Here are the answers!

Q. WHY IS CASCADE ULTIMATE "THE BEST" POOL FOR MY FAMILY?

A. How about ... low or zero maintenance, no "pool slavery" to keep it maintained, far less pool chemical usage, (OZONE replaces up to 95% chlorine) much softer satin smooth interior on your children's feet, much faster installation times, fully insulated pool walls 90mm INFILLFOAM for maximum heat retention and lower heating bills - these are the things that add up to making your "pool experience" an enjoyable one ... and add up to CASCADE AQUALUX INTERIOR POOLS being "The Best Pools Money Can Buy"!

Experience and History! For a company to remain in business for nearly 40 years - they must be doing something right! Also - the pools are GREAT and Long Lasting! Beautiful Concrete Swimming Pools - and the AQUALUX interior pools are SUPERIOR to all other pool finishes ...

Q. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO INSTALL A CASCADE POOL?

A. The Building Approvals can take from one to several months to obtain. Once the Approval has been granted, depending on Crew Availability, we can usually start withing a week or two. The ULTIMATE pool shell usually takes less than Five Days from excavation to concrete placement, then there is a small wait for the pool copings and pool surrounds to be finished where specified during the 14 day "curing period" for the concrete.The interior is vacuum formed into the concrete shell for a permanent fit.

 

Q. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST FOR A CASCADE POOL?

A. The pool business is very competitive - with no Government Licencing of pool builders, there are a lot of "one man bands" out there who work very cheaply. An average fully equipped family pool (say - 4.5 x 9.0 meters) are usually around $30,000 to $40,000 - including $5,000 or more of GST - but can be quoted up to 15% less by some builders and 15% more by others. These builders do not normally include such items as: Engineer Plans & Specifications ($800 - $1,200), Excavation ($700 to $1,200), Automatic Chlorination ($1,200 to $3,500 for a "Salty"), water to fill the pool (In Auckland City it's $250! - and they use your water from your garden hose!) or Council Approval ($850 to $2,200).

 

Q WHAT ARE THE "HIDDEN EXTRAS"?

A. A Good Question! Cascade offers you a free WRITTEN QUOTATION which attempts to portray ALL the costs associated with a swimming pool project!

It's important to compare "apples with apples" - and some builders go to great lengths to hide the "final figure", which can often be 30% more than the "apparent" quotation. Cascade is not frightened to publish its list prices for all pool models, and will NEVER exceed these prices. The only "extras" are the few unknown costs which may be incurred - costs for which there is no easy answer before the work is done and charged for.

These include
(1.) Building Approvals: Gone are the days of the $500 Building Permit! Now (since the Building Act 2005) costs can vary widely as Councils grapple with the condifions of the Act. North Shore City (Auckland) charges $1975.00

(2.) Excavation & Soil Removal - we don't know in advance how much this is going to be, but allow $2,000 to $3,500 if the bulk of your soil must be removed - more if the trucks can't back up to the pool site and a secondary "bobcat" must be used to trundle soil out to the street!

(3.) Electrical Connection for the pump and pool lights - it varies from job to job, and most people have a local "sparkie" anyway, but allow $2,500 or so!

(4.) Underground Obstacles - we don't know what's down there until we dig the hole - and if we strike ROCK theremight be a cost to REBUILD the excavation as well as remove the offending rock! - allow $500 - $700 for the rebuild!

(5.) Tanker Fill water in rural areas,

(6.) Extraordinary Council costs, like Resource Consents, Bonds etc. if there is anything unusual about the site.

Q. I'VE SEEN POOLS ADVERTISED FOR $4,000 to $6,000 - HOW COME? and WHY IS THIS?

A. The most cost effective (read "cheapest") pools availaible are the ABOVE GROUND vinyl liner pools. These generally consist of a painted tin circular wall (sometimes a series of circles, forming an "oblong") and a cheap vinyl liner. These pools are great for a "first pool" or those on a strictly limited budget. One well-known brand has sold more than 100,000 pools and is a great way to teach kids to swim.

Sometimes, these pools are "buried" in the ground to give the effect of a proper in-ground pool. Installing them this way can cost from $10,000 up to $16,000 - but they are not designed for this use, and are not intended by the manufacturer to be a "permanent" pool. Many people make the mistake of paving and landscaping over the top of the pool wall - making it impossible to refurbish the pool in 8 - 12 years time without massive works to remove the paving or decking. These pools are great, however, when used as intended - on top of the ground.

A Cascade pool is Engineered and designed to be installed "in-ground" and has an expected shell life of 50 years, and the Aqualux interior is expected to last 25 - 30 years (unconditional manufacturer's guarantee of 20 years)

Q. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REPLACE AN ULTIMATE POOL INTERIOR?

A. We expect the Aqualux Interior to last at least 25 years, so it's difficult to put a "future date" on the work of replacing it. In the 1970's we used .470 DUNLOP NYLEX interiors, and their service life averaged 17.5 years. The .577 Aqualux 770 in use from 1986 to 2000 was 30% thicker and has 20% more plasticiser than the Dunlop interior, so we are confident they will outlast the earlier ones. The latest NYLEX AQUALUX 770 interiors are .75mm and will last 25 - 30 years of normal use! To replace a '70's Dunlop liner from - say - a 1975 model pool would cost around $8,500 - $10,000 in today's dollars depending on how much of the surrounds are replaced as well (Many people do a complete upgrade at this time)

For comparison, a concrete pool with marble plastered interior would cost between $10,000 to $12,000 to renew depending on the scope of the work, tile replacement etc. and when a fibreglass pool has reached the end of its life the entire shell (costing around $15,000) would need to be replaced.

 


Q. WHAT IF SOMETHING "GOES WRONG" AND I NEED A SERVICE CALL OR ASSISTANCE?

A. Our 20 year interior and 25 year structure guarantee assures you of long lasting satisfaction! Every Cascade pool has a comprehensive warranty policy on the pool equipment and workmanship. The filtration plant has a ten year tank and five year pump guarantee, and a service call takes less than 24 hours, usually. We have a 12 hour 7day hotline (but, please, no calls after 6:00pm or before 6:00am - we need our sleep) and daily email response. Every Cascade pool buyer is automatically enrolled in the Pool Club - and need ever pay retail again for pool chemicals or equipment. Many "one man bands" are impossible to get to come back after you have paid the final account. Not Cascade! We care about our customers, and really look after them!

Q. WHY IS IT CALLED A "VINYL LINER POOL", WHEN IT'S MOSLY MADE FROM CONCRETE?

A. "Vinyl liner Pool" describes the interior only! When you say " Concrete pool" you are referring to the basic structure of the shell, which we then coat with a plaster mix. Presumably, our concrete pools should be called "Plaster Pools" Equally a "fibreglass pool" describes the basic shell structure of resin reinforced glass fibres. In both of these cases, the "Name" describes the structure of the pool. Accordingly - WE should be called a "Steel Reinforced Concrete Pool" as the term "Vinyl Interior" or "Vinyl Liner" simple refers to the interior surfacing of the pool. To make the "playing field level" you should call these other pools "Gel-coat Pools" (Fibreglass with its gel coat) or Marble Plastered pool (Concrete with its Marblesheen interior)

Q. WHAT IS THIS "INFILLFOAM" AND - HOW WILL IT SAVE ME MONEY?

A. All pools will give off heat to the surrounding backfills they are installed in - especially where there is a high water table which "steals away" the heat and cools the pool down. This translates to two things: (1.) The cost of heating is much greater, and (2.) Your pool is much cooler than it can be. CASCADE ULTIMATE pools are fitted with INFILLFOAM - a 90mm thick Polystyrene Insulation that fits down behind the pool walls to seperate the pool from the backfill. This ensures a maximum heat retention for the pool, thus cutting heating costs (where a heater is fitted) and/or ensuring a "warmer" pool for your enjoyment!

Q. ARE THERE LESS BUILDING MATERIALS IN A CASCADE ULTIMATE POOL THAN A CASCADE SPRAYED SHOTCRETE CONCRETE POOL?

A. By weight of materials, the average sprayed concrete pool has approximately 12 meters of spraymix and half a tonne of steel reinforcing - total material weight of around 12 to 14 tonnes. By comparison, a CASCADE ULTIMATE pool has around 8 to 10 tonnes of structural materials. A fibreglass pool weighs around 700 to 900 kgs, and will usually be backfilled with a cement additive backfill - adding 3 or 4 tones to on-site materials.

Q. HOW LONG HAS CASCADE BEEN BUILDING POOLS IN NEW ZEALAND?

A. Cascade AQUALUX interior pools have been constructed in New Zealand continually since 1971 -or nearly four decades - more than 8,000 beautiful "Cascade" pools have been installed - more than any other brand of inground swimming pool! Not only are we the "Oldest" pool company, but we have built the "Most" swimming pools!

Q. WHAT IS AN "AQUALUX" LINING AND WHY IS IS SUPERIOR AS AN INTERIOR FINISH?

A. The Australian manufactured .770mm Aqualux pool lining made of Chlorinated PVC Thermoflex - the same as a Fibreglass pool (except F/G pools are "thermoset" PVC and cannot be recycled) and is totally inert, is a superior MAINTENANCE FREE interior finish to a swimming pool, and being more durable than other types of interior surfacing, is better than paint or marble plaster. An added bonus is Algae resistance due to impregnation with SANITISING agents during manufacture. The HUGE RANGE of Marble "look-alike" patterns in many colour choices will bring life to your garden!

Q. ANOTHER POOL SALESMAN TOLD ME MY DOG WOULD RIP THE LINING?

A. Dogs are welcome to swim in Cascade pools and will normally not rip the interior with their paws while getting out of the pool but we install walk-out steps, so if your dog is a regular swimmer show him where they are! Just remember - a dog is a natural "Dirt Magnet", and while we all love them, they are 100 times more unsanitary than humans!

Not only that, you only have to see the scum floating on the pool surface after Rover (or Rovette) has been swimming to realise that a pool is a great recreational source for humans, but the dog should be left on the lawn. Keep your pool clean for you & your kids! Dogs do not normally swim for recreation in nature, but can of course be trained to fetch from water ( ie Golden Retrievers). The Fencing Act of 1987 says that the pool should be safe from straying children and dogs! So ensure that neither can "accidentally" fall in the pool while no adults are present!

Q. WHAT OTHER THINGS CAN DAMAGE THE INTERIOR?

A. Jewellery such as Diamond Rings, Bangles etc. and drinking glasses or barbeque implements dropped inadverdantly will not damage the interior during normal use of the pool - although it's safer to use acrylic glasses outdoors anyway for your own safety! Aqualux 770 is so tough that no human being could even tear a 2" wide strip in half! As for damaging the liner in other ways, just be sure to keep spear-guns, knives, harpoons, swords, and other weapons out of the pool, and you will have no problems! If anything did ever damage the interior, it can be quickly repaired underwater without emptying the water out!

Remember, your pool (and the Liner) is covered under your Household Insurance Cover - so have no more fears about accidental damage than you would lie in bed worrying about the possibility of a window being broken!
That's what you pay the Insurance Company to worry about!

Q. WHAT ABOUT SHRINKING SOIL - MY LAWN HAS CRACKS IN SUMMER?

A. The Cascade Aqualux pools will FLEX ... and hence are ESPECIALLY SUITED to the cracking CLAY type soil conditions often encountered in Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand where ground actually SHRINKS AWAY from pool walls - causing added stress which can damage inferior pool designs.

Q. CAN I HAVE A SALT POOL INSTEAD OF "CHLORINE"?

A. Salty Chlorinators use 12 volt electricity to seperate the sodium chloride "liquid chlorine" out of the salty water and in effect are not much different from using other types of chlorine. The downside (In New Zealand) is the rainfall! Averaging 1.2m to 2.0m (48" to 84") a year it is three to four times as much as London, England! This means a lot of your salt water goes down the drain each year, and must be topped up with 3 or 4 heavy (25Kg ) bags each year.

Other problems with "salt chlorinators" is (i) "Voltage Leak" whereas a certain amount of DC current is "lost" into the pool water causing a "electric shock" potential to swimmers if the pool is not properly earthed, and (ii) "splash - out" of saline pool water which wrecks the surrounds, and far more serious (iii) the high production of Sodim Hydroxide, which has a very high pH (14) You must continually lower the pH with Acid - preferably Sodium Bi-Sulphite NaHSO3 A.K.A. Granular Acid (not Hydrochloric Acid as it kills the alkalinity as well!) - so all in all the "salty" has pretty much seen its day when you compare it with modern products such as the Cascade "Ozone/Aquagenie" system which is included "free of charge" with the Ultimate range Cascade swimming pool.

PS - Cascade pioneered the early development of Salt Chlorinators, with the introduction in 1973 of the "Aquatech CL450" which was sold in those days for $695.00 - when a 50Kg drum of Chlorine cost only $50.00! - about the equivalent of $5,000 today! Today, Saltys are "pretty old" technology, and people can't be bothered with the extra work they create and extra chemicals they require to keep them servicable. Refer to this link for more http://www.cascade.co.nz/SaltWater2009.htm

Q. WHAT ABOUT MAGNESIUM BASED STERILISATION AGENTS"?

A. "Salt" chlorination uses the chloride of sodium to create chlorine, so if the saline solution is substituted with a solution of magnesium chloride and potassium chloride using a similar process of electrolysis you will produce a precursor to chemicals such as magnesium hydroxide (also referred to as Milk of Magnesia) and magnesium sulfhate (epsom salts). Potassium chloride is better known as a plant food ("muriate of potash,") or fertiliser, and is proclaimed as "suitable growth agent for gardens when backwashing the pool filter" so it's usefulness in deterring the growth of Algea in a swimming pool must be questioned. There is also the issued of "Voltage Leak" (see CAN I HAVE SALT INSTEAD OF CHLORINE ABOVE).

These devices are relatively new to the residential swimming pool market, so we need more time - and customer comments - before we can draw a conclusion on whether they are useful)

Q. I AM ALLERGIC TO CHLORINE - THE SMELL MAKES ME ILL!

A. Chlorine is a almost colourless, odourless gas. The "smell" of "chlorine is actually the gas (CHLORAMINE) produced by an incomplete oxidisation of nitrogenous matter due the the LACK OF CHLORINE in the swimming pool! A properly BALANCED POOL will not have this smell, and you are unlikey to be affected by a clean and sterile pool! Cascade's use of OZONE elimiates 90% of the need for chlorine!

Q. WHAT, EXACTLY, IS CHLORINE?

A. Chlorine is a member of the HALOGEN family of chemicals. This family is well documented as being the most suitable chemicals that are safe to use by human beings in combating bacteria. When added to pool water, chlorine evolves into hypochlorous acid - a compund which eliminates nitrogeneous matter (plant life such as algae, skin flakes, perspiration, urine, bugs, etc.) by a process of oxidation.

Chlorine literally corrodes away the bad stuff! If insufficient chlorine is present to completely destroy the matter, another compound is formed - chlor-AMINE. This compound smells bad! - and is usually the one that give big brother chlorine a bad name! If you can SMELL CHLORINE - that's a sign that there is NO FREE CHLORINE in the pool! DON'T SWIM! Other Halogens include: Iodine, Bromine and Flourine. Most adults are familar with these as chemicals used in the treatment of cuts, sterilising Spa Pools, and flourine for treating drinking water.

Q. WHAT ABOUT OZONE?

A. Ozone (O3) is a very efficient killer of bacteria! Ozone generators available on the market include Flourescent Tube and Corona DIscharge types. The Corona Discharge type produces greater output than the Flourescent Tube types, but cost more to run, so Flourescent Tube units are more commonly used. The "kill rate" on bacteria is approximately 10 times as efficient as chlorine, the second runner-up in pool sterilisation. Ozone has mild effect on ALGAE, so you can have a wonderfully sterile pool that won't go a green colour! When Ozone is used in conjunction with the AQUAGENIE skimmer systems that Cascade employs, an added bonus is the ozone bubble stream is directed downwards (unlike other pool companies that may use ozone with water-level eyeball returns) so the ozone microbubbles stay in the pool much longer.

Q. WHY ARE POOLS SO MUCH TROUBLE TO KEEP CLEAN?

A. A properly BALANCED POOL is a breeze to keep clean! The basics of proper pool maintenance are as simple as 1-2-3-4! One - maintain a chlorine residual of .5 to 1.0 ppm, Two - maintain the pH at 7.6 - 7.8, Three - ensure a Calcium Hardness level of 200ppm, and Four - keep the Total Alkalinity of the pool 120 ppm. This is called a BALANCED POOL - in which you will have little or no further chemical maintenance requirements. Incidentally, the AQUAGENIE skimmer systems feed the QUADRACHLOR Tablets that keep these four chemicals in balance! (Quad .. get it?) and the OZONE units we use keep the water pristine!

Q. WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER POOL DEVICES ON THE MARKET?

A. There are many devices that claim to keep pools clear and sterile. Some work well, other's don't work very well. Generally speaking, chlorine is the only long term solution for those who want a simple pool care regime. Over the years we have supplied Ozone Generators, Simpure™ (Introduced by Cascade in the mid 1980's as the "Silverado" Ioniser, and re-developed by Tom Blythe into an effective sterilisation product), Baquacil™, Magnetic Devices, Copper and Silver electrodes and other devices that I have long forgotten. Ask someone who has one for their opinion. I use the Aquagenie + Ozone on my home pool.

WHY ARE SALT POOLS SO POPULAR?

A. Because CASCADE has the exclusive AQUAGENIE + OZONE system installed with every pool, other pool companies are envious - they must offer something "automatic" - and Salt is better than nothing! Salt, however is NOT AS GOOD as the Aquagenie system, and has safe chemical handling issues that you should be aware of!

Q. ARE THE CLAIMS MADE FOR SOLAR HEATING ACCURATE?

A. While it is true that solar energy is "free" - the cost of heating a swimming pool by this method is not free! There are several issues which must be considered. The solar panel location should be North facing with approximately 25 degree inclination. The panel area should equal the pool area. A Pump is necessary to raise the pool water to the panel system, and ideally a temperature differential set-up to tell the pump when to start (and stop). All of this is expensive, and should be compared with the cost and running costs for gas and electric heat pumps.

There are no "free lunches" - everything has a cost. You may find it more convenient to simply "throw a switch" in spring to heat your pool - rather than wait until the declination of the Sun reaches sufficient angle to work effectively with your solar set-up. Ideally a solar system should be used in conjunction with an alternative heat source that can take over when the sun is not shining (which, incidentally, is usually in mid summer, when you need it least!)

Q. SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT IF YOU EMPTY A SWIMMING POOL - IT WILL FLOAT!

A. A Cascade pool can be emptied, but under normal circumstances this is not necessary. Concrete and fibreglass pools are more suceptible to damage if they are emptied than a Cascade pool! The Cascade pool interior is smooth and sanitary, so never needs to be emptied for cleaning. Chlorination will keep the water sanitary, and filtration will keep it clear! The interior will not chip, crack or peel within its expected lifetime, and the pool may be emptied (under Cascade’s supervision) if required for some unusual reason you may have - but this is not normal. Every Cascade pool is constructed with multiple heavy duty BRACE ASSEMBLIES which are fully concreted into place to ensure the pool will NOT collapse if emptied, and tied into the PLASTERED CEMENT FLOOR to form a solid pool shell.

Q. HOW GOOD ARE THE INTERIORS & HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?

A. We switched to NYLEX .77mm AQUALUX   in 1998 - and as a result we were able to increase our Manufacturing Guarantees to TWENTY Years! The average age for the original .47mm NYLEX liners turned out to be 17.5 years (they originally carried a Ten Year Guarantee) and we assess that the upgraded thickness to .77mm and better quality control will mean a 25 year average before a replacement liner is due!

This FAR EXCEEDS anything any other pool type can claim ... SPRAYED CONCRETE INCLUDED!

Q. WHAT ABOUT OTHER "LINER" POOLS - ARE THEY AS GOOD AS CASCADE?

A. We build a CONCRETE pool, and just happened to include the Aqualux interior after twent years of experience with all interior types! As far as our poools are concerned, compare "apples with apples". The various "above ground" pools that are available do not in any way compare with the quality and construction of a Cascade swimming pool - even though there has been a recent trend to "bury" these pools thus giving the illusion of an in-ground swimming pool - except it's NOT! There are other in-ground VINYL liner pools but none follow our proven construction designs.

The way we install the Cascade pool liner is called "Registered" - the liner is made to the exact shape of the pool (and overlaps the top of the pool wall) and is Vacuumed or sandbagged into position without any stress. Other liner pool companies use "Hung" or "Stretched" liners - where the liner is smaller than the pool and the weight of the filling water "extrudes" the liner into the pool shape.

This almost guarantees a short liner life! Some even attach the liner to the pool wall beneath the water level making it a very difficult task to ensure the pool is watertight! The potential for leaks is eliminated by OUR PATENTED SYSTEM. (NZ Patent # 165757, 1972) any is the best way to ensure a watertight swimming pool.

Q, HOW DOES MAINTENANCE OF A CASCADE COMPARE TO OTHER POOL TYPES?

A. Cascade pools require less maintenance than either Concrete or Fibreglass pools, as the water balance - "the pH" remains constant, and does NOT require large doses of chemicals to alter the natural pH of the water - . This means LESS WORK for a "Cascade" pool owner! - and SMOOTH on kid's feet! In 1996 we introduced the patented AQUAGENIE POOL SKIMMER & FEEDER which has almost ELIMINATED tedious pool care chores! As your Cascade representative for a brochure on this amazing device. The other pool companies CAN'T BUY this item - which is manufactured by CASCADE USA for its Dealers. If for no other reason you would buy a pool ... AQUAGENIE is that reason! It gives you "Pleasure & Leisure, not Boring Chores!"

Q. WHAT ABOUT HEATING A CASCADE POOL?

A. Yes, Cascade recommends heating your pool for extended use. The use of a Heat Pump to heat the pool water which uses the "FREE HEAT" that is present in the atmosphere is recommended, and it costs less than Gas heater to operate. Other interesting systems include Solar Heating but solar energy is not generally available when you want it - in late Autumn or early Spring. Our INFILLFOAM walls cut heating costs by up to 80% over other pool types (meaning greater heat loss in non-Cascade pools)

With Gas or Heat Pump you can always "dial a temperature". With the thermostatically controlled Heat Pump, running costs for "extended seasons" seem to average $400 - $500 per season for 28 degree (C) - "warm water" extended swimming. The insulative nature of the Cascade construction method ensures that Cascade is the EASIEST AND CHEAPEST TO HEAT (Concrete pools are the worst!)

We have a strong Dealer Network which ensures that Cascade pools can be constructed to the same high standars almost anywhere in New Zealand! Apart from ourselves, Auckland ( our largest market) is served by two Authorised Dealers: Cascade Swimming Pools Limited and Cascade Pools Rodney Limited both of whom compete with each other (and us!) for the opportunity to build you a beautiful CASCADE SWIMMING POOL!

Counter reste 01.06.2012

"At Cascade, we accent the POSITIVE aspect of our swimming pools, and our ADVANTAGES over other types of construction. We do not want to knock the opposition, and prefer to refrain from commenting on any individual, company, or product with whom we may be in competition for your order. We do not want to lose your order because of unfair comments by our competitors, but will not be drawn into a free for all in running down our opposition, as it has no relevance to whom builds the better pool.

As New Zealand’s most experienced and respected Pool Company, we know that our product & history will speak for itself - and that no "critisism by the opposition" will reduce the quality of our product" ... Larry Ogden, Managing Director