New Computer System Adds New Level of Customer Service

Over the course of the winter, we have been working diligently to install and get familiar with a brand new, state of the art computer system and software here at the store. This new system will enable us to do dozens of things which were impossible with our old system. One of the biggest features of the new system is the ability to track purchases for each and every customer who enters the store! Also, because of the network capabilities of the new system, we have the ability to ring up customer sales from up to four different locations, simultaneously, to really help during those busy times. Most of our regular customers should already be in the system at this time, but please bear with us as we make a one time entry if you are not. It won’t take but a moment.

Service Department Notes and News

As is usually the case this time of year, the Service Department calendar is filling up fast. While many of you have specifically asked for certain dates to have your pool opened, and we have many of them scheduled, please don’t assume that just because we opened your pool last year on a certain date, that we automatically have it scheduled for the same day this year. If you have requested a particular date, it is probably on the calendar, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to call and confirm that it is.

We have just about reached the limit for liners jobs that can be installed before Memorial day. If you are thinking about replacing your liner this year and want it done early, please call and let your intentions be know and we will do everything in our power to work it in.

Mon. - Fri.: 9:00 AM till 5:30 PM

Sat.: 10:00 AM till 3:00 PM

Sundays: CLOSED

Phone: (740) 353-7721, 33-7811

Email: dvetter@zoomnet.net or

dvetter@sciotowireless.net

Brilliance is simply…..BRILLIANT!

Introducing Brilliance for pools-the bromine pool care system. Brilliance lets you care for your pool in just one easy step, so you can spend more time splashing around in it. And because Brilliance is chlorine-free, it’s gentler on you, your family and your pool. This is a brand new twist on an age old chemical...BROMINE.

Before now, if a pool owner wanted to use Bromine, they had two choices (and neither one was without its problems!) They could either use Bromine tablets (or "briquettes" as they are sometimes called), which actually contain a large amount of Chlorine. Just smell them and you’ll see! The other choice was the terribly confusing "Bromide Salt" method, which usually creates more problems than it solves.

Brilliance for pools sanitizes and oxidizes in one convenient product, performing two jobs at once. So you get clear, chlorine free water in one step. Just add the Brilliance Sanitizer to your existing feeder and your done. Clear water and no hassle-it’s that simple.

A Brilliant solution for you and your pool. Unlike other bromine based pool care systems, Brilliance is completely chlorine-free. So there’s less odor and less irritation to eyes and skin. Brilliance is idea for all pools-fiberglass, vinyl or plaster. And it won’t upset the delicate balance of your pools water chemistry, unlike other bromine or chlorine products that substantially affect pH. Converting your pool from chlorine to Brilliance takes just minutes-the whole family will be swimming again in no time.

Brilliance for Spas is also available. Simply add the Brilliance Sanitizer to you floater. This product sanitizes and oxidizes in one convenient step, performing two jobs at once. Then, once a week, add in Brilliance Metal and Scale Control and Shock. That’s it!. Clear, chlorine-free water in just three steps.

Newly Expanded Website-More Helpful Than Ever

Yet another project which was undertaken during the winter months was the expansion of our company web site. While we have had the web site up and running for several years, we have been gradually fine tuning it and including more and more information which our customers may be able to use, and that we hope will be helpful on the evenings or weekends when we are not open. Just go to: www.underwaterstuff.com

The recent ice storm will doubtless be talked about for years to come for the damage and destruction which it left in it’s wake.  Many are still trying to recover and get back to “normal”

In short, the answer to the question is: “It depends”. If your tub is full foam insulated, such as are all of the Hot Spring and Tiger River models, and your cover is undamaged, the answer to the above questions is, “don’t do anything!” The incredible insulation value offered by the full foaming of the entire shell will essentially give the spa similar temperature holding qualities as that of a thermos bottle.  As long as the water was up to a normal spa temperature prior to the outage, and as long as the cover was not damaged and remains in place, the water will only loose a few degrees of temperature in a 24 hour period.  This means that the power can remain off for days and days without fear of freeze damage occurring!  We are thrilled to tell you that not a single Hot Spring or Tiger River spa owner in our area has called to report any freeze damage to their spas as a result of the recent storm, and some are still without power as a result of this writing (Nearly 2-weeks later)!

On the other hand, if the spa which has just suffered a loss of power, contains only the minimal insulation offered by many other manufacturers, something had better be done...and quickly!  Now, just what is the best course of action to take will depend upon the circumstances and/or resources available:

Do you have a portable generator? 

A spare extension cord?

A blower or compressed air source?

The answers to these questions will determine the best course of action to take.

So, let’s assume that it is the middle of winter and that you are the owner of a “brand x” spa, and that your power has just gone out, or that for whatever reason, the spa has quit working. The first thing to consider is this: A spa which has been simply “drained” and not properly winterized, is more susceptible to freeze damage than is a spa which is full of water! (This is because the small amounts of water left in the lower plumbing areas and at the backs of the jets, will drop in temperature much more quickly than will a larger mass of water.)  Proper winterization procedures involve not only draining, but also vacuuming and/or blowing any residual water out of these low areas.  Certain cases also demand the use of Anti-Freeze to insure that any remaining water that can not be removed will not cause damage when turning to ice. 

So, you must determine whether you have the means available to do a proper and complete winterization (which is where the compressed air source comes in) if you decide to drain the spa.

If you are prepared and fortunate enough to have a portable generator at your disposal, and can spare 75 to 100 watts of it’s output, your best bet may be to use a “trouble light” or something similar.  Just run an extension cord to the spa and place the light source inside of the equipment compartment and then replace the door. The heat which is emitted from a 100 watt light bulb should be sufficient to keep the plumbing above the freeze point until the power can be restored. If even more current is available, a small electric space heater can also be used.  Either way, be sure to place the heat source where it will not melt or damage the spa components. If the outside temperature is down in the single digits and/or the spa is situated in an extremely windy area, the additional protection of blocking the gap at the bottom of the equipment door with towels or some other form of insulation may be in order.

We hope you and your spa weathered the storm without freezing, but if not, we’ll sure try to help