Hiring a Swimming Pool Designer VS a Structural Engineer to design your new swimming pool project?
Creativity
Let's face it, most structural engineers have the creativity of a bag of sand. While useful for a specific purpose, their usefulness in developing a creative or innovative design is limited. Engineers are focused on what holds it all together.
Designers usually have a background in the elements of design, such as materials, textures, color, scope and scale. Their plan will have placed thought behind the seasonal sun and shade patterns, prevailing winds, lines of sight, foot traffic patterns and peering eyes of the neighbors. An educated designer will bring their decades of experience and education about fountains, pools and architectural history into play. While the engineer will rely on their computer and sliderule.
Designer
A designer that does not have a background in building pools, may come up with unique ideas, but will have no idea if they are even feasible or able to be built. You may become excited about an element of the design, only to be told that it cannot be done.
A creative and experienced designer with decades construction experience will be able to develop a project that meets a clients needs, as well as being functional, practical and executable. When faced with engineering challenges, they will be able to suggest to the structural engineer options for maintaining economical feasibility.
Best of Both Worlds
How do you get the best of both worlds? Hire an experienced swimming pool designer/builder to consult on the creation of your design. The completed architectural drawings are then sent to the structural engineer.
The structural engineer is utilized to detail the concrete and steel to hold it all together.
Creativity, functionality and durability meet.
Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at:
info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220.
Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com.
All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013.
All rights reserved.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Spalling Glass Tile Mosaics Expert Witness
Cracking glass tile mosaics investigated by expert witness Paolo Benedetti
Shards of Glass
Imagine walking into the shower or steam bath, onto hundreds of shards of glass... Not the way anyone I know wants to start their day! Now imagine being greeted by shards of glass on the floor every single morning!
I was asked to investigate a product liability issue of fracturing glass tile in a steam shower. The contractor was being accused of installing the tiles incorrectly - tiles the homeowner provided. It turns out the tiles were installed correctly. The problem was the glass mosaic tiles themselves!
Why?
Glass mosaic tiles at rest will assume a temperature close to that of their environment. However, when subject to a blast of hot water or steam, the surface temperature is instantaneously increased. All the while, the middle and back of the tile are still at the room temperature.
The sudden expansion of the surface layer of glass, causes it to explode. Small divots of glass, like those caused from the impact of a projectile, pop off of the surface... and onto the floor.
Name Brand Designer
These tiles, while from a name brand designer who licenses her name for use on various products, are actually made in China. And surely from dubious quality raw materials and under loose quality control standards.
Prevention
How do you prevent from becoming the victim of such inferior glass tile mosaics? First, think thin. The thinner a tile is, the faster it can respond to changes in temperature. The chances of such fracturing is diminished significantly.
Inquire if the tiles are rated for thermal shock to the extremes they may be subject to in a steam bath or shower (especially if you have a "instant hot" shower).
Or, obtain a sample and perform some rudimentary testing of your own at home. Heat them in an oven to the temperature of the steam bath and then submerge them into 75-80ºF water. Or chill them and then drop them into boiling water. Be sure to to protect yourself with the appropriate safety gear. If they crack... maybe you should delve deeper into their suitability.
Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220.
Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com.
All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013.
All rights reserved.
Shards of Glass
Imagine walking into the shower or steam bath, onto hundreds of shards of glass... Not the way anyone I know wants to start their day! Now imagine being greeted by shards of glass on the floor every single morning!
I was asked to investigate a product liability issue of fracturing glass tile in a steam shower. The contractor was being accused of installing the tiles incorrectly - tiles the homeowner provided. It turns out the tiles were installed correctly. The problem was the glass mosaic tiles themselves!
Why?
Glass mosaic tiles at rest will assume a temperature close to that of their environment. However, when subject to a blast of hot water or steam, the surface temperature is instantaneously increased. All the while, the middle and back of the tile are still at the room temperature.
The sudden expansion of the surface layer of glass, causes it to explode. Small divots of glass, like those caused from the impact of a projectile, pop off of the surface... and onto the floor.
Name Brand Designer
These tiles, while from a name brand designer who licenses her name for use on various products, are actually made in China. And surely from dubious quality raw materials and under loose quality control standards.
Prevention
How do you prevent from becoming the victim of such inferior glass tile mosaics? First, think thin. The thinner a tile is, the faster it can respond to changes in temperature. The chances of such fracturing is diminished significantly.
Inquire if the tiles are rated for thermal shock to the extremes they may be subject to in a steam bath or shower (especially if you have a "instant hot" shower).
Or, obtain a sample and perform some rudimentary testing of your own at home. Heat them in an oven to the temperature of the steam bath and then submerge them into 75-80ºF water. Or chill them and then drop them into boiling water. Be sure to to protect yourself with the appropriate safety gear. If they crack... maybe you should delve deeper into their suitability.
Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220.
Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com.
All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013.
All rights reserved.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Clouding and discoloration behind glass tile mosaics
With glass tile mosaics increasing in popularity, so have the complaints about dark spots, discoloration, clouding and color rendition.
Installation Practices
Proper installation practices for glass tile mosaics are time consuming and expensive. The cost for labor and setting materials in a pool or fountain can run from $35-100 per square foot - not including the cost of the tile!
In an effort to bring the installation costs of glass tile in a swimming pool within reach of those with limited means, many installers take shortcuts. These shortcuts include direct setting tiles, bonding them to incompatible substrates, using inferior setting materials or rushing the installation.
Published Standards
In 2005, in response to many consumer complaints and installation failures, the tile industry created minimum standards for glass tile installations. This committee was comprised of glass tile manufacturers, manufacturers of setting materials and tile installation contractors. The results were the 2005 ANSI Standards A108.14 - A108.16 - Practices for the Installation of Glass Tile Mosaics.
These standards were promptly adopted by the Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA).
In fact, CTIOA has since promoted the ANSI standards as the ONLY acceptable methods of installing glass tiles. http://www.ctioa.org/pdf/2008-8-12_Glass_Tile_Report.pdf
Some third world and foreign tile manufacturers publish installation instructions that conflict with these standards. Installation contractors need to be aware that failing to follow accepted and published industry standards will make them liable in the event of any installation failures.
The bottom line is that the installer needs to follow the most stringent standards that apply to their installation. YES, that is even if a manufacturer allows for a faster, cheaper and easier method.
Trapped Moisture and Voids
Moisture, voids or blemishes behind translucent (see through) glass tile mosaics will show through the tiles as a discoloration. The discoloration can be spot behind a single tile, a random assortment of tiles or an entire installation. They are unpredictable, occur randomly and may only affect a small portion of a project.
Voids, trapped moisture and blemishes occur behind the tiles from the following installation errors and mistakes:
Testing
There are tests that expert witnesses utilize when investigating complaints of discoloration behind translucent glass tile mosaics. These tests analyze the visible color variations, composition of the setting materials, sheer strengths (pull off resistance) and moisture contents.
Samples removed for testing must remain in the same condition as when they were installed. If they were under water, they must remain wet. Allowing the samples to dry out will change the characteristics of the sample, rendering their evaluation useless in determining the cause.
Learning Process
The final result of any project evaluation, should be the education of the party responsible for the installation. Incorrect installation procedures, improper setting materials or a combination of them, are responsible for most complaints of discoloration.
Installers have been known to blame minerals in the water, airborne mold spores and poor pool water chemistry for causing these discolorations... anything but owning up to their misgivings.
Through strict adherence to the published installation standards and practices, you can be guaranteed a flawless glass tile mosaic swimming pool.
Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at:
info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220.
Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com.
All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013.
All rights reserved.
Installation Practices
Proper installation practices for glass tile mosaics are time consuming and expensive. The cost for labor and setting materials in a pool or fountain can run from $35-100 per square foot - not including the cost of the tile!
In an effort to bring the installation costs of glass tile in a swimming pool within reach of those with limited means, many installers take shortcuts. These shortcuts include direct setting tiles, bonding them to incompatible substrates, using inferior setting materials or rushing the installation.
Published Standards
In 2005, in response to many consumer complaints and installation failures, the tile industry created minimum standards for glass tile installations. This committee was comprised of glass tile manufacturers, manufacturers of setting materials and tile installation contractors. The results were the 2005 ANSI Standards A108.14 - A108.16 - Practices for the Installation of Glass Tile Mosaics.
These standards were promptly adopted by the Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA).
In fact, CTIOA has since promoted the ANSI standards as the ONLY acceptable methods of installing glass tiles. http://www.ctioa.org/pdf/2008-8-12_Glass_Tile_Report.pdf
Some third world and foreign tile manufacturers publish installation instructions that conflict with these standards. Installation contractors need to be aware that failing to follow accepted and published industry standards will make them liable in the event of any installation failures.
The bottom line is that the installer needs to follow the most stringent standards that apply to their installation. YES, that is even if a manufacturer allows for a faster, cheaper and easier method.
Trapped Moisture and Voids
Moisture, voids or blemishes behind translucent (see through) glass tile mosaics will show through the tiles as a discoloration. The discoloration can be spot behind a single tile, a random assortment of tiles or an entire installation. They are unpredictable, occur randomly and may only affect a small portion of a project.
Voids, trapped moisture and blemishes occur behind the tiles from the following installation errors and mistakes:
- the bondcoat skins over before the tiles are set (poor bond, loose tiles & voids)
- using the improper direct bond (two step) installation method
- notches left in bondcoat
- too thin of a bondcoat
- utilizing dark colored grouts - which are visible through the sides of translucent tiles
- insufficient embediment into bondcoat
- too much water in the bondcoat
- ground water weeping into the shotcrete from the soil
- grouting too soon after setting (the back buttering with grout method may in fact trap moisture)
- insufficient curing of the mortarbed (leveling bed)
- a bondcoat that experiences shrinkage (and results in voids)
- utilizing grey cements -which darkens when wet and will be visible through the sides of the tiles if allowed to ooze up between them
- failing to install a waterproof membrane
- filling the pool too soon
- failing to shade the tiles from the sun prior to filling the pool
- failing to protect the pool from rain (or snow or irrigation water prior) to filling the pool
Testing
There are tests that expert witnesses utilize when investigating complaints of discoloration behind translucent glass tile mosaics. These tests analyze the visible color variations, composition of the setting materials, sheer strengths (pull off resistance) and moisture contents.
Samples removed for testing must remain in the same condition as when they were installed. If they were under water, they must remain wet. Allowing the samples to dry out will change the characteristics of the sample, rendering their evaluation useless in determining the cause.
Learning Process
The final result of any project evaluation, should be the education of the party responsible for the installation. Incorrect installation procedures, improper setting materials or a combination of them, are responsible for most complaints of discoloration.
Installers have been known to blame minerals in the water, airborne mold spores and poor pool water chemistry for causing these discolorations... anything but owning up to their misgivings.
Through strict adherence to the published installation standards and practices, you can be guaranteed a flawless glass tile mosaic swimming pool.
Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at:
info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220.
Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com.
All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013.
All rights reserved.
Glass Tile Mosaics Using Direct Set Method
The Direct Set Method of installing glass tile mosaics IS NOT an approved method.
What is the Direct Set Method?
The Direct Set Method (aka: two step method) is an economical and rapid installation method, reserved for ceramic or stone tiles. After installation and curing of a mortar leveling bed, a layer of mortar is applied to either the mortar bed or the back of the tiles. The tiles are then pressed onto the cured leveling bed.
Standards Prevail
Many foreign manufacturers of glass tile mosaics provide instructions that follow third world standards. Simply stated, they do not comply with the science and standards that apply in modern countries.
Following simple instructions to mix white cement and sand to create the setting bed, will not ensure material that is compliant with the ANSI performance standards. The sheer strength, permeability and compressive strengths of this material will be totally unknown.
More critically, glass tile is susceptable to cracking when setting materials experience shrinkage. Shrinkage is unpredictable with field mixed materials. Shrinkage places glass tiles under compression. This stress is relieved by a glass tile as a crack.
ANSI Standards A108.14, A108.15, A018.16
In 2005, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) developed specific standards for the installation of glass tile mosaics. These standards are very precise. None of these standards allow for the use of the Direct Set Method when setting glass tile mosaics.
These ANSI standards were developed in conjunction with the Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA). Both CTIOA and TCNA promote the ANSI standards as the ONLY APPROVED METHODS OF INSTALLING GLASS TILE MOSAICS.
While the Direct Set Method of installing glass tile mosaics may be cheap, fast and easy - it is not permitted in North America.
Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at:
info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220.
Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com.
All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013.
All rights reserved.
What is the Direct Set Method?
The Direct Set Method (aka: two step method) is an economical and rapid installation method, reserved for ceramic or stone tiles. After installation and curing of a mortar leveling bed, a layer of mortar is applied to either the mortar bed or the back of the tiles. The tiles are then pressed onto the cured leveling bed.
Standards Prevail
Many foreign manufacturers of glass tile mosaics provide instructions that follow third world standards. Simply stated, they do not comply with the science and standards that apply in modern countries.
Following simple instructions to mix white cement and sand to create the setting bed, will not ensure material that is compliant with the ANSI performance standards. The sheer strength, permeability and compressive strengths of this material will be totally unknown.
More critically, glass tile is susceptable to cracking when setting materials experience shrinkage. Shrinkage is unpredictable with field mixed materials. Shrinkage places glass tiles under compression. This stress is relieved by a glass tile as a crack.
ANSI Standards A108.14, A108.15, A018.16
In 2005, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) developed specific standards for the installation of glass tile mosaics. These standards are very precise. None of these standards allow for the use of the Direct Set Method when setting glass tile mosaics.
These ANSI standards were developed in conjunction with the Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA). Both CTIOA and TCNA promote the ANSI standards as the ONLY APPROVED METHODS OF INSTALLING GLASS TILE MOSAICS.
While the Direct Set Method of installing glass tile mosaics may be cheap, fast and easy - it is not permitted in North America.
Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at:
info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220.
Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com.
All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013.
All rights reserved.
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