Professional Watershaping

Reflecting the High Life
Four years in the making, this Ohio project gave Jerry Hammerschmidt and his staff at High-Tech Pools an opportunity to execute at the highest possible level, both in terms of design collaboration, and construction. Here he pulls back the curtain on a project that deftly blends modern and classic motifs in a uniquely luxurious estate setting.  ...
Watershape University Steps into Service
WU has announced a new training program for watershape service professionals. Designed to support commercial service licensing and education, the course is also aimed at elevating the work of residential service companies with WU’s unique brand of quality instruction. ...
A802-C: Natural Edge Planter Pocket
Combining plants and water is one of the key elements in creating watershapes that look natural. How to handle those key transitions where water, plants and earth come together can be tricky, especially if you don’t plan ahead for the presence of planting pockets. This simple detail offers a clean and easy way to manage those visual and functional transitions. ...
Fire Feature Function & Safety
Fire has been integral to the outdoor experience all along. In backyard environments, the market has seen expansion over the past several years, both in terms of number of fire features sold, and the creative designs of those features. Using today’s beautiful fire elements safely and effectively means following well-established guidelines.  ...
Words of Wisdom for New Service Technicians
Independent pool service is a solitary task – an often-lonely profession built on sweat equity and skill. Veteran technician, Robert H. Foutz Jr., has made it his business to educate his fellow technicians, in classrooms, print and in conversation. Here he shares nuggets of wisdom for young technicians entering field.  ...
Indoor Water & Air Quality (part I)
Indoor pools, known as natatoriums, are notorious for bad air quality. These facilities are unique in the world of design, construction and maintenance because they contain open bodies of water. In this two-part series, Eric Knight describes the basic framework for maintaining quality water and air in these special aquatic spaces.  ...
Cold Weather Fountain Care
While comprehensive maintenance implemented by skilled service professionals is always imperative, as fountain expert Jerry West explains, preventive care is especially critical in the colder months when damage from ice can destroy even the best-designed and installed fountain systems.  ...
WU Roars into 2023
Watershape University is stepping forward with a palette of educational offerings at three major industry events in Atlantic City, Houston and Colorado Springs – marking the beginning of WU’s strongest year yet.   ...
Pivoting to Renovations
During times of economic strife, many watershapers have kept financial pace by focusing on renovations rather than new construction. Is it time to again start thinking in that direction given current uncertain economic conditions? Industry veteran Brett Lloyd Abbott believes so, and has advice about making a tactical shift in messaging. ...
The Vermiculite Touch
In the world of concrete, vermiculite is in some ways an unusual material – a lightweight aggregate that creates a durable and ultra-smooth substrate for vinyl liner pool. (It’s also widely used as a soil amendment in agriculture.) Phoenix B. Owens has been using it in his pools for decades, and believe with the right touch, vermiculite is a perfect choice. ...