarter !

Purchasing glass tile mosaics that contain recycled content may be trendy and hip.  But chipping out broken glass tile mosaics is far from glamorous.  All of those broken glass tiles end up in the landfill anyway, along with the mortar bed, thinset and grout.... not to mention the time, agony and money.  Those glass tiles cannot be recycled again with all of those contaminates.  How is that GREEN?

Inherent manufacturing flaws, broken edges and surface imperfections - any may contribute to cracking.  Click on the image to enlarge it and to view the random cracking up close.

Therefore, virgin materials of the first quality are actually more environmentally savy.  They are destined to remain in their installed state for years, staying out of the landfill.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist 
"Creating water as art."™ 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ©www.aquatictechnology.com 
You may contact Paolo Benedetti at: info@aquatictechnology.com or at 408-776-8220

Swimming Pool Lighting Low Voltage PROHIBITIONS

Section 680.23(C) could be changed for the 2014 NEC to permit a special isolation transformer with a ground shield, similar to the underwater luminaire transformer, for aboveground low-voltage lighting systems in proximity to the edge of a swimming pool. Until the change is submitted and processed, low-voltage lighting must not be located closer than 10 feet horizontally from the edge of the pool or 12 feet above the pool. - See more at: http://www.ecmag.com/section/codes-standards/waters-fine#sthash.cDzLMcen.dpuf

Section 680.23(C) could be changed for the 2014 NEC to permit a special isolation transformer with a ground shield, similar to the underwater luminaire transformer, for aboveground low-voltage lighting systems in proximity to the edge of a swimming pool. Until the change is submitted and processed, low-voltage lighting must not be located closer than 10 feet horizontally from the edge of the pool or 12 feet above the pool. - See more at: http://www.ecmag.com/section/codes-standards/waters-fine#sthash.cDzLMcen.dpuf

Low voltage landscape lighting cannot be installed within 10 feet horizontally or 12 vertically of a swimming pool, spa or hot tub.

Building Code Prohibition
 
The national Electric Code has been adopted in every US State.

Section 411.4(B) of the 2011 prohibits the installation of low voltage systems within 10 feet of any pool, spa or hot tub, unless specifically permitted by section 680 of the NEC. 

What can I do?

Section 680.22(C) outlines the requirements for low voltage lighting used around a swimming pool.  It does not describe any low voltage lighting fixtures or components that are not underwater illuminares.  

Section NEC 680.23(A)(2) specifically discusses underwater illuminares.

Because low voltage lighting around the pool are not specifically defined (as required by NEC 411), they are still prohibited.


How do you install landscape lighting close to a pool and still remain safe & code compliant?


Magic.  

This is what experienced designers spend their time and talents developing.

There are "work arounds" (no, they do not include special transformers, plastic fixtures, high voltage lighting, or distant projector style illuminares).

Give us a call.  We'll be happy to discuss your needs and to design a safe, compliant system for your project.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist 
"Creating water as art."™ 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ©www.aquatictechnology.com 
You may contact Paolo Benedetti at: info@aquatictechnology.com or at 408-776-8220