Feeling out of depth? Refresh your knowledge of pool basics!

By Emma Peterson.

Understand and identify the three core features that keep a pool functioning.

At first glance, a pool may seem just like a hole filled with water. But once you dive beneath the surface, it quickly becomes clear that there are a lot of different equipment and factors that go into making a pool effortlessly beautiful and functional. Whether you are working on learning the basics or just want a refresher on all the parts that go into making a pool, Heritage Pool Supply has got you covered with their article “The Anatomy of a Pool.” The article opens with a quick overview of the basic parts of a pool system — pumps, filters and heaters.

The pump is the powerhouse of the pool

If you’re looking for the heart of any pool system, you should be looking for the pump. As the name implies, the pump’s job is to circulate the water in the pool. Avoiding stagnate water has many benefits, the largest being the avoidance of algae and other natural growth in the water.  

Pumps can come in a variety of forms depending on what you need. This includes single-speed (the cheapest but least energy-efficient), two-speed (a little more advanced than single but still not the best) and variable-speed (costs more initially but has the best energy savings).

Keep it clean with a filter

A pump alone does not make a pool. A filter is a crucial part of the system as it keeps a pool clean. Without a filter or if a filter clogs, debris like leaves and dirt are more likely to build up in the pool. A filter is also key to keeping your pump from overworking itself.  

Like pumps, there are multiple types of filters, including:

• Sand filters: The cheapest and easiest option, but not the best when debris gets small.
• Cartridge filters: Can catch the smaller stuff that sand filters miss and has a relatively low maintenance requirement.
• Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filters: Definitively the best at catching all debris, but requires the most upkeep.

Building the hottest system

Last but not least, a heater can be a game-changer for any pool system. The necessity of this entirely depends on the pool owner’s budget, location and usage of the pool, but we all know that cold water can kill a good time fast. There are three main types of heaters on the market. There are the classic gas heaters, which work fast but are pricey to run. Then there are electric heat pumps. These are perfect for already warm climates and cheaper than gas over time. Finally, there are solar heaters, which offer free heat as long as the sun is still shining.

Read the full article from Heritage Pool Supply Group to learn about chlorination, drainage and more pool basics!