How To Find A Quality Company For Pool Table Service
A Billiards Table is an investment that can provide years of enjoyment if maintained with the proper care. A used pool table is going to cost at least $1000 while new tables will cost thousands of dollars. Do not risk your investment by trying to save a few dollars using “cut rate” or “fly by night” pool table service providers. The potential damage that can be done to simply save $20 can turn your pool table into a 700 pound paperweight. Without the proper tools and training, these discount providers can leave an uneven playing surface severely affecting how your table plays.
Insurance
When researching pool table installers, only use companies that carry workers compensation insurance. If an installer is injured on your property, you will be liable for the injury cost. Pool table slate is heavy and cumbersome and if the proper precautions are not taken, injury can occur quite easily. Make sure the company you choose has the proper coverage for their installers to eliminate your risk. Deal with a reputable company to know that you and your pool table are covered.
Installation Team
Only hire companies that have at least a two person team. As stated earlier, the slate used in pool tables are very heavy. Most billiard tables are constructed with a three slate system. Each piece of slate weights approximately 200 pounds. If a slate is not handled properly during a move, despite its size and weight, it can easily crack or break. Once this happens, the slate is useless and needs to be replaced. The chance of injury or damage with one installer trying to move a 200 lb slate is not worth the savings of hiring a company that sends one installer to complete your service needs.
Transportation
Mother nature is unpredictable. Top companies use enclosed vans or box trucks when transporting your pool table, protecting it from rain and the elements.
Putty vs Bees Wax
Some inexperienced installers will also use Bondo or Plaster of Paris for the slate seams, the problem is these hard compounds will crack under the felt leaving pebble-like bumps. This happens if the pool table has been stood on, bumped, pool balls jumping or just can happen over time from settling. Also, slate seams can be cheated by using hard compounds because they are puttied on and sanded down, the seams will feel smooth but not necessarily level.
Bees wax is definitely the professional’s choice for slate seams as it is flexible and pliable and cannot be cheated as your slate has to be perfectly level as 99% of the bees wax is scrapped off after melted. Also, the benefit is if your slate seems shift the bees wax will flex with them.
