Category Archives: Aquatic

New for 2013 – PEM Edging

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Just when you thought our matting couldn’t get any better…

Make a safe and seamless transition to PEM slip-resistant matting with the new PEM Edging!

The angled 45-degree edge creates a natural transition to the matting, increasing the already superior safety features of your PEM matting. Plus – the black color will blend in with the décor and look great for years to come!

PEM Edging is easy to install with both new matting and EXISTING applications!

Start 2013 with an Easy Transition! Contact PEM today to learn more about our new Edging.

 

Smart Thinking at Duel in the Pool

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Dueling has been a part of American history since the earliest days of our country. In fact, Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of the Treasury) was killed by Vice-President Aaron Burr in a pistol duel. Could you imagine Joe Biden doing that today? I’m guessing that might cost him a few votes. But the truth was dueling was so entrenched in the culture, nearly everyone participated. For example in the early 1800s, dueling killed more Navy sailors than the sea.

Today, dueling is all but forgotten, partly because it is illegal. Instead, we compete in sports and other “smarter” methods against our rivals. A much anticipated duel quickly approaching is Mutual of Omaha’s Duel in the Pool. The U.S. Swimming Team will be facing off with a team of European All Stars to solidify for a year, who has the best swimmers in the world.

And because the best swimmers need the best equipment, PEM will be there to protect against slips and falls and protect the swimmers’ feet. Our matting will be used around the pool in our signature blue color.

PEM’s slip-resistant matting was chosen in part because it contains an antimicrobial biocide that guards against the growth of mildew, fungi and bacteria. The porous construction allows moisture to flow through or evaporate to eliminate standing water and reduce algae growth. And cleaning PEM is also easy, with only a sweeping or hose down, the matting can be cleaned.

So if you are interested in watching the best from the U.S. faceoff with all Europe has to offer, tune at the below times:

Watch on TV
Dec. 16, 7:00-9:00 p.m. ET on Universal Sports
Dec. 17, 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET on NBC

Easy Installation Above and Below the Waterline

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On hot summer days at your local pool, the lifeguards are always blowing their whistles to warn swimmers to stop running outside of the pool.  While you may hear it 20 times in an hour, it actually serves a great purpose, it reduces falls and injuries. But, with all the attention paid to outside the pool, there is little attention paid to falls in the pool. Areas like baby pools and splash parks are especially susceptible to injuries from slips and falls as a result of the wet, slippery flooring.

PEM Surface Creations doesn’t just protect against falls above the water, it also protects below. How you might ask? PEM is easily installable with their special adhesive below the water, installed with only a chalk gun. Our adhesive is specially formulated for a more permanent installation, holding for years. Taking into account PEM’s ability to withstand the elements, you have a long term fix!

You also might be surprised to find that there are no regulations on the matting used on pool bottoms and spray parks, like there is at conventional playgrounds. This leaves even more reason to further research matting options, because the lack of oversight.  At PEM, we believe underwater applications are just as important as above water, possibly even more so with the lack of regulation in the industry.

And if you think a PEM installation might be difficult, don’t just take our written word for it, listen to our president Bob Amelung talk over the installation process and the many options for adhesives. This video is the latest on our YouTube channel.

Stayed tuned or contact PEM to find out more about our matting’s slip-resistant properties and adhesives for safety and comfort above and below the water.

Tips for Opening the Pool

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Baseball is on TV, there are steaks on the grill and the kids are in the pool, it must Summer time! But before you get to this wonderful state of relaxation, there is work to be done – namely opening the pool!

To give you do-it-yourselfers some help, PEM Surface Creations has put together a few tips to make the pool opening process run smoother, so you can better enjoy your time off and avoid some common mistakes.

1. Check chemicals: Your chemicals have been sitting for months waiting to be used. Now that you are ready to use them, they might have passed their expiration date. Go through and throw away any expired chemicals and prioritize the chemicals you have left, so the oldest supply is used first.

2. Cleaning the winter cover: Give your winter cover a thorough cleaning, it has been taking mother natures worst all winter. And once you have finished cleaning, make sure you let the cover air dry. Otherwise it will likely collect mildew.

3.Filling the pool: Usually filling your pool with your garden hose is the easiest and most cost-efficient way of raising the water level. Except for larger pools, it can cost less to have a service truck in the water. Check local providers.

4. Put in the time: If you have solids floating in your pools, take the time to manually remove them with a net. Relying on your pool system or vacuum can lead to clogged pipes and bigger problems than you started with.

Now that you have your pool open, it is also important to consider protecting the people who will be using it. A pool is typically open for 90 days during the summer and we suggest that any pool, large or small, consider installing PEM Surface Creations’ aquatic matting. Out matting can help reduce slips and falls on concrete and on decks, as well as help prevent splinters to the foot.

PEM also is simply great for increasing comfort to bare feet! Our matting is cost-effective and can be installed with just a razor knife, caulk gun and square.

Have fun this weekend and rest of summer. For more on PEM Surface Creations visit our website.

PEM at the NCAA Woman’s Swimming and Diving Championships

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March isn’t just a time for championship basketball, it is also a time for championship swimming. At this year’s NCAA Woman’s Swimming and Diving Champions, 322 of the best student-athletes in the two sports will meet at the Texas Swimming Center on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin.

But for the first time, PEM Surface Creations’ aquatic matting will be there to greet them. When swimmers and divers get out of the pool they can expect to feel the comfort of PEM matting on their feet, as well as the benefits from its slip-resistant properties. PEM’s textured surface reduces the risk of slippage in wet conditions and allows moisture to flow through the matting, eliminating standing surface water.

To get here, the swimmers had to meet minimum requirements on strokes like the free style, breast stroke, butterfly and back stroke. And divers had to compete in Zone Meets to qualify.

In years past this event has featured Olympians or future Olympians, making us even more excited to have our product chosen for this event. The championships will run from March 17 to the 19. ESPN3.com will stream finals sessions live on Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19 and ESPN2 will air a 90-minute show at 1:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 5.

PEM at the SEC Championship

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Have you ever seen a gator or a razorback slip when getting out of the pool? If you said no, that might be in part to PEM’s aquatic matting being used at the SEC swimming and diving championship. Obviously we are not talking about the animals, but mascots that represent some of the country’s best universities.

The SEC or Southeastern Conference is comprised of schools like the University of Florida, Vanderbilt University, Louisiana State University and Auburn University. Every year the best from the conference compete in the conference championship to determine a winner, which can be difficult because SEC schools have also won an astonishing 23 NCAA swimming championships.

The 2011 SEC Championship was held at the University of Florida’s Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Utilizing PEM’s slip-resistant properties and comfort to bare feet, our matting was installed on the pools bulkheads. Also because PEM contains an antimicrobial biocide and can be rolled up for easy storage, it can be used at future events for years to come.

This year, athletes broke a number of SEC records with the Auburn University coming away with the win for the men and the University of Georgia the winner for the woman.  It was a great weekend of friendly competition and large crowds to cheer the student-athletes on. Take a look at the photos of PEM in action!