Professionals in the pool industry are always on the lookout to find innovative products which not only improve pool quality, but also simplify installation. A pool professional recently posted a question on the ask the masters Facebook group, which is a community dedicated towards educating the industry. The question was about ecoFINISH and if anyone had any experience with them. We sat with Joe Solana of ecoFINISH to learn more about what ecoFINISH does, how it works and why it is gaining popularity. Jacob Tetrick was also present. He said that using ecoFINISH has been extremely beneficial for his business.
What is ecoFINISH & how does it work?
In recent years, ecoFINISH has gained a reputation for its innovative technology in pool finishing. The company specializes in an external flame spray powder coat, which is a unique way to apply coatings on pool surfaces. This technology uses Polyethylene Powders, which are resistant to chemicals and contain UV-stable Pigments. The pool surface is highly durable and resistant against the effects of sunlight and water chemistry.
Joe Solana points out a major advantage of ecoFINISH, namely its resistance to fade due to changes in water chemistry. He explains, “You won’t see the typical bleach marks.” If someone pours Muriatic Acid in the pool, or broadcasts excessive chlorine, the finish will remain intact, unlike traditional masonry finishing. This gives pool owners and builders valuable time to correct any chemical mishaps.
EcoFINISH’s remarkably quick curing process is one of its most notable features. Solana explains, “The curing for our finish only takes a few minutes.” Our curing process is essentially the time between the moment you stop heating the water and the moment it cools. This means the pool can be filled immediately after application with a garden hose. There is no need to truck water as with other pool finishes.
ecoFINISH is distinguished by the lack of a two-week long curing process that is often associated with alternative finishes. The rapid curing and ease of use benefit not only pool owners, but also pool builders who can start pool operations immediately.
The Experience of Applicators
Jacob Tetrick of Quality USA Pools, South Dakota, shares his insights on why ecoFINISH is an important part of all pool construction and renovations.
Jacob’s interest in ecoFINISH began with a growing need for pool resurfacing. “With an increasing number of inquiries regarding pool renovations I began to explore options for a more high-end pool solution which could be completed faster and with minimal disruption on the homeowner’s home. Some clients in my area are not interested in a concrete pool because of the cost difference. They are willing and able to pay more for a better product.”
Benefits and Advantages
Jacob was attracted to ecoFINISH because of its simplicity and ease of use. He says that even on complicated resurfacing jobs, which include chipping off plaster and applying a slat coat to a Concrete Pool we can finish the job with only three workers. This not only saves you time, but also reduces the difficulties associated with large labor crews.
Tetrick’s clients are his top priority. He is committed to providing them with a long-term, high-quality solution. He says, “I’m looking to offer the best products at the lowest price possible, for both me and the customer.” It’s all about making money on jobs, and preventing customers from having to make frequent service calls.
Jacob’s ecoFINISH experience has been positive. “I have been installing ecoFINISH for two years, and I love its simplicity.” You won’t have any problems as long as you adhere to their instructions, do the required prep work and apply the product correctly.
Tetrick also highlights the advantages of ecoFINISH to his customers. When discussing pool options with clients, I stress the differences. Vinyl Liners are limited in lifespan and can cost up to $13,000 to replace. The ecoFINISH-coated pools have a 10-year warranty and are environmentally friendly. They also don’t fade when exposed to the sun.
Durability is a great feature of ecoFINISH. Tetrick says, “The product has a 10-year warranty but we have observed that it lasts well beyond 15 without any maintenance.” The ability to repair is particularly impressive. If, for example, ecoFINISH is applied to a concrete swimming pool, it cracks after a few months, we can return, repair the crack and reapply ecoFINISH. This process is seamless and ensures a consistent finish. It’s not necessary to redo the whole pool.
Supporting the Industry & Training
Solana discussed the challenges of introducing new technologies to an industry. He says: “Early, we made the decision that since we introduced this technology, if there was a problem, and the applicators weren’t installing it correctly, they would blame the product.” It’s not the same as launching a brand new cementitious finish. It is usually the installer who has done it wrong and caused the problem. When you introduce a new technology into an industry where it has never been used before and ask people to believe it works, they will blame it if there are any problems.
ecoFINISH took a critical decision to ensure the success and sustainability of its technology. Solana says, “We knew we were up against a steep battle. My entire life has been spent in the swimming pools industry. I was born to the family business. I am familiar with the type of men we work with every day. If they have to pay for the training, many will choose to ignore it. We decided early on to never charge anyone for any training.
EcoFINISH has always been committed to providing free training. Solana emphasizes this point by saying: “Out of all our applications around the world, aside from the initial purchase, I can think of only one or two cases where we charged someone for training. One of the things we stress to all our customers is that they can come for training at any time. “If they are just uncomfortable or need help, they only have to ask.”
Solana also acknowledges that the pool industry is unique. He says that “a lot of guys only build concrete pools.” “Most fiberglass pool guys only work with fiberglass pools. A few companies will work on different kinds of pools. But there aren’t many of them. Most people specialize and stick to it. If you are a concrete guy, that’s the thing you’re familiar with, and it’s also what we’ve trained you in, but you want to build your first fiberglass swimming pool, we don’t just want you to ask us for help; we’d like to be there. We want to demonstrate how to build it, because the differences are so subtle.
Listen to the Pool Magazine Podcast for our two-part interview with Jacob Tetrick, Quality USA Pools, and Joe Solana from ecoFINISH.
Part I
Part II
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