On the 1st Day of Christmas....

On the first day of Christmas Hilltop Pools gave to me..
A meeting with the best pool designer, Matthew Miller
And a custom design to suit my needs.

Merry Christmas, From Hilltop Pools!

Twas the Night Before Christmas.....

Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their bed;
While visions of a swimming pool danced in their heads;
And mamma in her bikini and I in my Speed-o;
Stood in front of the mirror looking like a desperad-o,

While out in the backyard the giant excavator loomed;
Ready and waiting to start the big dig with a boom.
Away to the window we flew like a flash;
Dreaming of our beautiful backyard oasis where we saved some cash.

The sun shone down brightly illuminating what would be done,
Assuring us the pool location would get full sun.
What to my wondering eyes should appear then,
But trucks galore and eight strong, capable men.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
We knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

“Now, RUSTY! now, MATT! now, SHANE! and CHUCK!
On, LARRY! on BRIAN! on, BENNY! and TONY!
To the bottom of the hole! To the top of the deck and wall!
Now build away, build away, build away all!”

* * *

Our men may not look like Santa’s reindeer, but you can rest assured that your new swimming pool will be a holiday gift to remember.  Give us a call so we can tell you all about our Late Season Specials and how we can help you save money on your dream backyard.

The Hilltop Pools and Spas family want to wish each and everyone a safe and Happy Holiday season!

Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving!

Faced with the events of the last few weeks, the Hilltop Pools Family has MANY things for which to be thankful. At this time we wish to express our appreciation to all of our family, friends and Hilltop Family members for the thoughts, prayers and outreach.

Heavenly Father,

We thank thee for food, and remember the hungry.  We thank thee for health, and remember the sick.  We thank thee for freedom, and remember the enslaved.  May these remembrances stir us to service, that thy gifts to us may be used for others.

Amen.

WE WISH YOU A SAFE AND JOYOUS THANKSGIVING!

Swimming Pool Permitting in Georgia

Obtaining a building permit for a swimming pool used to be a simple chore, but we are finding the jurisdictions are enforcing very strict regulations, therefore, making the contractors and homeowners gather a great deal of information prior to obtaining a building permit.  Hilltop Pools and Spas, Inc. is well versed in the county and city jurisdictions here in Georgia.. 

We are here to provide insight and helpful tools to make the permitting process somewhat easier. 

1.      Make Sure You Give Yourself Enough Time: 

Most customers have a “completion date” in mind for their swimming pool.  Depending on what county or city you live in will determine how long the permitting process will take.  We have seen about 1 week to 6 months to obtain a permit.  Unfortunately, we are unable to give exact quotes/times on the permitting process because each jurisdiction is different.  If you would like to be swimming by the spring/early summer, we recommend signing the contract as soon as possible so we can obtain the permit and begin construction.

2.      Is Your Home on Sewer or Septic Tank?:

Septic Tank: If your home is on septic tank, we will have to obtain a copy of the septic drawing from the Environmental Health Department in your jurisdiction to determine where your tank and septic lines are located.  Most jurisdictions require a swimming pool to be 20 – 30 feet off of the septic tank/lines with a reserve area in your yard if the system were to fail.  If the septic system is in your backyard and you do not have enough room, we have a company we can recommend to move the lines.  We have many customers that must alter their system to build a swimming pool.  Once we determine the pool location, confirm your yard meets code and you decide to build a swimming pool, we have to obtain approval from the Environmental Health Department before we can submit to the Building Department.  This process usually takes about 1-3 weeks (+/-) as each jurisdiction is different.  We simply draw your pool design on the septic drawing we obtained from the county. 

Sewer:  If your home is on sewer, then in all counties (with the exception of Dekalb County), we can go straight to the building department with your design.

3.      Do You Have a Survey or Plat of Your Property?

A survey or plat is very important to swimming pool construction planning.  We are sure to explain this when a customer first inquires with our company.  Before you have a salesperson come to your home, you NEED to obtain a copy of your survey or plat and have this document ready for the appointment.  If you do not have a copy of the document, you can obtain one from your local Tax Assessors Office.

Why are these documents so important?

A plat or survey with the pool design drawn is what we submit to the Building Department to obtain the building permit.  We have to include set backs from your house and all property lines. 

Most surveys and/or plats also show us if you have any environmental issues in your yard.  Most recently, we have seen sanitary sewer lines, 100 year flood plains, 50 year flood plains, drainage easements, etc.  These would be considered environmental issues and more information must be provided if you have one of these items in your yard.  If you have one of these situations and you have provided us with a plat, you will most likely have to obtain an “as built” survey of your property with the environmental area staked off and noted on the survey.  Every situation is different and we try to be as clear as possible once we hear what the jurisdiction requires.  The worst case scenario would be a variance hearing. 

 “As Built Survey”

Some jurisdictions require an “as built” survey to build a pool.  We use this term quite a bit.   An as built survey is a drawing done of your property that contains all structures (your house, your driveway, sheds, garages, etc.).  Once the survey is done, we add the proposed pool to the survey to determine your impervious coverage.  This survey must contain a legal description.

Some jurisdictions that require an “as built survey” are Rockdale County, Dekalb County, City of Decatur, City of Alpharetta, City of Atlanta, City of Johns Creek, Fulton County and many more.

“Pre-Construction Inspections”

Many jurisdictions here in Georgia are requiring pre-construction meetings with inspectors.  The pre-construction meeting is mostly used to lay the pool out and to verify the pool location.  Some cities even require us to have a land disturbance meeting where the inspector tells us where to install silt fence and tree protect.  Each meeting is different as we navigate through the different county and city regulations. 

Regardless of the permitting issues that your particular home may incur, rest assured that Hilltop Pools has the experience and the professional staff to assist you every step of the way.

Call us to begin your swimming pool project today!

770-471-3889

The Staff of Hilltop Pools and Spas, Inc.

We Will Always Remember

Eleven years ago our lives were turned upside down and humanity witnessed the resolve and compassion of true American Heroes. Hilltop Pools & Spas, Inc. would like to honor these heroes today.  We are so thankful for the many acts of selfless service to others.   It takes a special individual to run toward danger knowing your action may require you to make the ultimate sacrifice. 

To the thousands of people who lost their lives on this day, we pray you have found peace in the arms of God.  To the First Responders, Firefighters, Police, Transit Workers and everyone else who acted heroically we “thank you”.  Also, we should all take a moment to remember the family members of those lost on September 11th.  Remember to live each day to the fullest never taking a moment for granted. 

Today is a day of Remembrance.  

 "Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary"

Isaiah 40:31

What Type of Finish Should I Select for My New Concrete Swimming Pool?

We receive many questions about the different types of concrete pool finishes.  This blog entry will provide information on the different types of pool finishes.

Over the past months we have talked about pool safety, how to keep your pool clean including the benefits of salt systems over traditional chlorine systems as well as the latest applications and equipment to make caring for your pool quick and easy.  We have discussed the pros and cons of concrete versus vinyl liner pools and posted a video about the Hilltop family.

  This week we are covering the different types of surfaces that can be applied to concrete pools.  Surface applications on pools have come a long way since the first pool in Mohenjo-Daro (the “Great Bath”) built in the 3^rd millennium.  That pool was lined with brick and covered with a tar-based sealant.  Today the pool owner has a variety of interior products to choose from.

For years the concrete shell of a swimming pool was covered with a standard white plaster.  But first let’s get a better understanding of what plaster is made from.  The National Plasterers Council defines plaster in their Seventh Edition Technical Manual as:

1.      A combination of cement, aggregate, and water, with or without other admixtures that when mixed thoroughly, placed properly and finished accordingly, form a desired decorative aesthetic that is maintainable and a watertight finish applied over the shell of the swimming pool. 

2.      A mixture consisting essentially of a cementitious material or materials, fine aggregate and water that forms a plastic mass.  When applied to a surface the mixture adheres to it and subsequently hardens.

Beyond classic white plaster is colored plaster; the coloring is achieved by mixing the plaster with additives called pigments to create various colors.  Something to consider when choosing colored plaster is that the characteristics of the hand troweled plaster will be more pronounced.  Keep in mind that some colors may tend to fade in time.  Also, despite that fact that you may see more color unevenness, streaks, check crack or crazing, these are not considered defects in the pool surface.

To create more interesting pools, surface applicators added quartz sand to the mixture.  Quartz is rock formed from cooling magna or molten rock.  The quartz is mixed with marble sand and pozzolans and polymers that help strengthen the mixture.  Quartz is a harder, skid resistant, textured surface.  Priced slightly higher than white/colored plaster, quartz offers a more durable surface.

Many people prefer a more natural looking pool, to achieve this plasterers use a product that has been infused with small pebbles.  These pebbles are mined all over the world and come in several sizes ranging from 1/2cm to 1/8cm and a variety of colors.  Pricing on a pebble finish is based on the size of the pebbles, the smaller the pebble the higher the price.  Also, certain pebbles are more difficult to find (bright blues, reds, blacks), so a darker color pebble will also increase the price.  Many client's are selecting the pebble application because of the longer warranties.

After shooting the plaster, mixed with the pebbles, the applicators then hand trowel the surface working it into a smooth finish.  As they apply pressure the tiny pebbles are compacted and pushed into the plaster mix.  At first the pebbles are not visible; this is because as they are troweling the mix, the water in the mixture is coming to the surface.  The water appears to be a milky color.  This is called the cream.   Once the walls are sufficiently worked they are rinsed with clear water and the pebbles become more visible. 

There’s one additional step in this application to bring out the brilliance of the pebble finish.  The day following the application, a diluted solution of Muriatic Acid is washed over the entire surface which brings out the natural color of the pebbles.   You can begin filling your swimming pool with water.

The photo below show how the pebbles appear in a pool with water.  The one below, with the umbrella sleeve almost appears to be a sandy beach.

 Another choice that homeowners have is something offered by Pebble Technology, Inc.  Bead Crete® is a product where solid, static; glass spheres have been mixed with the plaster to create a 3-dimensional effect.    The beads look great in natural and artificial light as the beads reflect  light  adding a shimmering effect to the water as if bringing it to life.  This is one way to get a little sparkle into your pool.

Because these pebble finishes are skid resistant, some people do not like they way they feel when sitting in a spa.  Wet Edge Technologies® has a solution for that.   They have developed a process where they use one product in the pool and then Primera Stone in the spa.  Primera Stone still gives the natural look that homeowners desire but it has been polished to a smooth finish.

Regardless of the type of finish you select for your concrete pool, remember that to keep your pool looking great and working properly it is VERY important for you to maintain proper water chemistry.   Check out our prior blogs for more information about water chemistry by clicking: http://hilltoppools.blogspot.com/2012/05/balancing-guidlines.html.

Have a Great Monday!

The Staff of Hilltop Pools and Spas, Inc.



Our Feature from Home and Style TV!

Hilltop Pools and Spas, Inc. was featured on Home and Style TV over the weekend.  Enjoy!