In this photo, the Technical Director of Professione Piscina Massimo Girotti, considered a true "guru" of the sector.
Thanks to over 35 years of experience, numerous specialization and refresher courses on industry news and after having followed the construction of more than 500 swimming pools, he has gained a rare and very in-depth knowledge of every aspect of the swimming pool sector.
Let's see what he tells us in this interesting interview regarding the renovation of a swimming pool and the delicate aspects of this type of intervention.
MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE POOL SECTOR: WHAT DO THEY MEAN FOR YOU AS A COMPANY AND FOR THE END CUSTOMER?
First of all, they mean many swimming pools built, of all sizes and different types. The fact that we have never opted for single-brand swimming pools or for a single product has allowed us to acquire a lot of knowledge and many working methodologies which, combined, have allowed us to deal effectively with almost all types of swimming pools. Naturally, all this has also been reflected in the field of renovations because we know we can deal with skimmer pools, infinity pools of various types, small, large, free-form or rectangular pools... In short, we know what to do based on the type of swimming pool we find ourselves in front of. This applies to spare parts, accessories and so on. The experience gained is so broad that we almost never find ourselves in real difficulty in putting things right or finding solutions, even innovative ones, in a swimming pool that needs fixing.
WHAT ARE THE CRITICAL AND PROBLEMATIC POINTS OF A RENOVATION?
The most complicated thing is that when we work on an old swimming pool, perhaps built by other companies, we don't have the project, drawings or construction method. Hypotheses often have to be made, without real certainties; therefore we sometimes find ourselves facing unpredictable problems. It is also often difficult to find spare parts or components that are compatible with the existing product because perhaps the pool is too old and those products have gone off the market, and it is therefore vital that the company in question is able to devise solutions functional and knowing how to adapt them to the situation you are faced with by creating, if necessary, components in an artisanal way.
HOW DO POOL PROFESSIONAL TEAMS WORK AND WHAT ARE THEIR STRONG POINTS?
First of all, we always try to plan and design any aspect that may affect the renovation before starting work, reducing surprises to almost zero. Furthermore, the guys who work in our teams are also long-standing experts, with a lot of experience behind them and are therefore able to be autonomous in many situations. Another important point is the interconnection that exists between the Technical Director, Engineer, team leaders and on-site technicians given that any job could reserve unexpected surprises and it is therefore necessary to work in coordination to promptly resolve any problems or peculiarities.
IT HAS NOT RARELY HAPPENED TO YOU TO DISCOVER ERRORS ON THE PART OF COMPETITORS, DOCUMENTING THEM ON YOUR BLOG: LACK OF CERTIFICATIONS OR ADAPTATION TO THE CURRENT RULES, BORROWED WORK, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS NOT UP TO REGULATIONS... IN THESE CASES, HOW DO YOU BEHAVE?
First of all, let's say that by corporate and professional choice we have decided to be at the top with regards to the quality of products and services, the issuing of certifications and compliance with current regulations. We try to adhere to very, very high standards. It must be said that this is rarely found in our sector: there are few companies in Italy that work with this criterion. Years ago this happened even less and the work was sloppy, done by poorly organized and unprofessional companies. We also invest a lot in training: our technicians and designers participate in courses, meetings and international fairs to always be up to date.
HOW DOES PROFESSION PISCINA TRY TO AVOID ERRORS AND ENSURE AN OPTIMAL SERVICE TO THE END CUSTOMER?
We have very precise protocols that we follow scrupulously to avoid errors and be as precise and punctual as possible: checklists, analysis modules and a whole series of tools that are continually fine-tuned and improved based on new regulations, new products released on the market and also based on experience gained in the field. All supervised by the TUV for the quality protocol. We also have a great strength in the consultancy that we offer at the beginning of our meetings with the client, where all the information is examined and all types of feasible design solutions are evaluated based on the existing scene. The fact of having the largest showroom of technical elements in Central Italy offers the customer the opportunity to choose wisely, touching the various products available first-hand.
MANY SAY THAT IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO RENOVATE THAN TO BUILD A POOL FROM NEW. IS THIS LIKE THIS?
Absolutely yes. When you renovate you work on an existing building and there are all the burdens of demolition, the fact of working with neighboring spaces, perhaps narrow or limited, and with an old generation swimming pool, with all the complications that this can entail. There is certainly a need for more mastery, more attention and the ability to reach certain compromises, sometimes even using unusual tools, trying to adapt your solutions to existing conditions, keeping everything that can be preserved and modifying what needs to be modified.
WHEN SHOULD A POOL BE REFURBISHED?
First of all, customer needs can change over time. For example, in the past, swimming pools with 3 meter high areas were often built, whereas now this happens more rarely because the swimming pool is understood as a tool for well-being and entertainment, often used by children or adults to play or relax. This is why changing the height of the tank is one of the most requested interventions. A swimming pool, like all things, like a house, ages over time: the cover gets ruined or becomes old-fashioned, small leaks appear, the look has started to get tired, the flooring has become ruined. The renovation certainly gives new life to the swimming pool, making it new, modern and more usable, especially through the addition of accessories such as hydromassage, small beach areas, water jets and so on.
