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Top 10 Pool & Spa Products of 2015

As 2015 comes to an end, we've decided to re-visit our manufacturer's hottest products of the year. These products have been well received by pool dealers and service companies alike. Without further ado, we present the hottest pool and spa products of 2015!

1.     Merlin SmartMesh

Merlin SmartMesh has benefits of both a solid and mesh safety cover.  Solid covers let no light through which prevents algae growth while mesh covers are much lighter than solid covers making it much easier to install and remove.

SmartMesh has a tight weave which will allow water and melting snow through while at the same time, blocking 99% of sunlight.  The SmartMesh cover filters out smaller debris than some pool filters (40 microns vs. 20-30 microns respectively)!  SmartMesh features the highest burst strength, tear strength and abrasion resistance. 

Bonus: It’s backed by a 15-year limited warranty.

SmartMesh is a cover we REALLY, REALLY LOVE, and so do you!  Thanks for making this our #1 cover, we’re glad you did!

FYI: Green was the number one selling color.

2.     Merlin Vinyl Liners

Merlin pool liners are custom-designed for your pool to provide the best possible fit and durability. Each liner is CAD-designed and custom manufactured to accommodate steps, angles, objects and unique configurations.

Merlin even has your seam covered. Our Silk Seam process creates a flat seam that's easy on your feet and less likely to catch sediment and debris.

The most ordered liner patterns of 2015 were North Beach and Cambridge Tile!

3.     CMP Brilliant Wonders Waterfall

These are beautifully lighted, out of water accents at night and waterfalls during the day.  They come complete with rock trap and are front end serviceable (easy access)! They are available in four colors up to 8’ long! They're hard not to love...

PS: New for 2016 is its stand alone capability or having the ability to sync with major manufacturers LED products by using new Smart Sync!  Sync up with Hayward, Pentair or Jandy control systems!  Read more about Smart Sync Here.

4.     Jet Array Inline

A new type of in-spa jetting.  Now, with JetArray Inline you add more jets with less pump and no noisy blower.  It is FULLY functional at depths to 6’ and can be used on the floor and can be combined for huge WOW factor!

5.     Grand Effects Fire Pits – Tuscano Water Bowl and Escala Fire Pit

Grand Effects has built a strong brand name within the pool and spa industry and they continue to deliver well engineered, beautiful features for commercial and residential properties.  This year we had HUGE sales in the Tuscano fire water bowls and Escala fire pits.

Tuscano Fire Water Bowl Escala Fire Pit

Download the full Grand Effects catalog here.

6.     ChemLink Adhesives

This line was brand new to us this year and WOW has word spread quickly! 

M-1 All purpose adhesive and sealant – multiple uses, should be on EVERY serviceman’s truck.  M-1 is great for tile repairs and underwater crack repair of virtually any material found in our industry (though, not suitable for plumbing or tank repairs).  With M-1, you can repair cracked skimmer housings without draining the water!  Watch it skin over in 15 minutes.  It’s also, recommended for underwater expansion joints.

Novalink SL Pool and Spa Deck Joint Sealant – white (28 oz tubes only) and dark gray (2-liter pouches only) were introduced mid year.  You don’t need 3 days of good weather to seal deck joints anymore; in fact, a little moisture actually HELPS this product start to cure!  5 colors now available and samples available by request – please ask, you won’t be disappointed. Non-Sag versions of NovaLink  are available in numerous colors as well.

In addition to the quality of the product, the customer service is amazing!  They have a liberal product exchange after 60 days and an easy opening order with free display rack! 

Contact us for more details.

7.     Jack’s Magic Super Pacs

New for 2015, were an industry first – Powdered enzymes!

Super Pacs available in retail and bulk packaging.  These little packets handle organic loads in a convenient dissolving pouch every 2 weeks – 50 ppm chlorine tolerant and makes your pools POP – it’s noticeable!

Another product we can’t go without listing was the Jack’s Magic Stain ID Kit.  The kit has seen excellent sales thanks to retailers and service companies alike.  You use the kit to figure out what the problem is before spending money on a solution that might not even work!  It’s a no-brainer.

If you would like to learn more about Jack’s Magic, please contact us – we’d be happy to educate you on the benefits of this great product!  We can schedule a training seminar at your store or in the field and/or send you samples upon request.

8.     Intermatic MultiWave PE653

The MultiWave is a simple, affordable, easy to install pool and spa control system.  Used for automated control of either pool or spa equipment – retro fit or new construction.

For information on specific pool needs, installation guides, wiring diagrams, and more go to Checkfrank.com

9.     Jacuzzi Above Ground Pool Light

Introduced in 2015 but, making its US debut in 2016 is the Starbright LED light for AG pools.  Competitive pricing in both color (with remote control) and white (no remote), replaces the return fitting and provide bright (VERY Bright!) lighting for AG pools – both new and retrofit.

Keep an eye out this year:

A new brand identity will be launched in 2016; Jacuzzi by Carvin will usher in a new era for Carvin Pool Products.

They have more aggressive pricing on above ground equipment packages which are stronger than the big boys and they’re NOT ALL OVER THE INTERNET!  

10.  Little Giant LCT Motor Trash Pumps

This year (2015), Little Giant introduced LCT motors on the popular, low priced Red Lion Engine Drive Semi-trash and Full Trash pumps.  LCT motors have a 2-year warranty and a nationwide service center network for warranty.

These pumps have created quite a stir of interest in the industry!

Upcoming in 2016:

TheraSauna

New for 2016 is the Sun Rich sauna line featuring the industry’s most popular sizes and features and will NOT be available online!

Intermatic Counter Days

Intermatic is launching a marketing campaign where there will be a counter day at every pool and spa distributor center.  They're going to enhance awareness about their latest products and packages such as their surge protection wireless control systems.

CMP Smart Sync LED Lights

Smart Sync just came out a couple months ago.  CMP will be showing these at the Atlantic City show.  Until then, you can learn more about Smart Synch here.  These are going to TAKE OFF in 2016!

Merlin Liner Patterns for 2016

Merlin will be introducing their new liner patterns in January 2016!

Grand Effects New Concrete Color Selection and Fire Tables!

We are so excited about both the expansion in color choices and these beautiful fire tables.

Mortex Brack-It Form

Mortex joined our product line in the middle of 2015; but we’re sure this is going to be on our hottest product list next year!  New Brack-It cantilever In ground forms system yields HUGE savings vs the competition, in both time and money!  We’re super excited about it.  

We hope you enjoyed our re-cap!  Feel free to leave us a comment about your experiences with any of the products above.  If there’s anything you’re interested in learning more about, please contact us. 

You can find a list of all of our represented manufacturers here. (link) 

Here’s to 2016, cheers!

Put a Lid On It with Thermo-Light - The ONLY Free Form Spa Cover

Thermo-Light is a free form spa cover that keeps the heat in and the leaves out.  Thermo-light is a great option for large spas that regular foam cover would be too heavy or cannot be installed.  CSC is the only manufacturer of the free form cover, Thermo-Light.

Quality Features:

-    - Marine-grade top vinyl and specially formulated inner foam core
- Large-weave mesh bottom ensures that cover skin will not retain water
- Shape & measurements of your spa or in-ground hot tub are utilized with CAD design system to fabricate a perfect-fitting floating cover
- Designed for heat retention and debris prevention 

     Please  Note: will retain heat and prevent debris, but will not support weight during use.

Below are some examples of spas Thermo-Light would be perfect for!

Pool Decks Made Easy!!!

Blithe Sales has been chosen to represent Mortex, a manufacturer of cantilever forms for vinyl, gunite, and fiberglass pool decks.  We are extremely excited to rep such an innovative company!

Mortex Background:

Mortex started servicing the swimming pool and spa industry with their first innovative product, Kool Deck® in 1962. Since then, Mortex has continued to innovate by producing the first:

•   Cantilever deck form
•   Disposable cantilever deck form
•   Plastic anchoring system for cantilever forms
•   Multicolored PVC Control Joint and Drainage products
•   PVC water stop
•   Premixed decorative toppings for the deck industry
•   Engineered a bonding agent for adhering Kool Deck or Marquee existing concrete

This cantilever deck form is an AWESOME tool for our pool builders and concrete workers – check out the videos and see for yourself! Please contact your Blithe Sales rep for more information and check with a distributor near you for this amazing product!

Vinyl Liner Installation

Fiberglass Installation

Gunite Installation

Color Seal H2O is Here To Protect & Seal!

If you’re looking to enhance and protect new or existing concrete surfaces be sure to check into ICT Color Seal H2O.  It protects interior and exterior concrete and properly prepared asphalt. It is ideal for commercial and residential patios, pool decks, walkways, garage floors, and driveways.

Color Seal H2O is the professional choice in water-based color sealers for a variety of reasons including: its unique blend of 100% non-brushing, deep penetrating, and true acrylic resin; It’s a breeze to apply, very durable, environmentally friendly and very easily cleaned; It resists water and UV damage.
 This product is available in 1 or 5 gallon buckets.

 FEATURES & BENEFITS:

• QUICK DRYING 
• DURABLE 
• ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY 
• SUPER ADHESION 
• EXCELLENT WEATHER ABILITY 
• COLOR STABILITY: Resistant to UV light CHLORINE & SALT RESISTANT 

 See Product Tech Sheet Here.

Available Colors:
AUTUMN TAN BEECHWOOD CABO BEACH DESERT SAND GRAYSTONE IRISH CREAM CARIBBEAN CREAM	KALUA CREAM MIDNIGHT MOCCA MONTEGO BAYGE NATURAL OCEAN SAND OYSTER	SOUTHERN CLAY SUNSET BLACK WHITE COLOR MATCHING ALSO AVAILABLE

How You Can Save Heaps of Time On Sealant Jobs

NovaLink SL is a sealant that can be used in many settings (garages, driveways, bathrooms, ect.) but ideal for sealing around pools and fountains – intentionally designed for especially damp conditions.*  It’s self-leveling properties give you a smooth finish that eliminates the need for tooling, will skin over within 30 minutes, and can be painted within 24 hours!

It’s rapid curing turns this sealant into a solid rubber seal that will accommodate 25 percent joint movement.

NovaLink is  solvent free, which means it is one hundred percent solid and will NOT shrink.  There is no outgassing when used on damp surfaces – so you can use it on any damp surface, even right after a rain shower. No need to wait! Our colors will not sun tan and will prove color stability for years to come. 

Packaging Options:

• 68 oz (2011ml) Pouch
  4 pouches/carton, 45 cartons/pallet
• 2 and 5 gallon pails, 20 oz sausages or 50 gallon drums available by special order only.

*HOW CAN THIS BE USED ON DAMP SURFACES?

Its unique polyether cure chemistry allows NovaLink SL Pool Deck Joint Sealant to be installed on damp concrete or in damp weather conditions without "outgassing" or forming CO2 bubbles, as urethane sealants often do.

HOW CAN THIS SAVE MONEY?

The elimination of masking tape and tooling results in a significant reduction in labor. NovaLink SL Pool Deck Joint Sealant is solvent free and will not shrink. Its excellent adhesion to clean masonry or concrete allows it to be installed without a primer in most joints smaller than 1/2 inch wide.

GREEN STANDARDS:

• Conforms to OTC Rule for Sealants
• Meets requirements of California Regs: CARB and SCAQMD
• Conforms to California Proposition 65
• Conforms to USDA Requirements for Non-food Contact
• LEED 2.2 for New Construction and Major Renovations: Low Emitting Materials (Section 4.1) 1 Point
• NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines: 5 Global Impact Points
• VOC Content: less than 19 grams liter ASTM D2369 EPA Method 24 (tested at 240°F/115°C)

How (Not) to Waste Money on Pool Chemicals

Pool season is quickly approaching, for some, it has already arrived!  It’s time for long lines at your water testing station and countless visits between your customers’ homes and the store, again and again…

No matter how long you’ve been in service or retail - you don’t know what you don’t know. You've all had a problem pool you couldn’t fix with the chemicals that were meant to fix them; some will remain as unsolved mysteries.  That is because looks can deceive you (haven’t you seen the black/blue or white/gold dress?)  A scale problem could look like a copper problem. And what about all those stains, you thought were caused by metals, which never went away after treating them for metal stains?

What would you say if we told you: “You don’t have to guess anymore!”; “You can do a better job and save time and a lot of money”; “Your customer will trust your expertise more than ever”?

You’d probably say, “How?”

The answer is the Jack’s Magic Stain Identification Kit.  If you’ve heard of it, you’ve heard great things!  THEY DON’T SELL CHEMICALS, THEY SELL SOLUTIONS. 

Here’s how it works:

You’ll set your water parameters to the specific settings instructed on the back of the box.  Make sure the water temperature of the area you’re testing is 65° or higher (that means the bottom of the pool, if that’s the area you’re testing). 

Don’t guess, just test!  You will save money on trial and error!  If you have any trouble using the Stain ID Kit, Jack’s Magic has a great customer service line which will talk you through the process.  As long as you’ve followed the directions and you parameters are set to their specifications, they’ll know which way the water chemistry will go.

If you’ve used Jack’s Magic in the past, feel free to comment on your experience!

You can become a Certified Stain Specialist (CSS) and be put into the Jack’s Magic database so homeowners can easily find you!  Contact Jack’s Magic to find out how you can become a CSS!