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!

A Better Standard - New Dura-Mesh II Safety Cover

Merlin Industries has replaced their Dura-Mesh safety cover with the DuraMesh II.  Dura-Mesh II is Merlin’s NEW standard mesh safety covers.  It features an upgrade from a 5.7 oz. polypropylene mesh to 6.4 oz.  The looks will remain the same as the original Dura-Mesh, but the new material offers increased shade from 91% to 95%, increased abrasion resistance over the current standard, and higher burst and tear strength - this means less algae growth and better durability!  It will be available in green, black, blue, tan, and gray!

Dura-Mesh II is 33% thicker and 68% stronger than other standard mesh covers.  Its formulated polypropylene and nylon 2-ply webbing interconnected with a chemically and heat treated tentered 6.4 oz. polypropylene mesh. The webbing is connected to a stainless steel high tension spring with stainless steel loop buckle. The webbing is anchored to the deck by solid brass thread-type anchors.  American made stainless steel tension springs hook over machined-brass anchors set flush in your deck. Anchors lock and unlock easily with a special tool to prevent unauthorized removal.


To find a Dura-Mesh II dealer click here and place your order today!

Dura-Mesh vs. Dura-Mesh II

*Gray is available for the first time ever!

Everyone's Getting Bubbly Over CMP!

CMP is a manufacturer of white goods.  You may use their skimmers, baskets, fittings, scuppers, and more.  Not only does CMP have a great price point, but they also have been developing new products and are covering more of the market demands.  

The new water bubblers and waterfalls are an excellent addition to their product line and have become a HUGE hit amongst pool builders and home owners. They are available in two different versions, Natural Wonders and Brilliant Wonders - either will enhance the look of any landscape. The Natural Wonders collection has a natural look while Brilliant Wonders features LED lighting.  

Brilliant Wonders come with a waterproof color-wheel remote control with a touch screen color dial & LED indicator light which displays the color have set. You have the option to set the lights on one color or put on a light show where the colors change on a rotation automatically. You can even program a custom light show featuring your favorite colors! The remote can be used anywhere within a 90ft max range and can be recharged via USB - no batteries required!

Waterfalls

Brilliant Wonders:  Unlike similar manufacturers, CMP’s waterfalls have a side door access for easy servicing and wiring on the LED light strip and remains completely accessible even after the installation.  This is also the only waterfall with an LED strip installed directly into the unit.  By building the LED into the unit eliminates a separate light source.

The waterfall has a jagged edge saw tooth lip to break the water like river rapids, enhancing the color as the water falls into the pool.  It looks great at night or day!  CMP currently can make up to a 1 to 20 feet long waterfall.  

LED Strip and Saw Tooth Edge Close Up

Easy Access Door to LED Strip

Natural Wonders: For a more natural look, you can get the waterfall without the lED light strip.  CMP can custom cut the lip of the waterfall to give it either a concave or convex shape. These waterfalls are available from 1 to 8 feet.  All radius cut waterfalls are cut on demand in CMP’s GA location. They can and will build your custom waterfall - you can fill out a quote request online and a CMP rep will get back to you. 

Bubblers

Brilliant Wonders Bubblers

CMP has the perfect feature for your sun shelves, tanning ledges, beach entries, ponds, and more!  These easy to install bubblers can be flush mounted in gunite pool shelves, ponds, and fountains.  CMP also offers a VINYL AND FIBERGLASS POOL KIT which is the only pool bubbler available for vinyl, fiberglass, and gunite pools.  The bubblers feature 9 colors: white, aqua, blue, hot blue, bright green, jade green, yellow, pink, and purple.  They have 5 options of light shows: slow fade, medium cycle, patriotic, mardi gras, and disco.  See them in action here.

This Bubbler Device Can Even Be Used as a Pool Light!

Sconces

CMP also has impressive sconces.  Their sconces do not degrade overtime, the color is not a finish layer, it goes the way through.  CMP designed these pool features to pull the sound of falling water into a clean, crisp, relaxing sound paired with classic style.  These features are sure to  withstand the test of time!  See the full collection here.

Downloads for catalogs and products by CMP

Pool Covers Uncovered! SmartMesh, Your Pool's #1 Defense This Season!

When you decide to buy a pool, you’ll work with a “pool guy” and choose the  materials s/he decides to carry.  There are SO many small pieces that make up your pool and you will have NO idea where they came from or why they were chosen by your pool store.  Putting together the right pieces can make your pool safe, beautiful, and efficient.  

When it comes to pool covers, no pool store is going to carry every type/grade of cover available; they pick and choose cover manufacturers for varying reasons.  Out of the covers the store decides to bring in, they present you with your "options".

I have seen beautiful homes with beautiful pools and not so beautiful pool covers.  I didn't understand why some home owners would put so much money into creating a magnificent pool and then skimp on a decent pool cover!  The truth is, the better options were not available to the home owner.  In the scheme of things, you're spending thousands on this pool - what's an extra $200 or so upgrade for something that's really going to benefit your investment, time, and more importantly, keep your family safe?  You need to know the best so you can demand the best.

A safety pool cover should be in place for many reasons:
1) It protects people, children, pets and other animals (wild critters) from falling into the pool.
2) It protects your pool from junk that can land or blow into your pool, and possibly ruin the structure or create a hole in a vinyl liner or crack in fiberglass or concrete pools.
3) A cover saves you time when you open the pool in the Spring.  It keeps out leaves and other rubbish you will have to clean out at the beginning of the swim season.
4) It will conserve pool water which can be an expensive replenishment.

As wonderful as safety pool covers are, there are ADDED BENEFITS when you purchase a Merlin SmartMesh safety pool cover.  It is an industry innovation with exclusive mesh that lets water through while providing 100% shade to significantly reduce algae growth which will save you time when it comes to open your pool.  

The SmartMesh cover will filter debris as small as 40 microns - smaller than a grain of sand.  This means, as it lets water or melting snow through, it will keep dirt run off & debris on top the cover, blocking it from getting into your pool. The cover literally acts as a pool filter!  

SmartMesh is a light material, approximately 40% lighter than a standard solid cover - this makes it very easy to put on and take off.  While SmartMesh is lightweight, it features a high burst strength, tear strength, and is abrasion resistant. Competitors have been trying to copy this material but it's only available from Merlin Industries.   These one of a kind covers are backed by a 15 year warranty!


SmartMesh US Patent Number: 6,886,187 - 100% shade

This customer was very happy to see there was minimal algae when he opened his pool after a season of using SmartMesh!