A pool maintenance veteran has seen a rise in the number of customers switching from freshwater to saltwater pools.

Tim McKittrick, owner of Tim’s Pools Ltd, has been in business for 15 years and witnessed many changes during this time.

He said: “Saltwater is not as harsh on the skin, doesn’t smell as much, it is much better for the surfaces of the pool, metals that are in the pool and railings. Overall it is a big help.”

Salt from the ocean has 30,000 parts per million, Mr McKittrick added. He adds salt to freshwater equalling about 3,500 parts per million.

This is not a straightforward process. Salt is added to a freshwater pool before placing it on electrolytic plates in a salt cell which converts the table salt into chlorine for the pool.

With technology advancing other change has happened as well, such as, customers moving from a regular standard pump to a variable speed pump, which helps save money on electricity and will turn itself off if customers forget to top up their pool.

With the new advancements, Mr McKittrick understands the importance of keeping up-to-date and continues to take refresher courses and certifications to instil confidence in his customers.

Relationships are important to him because he hopes that building relationships will maintain customers. “The biggest challenge I face is loyalty in the business. I find a lot of customers don’t stay loyal which can be hard so it’s about building relationships. Once you do, people tend to stay. You gotta take the good with the bad and move on and just continue building.”

Mr McKittrick has a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management and was a teacher prior to owning his pool business. He believes both those careers shaped him to become the successful business man he is. “I learnt about business and management having the hotel management experience, and teaching helps me to stay focused and be patient.” he said.

Having a staff of only four, he plans to expand and grow with opportunities for dedicated people to remain with the company.

“I train my staff and get them certified,” Mr McKittrick said. “It is all on-the-job training. I want dedicated people who are willing to stay and help with the business.

“In the past I had employees who I have trained up and they left after. I just want people who will stay.”

Besides maintaining pools the company power-washes pool decks, furniture and driveways, seal decks, and does basic plumbing.

They offer free consultation for new clients who are building new pools.

Mr McKittrick added: “We also install salt systems and variable-speed pumps even if people want to maintain the pool themselves.”

For more information, contact Tim’s Pool Ltd on 441-737-5959 or by e-mail at timspoolsltd@gmail.com or www.timspoolsltd.com