Pool Components

Things A Typical Swimming Pool Will Contain

• A water filter
• A motorized pump
• Drains
• Returns
• A chemical feeder
• A basin
• PVC plastic plumbing pipes connecting everything

Water Filter
Water is pumped from the pool through the chemical treatment and filtration systems after which it is returned back to the pool. This pumping cycle can help keep the pool clean and if there is a heater in the system, the cycle can also help to regulate the temperate.

Pool Drains
At the bottom of most pools, there is a main drain. This drain will be slightly lower than the rest of the pool so that everything slides towards it. A skimmer is a type of drain that is installed on the wall of a pool or spa and is connected to the suction line of the motorized pump. It draws water and floating debris, such as hair, suntan oil, bugs and leaves, off the surface of the water. Skimmers usually have a weir, which is a small floating door on the side of the skimmer that faces the water. The skimmer weir lets small amounts of water into the skimmer to be filtered and prevents debris from floating back into the pool once the pump has been shut off.

Vacuum Ports
Most pools also contain vacuum ports that use suction to collect dirt from the bottom and sides of structure. Many pool-owners also invest in a pool vacuum cleaner. A pool vacuum has a head with wheels on the bottom. The contraption is attached to a pole, which is then connected to the pool’s suction line via the skimmer.

Chemical Treatment Systems
Almost all pools use a combination of filtration and chemical treatment systems to continually clean the water.

Chemical treatment systems for swimming pools usually include a variety of different sanitizers and disinfectants that attack algae and bacteria.

Algae is a microscopic, plant-like organism, which is nourished by carbon dioxide, and though algae doesn’t spread disease, it does contain bacteria and it can make the surfaces that it covers extremely slippery.

Pool chemicals can help to eliminate dangerous disease causing pathogens that thrive in water. Eliminating these pathogens is essential to prevent diseases from spreading from person to person in the water.

Chlorine is the most popular sanitizer and disinfectant for swimming pools. When chlorine is added to water it reacts with the water to form various chemicals. It is these chemicals that are responsible for killing bacteria and other pathogens. Alternative sanitizers, such as bromide, do just about the same thing with slightly varied results.

Chlorine is usually sold in liquid, powder or tablet form. It can be added to the water anywhere in the pool but sometimes if it's added to a pool skimmer in tablet form, chlorine can become too concentrated in the areas by the skimmer.

Balancing the chemical levels in a swimming pool is an essential and ongoing process. An improper chemical balance can cause damage to different parts of the pool, it can cause the water to become cloudy and it can also cause irritation to the skin and eyes.

Pool pH Levels
Pool chemicals are monitored in terms of pH levels, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and total dissolved solids. Monitoring a pool’s pH is essential because a pool that is too acidic or too alkaline can be dangerous to the pool itself and the people who swim in it. If the pool water is too acidic, it will corrode any metal that is part of the pool’s operating system and cause skin irritation. If the water is too alkaline, it can cause scaling in the pool’s plumbing equipment and it can also cloud the water. If pool water is too acidic or too alkaline the effectiveness of the chlorine in the pool will be altered. The chemical won't destroy pathogens as well if the water is too alkaline, and it will disappear much more quickly if the water is too acidic.

Because pool chemicals can be corrosives and oxidizers, they can be very dangerous and should be handled with care. An oxidizer can react chemically with combustible materials and cause fire or explosion. A corrosive can attack and chemically destroy body tissues and metal.

Have more questions about what makes up a pool? Talk to other DIYers who may have answers to your questions in our Pools forum!