Pool Equipment
The Pool Pump Cover™ – Pool Equipment Enclosure
Hate seeing messy pipes and pool equipment in the yard? Looking for a solution to offer your customers to protect their equipment from the elements? The easiest way is a Pool Pump Enclosure.
Moreover, a pool filter & pump cover is a great way to keep all the parts of your pool equipment protected from the elements whilst reducing noise from your pump by 80%! It is an easy addition that will go a long way in keeping all the parts of your pool running smoothly for decades to come.
Made from high-quality galvanized steel, The Pool Pump Cover™ will keep your equipment clean and free from debris. It is also weatherproof, so you don’t have to worry about the elements damaging the heart of your pool.
The Pool Pump Cover™ – Pool Equipment Enclosures
The Pool Pump Cover™ manufactures galvanized metal soundproof pool filter/pump enclosures – specifically for enclosing pool pumps, filters, and other equipment. The state-of-the-art unique design only requires 4 parts for assembly and takes as little as 15 minutes on average. Consequently, assembly requires absolutely NO NUTS & BOLTS or any special tools.
Our enclosures are specially designed for pool equipment and come with industrially tested ventilation gaps and offer unhindered access to the equipment for ease of servicing. The Pool Pump Cover™ is available in 200+ different size combinations to choose from as well as 10 different colors.
Easy Access To Equipment
The front panel is fully removable, and the lid erects using mechanical gas struts for easy lifting. Access easily allows for changing the cartridge or sand filter without the need to disassemble the enclosure.
The Pool Pump Cover ™ is:
- Made of Australian Galvanized steel (recognized as amongst the best steel in the world)
- Easy to assemble in as little as 15 minutes – NO nuts and bolts, NO screws or any special tools required!
- Reduce Noise by up to 80% – and come certified by an Acoustic Engineer
- Offer unhindered access to service the equipment – with a fully removable front door and a lid that lifts with mechanical gas struts
- Save money on design – a custom-designed box made from timber or other material will undoubtedly cost more – and will not look as good!
- Save money on equipment – Inferior or cheaper alternatives may cost more money in the long run, as they may be poorly ventilated and damage the equipment.
- Weather / Hurricane resistant – the enclosures can be secured with appropriate fixings to the ground (concrete or timber)
- Lined with thick industrial acoustic (soundproof) foam
- Have tested ventilation gaps that also allow for wirings/conduits in and out of the box
- Anti-corrosive – The high steel galvanization level means the enclosures will last approximately 15-20 years depending on the location
- Available in various colors
- Comes with clear 3D and illustrated installation instructions as well as an online Video clip
- Money back guarantee and a 7-year warranty
Configuring a Pool Equipment Enclosure
The enclosures also come in various configurations including’ Backless’ & side-less’ to cater for situations when the equipment is too close to a wall or a fence.
Additional side access can also be easily added on all models – to cater for confined areas / where the equipment is at the side of a house. The panels can also be easily drilled through for allowing pipes in and out of the enclosure. Furthermore, there are also optional specifically designed panels and flu kits for covering gas and electrical heaters.
The enclosures come flat-packed in large cardboard boxes for easy shipping and handling. All standard sizes and configurations are readily available and the lead time is 14 days (from order date) to most states.
The Pool Pump Cover™ is a manufacturer and primarily a wholesaler. We offer special distributor, dealer rates as well as volume discounts. For more information and our wholesale rates please contact us at [email protected]
Equipment Supplies
Hayward Offers Pool Pros Hands-On Training
Hayward’s hands-on training courses empower pool professionals.
In the dynamic world of pool maintenance and equipment, staying ahead of the curve is essential for pool professionals to deliver top-notch services to their clients. Hayward has a clear understanding of the importance of continuous education and has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive training opportunities for pool professionals. Recently they updated the training section of their website, offering an array of hands-on training courses and webinars to enhance the skills of pool professionals.
Hayward Training Courses
Hayward’s hands-on training courses cater to pool professionals seeking expertise across various crucial aspects of pool maintenance. Covering an array of topics, these sessions delve into the intricacies of Hayward’s latest products, ensuring professionals are well-versed in recommending and installing cutting-edge solutions. Specialized training in heaters, automation, salt systems, pumps, infloor systems, and electrical troubleshooting equips participants with the skills needed to address challenges in specific areas. By offering a comprehensive curriculum, Hayward empowers pool professionals to offer knowledgeable expertise to their clients.
Hayward’s dedication to supporting pool professionals is evident in the various programs they offer throughout the country. Here are some of the latest hands-on education opportunities offered by Hayward in the upcoming months. Make sure to visit and bookmark their Training Registration page as an ongoing resource.
Hayward Hands-On Training By Location
Florida
Date: | 02/20/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Gas License Prep Class | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn – Tampa Riverview Brandon 4328 Garden Vista Dr Riverview, FL 33578 | ||
Fee: | $275.00 |
Date: | 04/09/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Small Footprint gas heater training, AQRS3 and S3OMNI, OmniPL Upgrade Kit, Omni App and account tutorial | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn – Tampa Riverview Brandon 4328 Garden Vista Dr Riverview, FL 33578 | ||
Fee: | $150.00 |
Gulf Coast
Date: | 01/16/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni Automation Platform, Sanitization, Gas Heaters, New Products | ||
Location: | DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta/Roswell 1075 Holcomb Bridge Road Roswell, GA 30076 | ||
Fee: | $85.00 |
Date: | 01/18/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni Automation Platform, Sanitization, Gas Heaters, New Products | ||
Location: | Hilton Knoxville Airport 2001 Alcoa Hwy Alcoa, TN 37701 | ||
Fee: | $85.00 |
Date: | 01/30/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni Automation Platform, Sanitization, Gas Heaters, New Products | ||
Location: | Embassy Suites by Hilton 2300 Woodcrest Place Birmingham, AL 35209 | ||
Fee: | $85.00 |
Date: | 02/01/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni Automation Platform, Sanitization, Gas Heaters, New Products | ||
Location: | The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548 | ||
Fee: | $85.00 |
Mid-Atlantic
Date: | 02/01/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-3:30PM | |
Topic: | Heaters, Automation, Salt | ||
Location: | Seaview Hotel 401 South New York Road Galloway, NJ 08205 | ||
Fee: | $95.00 |
Date: | 02/08/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-3:30PM | |
Topic: | Heaters, Automation, Salt | ||
Location: | Holiday Inn 1750 Sumneytown Pike Kulpsville, PA 19443 | ||
Fee: | $95.00 |
Date: | 02/13/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-3:30PM | |
Topic: | Heaters, Automation, Salt | ||
Location: | Hampton Inn 2000 N Ocean Ave Farmingville, NY 11738 | ||
Fee: | $95.00 |
Date: | 02/20/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-3:30PM | |
Topic: | Heaters, Automation, Salt | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn 242 Highland Park Blvd Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 | ||
Fee: | $95.00 |
Date: | 02/22/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-3:30PM | |
Topic: | Heaters, Automation, Salt | ||
Location: | Best Western Premier 800 East Park Drive Harrisburg, PA 17111 | ||
Fee: | $95.00 |
Date: | 02/27/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-3:30PM | |
Topic: | Heaters, Automation, Salt | ||
Location: | NESPA Foundation 6B S. Gold Drive Trenton, NJ 08691 | ||
Fee: | $95.00 |
Date: | 02/28/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-3:30PM | |
Topic: | Heaters, Automation, Salt | ||
Location: | NESPA Foundation 6B S. Gold Drive Trenton, NJ 08691 | ||
Fee: | $95.00 |
Mid-West
Date: | 01/30/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni/Salt/Heaters | ||
Location: | 10709 Watson Rd St. Louis, MO 63127 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 02/06/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Salt/Heaters | ||
Location: | 340 Racetrack Rd Washington,PA 15301 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 02/08/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Salt/Heaters | ||
Location: | 5051 West Creek Rd Independence,OH 44131 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 02/15/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-4:00AM | |
Topic: | Automation/Salt/Heaters | ||
Location: | Indianapolis, IN 5255 Noggle Way Indianapolis, IN 46237 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 02/20/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni/ AQRS3/ Heaters | ||
Location: | Frankenmuth, MI 425 S Main St Frankenmuth, MI 48734 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 02/27/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-2:00PM | |
Topic: | Heater teardown class | ||
Location: | Huntington WV TBD Huntington, WV 25701 | ||
Fee: | Free |
Date: | 02/29/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | NPI / Automation / Salt / Heat | ||
Location: | Northern Kentucky 7373 Turfway Road Florence, KY 41042 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 03/05/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni/Salt/Heaters | ||
Location: | Des Moines, IA 1250 Jordan Creek Pkwy West Des Moines, IA 50266 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
North East
Date: | 03/12/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | 2024 New Product Updates Basic Eletricity S3 Salt Chlorination XE Pumps HDF Gas Heaters | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn Tewksbury Andover 4 Highwood Dr Tewksbury, MA 01876 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 03/13/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | 2025 New Product Updates Basic Eletricity S3 Salt Chlorination XE Pumps HDF Gas Heaters | ||
Location: | Sheraton Hartford Hotel 1 Bradley International Airport Windsor Locks, CT 06096 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 03/19/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | 2026 New Product Updates Basic Eletricity S3 Salt Chlorination XE Pumps HDF Gas Heaters | ||
Location: | Rosebrook Event Center 50 Rosebrook Place Wareham, MA 02571 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 03/20/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | 2027 New Product Updates Basic Eletricity S3 Salt Chlorination XE Pumps HDF Gas Heaters | ||
Location: | enVision Hotel & Conference Center Mansfield 31 Hampshire Street Mansfield, MA 02048 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 03/26/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | 2028 New Product Updates Basic Eletricity S3 Salt Chlorination XE Pumps HDF Gas Heaters | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn Albany Airport 800 Albany Shaker Rd Albany, NY 12211 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 03/27/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | 2029 New Product Updates Basic Eletricity S3 Salt Chlorination XE Pumps HDF Gas Heaters | ||
Location: | Hyatt House 100 Westage Business Center Drive Fishkill, NY 12524 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
South Central
Date: | 02/01/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Heaters, Automation, Sanitization | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn- Houston Energy Corridor 12245 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77079 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/02/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Heaters, Automation, Sanitization | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn- Houston Energy Corridor 12245 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77079 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/27/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-3:00PM | |
Topic: | HOT – Heaters and Automation | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn- San Antonio the Rim 5730 Rim Pass San Antonio, TX 78257 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/29/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-3:00PM | |
Topic: | HOT – Heaters and Automation | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn, Austin/Cedar Park 13501 Lyndhurst St. Austin, TX 78717 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Southeast
Date: | 01/17/2024 | Time: 08:30AM-3:30PM | |
Topic: | UHS/UHC Series Heaters, Hayward Electrical Training & Troubleshooting, Omni Automation, AquaRiteS3 Salt | ||
Location: | Ramada Plaza 1701 S Virgina Dare Trail Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 | ||
Fee: | $65.00 |
Date: | 01/30/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | UHS/UHC Series Heaters, Hayward Electrical Training & Troubleshooting, Omni Automation, AquaRiteS3 Salt | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn- Savannah Airport 80 Clyde E. Martin Drive Savannah, GA, 31408 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/01/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | UHS/UHC Series Heaters, Hayward Electrical Training & Troubleshooting, Omni Automation, AquaRiteS3 Salt | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn-Charleston Airport 5265 International Blvd. North Charleston, SC, 29418 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/06/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | UHS/UHC Series Heaters, Hayward Electrical Training & Troubleshooting, Omni Automation, AquaRiteS3 Salt | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn- Downtown 1200 Pickens Street Columbia, SC, 29201 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/08/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | UHS/UHC Series Heaters, Hayward Electrical Training & Troubleshooting, Omni Automation, AquaRiteS3 Salt | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn – Greenville 108 Carolina Point Parkway Greenville, SC 29607 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/13/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | UHS/UHC Series Heaters, Hayward Electrical Training & Troubleshooting, Omni Automation, AquaRiteS3 Salt | ||
Location: | Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte-Pineville 425 Towne Centre Blvd Pineville, NC 28134 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/15/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | UHS/UHC Series Heaters, Hayward Electrical Training & Troubleshooting, Omni Automation, AquaRiteS3 Salt | ||
Location: | DoubleTree- Raleigh 2805 Highwoods Blvd Raleigh, NC 27604 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/20/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | UHS/UHC Series Heaters, Hayward Electrical Training & Troubleshooting, Omni Automation, AquaRiteS3 Salt | ||
Location: | DoubleTree- Myrtle Beach 3200 S Ocean Blvd Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/22/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | UHS/UHC Series Heaters, Hayward Electrical Training & Troubleshooting, Omni Automation, AquaRiteS3 Salt | ||
Location: | Embassy Suites- Wilmington 9 Estell Lee Pl Wilmington, NC 28401 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Southwest
Date: | 01/16/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni/OmniS3, Heaters, HydraPure, Salt | ||
Location: | Fairfield Inn & Suites 355 E Warm Springs Rd Las Vegas, NV 89119 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 02/06/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni/OmniS3, Heaters, HydraPure, Salt | ||
Location: | Fairfield Inn & Suites 355 E Warm Springs Rd Las Vegas, NV 89119 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 02/08/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-3:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni/OmniS3, Heaters,HydraPure, Paramount | ||
Location: | PEP Tempe 1245 W Geneva Dr Tempe, AZ 85282 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 02/15/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-3:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni/OmniS3, Heaters, Hydrapure, Paramount | ||
Location: | Superior-Mesa 2350 W Broadway Rd Suite 110 Mesa, AZ 85202 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 02/24/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-3:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni/OmniS3, Heaters, HydraPure, Paramount | ||
Location: | Phx DC 8175 W Buckeye Rd Phoenix, AZ 85043 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
Date: | 02/27/2024 | Time: 08:00AM-5:00PM | |
Topic: | Omni/OmniS3, Heaters, HydraPure, Salt | ||
Location: | Courtyard St. George 185 S 1470 E St. George, UT 84790 | ||
Fee: | $75.00 |
West
Date: | 01/16/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Heaters & Heat Pumps/Salt/Hydrapure | ||
Location: | Holiday Inn Express 1398 East Roseville Parkway Roseville, CA. 95661 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 01/18/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Heaters & Heat Pumps/Salt/Hydrapure | ||
Location: | Courtyard Marriott Fremont Silicon Valley 47000 Lakeview Blvd. Freemont, CA | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 01/25/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Heaters & Heat Pumps/Salt/Hydrapure | ||
Location: | Holiday Inn Express 3001 Buck Owens Blvd Bakersfield, CA 93308 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 01/31/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Heaters & Heat Pumps/Salt/Hydrapure | ||
Location: | Hampton Inn 855 Gettysburg Ave Clovis, CA. 93612 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/06/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Heaters & Heat Pumps/Salt/Hydrapure | ||
Location: | Superior Canoga Park 21320 Deering Court Canoga Park, CA. 91304 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/08/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-4:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Heaters & Heat Pumps/Salt/Hydrapure | ||
Location: | PEP San Fernando 630 Jessie St San Fernando, CA, 91340 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/13/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-3:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Heaters & Heat Pumps/Salt/Hydrapure | ||
Location: | Superior Anaheim 4900 E. Landon Dr. Anaheim, CA. 92807 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/15/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-3:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Heaters & Heat Pumps/Salt/Hydrapure | ||
Location: | PEP Murrieta 41537 Eastman Dr. Murrieta, CA. 92562 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Date: | 02/20/2024 | Time: 09:00AM-3:00PM | |
Topic: | Automation/Heaters & Heat Pumps/Salt/Hydrapure | ||
Location: | SCP San Diego 5648 Copley Dr San Diego, CA. 92111 | ||
Fee: | $100.00 |
Pool Equipment
Help Your Customers Rule the Pool With a Fully Connected Pool
In 2023, the “smart home” concept continues to trend. Homeowners want a more maintenance-free space with automated thermostats, lights, blinds, and more.
However, this concept can also enhance and improve outdoor spaces, and it’s especially appealing to pool owners. With automation in their toolkit, pool professionals can make a splash and make their customers’ lives easier.
Diving into pool pump automation.
Every good story begins with a hero. One of the unsung heroes of the pool industry is variable speed and flow technology. What makes variable speed and flow so notable is its incredible energy efficiency. In fact, with a third-generation IntelliFlo3® Variable Speed and Flow Pump, pool owners can save up to 90%* on energy consumption. With optional onboard relays to provide automated control of two additional pieces of equipment, pool owners can control additional devices like lighting or salt chlorinators.
While options like this are a great solution for small-scale automation, it’s possible to put most of your customer’s pool features on one easy-to-use management system. And when it comes to the pool, homeowners crave peace of mind! They want the ease of knowing their pool is in great hands and utilizing reliable products and technology. Enter automation systems, a more effortless solution to provide pool pros with a bird’s eye view of problems and the ability to troubleshoot in advance, thus increasing efficiency and delivering white glove service that takes the stress off customers.
Helping customers understand their pool equipment pad and how everything works together is essential. Think of a pool as a person; the chemicals you add to the pool water are like white blood cells, attacking germs and keeping the environment clean. Filters take in dirty water, reduce contaminants, and push out cleaner water, like the lungs of the pool. The automation system is a bit like its brain, sending signals to the different body parts to ensure they’re working accordingly.
Automation systems like the IntelliCenter® Pool Control System provide versatile control. Controlling colored lights, water features, and more with an automation system is a breeze! Pool owners can effortlessly set automation schedules, monitor pool and spa status, and check water chemistry.
Using tools like the Pentair Pro app, pool professionals can also remotely monitor their customers’ automation system. With remote monitoring, pool owners can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy peace of mind knowing their trusted pool service professional can check in and troubleshoot problems anytime, anywhere.
Help your customers RULE THE POOL!
With automation in your arsenal, it’s easy to curate the dreamiest backyard oasis for your customer. Any pool can be transformed from a mundane natatorium to an enchanting water wonderland with connected products.
The ruler of this watery kingdom is your customer – all they’ll need is the Pentair Home app on their smartphone. With this easy-to-use app, pool owners can monitor and control their pool equipment from anywhere in the world. With the Pentair Home app and automation working together, your customers’ lives become easier. Long gone are the days of frustrating pool management, and here to stay is the era of a fully connected, smart pool equipment pad.
With an easy-to-manage lineup of pool equipment, pool owners can make more time for the things that really matter: family, memory-making, and poolside relaxation. By providing them with a reliable and connected pool equipment pad, you help them rule the pool.
To learn more, visit pentair.com/intelliflo3 hub or pentair.com/intellicenterhub.
*Savings based on variable speed pump compared to a single-speed pump running 12 hours per day at an average of $0.16 per kWh in a 20,000-gallon pool. Actual savings may vary based on local utility rates, pool size, pump run time, pump horsepower, pump rpm, plumbing size and length, pump model, service factor, and other hydraulic factors. Individual Weighted Energy Factor (WEF) scores and savings may vary by model.
All indicated Pentair trademarks and logos are property of Pentair. Third-party registered and unregistered trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners.
Op Editorials
History Of The Pool Cleaner
Now that I am starting to reflect over my past 69 years of active duty as a pool guy. Many of my friends have told me that I have seen a lot of history in our industry and that I need to start writing them down. With this in mind, Joe & Marianne Trusty and Carol Gigliotti of Pool Magazine have asked me to put down some of my pool history that I experienced over my career.
In 1955, my father decided to move his family from Oakland, California to the rich open spaces of Contra Costa County just a few miles away. At this time, there was starting to become a migration from the inter cities to the new suburbs in the country. Much of this was driven by the Post War GI Bill that all of our returning soldiers received after fighting in WWII. The GI Bill basically gave a serviceman low interest government loans to buy a new home.
This migration and the hopes for home ownership created a huge building boom as America started to get back on her feet, post-war. My dad was one of those returning soldiers after fighting in the Pacific Theater and being discharged in Oakland, California. My dad wanted something better for his family and the attraction of moving to the fast-growing suburbs along with being part of the building boom of those suburbs, had an important attraction for my father.
He moved us to a little town that was 15 miles east of Oakland and what seemed like a whole new world. The weather was warm during the summer and a perfect place to not only raise a family in the country but also to start a new business in an almost unheard of industry, the swimming pool industry. Up to this point, only the very wealthy could afford a swimming pool. However, all this was starting to change as young families started to move to the suburbs and they realized that the weather was perfect for a fast-growing family of Baby Boomers. Now with a new home that the GI Bill allowed these young families to buy, there began the development of the front and backyard.
My father was one of the early pioneers who had the vision and the ability to do something about it. He started his pool company just prior to us moving to the little town of Lafayette, California. Little did he know that this little town of 2,500 people at the time was going to become the center of growth of our industry. Now I’m not saying that the pool business started in Lafayette, however, it was at this time in the 50’s that American families all across the country were starting to experience the same revolution of young boomer families wanting to seek a better life by moving to the suburbs and all the lifestyle that came with it. These young families had a lot in common with each other besides many returning from WWII, taking advantage of the GI bill, having several young kids or Baby Boomers along with wanting a better way of life.
As the new neighborhoods or track developments started to spring up everywhere in our area, we started to see more and more families wanting to enjoy their backyards with their growing families and friends. It was at this time the weekend BBQ with your Weber BBQ became one of the most essential tools of anyones backyard. This outdoor California Lifestyle then found itself wanting more as people could afford more.
Enter the backyard swimming pool and all the enjoyment and entertainment that it brought to our families. My dad was on the ground floor of this movement. Back in those days, his swimming pools cost $2,000 all in. Of course it’s all relative when you realize what a gallon of gas costs ($.26) or what those first track homes in the suburbs cost under $10,000 for a 3 and 2 with a garage. The beauty of those starter homes is that the lot size was big enough for a modest 15×30’ pool with a little decking.
Landscape design and construction was very modest. There weren’t too many landscape architects and most were busy designing those large estates that could afford their designs. So the early years of the industry were very modest and builders such as the Anthony Brothers in Southern California catered to those fast-growing suburb homes by selling pools based on the financing more than the ability to build a pool. As Anthony Pools was taking a commanding lead out west, other markets around the country started to boom. Arizona had the Ghiz Family with Paddock of Arizona along with the Asti Family and Shasta Pools. On the East Coast we also saw the Sullivan Pools that all of these building families started to spawn other spin-off pool builders as the demand for owning a backyard swimming pool started to grow.
Prior to the boom in the 1950’s, here in California, there were two major high-end pool builders that were building pools for the rich and famous, Paddock Pools and Landon Pools. These two builders were instrumental in the engineering and mechanical development of swimming pools. Be it the sand and gravel filters that they used or the skim filter that Landon and Paddock used to try and simplify and reduce cost in their pools.
As more and more pools were being built by new pool builders, there became this demand to help invent more and more components to help make the backyard swimming pool more accessible and user-friendly. It was about this time in the 50’s that Anthony Pools helped create the early precast skimmer with a built-in basket outside of the pool. Prior to that there was the lily pad skimmer that was a floating basket that was attached to the lily pad suction plate that bobbed up and down with the water level as water was drawn from a separate suction line. These pools also had a separate main drain suction line as well. The real custom pools that Paddock built had an 1.5” flange fitting mid way on the pool about 12” below the surface for a home owner to actually vacuums their pools using a portable vacuum hose and head. At this same time we also have the Pool Master Jet Vac pool cleaner that hooked on the end of your garden hose and blew water into a large bag that could pick up leaves and not plug up the pump basket. The bag were designed to filter the water jetting up into the bag along with some dirt.
These types of cleaning systems were designed to help keep the pool somewhat clean. The reality was that once you built a pool, you had to contend with the drudgery of cleaning your pool every weekend or be rich enough to afford a pool maintenance company. This need for keeping the pool clean has spawned an entire section of our industry and it came about more by chance then anything else.
It was the late 50’s and early 60’s that one of the Pillars of our industry, Andy Pansini was just finishing up cleaning his pool using his vacuum cleaner on his pool in San Rafael area in the SF Bay Area. Andy was cleaning his decks after cleaning his pool and was using his garden hose to hose things down. The phone rang and Andy dropped his hose in the pool and answered the phone. When he returned, the hose had been snaking back and forth on the bottom of the pool and the pool was spotless where the hose was whipping back and forth.
The History of the Pool Cleaner
It is said that “Necessity is the Mother of Invention”. Andy realized at that moment that if he could manage the whipping hose in his pool then he could chase the dirt down to the bottom of the pool and without ever vacuuming his pool again, he could always have a spotless pool. Andy solicited the help of a fellow inventor, Howard Arneson, that lived across the bay. Howard was a creator, inventor and part showman. The two of them came up with some interesting variations of these first prototypes. I was fortunate in the mid 60’s to actually work on one of the very first of these prototypes that looked nothing of what we see today of the robotic pool cleaner.
As time went on Andy and Howard both started their own manufacturing companies. Andy and his wife Jan had started Jandy and Howard started Pool Sweep. Both were here in the San Francisco Marin County area. As more and more backyard swimming pools were being built, there became more and more need to keep them clean so you could enjoy swimming in a nice clean pool. This need for a clean pool created a new part of our industry called pool service and maintenance companies. It was at this time I started my first pool company. After years of working for my Dad’s pool company, at 16 years old, I had my driver’s license and a truck to put my maintenance cleaning equipment and chemicals in.
I was one of the first pool service companies in our area and was fortunate enough to acquire some very high profile pools that I cleaned each week. Back in those days you didn’t have a self-cleaning pool like today, that you mostly test the water and add chemicals to, once a week. Back then every pool was on twice a week service with the first visit as a brush and skim the pool along with cleaning the basket and filter visit. The second cleaning was dedicated to vacuuming the pool so it was ready for the weekend entertaining.
It was at this time I learned a lot about the drudgery of cleaning and maintaining the backyard pool. Cleaning swimming pools gave me a great appreciation for what it took in the building end of a swimming pool to make it easier on our clients. Let’s face it, the reason people build a swimming pool is to relax, enjoy their leisure time in the backyard with family and friends. It is not to become a slave to the maintenance of your pool.
As the Jandy cleaner and the Arneson cleaner became more and more popular to adapt to a pool, I was seeing more and more builders first install a dedicated return line for the robotic sweep and eventually those same builders realized that upselling a client on the advantages of installing a robotic cleaner made owning a swimming more enjoyable for the homeowner. As the Jandy Porpoise and Arneson Pool Sweep was taking the industry by storm, an inventor/businessman, Jim Edmundson was creating his version of the pressure pool cleaner called the Polaris. The uniqueness of the Polaris was that it lived on the bottom of the pool and did both sweeping and vacuuming of the pool. It had a leaf bag much like the early Pool Master Jet Vac manual cleaner except that it was part of the robotic cleaner and only needed to be cleaned once a week. There was one more entrance into the robotic cleaners on the West coast and that was from Sandy Campbell, who was in the Bay Area as well but soon moved his manufacturing to Redding, California. Sandy’s cleaner was called “The Letro Jet Vac”, it had some of the similar characteristic as the Polaris but it did a better job in high leaf areas.
While all these robotic cleaner wars were going on in California, over in Arizona, in the late 60’s and early 70’s, they were creating their very own cleaning systems to help battle the high sand content and debris that was plaguing swimming pools in that market. As I stated earlier, “Necessity was the Mother of Invention”. The Ghiz Family (Paddock Pools, The Paramount System) and the Ast Family (Shasta Pools, The A&A System) both created their proprietary in-floor cleaners for their own pools in that market. They along with a friend of mine, Les Mathews (Creator of the Caretaker System). All of these three inventor families helped usher in the next generation of pool cleaning. There was one other little-known infloor cleaner called the “Turbo Clean” that I recall seeing on some of the Geremia Pools out of Sacramento, Ca. Within a few short years, these manufacturers were selling their cleaners all across the country and internationally.
For the past 40 years, I personally have designed and worked with all three cleaners. For the past 25 years, my favorite in-floor cleaner is the PCC-2000 cleaner. What is it that makes this cleaner so special to me is it’s ability to clean the entire pool as Paramount and our team design the location of the cleaner heads. PCC-2000 also has it’s patented water curtain and the MDX that is it’s debris collection system. The robotic cleaners have their advantages in that they are a low cost compared to the Paramount in-floor system. In addition, as the design of our pools have come a long way from my dad’s pioneering days of simple, functional designs with simple filtration and no cleaners, to the designs that my son, Nicco and I are creating today with baja entries, ledges and seats throughout the pool.
We are all seeing the acceptance of engineered pools hanging off slopes with vanishing edges and “O” edge designs. These pools are so artistic that a robotic cleaner with its umbilical cord running around pool will surely take away from the beauty and artistry of the pools we are designing and building today.
What the in-floor cleaner is to me and even more specifically the Paramount PCC-2000 in-floor cleaner, is the beauty of the pool is not interrupted with the visual of the robotic cleaner. The additional circulation on the bottom of the pool that takes water from the skimmer level of the water and injects it back into the floor heads. This action creates not only bottom circulation better then any other way to circulate water in your pool, but it also takes surfaced solar heated water and injects it to the bottom of the pool so the entire pool becomes a heat storage battery for the solar heat that is collected at the surface.
More and more today our pools here in the Bay Area are safety cover pools with the spa under the cover to help keep the pool safe from small children, clean from dirt falling in the pool and energy efficient because of the passive solar heat that the cover generates at the top of the water that is pumped to the bottom of the pool through the in-floor cleaning system. Not only are we delivering a very clean pool to our clients, but a very efficient pool that cleans itself and a very artistic pool that is exciting to look at.
Our industry has come a long way since I joined in with my dad and now with Nicco, my son as the 3rd generation of our family to build well-engineered, unique designed and very efficient works of art for our clients backyard enjoyment and entertainment. It has taken 3 generations for our family to build the “State of the Art” custom pools that Nicco is now building for our company. As I stood on my father’s shoulder, now Nicco stands on mine, our family tradition has continued to advance the pool industry with our knowledge and forward thinking. It has been a wonderful journey as we all get to enjoy the rich history of our industry that has taken us to where we are today. Those early pioneers helped pave the way for the next generation of pool builders.
I will continue to add to the rich history of the swimming pool industry with my personal stories that all of us will enjoy as we discover where our roots come from.
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