Landscaping Projects

Apr 22, 2011

Our first Pool Blog!!

[As a preface, this was written by our pool guru Bryan Handy. Have questions on your pool, want a pool? Give him a call: 785.423.5868}

Why salt?
I get asked this question a lot: Is a salt pool better than a chlorine pool?  Well, let's try and answer that question.

Chlorine comes from one of the most abundant sources in the world, salt or sodium chloride. But we all know that chlorine is not good for us. The Germans even used it as a weapon in World War I. Chlorine is one of the most produced chemicals in the world and can be found almost everywhere. It's found all around your pool too, not only used as a disinfectant for your pool but also found in your pool plumbing PVC (poly vinyl chloride). [**Also, you never want to mix chlorine and pool acid (muriatic acid) as it makes a very dangerous gas.]  With that being said, chlorine does a very good job. But if I had a choice between a chemical that can be potentially dangerous and one that has no danger at all, I know which one I would choose for my pool. It would be salt.

Now, you ask, how does a salt system work?  It takes sodium chloride (salt), and electrically modifies it to a chlorine gas.  Is it just producing chlorine anyway? Yes, but in a more controlled environment and there is no more handling chlorine. Also, it is produced in a smaller quantity. So the exposure to the chlorine is much less and more to the saltwater, which is better for your body and clothes. Yes, chlorine is bleach and will fade your swim suit. You will also find that your chemical cost will go down as salt only leaves the water due to splash out, backwash and draining/ filling your pool. A bag of salt cost anywhere from $6.00 to $8.00 dollars, where a bucket of chlorine tabs can cost anywhere from $22.00 to $150.00 dollars. So, even if you have to add 2 bags of salt through the year, you're still ahead on cost. I would rather have a bag of salt sitting in my garage or equipment room then a bucket of chlorine.


Salt systems are also very easy to install on any system. They even have them now that require a small hole drilled in a pipe and a outlet to plug it into. So installation is very simple but I suggest having a pool professional do the install for you.
It will take a lot of salt when you install a salt system. The salt in the water will taste about the same as a tear drop, so it is not very strong. There is a myth about salt that it's maintenance free; this is not the case. Nothing about a pool is maintenance free so don't get caught up in that myth! Salt systems do cut down on the maintenance but you still have to check your chemicals every week. You also have to clean the salt cell once a month or when the salt system asks for it to be done.  This is not a feature on all salt systems. Ask your pool professional for assistance on this if you have never attempted it. It will involve taking the salt system off and using a muriatic acid solution to clean the blades. They get a build up on them,  even the so called "self cleaning"  ones still need to be cleaned, but not as often.

So to wrap up- why salt? Well, it is healthier for you and your body, you don't have to
handle a potentially dangerous chemical, and you will save money in the long run. As an added benefit, your water will have a different sparkle to it. A salt system is a great addition to any pool above ground and in ground.

Tree Farm progress

The fire pit, nearing completion. The vista, as is.

So, every day we make more progress at the tree farm. You might wonder (if you're late to the conversation), what is the point of the tree farm (duh, besides growing trees)? Our point is this: we are becoming a retail source for trees! If you have questions on tree care, give Mike a call. If you need a tree replacement or just want to browse, drive in. We are located in the Wakarusa Valley- it is truly a special place. A simple creek/ river valley with an amazing vista.... It has naturally dense clay soil, as do most of our yards around here. That is one of the wonderful parts about buying a tree from a local grower- this tree is already successfully acclimated to our soil! No transplant shock (a little, but much less than if you plant a tree directly from Oregon), roots established in native soil!

Royal Raindrops Crabapple, budding out.

Our long range plan is take our design clients to the farm, so they can see and feel samples of stone, shrubs, flowers and trees. They can see how their designs will look and get an idea of the level of our craftsmen. Visit our website for hours of the tree farm and the location. Also, Mike has a (mostly) complete list of trees available on our website as well. You can start to make a wish list and then come in to consult any of us on the wisdom of your choices! (ha ha) I can't say this enough but we have bulk mulch, compost, rock for sale to the public. You can have us deliver or you can pick it up yourself (for smaller amounts). It is fairly economical- check the site for prices as well!
Enjoy this spring! The redbuds are about to burst...